Kremlin Ballet in Poland
Cinderella, based on Perrault's famous fairytale, first premiered in Moscow in 1945, and was originally a ballet in three acts and seven scenes. The Kremlin Ballet Company's version, however, is in two acts and involves over 150 dancers and musicians. This version of Cinderella premiered in 1991 and remains the most preferred version, having been staged more than 180 times since. It is choreographed by Vladimir Vasilev, who, in addition to being both ballet dancer and master, was also a National Artist of the USSR and the artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre from 1995-2000.
The other performance is even more well-known: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, no doubt one of the most significant achievements and eternal symbols of Russian classical ballet. And this inimitable, charming and gentle performance is an amazing experience - especially when staged by veteran Andrej Petrova and the Kremlin Ballet.
Petrova - known for his alternative and novel staging formats, with a special emphasis on stage effects - began his career in the famed Bolshoi Ballet, later going on to found the Kremlin Ballet in 1990. In answer to the usual politics of ballet repertoire, Petrova has found ways to infuse his own innovative choreographic style while at the same time remaining faithful to the classical tradition. And he pulls it off admirably. The Kremlin Ballet creates a modern conception of the performances while preserving the charm and essence of the classics, bringing glamor and recognition to the Bolshoi's sophisticated successor. They've already won the hearts of French, Grecian, Italian, Chinese, Hungarian and Austrian audiences. Now Poland is next.
Another person who ought to be mentioned is Natalya Balakhnicheva, who, performing in both ballets, holds the title role in Cinderalla and dances pas de duex in Swan Lake. She has won a number of awards at international ballet competitions (including Paris 1992, 'Maya' St-Petersburg 1994, and the laureate of the Moscow Theatrical Festival Debuts 1996), and it's no wonder, as she bewitches the audience with her rare gift for plastic incarnation and a combination of lyrical, romantic fragility with an enormous power of spirit.
Just as worthy of mention are the costumes for Swan Lake, designed by Olga Polanskaya, who has been working with the Kremlin Ballet for years, as well as the costumes for Cinderella by Zerar Pipar (over 100 costumes, made by Nina Richi).
So don't miss this occasion to step back into childhood, back into the wonderful world of fairies, although this time full of pas de duex, especially as the Business Journal has free tickets for the first four readers who call (22) 529-7550.
May 24-25 Wrocław Teatr Polski
May 27 Sopot, Opera Leśna
May 28 Poznań, Arena
May 29-30 Warsaw, Sala Kongresowa
June 1-2 Kraków, Hala Wisła
June 3-4 Bydgoszcz, Opera Nova
The other performance is even more well-known: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, no doubt one of the most significant achievements and eternal symbols of Russian classical ballet. And this inimitable, charming and gentle performance is an amazing experience - especially when staged by veteran Andrej Petrova and the Kremlin Ballet.
Petrova - known for his alternative and novel staging formats, with a special emphasis on stage effects - began his career in the famed Bolshoi Ballet, later going on to found the Kremlin Ballet in 1990. In answer to the usual politics of ballet repertoire, Petrova has found ways to infuse his own innovative choreographic style while at the same time remaining faithful to the classical tradition. And he pulls it off admirably. The Kremlin Ballet creates a modern conception of the performances while preserving the charm and essence of the classics, bringing glamor and recognition to the Bolshoi's sophisticated successor. They've already won the hearts of French, Grecian, Italian, Chinese, Hungarian and Austrian audiences. Now Poland is next.
Another person who ought to be mentioned is Natalya Balakhnicheva, who, performing in both ballets, holds the title role in Cinderalla and dances pas de duex in Swan Lake. She has won a number of awards at international ballet competitions (including Paris 1992, 'Maya' St-Petersburg 1994, and the laureate of the Moscow Theatrical Festival Debuts 1996), and it's no wonder, as she bewitches the audience with her rare gift for plastic incarnation and a combination of lyrical, romantic fragility with an enormous power of spirit.
Just as worthy of mention are the costumes for Swan Lake, designed by Olga Polanskaya, who has been working with the Kremlin Ballet for years, as well as the costumes for Cinderella by Zerar Pipar (over 100 costumes, made by Nina Richi).
So don't miss this occasion to step back into childhood, back into the wonderful world of fairies, although this time full of pas de duex, especially as the Business Journal has free tickets for the first four readers who call (22) 529-7550.
May 24-25 Wrocław Teatr Polski
May 27 Sopot, Opera Leśna
May 28 Poznań, Arena
May 29-30 Warsaw, Sala Kongresowa
June 1-2 Kraków, Hala Wisła
June 3-4 Bydgoszcz, Opera Nova
