“Bolshoi Ballet” (Grand Ballet) TV Competition 2020

[Buddy]

The TV ballet competition “Bolshoi Ballet” (meaning “Grand Ballet” and not related to the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre) will start its new season tonight.

 

“Watch the first edition of the Bolshoi Ballet on November 4 at 17:30 on the Russia K TV channel.

 

Contestants:

“Haruka Yamada - Erdem Sandakov (Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after G. Ts. Tsydynzhapov);

Kristina Kochetova - Alexey Mikheev (out of competition) (Saratov Academic Opera and Ballet Theater);

Alisa Alekseeva - Airat Masegutov (Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater);

Elizaveta Korneeva - Ivan Negrobov (Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theater);

Elena Sharipova (out of competition) - Arsentiy Lazarev (Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater);

Anastasia Lebedik - Rinat Bikmukhametov (State Opera and Ballet Theater of the Komi Republic);

Anna Fedosova - Marcello Pelizzoni (Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theater named after D. A. Hvorostovsky);

Maria Khoreva - Vladimir Shklyarov (out of competition) (Mariinsky Theater).

 

“Jury of the project "Bolshoi Ballet" - 2020:

Diana Vishneva, prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater, People's Artist of Russia;

People's Artist of Russia Farukh Ruzimatov;

Honored Artist of Russia, laureate of international competitions, laureate of the Golden Mask National Theater Award, choreographer Alexei Miroshnichenko;

Honored Artist of Ukraine, artistic director of the ballet of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater Denis Matvienko.

The curator of the project is the Russian choreographer and dancer Sofya Gaidukova.

 

Leaders of the project "Bolshoi Ballet" - 2020:

Prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, etoile of the ballet troupe of the Milan Teatro alla Scala, People's Artist of Russia Svetlana Zakharova;

Opera singer, People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan, People's Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Ildar Abdrazakov.”

(Google translation)

 

https://tvkultura.ru/article/show/article_id/370832/

(Thanks to ATV at Balletfriends/Балет и Опера)

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

The first episode can be seen here. It apparently was filmed last summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfjjZr5E7Y&feature=youtu.be

(Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie)

[maps]

1 hour ago, Buddy said:

The first episode can be seen here. It apparently was filmed last summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfjjZr5E7Y&feature=youtu.be

(Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie)

Thanks for posting.  Maria Khoreva and Vladimir Shklyarov are at 1:56:29 [surfed]!  I'll view the entire show later on a TV screen.  Who's at 1:45?  The choreography?  It could be done in USA pandemic digital [various hard surfaces].  I seem to delve into where I was in prior years...2  years ago in November was the first time we saw Khoreva - Apollo with Xander Parish in Balanchine at City Center.  Zoom wedding this year. October 2020 was made sadder by the 1 year prior Paquita [regrets on not going to CA have intensified]. 

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by maps

[Buddy]

8 hours ago, maps said:

Thanks for posting.  Maria Khoreva and Vladimir Shklyarov are at 1:56:29 [surfed]!  I'll view the entire show later on a TV screen.  Who's at 1:45?  The choreography?  It could be done in USA pandemic digital [various hard surfaces].  I seem to delve into where I was in prior years...2  years ago in November was the first time we saw Khoreva - Apollo with Xander Parish in Balanchine at City Center.  Zoom wedding this year. October 2020 was made sadder by the 1 year prior Paquita [regrets on not going to CA have intensified]. 

 

 

 

Hi, Maps. I think that I misunderstood your numbering. At 1:45 are the judges with Denis Matvienko furthest to our left.

Using my very limited russian the dancers at 1:45:00 are Anna Fedosova and Marcello Pelizzoni (Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theater). They do seem quite nice. They were awarded all 8s except for one 7 from Farukh Ruzimatov. The work is Probuzhdeniye (Awakening) by C. Bobrova.

Whose "Zoom wedding this year" ?

