Roster changes - Zhelonkina and Khrebtov out, etc.

[Natalia]

The lovely, long-time First Soloist Irina Zhelonkina is now off the roster. Also out is long-time Choryphee Maxim Khrebtov, although he is now a Repetiteur.

Updated roster: http://www.mariinsky.../ballet/troupe/

The only new name on the dancers' roster appears to be Yulia Kobzar (female corps; ex-Eifman Troupe corps). We will see if any new names are added from the current graduation class.

The very recent promotion of Ekaterina Kondaurova to Principal was happily reported last week.

Memories of beautiful Zhelonkina, the first soloist shown on the following Paquita G-P clip:

[Lidewij]

She didn't appear on the 'Coaches and repetiteurs' list like Dumchenko did - did she go elsewhere?

[Natalia]

It doesn't appear that she did, Lidewij. No word on her plans but we wish her the very best.

[Catherine]

Natalia (you likely already know this) - Krebtov has been performing repetiteur work since as far back as 2006 or 07 at least. I think the website just reflects his full time transition, but he's been doing it for a while now.

[Natalia]

Indeed, Catherine. Thanks for pointing this out. A lot of folks do not realize that several current dancers wear two hats, e.g., Baimuratov and Gronskaya.

[Mashinka]

During her time in the company she may well have been the finest of their dancers, some within the company actually acknowledged that fact to me - she was seen as a shining beacon of 'old Kirov' style.

[Cygnet]

Irina Zhelonkina was one of the few remaining exemplars of a bygone generation whose style is (really)

no longer in vogue at the Mariinsky. I hope that she will teach and pass on her wealth of knowledge.