Mashinka

She has 'linked' herself to Tsiskaridze because he has a reputation as an outstanding teacher, inspirational in fact. Having sat in on one of his classes I can attest to the fact that he stretches the dancers and enthuses them at the same time. Persecuting this fine teacher and his pupils will do the company more harm than good in the long run.

That is very harsh: I have never seen her dance so can only go by the opinions of those that have and she is much admired I believe. Unless it can be proved she was involved she should not be blamed for the misguided actions of her besotted boyfriend.

Perhaps what Taranda meant was that Filin will no doubt recover and return to his job as Bolshoi director, don't forget that poor vision was never a handicap for Alicia Alonso. Tsiskaridze will forever be tainted by the accusatons against him, indeed there are already those suggesting his close association with Vorontsova automatically means he was part of a plot to attack Filin. Mud sticks and and it could be his reputation is destroyed forever by all this and I think that is what Taranda was alluding to. Taranda's opinion it is worth listening to, after all few know the Bolshoi better than he does and Tsiskaridze has danced in his company so he knows his character well. He is also a neutral in all this as he is hardly Grigorovich's greatest fan after being publicly sacked by him. There is a lot of back story with all this that I'm afraid will never emerge (hence my reference to Yanin).

Anyone else find this strange? In England (and US?) arrested suspects are read their rights and told they can stay silent. I have never heard of someone confessing before speaking to a lawyer. No mention of bail either. Confession made under duress?

I will just say that if the police had investigated the cyber attack on Yanin properly in all likelihood none of this would have happened, factions are inevitable when an injustice was not just ignored but possibly condoned. I find it odd that so many writing here immediately assume that all guilt is down to Tsiskaridze, has anyone even considered that his criticism of the Bolshoi management might actually be justified?

Many Russians consider Ivan the Terrible to be Grigorovich's finest work, it is in the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet too. The only leading role I have seen Dmitrichenko dance is Spartacus, although he is cast in the heroic roles, he might make an outstanding danseur noble given the opportunity, he has particularly good feet.

I thought what linked them might be that they are of a similar length

I was under the impression Mr Kekhman was seeking to extend his influence to other companies and imagine that is what Natalia referred to.

I'm something of a fan of Sabina Yapporova as I watched her early career with StPBT where she rose through the ranks to dancing O/O's. Last time Mikhailovsky came to London she even had a leading role (in Cipollino). My choice of tickets will take into account which supporting roles she is given.

Yes, they are still scheduled to come, but I'll buy tickets at the last moment. Here's the programmimg for those interested: Giselle 26th - 29th March Tuesday 26th March, 7.30pm - Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev Wednesday 27th March, 7.30pm - Polina Seminova, Marcelo Gomes Thursday 28th March, 7.30pm - Polina Seminova, Marcelo Gomes Friday 29th March, 7.30pm - Olesya Novikova, Leonid Sarafanov Don Quixote 30th - 31st March Saturday 30th March, 7.30pm - Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev Sunday 31st March, 3pm - Oksana Bondareva, Denis Matvienko Sunday 31st March, 7.30pm - Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev Laurencia 2nd & 3rd April Tuesday 2nd April, 7.30pm - Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev Wednesday 3rd April, 7.30pm - Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev Modern Bills 5th, 6th, 7th April As the classical stuff coincides with the Easter weekend, I doubt if any places will be left on Eurostar by now. Can I say that I'm disappointed that the lion's share of performances are going to O & V with Novikova, Matvienko and Sarafanov just getting one classical role each. There is footage of Ivan Vasiliev dancing in Giselle on the internet. He is not my idea of Albrecht at all.

Interesting question: The latter is highly unlikely and at one point it was made clear by the Bolshoi that they wouldn't be wanted back. Frankly I'm surprised they are dancing at all.

Both the features and the physique put me in mind of Golovkina, I'm sure I have a book relating to dancers of that era, I'll dig it out and see if I can find some more clues.

