mariinskyfan

Thanks for this wonderful report! You had me laughing out loud several times :-)

How did you find the clips on youtube? I tried searching but only came up with older clips. Or are they on another site? I keep trying to have an open mind but the more I see, the less I like. Still..... The videos are on the channel of Petyarus on youtube. There are clips of the entire PDD, Nikitina, dream sequence variations, and Kondaurova. Try searching Valdes Sarafanov. Good luck! IMO, Somova clearly has better technique than Valdes. I could see how some might think Somova misuses it.

I've only seen clips from last nights PDD, and it appeared as though Valdes had an off-night and was out-classed by Sarafanov. She seemed to be trying too hard and although her triples in the coda were nice, she failed to finish the fouettes with her typical multiple pirouette. Also, I though it was very awkward when she tried for the double turns a la seconde into the penche, while Sarafanov tried to catch her after one rotation. I thought she looked rather stiff in her variation as well. Sarafanov looked brilliant, especially in his variation. I think Valdes is a very entertaining dancer, but I am surprised that she isn't getting more negative reviews for being tasteless considering the lashing Somova typical receives. I was at the festival two years ago when Osipova lit up the stage as Kitri, and that remains one of the most magical nights of ballet I have ever seen.

Thanks for info!

I Just saw a promotional clip on youtube for the long awaited release of the Mariinsky Don Quixote starring Sarafanov and Novikova. I am hoping it will become available on amazon soon!

Are there english subtitles?

I was there on thursday. Tereshkina did the harp variation (with 3 triple pirouettes en dedans btw!!!!), and Somova did the jumping variation, and was replaced in the first variation that she normally does. I understand that Tereshkina was amazing in the jumping variation on the other nights.