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by Buddy

[maps]

On 11/6/2020 at 7:14 PM, Buddy said:

 

 

Hi, Maps. I think that I misunderstood your numbering. At 1:45 are the judges with Denis Matvienko furthest to our left.

Using my very limited russian the dancers at 1:45:00 ... The work is Probuzhdeniye (Awakening) by C. Bobrova.

Whose "Zoom wedding this year" ?

 

The Zoom Wedding would normally have been our flying for a long weekend adventure as happy guests. 

 

  

 

Edited November 8, 2020 by maps

[Buddy]

The second episode should be available tomorrow, Sunday, with the following one a week later. Maria Khoreva and Vladimir Shklyarov (out of competition) are deservedly the highlights. I’ve only watched segments of each, except this and for the one with Anna Fedosova  and Marcello Pelizzoni (Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theater) (mentioned by Maps). I’ve watched it about ten times because I think that it’s quite lovely. It starts at 1:41:25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfjjZr5E7Y&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

[Buddy]

Here’s the second episode. Maria Khoreva and  Vladimir Shklyarov (La Bayadere) start at 20:15. Although they’re in a class of their own (as is their theater, the Mariinsky, along with the Bolshoi) there are other nice things happening. If not completely ‘accomplished’ there are elements of fineness that show how soulfully ingrained the beauty is throughout the Russian ballet scene. For instance some lovely essence from Elizaveta Korneeva (with Ivan Negrobov (Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theater)) at 1:51:00 or the final performance of Elena Sharipova (out of competition) (with Arsentiy Lazarev (Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njuR0UGlIjE&t=1743s

 

Edited November 15, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

For early risers (I’m on California time) you might enjoy taking a look. I’ve, for the first time, returned to the first episode and have watched almost all the performances. I recommend most of them. There are some very good and charming ones. I continue to like Anna Fedosova  and Marcello Pelizzoni (Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theater) at 1:41:25. She actually tied Maria Khoreva is the second episode. I usually like the first episodes most, as they’re more lyrical and familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIfjjZr5E7Y&feature=youtu.be

Considering  the number of viewers, 57,000 views, for the first episode and the amount of advertising, it’s having a fairly good following.

Remembering that this was put together about halfway into the world shutdown, it’s a breath of fresh air and a hopeful sign for the not too distant future.

Added: Here's Maria Khoreva's look backstage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EQhkIKe3pQ&t=616s

Edited November 16, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

The third program can be seen here. I’ve watched a lot of it and I like the women’s performances very much. Click on the boxes below to see each solo. The first box will give you the entire program.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/

(Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie)

 

Edited November 21, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

I guess what makes this so interesting and attractive is that Russian classical dancers from all levels are, across the board, probably the best in the world. Also, the overall production (sets, presenters, etc.) is really quite fine and committed.

Here are some favorites from the third program. These are all Solos.

Elizaveta Korneeva — She goes ‘modern’ very effectively with her highly beautiful lines and motion. She also seems to be a justifiable, voting favorite of the highly demanding Farukh Ruzimatov. 

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/video_id/2353235/viewtype/picture/

The next two are commendable and interesting in that they effectively take two ‘icons’ and give them a more modern sensibility.

Anna Fedosova — The lovely, romantically seductive Russian Dancer from Swan Lake becomes contemporary sensual.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/video_id/2353248/viewtype/picture/

Anastasia Lebedik — Here she takes the over-the-top, crazy, brilliant gypsy dance from Don Quixote and tempers it. It may lack the overt fire and drama of the usual interpretation, but there’s something very believable and personally touching in what she does.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/video_id/2353202/viewtype/picture/

Maria Khoreva — From Paquita. Signs of her brilliance are everywhere. When it all comes together, as I’ve seen in several stage performances, it’s quite amazing.

.https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/video_id/2353231/viewtype/picture/

Added: Maria Khoreva and Anna Fedosova are tied in this week's voting, as they were last week, with perfect 40 scores.

Edited November 22, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

Here’s the fourth episode. I’ve just watched some and these are my favorite partners for the moment that I usually watch first. The performances are lovely. The works are well known ‘Romantic Duets’. 

