Buddy

The interview clarifies two points for me. She did post her condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine before she left Russia. And her husband left with her. Here are some quotes from the article: "Speaking via video call from Amsterdam, she explains her reason for leaving: “It did not feel safe.” Although there had been no direct threat from the authorities, she adds: “I just felt the atmosphere was tense in the country. International flights were being cancelled and there were rumours the borders would be closed, so we decided to leave. We didn’t want to risk it and wait longer.” "She knew making such a statement would put her in the spotlight. Why did she do it? “I don’t know,” she says. “I just felt I needed to speak out. I couldn’t keep it inside. There were many artists who spoke out. I admire Russian literature. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy are my favourite writers and you learn from their example that you must speak honestly and openly.” "Smirnova barely heard from her Bolshoi colleagues, save for a couple of “supportive and touching” messages. “People are afraid to speak out. If they don’t have any choice but to stay, they prefer not to speak out. Everyone should be able to decide what type of society they want to live in and how much freedom one needs for living.” "She had always wanted to work internationally: she has loved working with visiting choreographers at the Bolshoi, loves the modernity of the repertoire at DNB, and dreams of dancing ballets by its resident choreographer Hans van Manen. Still, these are not the circumstances she would have chosen. "Smirnova plans to stay in Amsterdam for the foreseeable future, having no idea what that future holds. “The company made a warm welcome for me,” she says. “I will try to do my best for them.” Whether she will be able to return to Russia is moot. “To come back to Russia, I think probably I would need to take my words back. And there’s no way I can do that. Of course I would like to see my parents, be able to go to my native St Petersburg. But the future is so uncertain now, both the country’s and my own.” "

Hi Sandy, and thanks for your comments. Perhaps I can respond somewhat when I have some more time. Here's an interview today with the Guardian (UK). I haven't read it yet but will post it for those who are interested. I may write some thoughts later. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/05/i-couldnt-keep-it-inside-ballet-star-olga-smirnova-on-quitting-the-bolshoi-and-fleeing-russia

Maybe watching this video twice a day for awhile might work too, Dirac. 😊 Thank you.

As someone who looked forward to visiting Russia each year (perhaps more than anything else), Lizzy, primarily for the ballet, but also because there is a lot to love there, as there is everywhere, I look forward to the day when our primary attention here can once again return to the arts.

"[Interview] Olga Smirnova on leaving the Bolshoi Ballet – Everyone must deal with their conscience" "Everything happened extremely fast. I discussed the situation in Moscow with Ted Brandsen, the artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet, and he suggested that I go to Amsterdam and join the ballet company. I didn’t anticipate this at all… it was something completely unexpected. I only took the bare essentials with me. "My parents still haven’t realised that I’ve left. It will take time for them to accept it. But I hope they understand my choice, that’s all I can say for now. "And after this is over? "We will need much effort to rehabilitate Russia’s image in the world. Russian intellectuals and artists will be called upon to play a major role in this process. "Russian culture is extraordinary and belongs to the whole world." https://www.gramilano.com/2022/04/interview-olga-smirnova-leaving-bolshoi/ (Thanks to Jan McNulty at BalletcoForum) Added thought: Whereas Olga Smirnova feels that's it's the intellectuals and the artists that are so important to the future of Russia, and I would agree, it's also the 'common person.' I've met many lovely ones, as once again I've done everywhere, and they are the 'heart and soul' of a culture as well.

This is the Google translation of the printed part, Lizzy. I have no personal comments, except that a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine as soon as possible would be fine with me. Address by the General Director of the Bolshoi Theater Vladimir Urin before the performance of the ballet "Spartacus" (April 2, 19:00). The Bolshoi Theater launched a large-scale charity event "Open Curtain", organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The collection from the legendary performance by Yuri Grigorovich will be sent to help the families of soldiers who died during the special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The Bolshoi Theater will also show one of the performances in April for refugees from Ukraine.

I guess that the main comment that I can make, when descriptions seem limiting, is about how many times I actually watch a filmed performance and how it makes me feel. At the moment I'm riveted to Eva Sergeyenkova's White Swan duet. I've watched it over ten times. One thing that's special is that I consider this duet to be the 'essence' of the entire work when the Mariinsky performs it. When the Bolshoi performs it, it remains very important, but it also seems part of a continuum, of a complete story being told. In Eva Sergeyenkova's interpretation, more like the Mariinsky's, it seems to be the essence. It stands alone as the overriding statement. I sometimes try not to define this sort of thing, because I've then committed myself to a description that I feel compelled to stand by. For the moment, I feel that Eva Sergeyenkova is growing so fast artistically that yesterday's comments and yesterday's performances just aren't as important. Also, there's always the new insights and the new effects of the layers of things that she's doing. So I can write a few comments about what I currently see and feel, but keeping in mind that by tomorrow she may have moved on. In this White Swan duet what remains dominant for me is her intentional structuring of images. She amplifies them. She sometimes takes them to their physical limits, but for the purpose of conveying something deeply felt. I also notice her ability to reach out to her physical and expressive boundaries and then snap back to a more centered place, a place of calm and embrace. In addition, she has an inner 'soulfulness' and an inner searching for substance and a way to express all this. Most important is her remarkable, beautiful and 'soulful' ability to accomplish what she does. Added: Semyon Chudin, her partner, seems as sensitively attuned as I've ever seen him.

