Buddy

Getting back to what Drew has mentioned, Variated, I'm not sure where Natalia Osipova's developing 'acting' prowess is derived from. Is it from her English exposer? Is it from herself? Again very parallel to what Diana Vishneva, with her worldly exposer, is doing. In both cases I would guess that it's mainly from within being supported by their exposer to the popularity of the acting arts in the West. Also I have to mention Alina Cojocaru, who performed some of the best ballet theater and characterisation that I've ever seen. She often mentioned her interest in acting and how much television (especially movies, I believe) she would watch in London. And yes, Yekaterina Kondaurova, who when she is focussed in that direction, could probably give Garbo a run for her money. Her husband, Islom Baimuradov, is equally gifted. Both are also fine 'modern' dancers and very versatile at everything. I have to think that some Western influence slipped in there someplace. Maxim Petrov, the Mariinsky's very fine young choreographer, has a surprisingly good grasp of Western entertainment, although I do sense at times that he's more comfortable with his Russian heritage, not surprisingly. Probably all these artists are more comfortable with their 'Eastern' European heritage, but they do seem to have an exceptional ability to assimilate, to adopt the best of both worlds.

How would you describe her characterisation? And her strong points. I've never seen her perform this.

I think primarily of 'facial' expression, when I think of what Olga Smirnova, Veronika Part, Diana Vishneva, Natalia Osipova, Simone Messmer....do so well. The rest of the body reinforces this brilliantly. In some cases, like Veronika Part, it's almost indefinable. I'm not sure if Russian training is the reason, although it's certainly a factor, but I think that it's more the individual. Also there's a 'British' style, which seems consistent with England's great literary and theatrical tradition. Tamara Rojo was a real life Odette-Odile when I saw her in St. Petersburg. I expected her to start talking. It was quite noteworthy. Xander Parish brings his 'British' slant very effectively to the Mariisky stage. He has a very fine sense of theatre -- when to project and not project in regard to his featured and more delicate female partner. When he does it's quite fine. Added: Then there's the Mariinsky's amazing Vladimir Ponomarev. Primarily not a dancer, he's a "Character Artist," he's one of the most remarkable stage beings that I've ever seen. Totally the individual, in this case, not a school of training.

I've only checked her profile several times, but this is the first time that I noticed a "Nearest Performances" being included. Good to have.

Actually Alyona Kovalyova not being a sternly convincing Myrtha doesn't really bother me at all. She's Lovely and that's the kind of role, I feel, that she (or any other ballerina) should be given. Giselle would be fine and I've seen the 'heavies,' such as Odile and Gamzatti, done very appropriately with fine poetic sensitivity. This she could do. As for her hands, they have some very nice qualities and she is being coached to make them more beautiful as can be seen in the Diamonds rehearsal video. Thanks, Mnacenani and Fleurdelis, for your thoughts and for keeping us posted on her performance schedule and what's she's currently doing. The December 20 Don Kixot with her as the Dryads' Queen and Olga Smirnova as Kitri sounds great, Mnacenani. Wish I could be there. The Dryads' Queen should be just fine for her and at this point I would climb a mountain to see Olga Smirnova do anything !

No, you didn't miss the performance. This was the printed program which apparently is now gone. If anyone wants to know who the other performers were please ask.

Yes, it really is. Thanks for that and your post, Mnacenani. I don't know that much about Ashton, but was impressed with the interest of style and the poetic/theatrical feeling when I saw the Mariinsky perform this. In a somewhat similar mood the video of the Fille Malgardée, I've always found to be very charming. Its 'dance of the hens' must be one of the most delightful pieces of ballet that I've ever seen. I tend to like this sort of thing. It makes me feel good. Balanchine and Ratmansky also can have a fine sense of 'whimsy' and pleasure in their works. I hope to be able to weigh into this discussion myself after I see it the 16th. I've enjoyed Natalia Osipova from the beginning. She was corps de ballet or something when I first read about her and was prepared when she did some very brief, secondary dancing that took my breath away. I let out a big applause and the Principal ballerina (left unnamed) looked out at me with a "What!" expression. I saw several of her first Don Quixotes when she was dubbed "a force of nature." Lots of Diana Vishneva parallels. Like Diana Vishneva she can't keep the high energy prowess forever, so she's moving more into high theatrical expression and doing a very fine job of it. She does need to find the right material to really win me over with her new direction. Comments about getting close to see her face are very relevant. I always have theater glasses with me for this reason.

Along with Ulyana Lopatkina, I'd say perhaps "the reigning Swan Queen" in the entire world, and that span covered her entire career at ABT.

I saw Alina Somova and Viktoria Tereshkina perform this a few years ago. I thought that they both were excellent — Alina Somova for her long limbed, airy gracefulness and Viktoria Tereshkina for her very fine expressiveness. By the way, Xander Parish, Alina Somova’s very impressive partner, was made a Soloist that evening.