Maria Khoreva is probably as fine as I’ve ever seen her.

 

Maria Khoreva - Vladimir Shklyarov (not competing) (Mariinsky Theater) — Raymonda

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355350/viewtype/picture/

Elena Sharipova (not competing) - Arsentiy Lazarev (Yekaterinburg State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater) — Giselle

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355336/viewtype/picture/

Anna Fedosova - Marcello Pelizzoni (Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theater) — Esmeralda     

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355338/viewtype/picture/

Elizaveta Korneeva - Ivan Negrobov (Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theater) — Le Corsaire   ( see lift at 2:40 -- Magnificent !  )

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355323/viewtype/picture/

 

The entire program.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355368/viewtype/picture/

Click on boxes below to see the other performances.

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

I consider this series of shows, filmed in early summer, to be, perhaps, the best thing happening on the ballet internet these days.

I just looked at the scores of the forth program. Surprise(!), Elizaveta Korneeva, whom I thought looked wonderful, especially in the dreamy lift, tied Maria Khoreva. They both received 38s (40 is the best). Interestingly this Le Corsaire duet is a not usually seen version choreographed by Yuri Bourlaka. Here it is again with the lift at 2:40.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2466337/video_id/2355323/viewtype/picture/

Anna Fedossova, who has tied Maria Khoreva, received a 36.

Maria Khoreva, if she were at her best throughout, would probably walk away with the final prize. She’ll probably win anyway, but Anna Fedossova will give her a good run, perhaps even Elizaveta Korneeva.

Total scores at the moment — Maria Khoreva 154, Anna Fedossova 145, Elizaveta Korneeva 136. Their partners, Marcello Pelizzoni (think Hugh Grant or Xander Parish) and Ivan Negrobov are the leading males. Vladimir Shklyarov is not competing. All the women are receiving the highest scores.

I’ve read that next week will be contemporary dance. This has been a tricky area in the past, both in the quality of the works and in the dancers’ ability to perform them. These are classical dancers, essentially, among the world’s best. Elizaveta Korneeva could shine once again in this area as she did in Program III.  Am I a big fan of her’s ?  You might say that. 😊  Farukh Ruzimatov likes her a lot as well and that's an accomplishment.

https://tvkultura.ru/video/show/brand_id/65456/episode_id/2463599/video_id/2353235/viewtype/picture/

 

Edited November 30, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

Here's the fifth program. It's contemporary dance. I've just glanced through it very quickly and believe that several couples are missing. If that so they'll surely be shown next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV-kAH5jABQ
 

[Buddy]

Here's the six program with more contemporary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdMBHfC4WU&feature=youtu.be

A friend in Saint Petersburg sent me a summary in russian of what everyone said. about Maria Khoreva's and Vladimir Shklyarov's performance of Christopher Wheeldon's After The Rain (starting at 59:50). The judges were Diana Vishneva,  Farukh Ruzimatov,  Denis Matvienko  and Alexei Miroshnichenko. This is a Google translation. 

In the video, the guys are congratulated on a wonderful performance. The presenter said that not only they were on stage today, but there was a quartet on the stage, today there was a grand piano, Victoria Mulova performed brilliantly the solo, this is a famous violinist, our legend, it was such a synthesis of love, melody and it was amazing. The presenter [Svetlana Zakharova] watched this number not for the first time, she said that this number is performed in concerts and gala concerts and that she herself always wanted to dance this number, but has not yet succeeded. When she watched their number, she discovered so many new things for herself. they brought in so much new from themselves. They thanked Svetlana for such warm words, although it was generally difficult for them to imagine how it would work at all, how to practice and teach order by zoom. They thought that Christopher would rehearse with them more rigidly and strictly follow the details of his choreography, but he said that many couples have already danced this duet and it must be a special story. He told them the story of how the first couple danced, it was the departure of the famous dancer from the stage and it was a farewell act for him and he said that every couple must find their own story. The presenters asked what story they found, they replied that they had found their own, but they would not like to tell what he thought he danced and Masha danced about)

The presenter suggested that they found a story about how two artists became close during this project and stopped being shy of each other and finally opened up

Now is the time to hear the jury

Farrukh: The most important thing is that for me this state is valuable on stage, a secret dissolution both in music and in choreography and, accordingly, between each other. In my opinion, you create things that we will then remember for a long time. I congratulate you.

