Wednesday, September 8

[dirac]

A review of the Ukrainian Ballet Gala by Graham Watts for Bachtrack.

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Ukraine has long been a significant hotspot for classical ballet. The venerable school in Kyiv has provided some of world ballet’s greatest stars (Alina Cojocaru, Iana Salenko and Svetlana Zakharova to name but three). So, it is a surprise that the country's National Ballet had never previously performed in the UK. Ivan Putrov has enjoyed a long career based in London, including eight years as a principal with The Royal Ballet, and for the past decade he has combined the role of dancer with that of impresario, largely through his flagship production vehicle, Men in Motion, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary, next year. Here, for one night only, he has showcased the dancers of his homeland in a special gala at Sadler’s Wells, although sadly, an injury meant that Putrov was unable to join them on stage.

 

[dirac]

A story on the Benefield murder case involving the married founders of a startup ballet company in Charleston.

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Over the time the Benefields were married, there were strained relationships, allegations of abuse, a failed ballet company for unconventional dancers, and the stories of family members left behind trying to make sense of it all in the wake of deadly gunshots.

Ashley Benefield maintains her innocence and is awaiting trial. She has pleaded not guilty.

 

[dirac]

A look at Cincinnati Ballet's new digs.

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This is the real thing – natural light that cascades through nearly every space in the building. Towering windows dominate the dance studios. Most of the offices, too, and even the wardrobe department, which had been buried away in subterranean spaces – former beer tunnels – in the company’s former home on Central Parkway.