No country on earth has produced as many legendary ballet stars as Russia. And now, in July, after bringing several international ballet galas to South Africa, ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst presents an exclusively Russian ballet gala under his banner at the Joburg Theatre. Mr Badenhorst has brought the best in international ballet to South Africa and this tradition that continues with a spectacular line-up of Russia’s leading ballet stars for four galas exclusively at the Joburg Theatre from 4 to 6 July.
Featuring stars from distinguished Russian ballet companies as well as a Russian guest artist with the American Ballet Theatre in New York, the line-up includes:
· 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)
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
The Russian Ballet Stars galas are directed by Ruslan Nurtdinov, one of Russia’s leading ballet impresarios. A former dancer himself, Mr Nurtdinov brings considerable international experience and expertise to his gala productions. His previous links with South Africa include the presentation of Joburg Ballet ballerina Kitty Phetla in Russia in her acclaimed performance ofThe Dying Swan on two extensive Russian tours.
A unique feature of the galas will be the participation of Russian opera divaLarisa Akhmetova whose contribution to the programme will include among other selections the voice solo in a pas de trois fromCarmina Burana.
Commenting on the Johannesburg visit of the Russian Ballet Stars, Dirk Badenhorst 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. Unfortunately time constraints limit the performances to the galas at the Joburg Theatre only but we hope that those who can, will come from other South African centres to experience this special event.”
RUSSIAN BALLET STARS: FAST FACTS
Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
When: Friday 4 July at 8pm; Saturday 5 July at 3pm; Saturday 5 July at 8pm; Sunday 6 July at 3pm
Tickets: R200, R340, R450
Booking: At Joburg Theatre; By phone 0861 670 670; Onlinewww.joburgtheatre.com
