Russian Orchestra
of London
Performers
Irma Nioradze
Yulia Makhalina
Daria Pavlenko
Elvira Tarasova
Igor Zelensky
Farukh Ruzimatov
Nikolai Tsiskaridze
Ilya Kuznetsov
Andrei Batalov
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Ballet Stars of
St. Petersburg
Royal Albert Hall
7 - 8 May 2003
The success of a ballet performance depends on two things: the dancers, and the programme. Without the skills and sensitivity of its dancers, a programme is rarely able to bear fruit; conversely, anything less than an adequate programme does not do justice to the dancers. The Royal Albert Hall performance by the ballet stars of St. Petersburg, accompanied by the Russian Orchestra of London, most certainly did not lack outstanding dancers; but much of the programme let them down.
This is particularly disappointing given that St. Petersburg could justly be called the home of classical ballet. The dancers collected for this show are members of the prestigious Kirov and Bolshoi companies, and are therefore among the best in the world. And despite the shortcomings of the programme, the exceptional quality of almost all the dancers was never for a moment in doubt.
The programme started with a piece entitled Madam Lioneli choreographed by Kirill Simonov. The choreography felt out-of-date and contained few, if any, excitements or novelties, and the music (by Gavin Bryars and John Adams) was entirely unsuitable. This inauspicious beginning set the scene for most of what followed.
But amongst the disappointments were several outstanding pieces. These included Death of the Poet to the music of Gustav Mahler in the choreography of Maurice Bejart, memorable for the intensity and technique of the outstanding Farouk Ruzimatov and the intelligently innovative choreography. This was by far and away the best performance of the evening. The Manon choreographed by Kenneth Macmillan and performed by Yulia Makhalina and Ilja Kuznetsov, notable for the playful elegance of the dancers' interaction, also deserves special mention. Of interest too were Le Corsaire, with music by Adolphe Adam and choreography by Marius Petipa, performed by Igor Zelensky and Daria Pavlenko, and Scheherazade performed by Irma Nioradze and Farouk Ruzimatov. Dancers worth special mention were Ilja Kuznetsov (Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Company),Yulia Makhalina (Kirov Ballet), Irma Nioradze (Mariinsky Theatre Ballet Company), and Farouk Ruzimatov (Kirov Ballet). Finally, for those who are particular fans of St. Petersburg ballet, there is an exhibition of the 'Icons of the St Petersburg Ballet' at the Luke & A Gallery of Modern Art in Mayfair until the 24th of May.
Elisabeth Schellekens
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