She's on her way, in my opinion, to being one of the world's great ballerinas, so I would like to start her own topic. "Heart-Touching Expression" This is how I have her footnoted on my video list. Saturday afternoon and again Sunday afternoon at the Bolshoi Theater, she performed Swan Lake. Her partners were Artem Ovcharenko and Semyon Chudin. A video clip has been posted of her White Swan duet along with some other very brief ones. (Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie for finding the source). Once again she was quite remarkable. At 18 years old, still in the Bolshoi Corps de Ballet, she debuted her Swan Lake, January 14, with Artemy Belyakov. About a week later she was promoted to First Soloist. A discussion about her at Ballet Alert! was started here (beginning at January 15) : https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/46475-bolshoi-20212022-season/ Her dramatic and artistic maturity are truly remarkable for her very young age. Her artistic future will hopefully be equally remarkable to follow. Added: After more viewing of her White Swan duet I'm noticing a wonderful ability to create shapes and motion. What could easily become highly exaggerated is somehow formed into totally one-of-a-kind imagery of outstanding creation.

I thought that it might be nice to revisit this one. "Where the Hell is Matt" morphed to "Where the Heck in Matt" morphed to "Dancing Matt" (21 Million views!)

After taking a very quick look at some Hans van Manen choreography and some descriptions of the Dutch National Ballet, I tend to see some Anna Pavlova resemblances in what Olga Smirnova has decided to do both artistically and geographically. 'Politics' were a major factor in driving them both from their home in Russia. Both were probably very ready to expand artistically as well. Anna Pavlova might have had a better chance to achieve this in Russia with the emergence of a new generation of choreographers such as Fokine. For Olga Smirnova this would seem less likely at the moment. Anna Pavlova, as I once read, always remained a 'classicist' at heart. With Olga Smirnova this may be less the case. Both women were/are one-of-a-kind great artists. Anna Pavlova, I feel, was greatest as a transcendent. Olga Smirnova is more about human reality. They both went beyond artistic technique, using it a method to transmit statements about greater realities and ideals. But because both were thoroughly schooled in the fineness of dance motion, this would always be part of their overall beauty. Olga Smirnova is more likely to pursue a much more dramatic direction than an exploration of pure dance motion. She already appears less refinement oriented, and more dramatically driven. He moves tell a story, create an identity and a world. Leaving Russia, both left behind perhaps the finest 'classical' backup support that there is, today's Mariinsky and Bolshoi. But both are such strong artistic individuals that this would probably not matter as much. The Mariinsky and Bolshoi would have enhanced their dance 'excellence,' but they both sought/seek artistic expression that goes perhaps further than this. It will be very interesting to see where Olga Smirnova goes from here. I would imagine that she will establish an initial permanence with the Dutch National Ballet, both out of gratitude and for the learning and performing experience. She might also use it as a base for her personal development, while exploring and performing globally with other companies and individuals, which she was already doing at the Bolshoi. I don't think that she would want to be a 'prima-donna' or an artistically drive artist simply using the Dutch National Ballet as a stepping stone. I think that this would contribute to an ongoing commitment to the company in addition to a concern for her own artistic development. But, what a beautiful bird wants to do most is fly and this must always be accounted for and respected.

It's my ongoing feeling that somehow the beauty of the arts, among other things, the most important one being Love, are the source of light through societal darkness. In this regard, I continue to focus on this as much as possible. It's been stated, although I've not read any direct quote from her, that she left the Bolshoi and Russia not only because of the invasion of the Ukraine, which she abhors, but also for other reasons. Some of these, I would guess are artistic ones, which she has stated are the primary force in her life. Did she feel a need to grow artistically beyond the Bolshoi ? If so, why leave the Bolshoi for another ballet company, when the Bolshoi is considered by many to be the finest ? Is the Dutch National Ballet a first step in an ongoing search and development ? In these current times, does it really matter ? I think that it's important because she's a remarkable artist, particularly strong in Expression. She also seems to be a highly intelligent and sensitive person. I think that her ongoing choices and development, along with those of many others, could be a very fine and encouraging response to our times as well as adding a very significant growth and development to her art form. Let's see where it all goes. Will she be another representative of beauty, hope and love for our times ? One of many ? Let's hope so.