Thanks, Nanushka. I have to say that I've yet to see a video clip, of the very few available, that comes close to how well I've seen her do on stage.

Someday we'll have to compare miles traveled to see ballets. This year you're probably the world champion ! I've got tickets to see her and it the 16th with my daughter, who's not exactly a ballet fan. Hope it rocks ! Have a great time !

What does she have scheduled for Long Island ?

Thanks, Mnacenani. Nice article. Here’s one thing that I think is ok to print here, because it mainly involves a quote from Alyona Kovalyova and not the author’s opinion. “While the Moscow style is notoriously more flamboyant than the reserved manner taught in St. Petersburg, Kovaleva doesn't want to stray too far from her roots. "I'm trying to stay who I am, like I was taught." “ This is what I would hope for and I wish her much success.

A few attempted objective comments (as I’m still quite speechless and in no way want to diminish the impact as expressed in my post above) about Olga Smirnova’s “Carmen Suite” excerpt (the dance with the matador), which could probably stand on its own as a ballet classic if performed by her. I was expecting her to sizzle, which is typical of what I’ve seen at the Mariinsky, as best performed by Diana Vishneva. From what I can see on the internet, the Bolshoi version is surprisingly more toned down, but by no means less dramatic. Olga Smirnova’s take is that of a goddess. There is simply no way that any man is going to resist her. Her presentation was absolutely beautiful, but perhaps more important…. There was no theatrical embellishment. This was real !

Olga Smirnova “Carmen Suite” (dance with the matador) Ballet Globe Gala Geneva November 23, 02017 
 **** Absolutely The Greatest !!!! **** I was hoping for a lot. This was more than that ! There were many excellent performances including her own Sleeping Beauty duet, but this eclipsed everything. I’m still more or less speechless. http://www.theatreduleman.com/index.php?m=0&s=3&agId=1005

We’ve heard all our opinions about her Swan Lake performance, it might be nice to hear what she thought about it. _kovalenka_Still can't believe that it's happened, that my premier of Swan Lake is done✨ Huge thank you to my partners @jacopotissi and @davidmottaofficial , to everyone who supported me, who was with me near or far and of course to our director and teachers, to people who have made this dream possible. https://www.instagram.com/p/BZHhk3AFDhh/?hl=en&taken-by=_kovalenka_ Just noticed that Xander Parish -- "An Englishman in St Petersburg" sent his congratulations. https://www.instagram.com/_xander/?hl=en He's a good 'chap' with a good heart, who also seems to know what's going on and is a very good judge of talent.

Here’s her Instagram page. It might give some clues as to what she’s up to. For instance..... _kovalenka_Some photos from last nights Gala✨ Was so happy to dance the Barber’s adagio in honor and under supervision of the choreographer O. M. Vinogradov https://www.instagram.com/_kovalenka_/?hl=en But.....the main reason for posting this is this picture of her in St. Petersburg. Goodness, have I walked down that street plenty of times ! https://www.instagram.com/p/BQGK1uaFRR5/?taken-by=_kovalenka_ I think that she might be putting together a family at this Ballet Alert! topic.

I expected you to be on a plane to Moscow by now for the Romeo and Juliet and well beyond this discussion. Good to hear from you. I completely missed this one as well. Leave it to Sophia at Dansomanie (in french) to have caught it. I agree about Bolshoi ticketing. The only chance I had to see the Bolshoi on its own stage was for La Bayadere and I bought the tickets before the announced casting because of very limited availability at a reasonable price (best done from the Bolshoi site). I missed Olga Smirnova because of this, but gratefully saw Svetlana Zakharova, Anna Nikulina and Ekaterina Krysanova, who were excellent. And happily Olga Smirnova performed this the following year at the Mariinsky Festival in what was, at the least, one of the best performances that I've ever seen. The ticketing at the Bolshoi is somewhat better than it used to be. I'm still waiting for them to post the performances for March which I might be able to tie into my Mariinsky Festival visit if I'm fortunate enough. I haven't seen anything new for Alyona Kovalyova, but I keep looking and will try to post it if I find somethingthing.

This part I definitely agree with, Quinten. I think that the possible issues that you’ve mentioned can be handled if necessary. Her most recent debut (at the Bolshoi stage, previously debuted on a Bolshoi tour of Japan) was Myrta. Olga Smirnova was Giselle and I would have gladly hopped a plane to Moscow to see this. Being given Myrta seems to be what you’ve suggested as being best for her at the moment. Impatient me, I would have much preferred her being given Giselle. Thank you and Menacenani for your thoughts. Added comment: You made another interesting point, Quinten. Because of her tallness her current partners might have trouble lifting her. In a previous post I said that I did see some "hesitations" on her part in the Swan Lake video clips (which aren't the clearest and are filmed from a far distance). Mostly my thoughts revolved around the lifts. So now I'm somewhat relieved that these may not have been a negative reflection of her ability.

