It only took one or two bad experiences to paint all the Russian companies with the same brush and, as economic conditions worsened, fewer people were inclined to part with hundreds of rands per ticket purchase.
However, for many lovers of world-class ballet, the lure of the Russian reputation for impeccable technique and unsurpassed performance standards can be irresistible. Allow yourself instead to be wooed by the reputation of the promoter. Russian impresario Edouard Miasnikov has perpetuated a cultural exchange between South Africa and Russia since 1992, touring top dance, ballet and ice show productions around the country and once again shining a favourable light on his artistic contemporaries.
Stars of the Ballet Moscow begins its South African tour in Joburg on 15 June and continues to Durban, East London, Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. The programme features the unforgettable music of Russian composers Sergei Rachmaninov and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The first act favours the former with performances of Paganini, Adagio from Symphony No 2 and All By Myself. The second act salutes Tchaikovsky's compositions for Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.
Choreography is by former Bolshoi Ballet director Yuri Vertov. He completed a choreography degree at the Moscow State Academy in 1967 before joining the Bolshoi Theatre as principal dancer. 1n 1980 Vertov attended what was then known as the Leningrad Conservatory (the oldest academy of music in Russia) of NA Rimsky-Korsakov, where he trained under world-renowned choreographer Y Grigorovich. He completed his ballet master training at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1982.
The Stars of the Ballet Moscow features principal dancers led by the husband and wife team, Anna Ivanova and Alexander Alikin, who were formerly of the Imperial Russian Ballet.
I have it on the highest authority that this is one ballet production worth seeing, so don't miss out. Tickets are limited so early booking is advised through Computicket. Tickets range from R140 to R250.
The Stars of the Ballet Moscow tour moves from Joburg to Durban's Playhouse on 18 and 19 June at 7.30pm; the Port Elizabeth Opera House on 23 June at 3pm; Cape Town's Baxter Theatre from 26 to 30 June at 7.30pm with weekend matinees at 3pm and Pretoria's SA State Theatre on 6 and 7 July at 3pm and 7.30pm.