Thanks, Pherank. This may be drifting off subject somewhat, so delete if it seems appropriate. I've been watching Eli's posts for several weeks. She seems quite lovely. I hope that I'm right in my perception of her and if I am I wish her, and all others like her, well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD4fKDicTvI&t=2s Granted, in my many years of visiting Russia I've just been a tourist and I've avoided political discussions, as I often do anywhere, but these young individuals seem fairly typical of those that I know. The blonde woman indoors is perhaps the most 'nationalistic' of the group, more so than most that I've encountered.

Thanks very much, Tutu. A more developed Ballet Alert! discussion has already been started at the Dutch National Ballet forum. https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/46838-olga-smirnova-leaves-bolshoi-for-dutch-national-ballet/

I would too, Abatt. I'd also love to see her back at the Bolshoi someday under much improved conditions. Her departure from Russia has been rumored on the internet for a week, but I didn't want to get into it until we were certain.

Wars are always horrible and the Ukrainian invasion is no different. Many, many innocent individuals get victimised as well. Keeping them in mind and hoping for an end to this is why I continue to offer this kind of information. Maria Ilyushkina has been made First Soloist. Congratulations to her. (Thanks to Viran at Balletfriends, Большой - Балет и Опера) Added thought: *Art*, as an expression of Beauty and Love, is one thing that keeps cultures from drifting further into darkness during the worst of circumstances and is something that should be nurtured and supported, perhaps most in those times.

Xander Parish "Dear friends & [Instagram] followers, tonight I was supposed to be performing Giselle at the Mariinsky Theatre but instead, due to the awful crisis I have taken the difficult decision to leave Russia, at least until peace comes. My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine, near and far, including @kate_chebykina pictured with me here in @jivoy_dance’s “I’m not Scared”. I am so grateful to the Mariinsky Theatre who, thanks to Yuri Fateev, took me in 12 years ago and gave me a career in classical ballet I could only have dreamed about. I am grateful to the wonderful ordinary Russian people, the majority of whom have treated me with such kindness. I pray that peace will come and the wounds will be healed by God’s grace. Thank you to all of you who have been sending me messages over the past few days and sorry for not having had the time to reply 🙏🏻" https://www.instagram.com/p/Caxj21HOqGK/

Through it all, the beauty of such works as Swan Lake and Giselle seem to rise above it all. I've just been watching Renata Shakirova's Giselle with Nikita Korneev from about a month ago. She's really quite fine with this. And she looks as lovely as I remember her in person at a reception from almost five years ago.

"The director of the Bolshoi takes sides against the war in Ukraine" "Vladimir Urin, who has been at the head of the famous Moscow theater since 2013, signed with other artists a call to stop "special operations in Ukraine"." https://www.diapasonmag.fr/a-la-une/le-directeur-du-bolchoi-prend-partie-contre-la-guerre-en-ukraine-23769.html (Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie) Google translate French > English https://translate.google.com Born, interestingly in *Kirov* (city in the north of Russia). "In March 2014, Urin joined a host of other Russian arts and cultural figures in signing an open letter of support for Vladimir Putin's politics in Ukraine and Crimea" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Urin He does not support what Vladimir Putin is now doing in the Ukraine. I've been to Saint Petersburg 17 years in a row to see the Mariinsky Festival. I've been treated as nice there as I have been anywhere, often better. I've met folks there over those years that I like very much and hope to see again as soon as possible. 'Power politics' are not pleasant anywhere, but I join all those who have expressed extreme sadness over the invasion of the Ukraine. I hope for a settlement as soon and as just as possible for the benefit of everyone. And I hope that cultural exchanges will resume as soon as possible as well as all other events that bring this world more together in good will.

The Bolshoi has launched a new production and it's given us a chance to take an ongoing look at Olga Smirnova. It's The Master and Margarite based on a Russian novel from almost a hundred years ago and it doesn't have a lot of dancing highlights according to the only review that I've found. It does have an impressive duet as performed by Olga Smirnova and Artemy Belyakov that's on video. He, by the way, seems quite good at allowing his ballerina partners to radiate with expression. 'Expressionist' remains the best word that I have to describe Olga Smirnova's finest artistry. Another word would simply be 'acting' but in dance it's different because it's body language. In ballet, the Bolshoi excels at this. Its new, young star, Eva Sergeyenkova, is its most recent exceptional example. Olga Smirnova always seems to be intensely searching for, experimenting with, growing with and finding new essence. It's very visible and very highly developed. Eva Sergeyenkova seems to draw you and herself more naturally inside with her pure emotion and pure response. Both women can take you on very encompassing and very powerful journeys of self expression. There's little in complete performances that's officially posted in videos, but this one does give some recent insight into Olga Smirnova. This is her Romeo and Juliet danced with Vladimir Shklyarov at an October, 2021, non-Bolshoi gala production posted by its producer, the famous dancer, Andris Liepa. As with many videos that I've seen of her, she's often trying something noticeably new, even with the same role. I think that this video gives a good sense of how much she attempts and how proficient she is. At first glance, she seems almost Greek goddess-like. She composes one museum quality/theatrically compelling image after another. Enriching this are many touchingly human moments. The more that we watch, the more brilliant elements I'm sure that we'll find. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uCJjfllS1Q