Read what one highly impressed and not always easy to please NYC reviewer had to say about that, Mnacenani. http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42821-alena-kovaleva-—-some-thoughts-from-nyc/ I still liken her more to Ulyana Lopatkina than the names that you mentioned. She's more lyrically lovely than grandly commanding. From your review and the video clips that you posted of her Swan Lake she did seem to have her moments of 'hesitation' but I'm very confident that this will pass with experience. She looked very solid and confident in her Odette and Odile initial dancing. The basic remarkable qualities, as shown best for me in the Diamonds practice video, are certainly there. Also, it's her freshness, as contrasted to trained perfection, that gives her a special attraction. At the moment she seems to have both. It's a matter of finding the right balance.

I've often compared Oxana Skorik to Olga Smirnova, but now my viewing is shifting somewhat to Alyona Kovalyova, the remarkable 18 year old Vaganova graduate who's just been made a Soloist at the Bolshoi. I think that they have more in common. Both are so 'lyrically' lovely. From a very recent video clip glance, Oxana Skorik shows a poetry of expression that adds considerably to her remarkable beauty of motion. It adds another dimension that I noticed elements of a long time ago. If she continues like this, she will have of depth of loveliness that will make her all the more remarkable. I'lll also mention her hands again. Their use is as beautiful as I've seen. Alyona Kovalyova is more of a fresh breeze and I hope that she keeps this quality. Her beauty of motion is possibly the equal of Oxana Skorik or even Ulyana Lopatkina. Oxana Skorik does show a noticeable artistic maturity. If she continues as she's presently doing, she'll be even more beautiful and make a wonderful comparison to the youthful loveliness of Alyona Kovalyova.

Well, she's now a Soloist. Congratulations ! I do believe that she's on her way to being the next Ulyana Lopatkina. As I continue to watch the video posted above of her practicing Diamonds, I feel this all the more. There is a difference between the two (for the moment anyway). In the limbs of Ulyana Lopatkina I sense more of things emanating from within. It's a sort of musical vibration through her arms, etc. In Alyona Kovalyova it's more exterior, it's her linear quality that flow so airily. Ulyana Lopatkina has both. Alyona Kovalyova could probably develop this inner musicality of motion too if she desired. For one thing, Ulyana Lopatkina seems to bend her arms more at the elbows than some other similar ballerinas, which gives her motion more musicality. Still, I don't consider what Alyona Kovalyova is current doing to be less beautiful. A ballerina that I like comparing her to is Oxana Skorik. Oxana Skorik has a very fine maturity. The use of her hands is as beautiful as I've seen. I think that Alyona Kovalyova is working on this and it will add a great deal to her loveliness. I look forward to seeing her as soon as I possibly can.

** Mnacenani **, just in case you haven't heard of her -- Alyona Kovalyova -- here is some suggested reading. ** Started by Mnacenani **, March 13 ◦ Is Alyona Kovalyova "Zvezda" material ?? 1 2 3 http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42333-is-alyona-kovalyova-zvezda-material/ ** Started by Mnacenani **, July 9 Recent Alyona Kovalyova Interview http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42758-recent-alyona-kovalyova-interview/ ** Started by Mnacenani **, September 17 ◦ Alyona Kovalyova Swan Lake Debut 1 2 http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42954-alyona-kovalyova-swan-lake-debut/ ** Started by Mnacenani **, September 24 Alyona Kovalyova Interview-Swan Lake Debut http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42970-alyona-kovalyova-interview-swan-lake-debut/

In the case of Alyona Kovalyova, needless to say I'm delighted although I was hoping for Principal (Балерины (Ballerinas, women)) (Премьеры (Premiers, men)), but fair is fair. Still a few steps to go....Principals, Leading Soloists, First Soloists, Soloists.

Great to hear all these names again. I hope that you're having a very good time. I would love to get to the Festival in March, my fourteenth in a row. If I do I'll be traveling all the way from California, a first. That's dedication.....but I consider myself very fortunate. Alina Somova has always been a favorite. I think that she has even more exceptional potential. It's just a matter of her sitting still long enough to show it all at one time. I do congratulate her on the birth of her second child(?) and their care is what should come first. About the Mariinsky's "Le Parc." I've seen Yekaterina Kondaurova and Viktoria Tereshkina perform it and they handled it beautifully. I've seen video glimpses of the Paris Opera's version and I think that the Mariinsky gives it a lovely refinement that makes it an exceptional work. The "swinging kiss" seems to be a crowd pleaser, but I agree about such things as "the wit of many of the girls dancing as courtiers" being my favorites. I like Alexander Sergeev very much in anything. Thinking out loud for a moment, it's fascinating to see the Vaganova/Mariinsky presence at the Bolshoi these days, especially Alyona Kovalyova, who based on my very limited video viewing may well be the most beautiful ballerina in the world and perhaps my favorite. And then there's the absolutely amazing Olga Smirnova, whom I hope to see at a gala in two weeks. And on and on the list can go. Both companies are so fortunate to have such great dancers. The Mariinsky seems to have a endless wealth.