Natalia Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Young Ksenia Zhiganshina -- just a student at the Vaganova Academy -- made her debut as Amour in last night's Don Quixote at he Mariinsky Theater. This prodigy won the Mikhailovsky Prix's top prize two years ago. She has one or maybe even two years to go before she graduates! No guarantee that she will choose to dance with the Mariinsky when she graduates, seeing what several promising students have done in recent years (Smirnova, Shapran, Lebedev, Kiyanenko who went to Vienna straight from the school 4 yrs ago, etc.). Not too many Vaganova students -- especially those with over a year left of studies -- debut in adult soloist roles while still students. Vishneva danced the main role in Don Q (Kitri) while still a student. Karsavina, I believe. Others? Link to comment
Tara Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 She has the stage presense of a superstar already. Let's hope this debut is a sign that Fateyev is going to give her proper attention and not ignore her b/c she is more petite than his current muses. I know she is still young and growing but I am curious as to her height. I'm a bit partial to the smaller ballerinas in general and Ksenia is right up my alley Link to comment
amiaow Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 She was fantastic- what charisma! Link to comment
Tiara Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Young Ksenia Zhiganshina -- just a student at the Vaganova Academy -- made her debut as Amour in last night's Don Quixote at he Mariinsky Theater. This prodigy won the Mikhailovsky Prix's top prize two years ago. She has one or maybe even two years to go before she graduates! No guarantee that she will choose to dance with the Mariinsky when she graduates, seeing what several promising students have done in recent years (Smirnova, Shapran, Lebedev, Kiyanenko who went to Vienna straight from the school 4 yrs ago, etc.). Not too many Vaganova students -- especially those with over a year left of studies -- debut in adult soloist roles while still students. Vishneva danced the main role in Don Q (Kitri) while still a student. Karsavina, I believe. Others? Ksenia has said that it has always been her dream to dance for the Mariinsky, and that at the moment is what she wishes to do. Link to comment
Catherine Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 One of Ksenia's family members posted a video of her Nov. 11th performance at the Hermitage Theatre in the pas from "The Nutcracker" >The quality of the film is quite good and offers a clear glimpse of her great talents: Link to comment
ascballerina Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 That was beautiful! There's a truly magical moment at about 1:37 where the two of them seem to float....I think I'm going to watch the whole thing again. Link to comment
Helene Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thank you for posting, Catherine -- that was beautiful. In her warmth, she reminds me of Obraztsova. Link to comment
Catherine Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Helene, yes, "warmth" is a great adjective, completely agree :-) Link to comment
raisssasss Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 There is a video from pas de deux in Nutcracker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HhY5ZRMqr8 She's great even she did some technical mistakes. Link to comment
Renata Rodrigues Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Masha is traditionally done by the students of the last year. Ksenia is in 8th grade. I don't remember if this has happened before. Link to comment
bart Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 eThat was beautiful! There's a truly magical moment at about 1:37 where the two of them seem to float....I think I'm going to watch the whole thing again. I felt the same by the end of the clip. Those last three lifts, after the music becomes still, just before they leave the stage. One high, the other higher, and the third (because it would be impossible to go higher), longer and extended forward. What is usually one of the nicer but not particularly memorable parts of the Nutcracker suddenly became heart-breakingly beautiful. What is it about some young performers, that they can achieve this kind of effect even before their technical training is complete? A peripheral question: Is "Ksenia" the same name that one often sees transliterated as "Xenia"? Link to comment
Natalia Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 In his YouTube channel, Zhiganshina's father cited that Ksenia graduates this year (2013). She transferred from the Leonid Yakobsen School a couple of years ago and may have started her training earlier than normal (?). Link to comment
Tiara Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 In his YouTube channel, Zhiganshina's father cited that Ksenia graduates this year (2013). She transferred from the Leonid Yakobsen School a couple of years ago and may have started her training earlier than normal (?). Ksenia graduates in 2014. Link to comment
Natalia Posted January 7, 2013 Author Share Posted January 7, 2013 Yes, she was supposed to leave the Vaganova (for professional life) in '14 but it has been moved up. Maybe she won't get a diploma but her dad is on record that his daughter will become a professional at the end of the current school year. Link to comment
Tara Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Yes, she was supposed to leave the Vaganova (for professional life) in '14 but it has been moved up. Maybe she won't get a diploma but her dad is on record that his daughter will become a professional at the end of the current school year. She is a divine little thing but I would like to see her train one more year and get another company exposure like the recent Amour performance before going full professional. I have watched her the last few years and (to my eyes at least) she is just now starting to grow into her more adult frame. She can I think also benefit from one last year at the Academy for fine tuning, esp. at this final stage of physical growth. Besides she is 17 at most, yes? Link to comment
Balletfreak Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Zhiganshinas graduation Talisman Paquita I think her artistry was more present in Talisman. A pleasure to watch, even with some minor mistakes in the solo part (which are rare for Ksenia). Her Paquita was technically very strong with amazing stage presence but perhaps a bit "flat" in terms of artistry. All in all a very promising graduate to watch.I wish her an amazing career in Bolshoi!. Link to comment
MadameP Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Ksenia has got off to a flying start with the Bolshoi! Her debut was as Neapolitan Bride in the second Swan Lake of the season on 20th September. She next danced one of the Furies in Flammes de Paris on 26th September, and she is scheduled to dance one of the Two Sylphs in La Sylphide on 11th October. I also spotted her dancing in the corps during the Legend of Love rehearsal in the recent Bolshoi broadcast. Congratulations and good luck to this talented young ballerina! Link to comment
Balletfreak Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Ksenia danced the peasant pas de deux in Giselle a few days ago. I wish we could get more videos of her! Link to comment
MadameP Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 Ksenia danced the peasant pas de deux in Giselle a few days ago. I wish we could get more videos of her! There is nothing on YT that I can see, but Ksenia herself posted this tiny fragment: http://videos-h-19.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10831121_637242769731199_1359502250_n.mp4 Unfortunately, it is filmed with an iPhone and there is a 15 seconds time limit, so this is all we have - but it is better than nothing! Well done, Ksenia! Link to comment
YID Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 With all due respect, isn't she a member of Bolshoi? then shouldn't the continuation of posts belong in there? She didn't join Mariinsky Link to comment
Buddy Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I've resisted moving Olga Smirnova to the Bolshoi topics for over two years, Yid. I love comparing her to Oxana Skorik for one thing. For another she's too distinct to really be categorized anywhere and still has lots of Vaganova/Mariinsky in her. I even try to get Svetlana Zakharova in my Mariinsky posts as much as possible. Furthermore, regrettably, I've yet to visit to Moscow. But you do have a good point and in regard to Olga Smirnova, well, I hope to make it to Moscow one day and maybe I can take her with me. Link to comment
Helene Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I've moved the thread to the Dancers forum. Link to comment
MadameP Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 Great news because finally Ksenia has her first major role at Bolshoi! On this Friday, 22nd April, she is to be Gulnare in Corsaire - Krysanova/Tsvirko are Medora/Conrad! I think this is a perfect role for her - she has such natural charm. Best wishes and congratulations to Ksenia! Link to comment
SFCleo Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Here's a Youtube video of Ksenia's debut as Gulnare in the Jardin Anime section of Bolshoi's Le Corsaire. And, oh yeah, Krysanova is in it too! On her Instagram Ksenia says she had only 3 days to prepare the role. https://www.instagram.com/p/BEhZbk7guWS/ Great job! Link to comment
Anariana Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Zhiganshina is scheduled to dance as Gamzatti on 29 October. Link to comment
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