SFCleo

It's not unheard of for Bolshoi ballerinas to dance both Giselle and Myrta. According to the Bolshoi website, Alexandrova, Antonicheva and Shipulina have danced both but I don't know what it is about these three that would make them versatile enough to do both.

I suspect Olga is not always available to Bolshoi due to all the other galas, projects and other companies she's involved in. Same with Obraztsova. Bolshoi needs another beautiful classical grand ballerina to fill those roles when the others are unavailable. Who better than Yulia?

It seems Yulia will have an opportunity to dance the Bolshoi version of O/O before performing it in London. She is scheduled to dance O/O with Alexander Volchkov and the Sofia Opera and Ballet on June 25th and 26th. http://www.operasofia.bg/en/news-and-events/item/3321-zvezdite-na-bolshoi-teatar-v-lebedovo-ezero-na-25-i-26-yuni It's great that Bolshoi is giving her so much stage time in major roles. Her past O/O performances had been criticized by some for seeming hesitant and not projecting, surely a result of very little preparation time and no "dry runs" in galas or out of town. Bolshoi's approach will help consolidate the technical aspect of the roles, giving her more confidence and the ability to concentrate more on the characters she is playing, interaction with other dancers and projection to the audience. Bolshoi must indeed believe that Yulia has great potential, to go to these lengths to support her.

This strikes me as a "softball" interview, i.e. one with a friendly interviewer conducting the conversation to support the Bolshoi's goal of protecting a new "asset". Although I couldn't understand what he was saying, his speaking tone was gentle and accommodative. This same guy has been doing this a long time -- his interviews with Hallberg, Rodkin, Smirnova and others can be found on YouTube. It was a safe an interview as one could hope for. It's true that Yulia could be put in awkward situations other interviewers, but neither she nor the Bolshoi would want to make her available to potentially hostile interviewers. They are managing her image very carefully and successfully.

Thanks for the site references. I can't read the one in Japanese but I do see Skvortsov's photo. I'll take your word that it says something about a new ballet.

It seems that Zakharova may have reasons other than financial gain for participating in the Tokyo gala -- she and her husband the great violinist Vladimir Repin will be opening the gala: On June 17 in Japan starts The Year of the Russian Culture. The Program Pas de deux on Points and for Fingers will be open by a violinist Vadim Repin and the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi and La Scala theaters, Benois de la Danse laureate, Svetlana Zakharova. Her partner is going to be Benois nominee, a premier of the Bolshoi, Mikhail Lobukhin. http://benois.theatre.ru/english/massmedia/news/

Thank you for the translation. I am confused, though, about what Rodkin said -- I thought Olga Smirnova "owned" the role of Bela in Posokhov's A Hero of Our Time (for which he won the Benois de la Danse) so how could Yulia be "first cast"? Or is that just a statement of Posokhov's preference? Also, I'm mystified why anybody thinks she should have passed up this interview. Of course she did the interview! It gave her the opportunity to briefly explain to the Russian TV audience how she came to the Bolshoi. She may have been advised not to go into detail about what happened at Mariinsky, and frankly, I think that was very good advice. Why dredge up the past when things are working out so well for her now? She has her career back, she is valued, she has opportunity. Her success at the Bolshoi will be the best revenge. She is so beautiful, gentle and dreamy in this interview. You can see why she is such a great Lilac Fairy and Queen of the Dryads. I'm glad she's back on track living her dreams.

It's now up on YouTube as well. It's interesting that the release was postponed until now -- perhaps to introduce Yulia to the Russian audience so they will know who she is when it comes time for promotions?

The original article featured BOTH Anna Tikhomirova and Ana TuraZAshvili. There was a photo of Tikhomirova but no photo of Tura oh heck I'm just gonna call her Ana. Both Anna and Ana were quoted in the original article. The revised article does not reference Ana, only Anna.

Yes, very clever strategy. Let's hope it works.

It appears that the article has been edited to remove the quote from Ana Turishvili, described as "first soloist", which I'm sure I read in an earlier version.

