Timur Askerov promoted - 1st Soloist

[Natalia]

According to the Russian fora, Timur Askerov has just been promoted to first soloist (as was his 'best lady friend' Skorik last month).

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

On a related note, apparently Skorik's debut as Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream has been cancelled (postponed?). Kondaurova will dance Titania for the 2nd night in a row (she danced lastnight's opener of this mini-run of AMNDs):

http://www.mariinsky...2/10/26/1_1900/

Kondaurova is a real trooper, as she essays the role of Hyppolita tomorrow night (Pavlenko's debut as Titania)!

No reason cited for Skorik's removal from the Titania line-up. Also, mention of her debut has been removed from the MT web's news/press release.

http://www.mariinsky...ews2/25_230oct/

[YID]

imho, it's a very unjustifiable promotion (and pretty sneaky one), Besides his hight (and presumed family connections), he was a very "wooden from the waist up', very non-expressive, and not very impressive technically in Orange county's swan lake. I would much rather see a bunch of still 2nd soloist, beginning with (now becoming my favorite) Andrei Yermakov, Zverev, Smekalov,or even coryphees: Ioannisyan (remember his Espada), or Romanchikov (Rothbald in Orange county).