21.07.2022
189th season draws to a close
The Mikhailovsky Theatre’s ballet season is drawing to a close. The final performances of this eventful theatrical year will take place on 27, 28, and 29 July. Audiences will have the chance to watch the most iconic of Russian ballets, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Artistic Director Nacho Duato has presented his own version of Russian ballet’s pre-eminent work at the Mikhailovsky Theatre. The production’s premiere in October was the highlight of our season.
In Tchaikovsky’s captivating music and the ballet’s plot, familiar to us since childhood, Duato discovers new meanings, places unexpected accents, and gives the well-known images a new fluidity of movement. Respectfully drawing from famous fragments of the choreography by Ivanov and Petipa, and inspired by the great ballet classics, the choreographer creates “a more modern, very emotional, and human story”, complementing it with original character dances. Critics at the premiere were unanimous: “Here, his talent shines through in all its glory.” Together with designer Angelina Atlagić, Duato has transferred the ballet to the twentieth century, turning the fairy tale into a romantic fantasy, and, to the surprise of those watching the premiere, offered the audience a new ending.
Speaking of surprises, there are more in store for the final performances of this season on 27 and 29 July, with the main one being the stellar debut of Artem Ovcharenko. This flawless classical dancer and professional of great beauty will appear on the stage of the Mikhailovsky Theatre as Siegfried for the first time. It is for good reason that Ovcharenko is known as the best prince at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, and the dancer’s St. Petersburg fans have also had the chance to see this for themselves. His Prince in Cinderella not only won the heart of the main character, but also gave the audience a performance to remember.
In an exclusive event in the recent history of the theatre, the roles of Odette and Odile will be performed by two different ballerinas. One of the oldest opera and ballet theatres in St. Petersburg, the Mikhailovsky not only carefully preserves the traditions of the imperial stage, but also revives the best traditions of twentieth-century ballet for audiences. It is known that Alexander Gorsky first conducted this experiment back in 1920. In 1933, Agrippina Vaganova followed his example, entrusting the role of Odette to Galina Ulanova, and Odile to Olga Iordan. On 27 and 29 July, guests will see a refined Odette danced by Yulia Lukyanenko, and a dazzling Odile from Anastasia Smirnova. Blonde demon Ivan Zaytsev will play the part of the evil genius, and Merited Artist of Russia Pavel Sorokin will conduct.
In Tchaikovsky’s captivating music and the ballet’s plot, familiar to us since childhood, Duato discovers new meanings, places unexpected accents, and gives the well-known images a new fluidity of movement. Respectfully drawing from famous fragments of the choreography by Ivanov and Petipa, and inspired by the great ballet classics, the choreographer creates “a more modern, very emotional, and human story”, complementing it with original character dances. Critics at the premiere were unanimous: “Here, his talent shines through in all its glory.” Together with designer Angelina Atlagić, Duato has transferred the ballet to the twentieth century, turning the fairy tale into a romantic fantasy, and, to the surprise of those watching the premiere, offered the audience a new ending.
Speaking of surprises, there are more in store for the final performances of this season on 27 and 29 July, with the main one being the stellar debut of Artem Ovcharenko. This flawless classical dancer and professional of great beauty will appear on the stage of the Mikhailovsky Theatre as Siegfried for the first time. It is for good reason that Ovcharenko is known as the best prince at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, and the dancer’s St. Petersburg fans have also had the chance to see this for themselves. His Prince in Cinderella not only won the heart of the main character, but also gave the audience a performance to remember.
In an exclusive event in the recent history of the theatre, the roles of Odette and Odile will be performed by two different ballerinas. One of the oldest opera and ballet theatres in St. Petersburg, the Mikhailovsky not only carefully preserves the traditions of the imperial stage, but also revives the best traditions of twentieth-century ballet for audiences. It is known that Alexander Gorsky first conducted this experiment back in 1920. In 1933, Agrippina Vaganova followed his example, entrusting the role of Odette to Galina Ulanova, and Odile to Olga Iordan. On 27 and 29 July, guests will see a refined Odette danced by Yulia Lukyanenko, and a dazzling Odile from Anastasia Smirnova. Blonde demon Ivan Zaytsev will play the part of the evil genius, and Merited Artist of Russia Pavel Sorokin will conduct.