Interesting article in DW online in which Vaziev, Denis Rodkin and Ana Turashvili are quoted on recent changes in the company. http://www.dw.com/en/the-bolshoi-ballet-moving-on-from-scandal/a-19335609. Rodkin and Turashvili seem to like the direction the company is going under Vaziev: better discipline, more opportunities for dancers to demonstrate their readiness for new roles. Certainly we've seen the latter in recent castings. One question: Turashvili is listed on the company website as a soloist, but in this article (and another I saw somewhere else that I can't remember) as a FIRST soloist. I wonder if this is just a translation issue or if Ana has actually been (or is soon to be) promoted? Bolshoi promotions are usually announced in July, but perhaps some are known already?

Wahoo!!

Do we know what they'll be dancing at the gala?

Full casting for the Bolshoi's London tour this July and August has been posted on the Bolshoi website. I'm in complete envy of anybody who has tickets to any of these performances and hope to read many long and detailed reviews! CAST: Don Quixote 25 July, 7.30 pm Kitri: Olga Smirnova Basilio: Denis Rodkin A Street Dancer: Anna Tikhomirova Espada: Ruslan Skvortsov The Queen of the Dryads: Yulia Stepanova Don Quixote: Alexei Loparevich Sancho Pansa: Roman Simachev 26 July, 7.30 pm Kitri: Maria Alexandrova Basilio: Vladislav Lantratov A Street Dancer: Anna Okuneva Espada: Vitaly Biktimirov The Queen of the Dryads: Yulia Stepanova Don Quixote: Alexei Loparevich Sancho Pansa: Roman Simachev 27 July, 7.30 pm Kitri: Ekaterina Krysanova Basilio: Semyon Chudin A Street Dancer: Anna Tikhomirova Espada: Ruslan Skvortsov The Queen of the Dryads: Anna Nikulina Don Quixote: Alexei Loparevich Sancho Pansa: Georgy Gusev 28 July, 7.30 pm Kitri: Margarita Shrainer (debut) Basilio: Artem Ovcharenko A Street Dancer: Angelina Karpova Espada: Vitaly Biktimirov The Queen of the Dryads: Anna Nikulina Don Quixote: Alexei Loparevich Sancho Pansa: Georgy Gusev Swan Lake 29 July, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Olga Smirnova Prince Siegfried: Denis Rodkin The Evil Genius: Artemy Belyakov Friends to the Prince: Nina Kaptsova, Kristina Kretova The Fool: Vyacheslav Lopatin 30 July, 2.00 pm Odette-Odile: Anna Nikulina Prince Siegfried: Ruslan Skvortsov The Evil Genius: Mikhail Kryuchkov (debut) Friends to the Prince: Kristina Kretova, Дарья Хохлова The Fool: Denis Medvedev 30 July, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Ekaterina Krysanova Prince Siegfried: Semyon Chudin The Evil Genius: Igor Tsvirko Friends to the Prince: Nina Kaptsova, Kristina Kretova The Fool: Georgy Gusev 1 August, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Olga Smirnova Prince Siegfried: Vladislav Lantratov The Evil Genius: Artemy Belyakov Friends to the Prince: Kristina Kretova, Дарья Хохлова The Fool: Vyacheslav Lopatin 2 August, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Yulia Stepanova (debut with the Bolshoi Ballet Company) Prince Siegfried: Artem Ovcharenko The Evil Genius: Igor Tsvirko Friends to the Prince: Anna Okuneva, Ana Turazashvili The Fool: Georgy Gusev 8 August, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Svetlana Zakharova Prince Siegfried: Denis Rodkin The Evil Genius: Artemy Belyakov Friends to the Prince: Anna Okuneva, Ana Turazashvili The Fool: Vyacheslav Lopatin 9 August, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Olga Smirnova Prince Siegfried: Semyon Chudin The Evil Genius: Mikhail Kryuchkov Friends to the Prince: Nina Kaptsova, Kristina Kretova The Fool: Denis Medvedev 10 August, 7.30 pm Odette-Odile: Svetlana Zakharova Prince Siegfried: Denis Rodkin The Evil Genius: Artemy Belyakov Friends to the Prince: Anna Okuneva, Ana Turazashvili The Fool: Vyacheslav Lopatin The Taming of the Shrew 3 August, 7.30 pm Katharina: Ekaterina Krysanova Petruchio: Vladislav Lantratov Bianca: Olga Smirnova Lucentio: Semyon Chudin Hortensio: Igor Tsvirko Gremio: Vyacheslav Lopatin The Widow: Юлия Гребенщикова Baptista: Artemy Belyakov The Housekeeper: Anna Tikhomirova Grumio: Georgy Gusev 4 August, 7.30 pm Katharina: Kristina Kretova Petruchio: Denis Savin Bianca: Nina Kaptsova Lucentio: Artem Ovcharenko Hortensio: Alexander Smoliyaninov Gremio: Denis Medvedev The Widow: Анна Балукова Baptista: Karim Abdullin The Housekeeper: Yanina Parienko Grumio: Georgy Gusev The Flames of Paris 5 August, 7.30 pm Jeanne: Ekaterina Krysanova Philippe: Igor Tsvirko Adeline: Nina Kaptsova Jerome: Vyacheslav Lopatin Mireille de Poitiers: Yulia Stepanova Antoine Mistral: Denis Rodkin 6 August, 2.00 pm Jeanne: Kristina Kretova Philippe: Mikhail Lobukhin Adeline: Anna Nikulina Jerome: Denis Savin Mireille de Poitiers: Anna Tikhomirova Antoine Mistral: Artem Ovcharenko 6 August, 7.30 pm Jeanne: Maria Alexandrova Philippe: Vladislav Lantratov Adeline: Nina Kaptsova Jerome: Alexander Smoliyaninov Mireille de Poitiers: Yulia Stepanova Antoine Mistral: Denis Rodkin Le Corsaire 11 August, 7.30 pm Medora: Maria Alexandrova Conrad: Vladislav Lantratov Gulnare: Anna Tikhomirova Birbanto: Denis Savin Pas d'esclaves: Nina Kaptsova, Vyacheslav Lopatin 12 August, 7.30 pm Medora: Anna Nikulina Conrad: Mikhail Lobukhin Gulnare: Nina Kaptsova Birbanto: Vitaly Biktimirov Pas d'esclaves: Kristina Kretova, Igor Tsvirko 13 August, 2.00 pm Medora: Yulia Stepanova (debut) Conrad: Denis Rodkin Gulnare: Kristina Kretova Birbanto: Vitaly Biktimirov Pas d'esclaves: Margarita Shrainer, Alexander Smoliyaninov 13 August, 7.30 pm Medora: Ekaterina Krysanova Conrad: Igor Tsvirko Gulnare: Anna Tikhomirova Birbanto: Denis Savin Pas d'esclaves: Nina Kaptsova, Vyacheslav Lopatin Seyd, the Pacha: Alexei Loparevich (all the performances) Isaac Lanquedem: Yegor Simachev (all the performances)

