Bolshoi and other Russian ballet principals to share Joburg stage with opera diva
Leading Russian ballerinas leap into Joburg for four exclusive performances only from 4 to 6 July 2014.
South Africa has seen a mix of Russian touring companies of late, all claiming to bring us their “ballet stars” but with sometimes disappointing results. However, the upcoming Russian Ballet Stars gala performances look a little different, particularly with an opera diva in the mix. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect to see at these performances at the Joburg Theatre from 4 to 6 July 2014.
For one, this production is presented by ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst, who is steadily becoming synonymous with high quality and high profile international ballet galas, from the inspiring tribute gala for Alicia Alonso to the recent Stars of the American Ballet performances featuring principal dancers from New York City Ballet and other leading companies.
Now, Dirk Badenhorst is bringing us the principal dancers and leading ballerinas from the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, the National Ballet in Kiev, and the Mikhailovsky Theater and other respected companies in St Petersburg.
Commenting on this visit, he said:
“This is a very exciting project for me, being the first group of Russian ballet stars I am bringing to South Africa. Russia is synonymous with the very best in ballet internationally and it will be a rare treat for our audiences to be able to see dancers drawn from leading Russian ballet companies brought together on the Johannesburg stage.” – Dirk Badenhort
Match made in Russia – Mixing opera and ballet
Russian opera diva, Larisa Akhmetova, will perform alongside dancers at the Russian Ballet Stars gala performances at Joburg Theatre.
Adding another layer of interest to these performances will be the participation of Russian opera diva Larisa Akhmetova. With her unique vocal range, which allows her to sing roles in both the soprano and mezzo-soprano opera repertoire, she will perform arias from Bizet’s Carmen and Puccini’s Tosca, as well as accompany the dancers in performances of highlights from the ballet Carmina Burana. See the video below for a little teaser treat.
The gala programme features great classical ballet highlights, among them Swan Lake Black Swan Pas de Deux, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Grand Pas Classique, Schéhèrazade Pas de Deux and several other showpieces, including some items not seen in South Africa before.
The Russian Ballet Stars galas are directed by Ruslan Nurtdinov and feature the following dancers:
- Lyubov Andreeva (Principal Dancer, Boris Eifman Ballet, St Petersburg)
- Alla Bocharova (Prima Ballerina, Yakobson Theater, St Petersburg)
- Oleg Gabyshev (Principal Dancer, Boris Eifman Ballet, St Petersburg)
- Nikolay Korypaev (First Soloist, Mikhailovsky Theatre, St Petersburg)
- Natalia Matsak (Principal Dancer, National Ballet, Kiev)
- Maria Mishina (Artist of the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow)
- Denis Nedak (Principal, National Ballet, Kiev & Guest Artist, American Ballet Theatre, New York)
- Andrey Pisarev (Principal, National Ballet, Kiev)
Now here’s that video, and if you haven’t reserved your seats yet, you better click on the booking link below, fast. You know, the show ain’t over till the fabulous lady sings…
Booking details
Dates: Friday 4 July 2014 at 8pm; Saturday 5 July at 3pm; Saturday 5 July at 8pm; and Sunday 6 July at 3pm.
Venue: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tickets: from R200 to R450 via JoburgTheatre.com or 0861 670 670.
Category: Dance News
