14.09.2012
Polina Semionova Joins the Mikhailovsky Theatre as Guest Prima Ballerina
The new season’s opening night was a truly festive occasion. Polina Semionova celebrated her birthday on stage, and the public who greeted her ethereal portrayal of Giselle with a magnificent ovation became party to some good news. The theatre’s General Director, Vladimir Kekhman, came out onto the front of the stage and, after waiting for the rapturous applause to die down, informed the audience that, “Fr om tonight Polina Semionova will be the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s guest prima ballerina”. Like Marcelo Gomes, who is her partner in this production and at the American Ballet Theatre, she will perform regularly on the Mikhailovsky Theatre stage in ballets fr om the theatre’s repertoire, as well as in new productions. “How long these wonderful artists stay with us”, the theatre’s director told the audience, “all depends on you”. The audience responded with thunderous applause.
After the performance, Polina Semionova spoke about how much the Mikhailovsky Theatre means to her: “It’s a very special place for me. This is the last place I performed in Russia before I left for Berlin. It was the gala concert after the Vaganova Prix competition wh ere I took first prize in the summer of 2002, and this stage is forever linked to the feelings of joy and pride I felt back then”. She has only rarely performed in Russia. “I have always liked St Petersburg”, Polina confessed, “and as a child I dreamed of studying at the Vagonova Ballet Academy. Later I was always glad of the chance to come here”. The ballerina’s other favourite city is Berlin, wh ere she has lived for several years and which she now knows well. “In my free time I often walk around enjoying the city and finding new favourite places. It’s better, of course, to do this with company”, the ballerina said, smiling, “but before a performance it’s the opposite; I try to concentrate on the role and to be alone. I still get terribly nervous before performances, even if I have danced a role dozens of times. It was the same for Giselle on 13 September, which was a very special evening indeed”.
After the performance, Polina Semionova spoke about how much the Mikhailovsky Theatre means to her: “It’s a very special place for me. This is the last place I performed in Russia before I left for Berlin. It was the gala concert after the Vaganova Prix competition wh ere I took first prize in the summer of 2002, and this stage is forever linked to the feelings of joy and pride I felt back then”. She has only rarely performed in Russia. “I have always liked St Petersburg”, Polina confessed, “and as a child I dreamed of studying at the Vagonova Ballet Academy. Later I was always glad of the chance to come here”. The ballerina’s other favourite city is Berlin, wh ere she has lived for several years and which she now knows well. “In my free time I often walk around enjoying the city and finding new favourite places. It’s better, of course, to do this with company”, the ballerina said, smiling, “but before a performance it’s the opposite; I try to concentrate on the role and to be alone. I still get terribly nervous before performances, even if I have danced a role dozens of times. It was the same for Giselle on 13 September, which was a very special evening indeed”.