I would be interested in seeing more posts about ballet music -- composers, compositions, performers, etc.

I guess Zelensky must feel pretty confident that he will be able to fill these new vacancies with excellent Russian dancers now that Shklyarov and Shrinkina have signed on.

I've only ever seen Shurale in bits and pieces on YouTube. Wish the Russian companies would bring Shurale and other Russian ballets to the US and Western Europe when they tour. I would really love to see Obraztsova as Aurora.

I love Obratsova in Satanella! Fabulous technique, great personality. Of all the ballerinas she is the one I would most like to see live. As I said above, I've been disappointed that she hasn't been dancing at the Bolshoi this year, but from her Instagram I've gleaned that she has been enjoying spending time with her husband. https://www.instagram.com/p/BFyb9WwGUPO/?taken-by=evgeniaobraztsova Note the strategically placed handbag.

I couldn't resist posting this photo of Stepanova as Lady Macbeth https://www.instagram.com/p/BFkJ40Lt4jp/?taken-by=yuliastepa:

LOL is right! OT a bit, my favorite Google Translate translation is "Two Jeeps" for -- you guessed it -- the two Wilis in Giselle! Yes, Stepanova is on fire now, with TWO debuts scheduled for the London tour: O/O and Medora! She also danced last evening in the second Benoit de la Danse gala in a duet with Denis Rodkin from Vladimir Vasiliev's "Macbeth". I hope somebody managed to video that!

Buddy, I don't know if you remember from Bolshoi Babylon the part where Maria Allash grouses about Filin bringing in non-Bolshoi trained dancers (read Obratsova, Smirnova, Hallberg) and, according to Maria, promoting them over equally qualified Bolshoi dancers. If such attitudes fed the resentment against Filin that resulted in the acid attack, one can only hope that those who opposed Filin have learned their lesson and will find a way to accept Vaziev's leadership. Certainly the Vaganova trained dancers bring something to the Bolshoi that Bolshoi dancers currently lack, namely the beautiful adagio for which Petersburg is known. Vaziev has been featuring Smirnova, Stepanova and Zhiganshina quite prominently this year with many debuts, partly I think because many senior dancers have been MIA this season, or maybe they have been MIA because Vaziev is not using them? Hard to tell. Kaptsova has been dancing a lot, though, which I agree is a good thing!

Thanks for this. Good for Schrainer -- they must think highly of her. While checking the ROH website I saw another change: Stepanova will be dancing Medora in Le Corsaire!

Some very interesting things are happening at the Bolshoi. In the recent four day run of Sleeping Beauty there was a huge number of debuts by dancers from the corps in soloist roles (such as Denisova, Schreiner, Zhiganshina) and lower level soloists in major roles (such as Anna Okuneva as the Lilac Fairy). In a last minute substitution, Krysanova danced Aurora with a very lucky Vladislav Kozlov from the corps as Prince Desire. On Instagram, many debutants were over the moon, understandably thankful for these unforeseen opportunities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BFbfm6IGJyP/?taken-by=call_me_perchand https://www.instagram.com/p/BFedQMJAqi2/?taken-by=gaglianonebruna are some examples. I wonder: is Vaziev taking stock of the company, looking for diamonds in the rough to replace dead wood? He certainly made a lot of people happy, although I suppose some of the older dancers may not be all that comfortable with the process. Here is the official listing of debuts from the Bolshoi website (translated by google translate so some of the names may not be exactly correct): "Sleeping Beauty". Debuts 12 May Yulia Stepanova - Lilac Fairy Anastasia Denisova - Fairy of Tenderness Yanina Parienko - Carefree Fairy, Fairy Gold Daria Khokhlova - Fairy playfulness Margarita Schreiner - Silver Fairy Anna Leonova - White Cat Anna Zachary - maid / maid of honor may 13 Anna Okunev - Lilac Fairy Andrew Mercury - The wicked fairy Carabosse Oksana balls - Fairy of Tenderness Xenia Zhiganshina - Diamond Fairy Daria Khokhlova - White Cat Anna Tikhomirov - Princess Florine Anastasia Denisova - Cinderella Ilya Artamonov - Grey Wolf Faith Borisenkova - The Duchess Ksenia Averin - maid / maid of honor May 14 (beginning at 12.00) Dmitry Dorokhov - Wicked Fairy Carabosse Tamara Mironova - Fairy of Tenderness Brune Kantanede Galyanoni - Fairy Carefree Olga Kalinina - Fairy playfulness Margarita Schreiner - Diamond Fairy Anastasia Denisova - Princess Florine May 14 (beginning at 19.00) Anna Balukova Anton Savitchev - Peasant dance Nina Biryukova - Little Red Riding Hood May 15 Brune Kantanede Galyanoni - Fairy of Courage Anna Tikhomirov - White Cat Yulia Stepanova - Princess Florine