Alexey: The number is very famous, a lot of great dancers danced it, very musically staged and you danced it beautifully, there was such a fusion with music, Volodya's drama was built more accurately, more visibly, and this is understandable, you will certainly find a wider palette for performance of this number and I hope you will dance it. Maria, today your elastic bands on soft shoes bothered me very much, they stood out very much, look what Volodya had, they practically did not differ from the body, this was very distracting me from both music and execution, so you need to follow up on this too.

Denis: I am still in a trance from your performance, Masha's eyes were a little lacking, perhaps, some kind of look, these are not even claims to you, but to your age, you are not yet able to plunge into your inner world during time to dance and forget that the audience and the jury are sitting and enjoy the music without even creating your own story, but just send everything to hell and dive into everything that is happening here, at the moment. I wanted to ask you: "Are you just thinking during rehearsals, when you went through the runs, during today's performance?"

Masha: "Volodya says to me, don't tell me now (everyone is trying to persuade her!) In fact, for me After the rain, this rain can be just nature, but you can use the rain as a metaphor that there was some kind of storm, some kind of splash, a surge of emotions, events, and after the rain it is harmony, tranquility, but still there are some remnants of the past excitement in the air ...

Denis: "For me you were under water, you did it, I congratulate you

Diana: "Let's talk about trance, let's continue,
She says that this is the best production of Christopher and many dancers (she lists) she saw in this issue and believes that this is a duet for an internally mature artist and it's not just about age, but about the ability to feel music and life. Therefore, it is important here how much the artist understands what he is investing, how he puts himself into this music, and Thank you Volodya, because your performance is exactly the caliber that I told you about, and Maria just needs to continue

Grades (the presenter recalled that Vladimir is taking part as a partner) - everyone put 10 except Diana (9) and she said that it was a pity that Vladimir did not participate in the competition)

Project completed

Volodya said that in this project they discovered new qualities in each other not only as artists but also as people

And Maria will be left with the amount of knowledge and energy that Volodya gave her
Something like this
 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2020 by Buddy

[Buddy]

"On December 19, at 15:30, the Russia-Culture TV channel will air the final release of the fourth season of the Bolshoi Ballet project, in which the names of the winners will be announced. Watch the replay on December 22 at 20:45.

"It will be a kind of gala concert: first, the contestants of the current season, the participants and winners of the project of previous years, as well as the stars of the ballet stage will perform in front of the audience. Among them are Elena Svinko and Yuri Kudryavtsev; Anna Tikhomirova and Honored Artist of Russia Artem Ovcharenko; People's Artist of Russia Maria Alexandrova and Honored Artist of Russia Vladislav Lantratov; Honored Artist of Ukraine, guest soloist of the Mikhailovsky and Mariinsky Theaters, member of the jury for this season - Denis Matvienko and pianist Philip Kopachevsky; Amanda Gomez and Wagner Carvalho; Christina Kretova and Igor Tsvirko; Ildar Abdrazakov and Evgenia Obraztsova; Kimin Kim; Ksenia Shevtsova and Denis Dmitriev; Christina Shapran and Honored Artist of Russia Igor Kolb."

(Google translation)(thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie)
https://smotrim.ru/article/2498998

[Buddy]

The entire final program can now be seen. It's a mix as described in the post above. Maria Khoreva is the winner. I've glanced through and one of the performances that I enjoyed is danced by Evgenia Obraztsova to the singing of one the program's hosts, Ildar Abdrazakov, at 1:09:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEHgNSkYZ-w

(Thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie)

Edited December 21, 2020 by Buddy