MadameP

So beautiful.

No doubt Zakharova and Smirnova do wield some degree of power and have some privileges, but If Smirnova truly decides completely "what, when, and with whom" she will be dancing, how is it that she did not refuse when Vaziev assigned her the role of Kitri, which she was unhappy about dancing?

LOL! Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. I thought her Giselle was entirely convincing and well acted and I find Kim extremely UNconvincing in the role of Albrecht.

Quinten, I prefer Yulia Stepanova myself, but I do think it is wrong to state or to imply that Olga Smirnova uses a claque or that she is not "dedicated to her art for the sake of art." There have been many features and documentaries illustrating Olga's work ethic and the way in which she has dedicated herself to her ballet. I can attest to this myself, in some small way, as I was fortunate to watch her rehearsing with her coach Marina Kondratieva, and her professionalism and hard work/attention to every single detail, whether artistic, acting or technical was absolute. She is very different from Yulia Stepanova, but not less dedicated to her art. I think she displays more of a prima presence on stage than Stepanova though. She has a certain old fashioned glamorous aloof allure about her, whereas Yulia Stepanova is gentler and more feminine. However, as you say, there should be room at Bolshoi for both these ballerinas to be given ample opportunities, and at the moment these are all going to Smirnova. Yulia Stepanova was long ago promised the roles of Aegina and Giselle, but they have not materialised. That is a very great shame.

Honestly, I am disappointed with this year's Festival. And yes, Olga Smirnova has danced Giselle at Bolshoi already and, although I never thought this would be the role for her, she was wonderful, especially in her ethereal act 2. She is definitely worth seeing in Giselle - but I honestly cannot say the same for her partner, Kimin Kim This is an extremely stronge pairing to me.

Yes, every company has politics, but I think both Smirnova and Stepanova are wonderful ballerinas. Personally, I consider Stepanova to be the better - her movement is far more musical, lyrical and flowing, and her acting natural and expressive. I like Olga Smirnova very much also: I do appreciate the care she takes with every aspect of every role - of course, this is seen by some as being "too careful" but I think every ballerina has her own way of interpreting a role and they cannot all be the same. However, Olga Smirnova is clearly the up and coming Prima stepping into Zakharova's shoes and perceived as senior to Yulia Stepanova. I think she is hardly hard done by having Belyakov as a partner - it surely can't be long until he is made principal and he is outstanding. Certainly his Solor debut was outstanding in my opinion - dynamic and well acted. I actually take far more issue with Marchenkova being cast as Gamzatti.

Ah ... thank you for this quote from the 1899 libretto! This makes total sense. I wish all Auroras would read this libretto. Some Auroras do approach the King and Queen, showing them the roses and then dropping them gently at their feet and that seems appropriate, but throwing them always seems so disrespectful!

Can't resist posting this one also!

Buddy, I agree. I, too am very happy that Renata Shakirova was promoted, but there are several others who of course I would like to see promoted. I would love to have seen Maria Shirinkina promoted. She has gone from strength to strength since her year away, and is a beautiful, lyrical ballerina. Female promotions to the role of principal would be VERY welcome and yes, Osmolkina is long overdue a promotion, but every year it seems a little more unlikely, given her age. Novikova, too, should have been a principal long ago, in my opinion. And then there are the men .... Stepin, Ermakov and Zverev ... where are the promotions for them???

Several excerpts are on YT. Here is one:

Completely agree! Spartacus and DonQ - love both of them. Both great vehicles for the Bolshoi ballet. I dislike both Taming of the Shrew and the truly DIRE in my opinion Hero of our Times.

I have seen Mikhail Lobukhin dance live at the Bolshoi many times. Also, in the UK, and filmed privately. As I said above, he is an outstanding actor and has an amazing natural presence and magnetism on stage. He is also an excellent natural partner, who makes partnering seem as easy as breathing. I saw him as Abderaskhan in Raymonda, both live on stage and (oh lucky me!) in rehearsal backstage with Olga Smirnova. Impossible to take your eyes off him. Also, live as Ivan, Basilio, in roles in Golden Age - phenomenal tango! - Solor, concert solos, Russian Seasons - many roles. At MT he was never a principal and never given the principal role repertoire he deserved, and to some extent at Bolshoi he has not danced as many times in classical "prince" roles as he could have. But as Ivan, Spartacus, his roles in Bright Stream, Lady of the Camelias - he's wonderful. He has Vaganova schooling with very fluid body movements, lovely port de bras, masculinity which he exudes in every role. I live in the UK, and to have paid the price to go to the Bolshoi to see him in DonQ, Ivan(ESPECIALLY Ivan) Raymonda, Golden Age - was worth every penny.

Thank you, Quinten! Lobukhin truly deserves his own thread! He is a wonderful dancer and partner and a Great actor, with truly magnetic presence on stage. In particular, he is outstanding in Grigorovich ballets.

I do agree about Khiteeva and think she may prove to be the best artistically that we will see from Vaganova in these few years - those beautiful arms and movement quality! Also, yes, I love Lukina, who is a real grand Mariinsky ballerina and who also has those gorgeous feet and allure on stage, but she does have some technical issues. Also, Maria Bulanova has real artistry and expressive/dramatic quality - she has had so many debuts that it is surprising she has not been promoted also.

I do agree that there is too much about Khoreva in the media, but I still think she is vastly superior to Nagahisa. Incidentally, Nagahisa made a mess up of her Corsaire pd2 with Shklyarov in the Pavlova diverts - not a lot of artistry there ... I do think Medora is a surprising choice of role for her, and one for which she was evidently inadequately prepared. If Fateyev wishes to thrust these young dancers up the promotion ladder, then he has a responsibility towards the audience to ensure that they are prepared and suitable for the roles they dance.