Putting aside my own feelings for Tsiskaridze; and I’ll admit I’ve been a fan since his first teenage appearances in London, I get a very uncomfortable feeling when the whole pack seems to be coming down on one man. Who attacked Sergei Filin? Why, Nikolai Tsiskaridze of course, it stands to reason that he’s the guilty party because he has dared to criticize the Bolshoi management – or so the argument goes. And think of all the wicked things he has done in the past…………. Crime no.1: He has been loyal to his aging mentor Yuri Grigorovich, and lobbied to get him back working in the theatre. Crime No.2: He refused to tell a lie regarding Anastasia Volochkova, he could lift her with ease, so why should he claim otherwise? Crime No.3: He championed those older ballerinas such as Gracheva and Stepanenko when they were being sidelined and their roles given to current management favourites. Crime No.4: He kicked up a stink when it appeared his beloved teacher, Marina Semenova, was to be denied a funeral befitting her status, thanks to Tsiskaridze she got one. Crime No.5: He was vociferous in his criticism of the Bolshoi restoration complaining about tremendous costs for shoddy results (to be fair his wasn’t the only voice, just the loudest). Crime No.6: He complained about the Bolshoi director also being head of the dancers’ trade union. Unhappy about the director? don’t worry, speak to your union rep – Doh! I could go on, but on those six offences it is definitely - Guilty as Charged. Personally I wouldn’t regard it as a crime to aspire to be either Bolshoi Director or General Director, neither is it a crime to speak before you think, though it is unwise. It seems to me Mr Iksanov is using the present unhappy circumstances to remove a thorn in his side, but to say that Tsiskaridze’s pronouncements created the atmosphere that led to the attack on Filin is absurd and Iksanov knows that. I am no nearer to knowing the reasons behind the acid attack than anyone else though I’ve heard an interesting and credible theory, but in a company of 200 dancers where inevitably there are fathers/husbands/boyfriends/’protectors’ with mafia links and deep pockets the pressures on a director to be his own man with regard to entry into the company, promotions and distribution of roles must be immense. I still think deep down that these people are the real enemies of Sergei Filin just as they are the enemies of the art of ballet in Russia. A final thought about Iksanov’s name change: Rudolf Nureyev, Irek Mukhamedov, Farouk Ruzimatov, Makhar Vaziev et al have all found that Islamic sounding names haven’t held them back in the arts world, so yes, the Iksanov example is rather curious.

Cygnet, I'd completely forgotten about the 2009 R&J, but now this release strikes me as rather odd. The Fonteyn/Nureyev film was released in 1966 and Ferri/Eagilng in the 1980s - big gap, so it strikes me as rather strange that a second R&J should be released with just a four year gap.

I totally agree, there was an intriguing back story to the Briantsev murder as I've been told the fire at his theatre was arson and no accident. Russia is a lawless place and has a corrupt judiciary so framing an innocent person is very easy if you have the money (better still a lever for blackmail) to pay off/threaten the judge.

I've a feeling this version won't stand up very well against the Fonteyn/Nureyev and Ferri/Eagling DVD's that I believe are still readily available.

Astonishing! The last thing the Bolshoi needs is a ‘Gergiev figure’. Gergiev is someone who loves the opera so much he completely disregards the ballet, and the consequences of having an international globe-trotting ballet-phobe in charge have been disastrous for the company that unfortunately doesn’t have a Tsiskaridze figure in its midst with the guts to challenge the everyday abuses of power that exist within the Kirov Ballet. And why are accusations about the Yanin scandal still being made? Why is there still a question mark over this when surely this criminal act should have been thoroughly investigated by the police and charges brought against whoever was guilty? I sincerely hope that whoever attacked Filin doesn’t get away with it in the same way that those responsible for Yanin’s on-line attack got away with it.

This dreadful acid attack has shocked Londoners to the core and gives a clear idea of what injuries to expect. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cash-plea-by-friends-of-victorias-secret-worker-scarred-for-life-in-acid-attack-8479744.html?origin=internalSearch This poor girls plight has attracted the attention of a hollywood plastic surgeon who has offered his services for free, but note her family is now homeless out of fear of the anonymous attacker.

Saw it years ago, but it isn't er.... 'politically correct' - think contentious make-up in Bayadere.

Is the RDB's Whims of Cupid and the ballet Master 18th or 19th century?

Loved Abdullah! Cavalry Halt by Ivanov is danced rather well by the Mikhailovsky Co, but as it dates back to the fin de siecle, I'm not sure if it's 19th or 20th century, could be either side.

Small question about Fille: I've seen the Ashton version countless times and a version that predated it in Moscow. Did Nijinska have a hand in that earlier Moscow version? I dare say I have a programme, but with all my stacks of dance memorabilia it's not going to be easy to find.

ETA always throws me as I immediately think 'Estimated Time of Arrival'. I'm okay with the others though.

I always thought that the public outing of Yanin that caused him to step down from his Bolshoi post was particularly disgusting given the medieval attitudes to homosexuality that permeate Russian society.

I'm crossing my fingers that she will dance SL and Bayaderka in London. I hope the casting is announced before booking opens.