Thanks, Abatt. Maybe there's more to the future of figure skating than this current approach. Robin Cousins implies that she could appear again at the Olympics. Added: And my usual caveat based on personal experience in regard to the future of figure skating. I wouldn't set foot on the ice without a helmet. Surely in our space age, an attractive and effective one could be produced.

Thanks for all the discussion. I really try not to write out of emotion, unless it's a good one, and nothing seems to be totally black or white, but I have to largely concur with the bitterness expressed here and across a lot of the internet towards 'those responsible' surrounding Kamila Valieva. I feel that her coach(s), 'medical advisor(s),' etc. should be as thoroughly investigated and restrained as may be warranted and is possible. I would also like to mention that this is not the only topic at Ballet Alert! where humaneness has been discussed. Comments about the Bolshoi's Artistic Director Makhar Vaziev and some others also come to mind. I can certainly sympathise with Kamila Valieva's very young age, without necessarily granting her total innocence status, and I do feel a great deal of sadness and love for her. I can hope for her as well. So what can we hope for for her ? Former British Olympic gold medallist, Robin Cousins, who covered the event for British television and who apparently "broke down in tears live on TV while discussing Kamila Valieva's Beijing disaster" during the Free Skate, offered this. "Someone thought having her do that was better than having her go home to her family and to wait and sort this out, knowing she could have two more Olympics ahead of her," he said. https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/an-olympic-skating-legend-broke-down-in-tears-live-on-tv-while-discussing-kamila-valievas-beijing-disaster/amp_articleshow/89670389.cms Is there more for her in skating ? Is another shot at the Olympics possible ? Hopefully. And beyond that, she's mentioned that some of the things that she'd like to do are photography, travel and modern dance. (Rehearsing with Olga Smirnova) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaCMIrwApHz/ (thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie) Hopefully there will be happiness and reward somewhere for her and justice and hope for the entire situation.

She was a bit of fresh air in all of this, wasn't she. Added: I do hope that all this can be settled as fairly and compassionately as possible.

Since things are a little quiet I thought I’d mention something related to the Michelle Kwan 2002 Olympics gala skate posted above. I really wanted to go to these Salt Lake City Olympics for the figure skating, but I checked prices (very high) and availability (very limited) and decided against it. Wonderfully, I was able to get tickets two hours away in Canada for the qualifying skates and They were all there and did great ! Remember them ? (And speaking of today’s limited longevity — Evgeni Plushenko (four-time Olympic medalist)) Olympics 2002 Ladies' Singles — Sarah Hughes (liked her a lot) Irina Slutskaya Michelle Kwan (I thought that she came in second, but I guess not. Maybe Canada? At both her Olympics her competitors* had their best skates ever(!) and She — well, not as great. ) Men’ Singles — Alexei Yagudin Evgeni Plushenko Timothy Goebel Pair Skating — Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze (remember the issue with the jugdes? I still loved them) shared Gold with Jamie Salé and David Pelletier Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo Ice Dance — Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat (great!) Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio. * Added: Here’s Tara Lipinski winning in 1998, narrated later by herself and Johnny Weir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-V934EL1WA

Interestingly, Dirac, as much as I was glued solid to her competitive skates, I also enjoyed very much her after-the-competition gala skates when I didn't have to hold my breath and she didn't either. Olympics 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKi_wHwImL0

Thanks, Helene. I'll try to check this out. I'm really not too familiar with today's skating scene. I used to watch figure skating religiously and fortunately saw most of Michelle Kwan's performances. Then the artistry of ballet won me over. I think that one has to love skaters such as Kamila Valieva and Anna Shcherbakova as much for what they are as for what they remarkably do. With athleticism being carried into the space age, I ,for the first time, really enjoyed watching some of the dancing because of the grace and beauty. I also enjoyed skaters such as the young lady from Canada, I believe, who had a relaxed sort of loveliness and was still actually doing doubles. Remember, you hardly ever see more than a double in ballet. In any case, best wishes to all of them. And thanks, Dirac, for your update.