March, 25, 2014. Issue No. 260March 20 - 25 - "Lady of the Camellias", the premiere series of performances March 24 - the Year of Culture official opening ceremony took place at the Bolshoi Theatre March 30 - the ballet "Marco Spada" will be broadcast in cinemas around the world"Lady of the Camellias" at the Bolshoi TheatreEvgenia Obraztsova (Marguerite), Vladislav Lantratov (Armand) and John Neumeier after the premiere of "Lady of the Camellias"Backstage. After the premiere of the ballet "Lady of the Camellias"Splendor of the "Paris courtesan" onstage at the Bolshoi Theatre The Russian premiere of the ballet "Lady of the Camellias", choreographed by John Neumeier, took place at the Bolshoi Theatre. The ballet was first staged in 1978 in Stuttgart, and has been a part of the largest theatres' ballet repertoires ever since. Svetlana Zakharova as Marguerite Gautier; Anna Tikhomirova as Manon Lescaut; Semyon Chudin as Des Grieux. Photo: M. Logvinov Bolshoi Theatre prima-ballerina Svetlana Zakharova says: "Manon is like a mirror for Marguerite; at that point Marguerite understands that she does not want to be like that. She is totally different. She is different inside; she has different feelings and a different condition. When she falls in love with Armand, she understands that she will die soon and that she has never loved anyone this way before. But she gives herself away to these feelings so that she can live those last months, feeling happy and loved". Maestro Neumeier kisses the Bolshoi prima Svetlana Zakharova. For her Marguerite - arrogant, seducing and helpless at the same time; her character is so real. One of the most influential choreographers in the world is touched: the Russian version of his famous ballet, which is staged at the most renowned theatres (Metropolitan-Opera, Teatro alla Scala and the Paris Opera), turned out to be particularly passionate. Svetlana Zakharova as Marguerite Gautier; Edvin Revazov as Armand Duval. Photo: M. Logvinov Bolshoi Theatre soloist Evgenia Obraztsova said: "Here we should have feelings that are on the edge; on the edge of a breakdown, of tears, laughter, despair, happiness and sadness. Everything has to be real here". There are dresses with crinolines and tail-coats. The artists admit that emotions are over the top, and John Neumeier's choreography is so difficult that sometimes it seems they cannot even breathe. Everything serves one purpose: that the production would send shivers down the spine of every spectator in the audience, including those in the gallery, and so that people would think: "This is how love can be!" Like it happens in real life, Marguerite dies in solitude after a stupid quarrel with her beloved one.Newsletter Svetlana Zakharova as Marguerite Gautier; Edvin Revazov as Armand Duval. Photo: M. Logvinov Marguerite understands that there is an abyss between Armand and herself. This is what gives rise to doubts, arguments, quarrels and excited reconciliations, desperate deeds and the torments of jealousy. Marguerite seeks support from Manon, whose image chases her like a shadow during the whole production. Manon is a sinful alter ego of the main heroine, which loses its splendor the closer Marguerite gets to the tragic finale. The ballet closes with pas de trois, where Marguerite identifies herself with the heroes of Abbé Prévost so much, that she no longer can tell the difference between herself and Armand and Manon and Des Grieux. There are no unimportant parts in Neumeier's choreography. In this ballet everything is tied together and interconnected, like in a living organism. "Lady of the Camellias" is popular with theatres because of the modern interpretation of this story and the inventive choreography of the Master, the famous pas de deux in particular; these are not only culminations of each of the ballet's three acts, but also the links that connect the characters in this production. This ballet is also popular with theatres, because it has more elision marks than full stops, which gives food for thought and soul… German choreographer John Neumeier presented his interpretation of "Lady of the Camellias" at the Bolshoi Theatre The Russian artists say that as they were working with the master, they were excited and surprised. The choreographer was deeply touched by the story of Marguerite and Armand and made the whole company feel the same way. John Neumeier shows how to slip from the world of his dreams into reality. He does it with incredible ease. He shows it to every Bolshoi soloist. This story about a woman from demi-monde, who loved but never married, somehow is very personal for him - even today, more than 30 years after the ballet premiered in Stuttgart; it almost makes him cry. Bolshoi soloist Anna Tikhomirova says: "His soul shows in every gesture. When he was talking about Armand and Marguerite, he even started crying; all of us could not help shed a tear. For him this ballet is really special, it's his baby; every time he stages this ballet he lives this story". There is the music by Chopin, piano solo and minimalistic set, so that everyone can focus on the most important thing - the emotions of two people, who fell in love so suddenly and so late. John Neumeier, ballet master, head and artistic director of the Hamburg Ballet, says: "In this story it does not matter whether Marguerite dies from tuberculosis or some other terminal disease. Here is a woman, who believed that life consisted of material things - jewelers, precious gems, things like that, and suddenly she realizes that feelings of a man have more meaning". His "Lady of the Camellias" basically is a flashback. The ballet starts from a scene that features an auction, where possessions of the late Marguerite are being sold; meanwhile in her empty flat Armand remembers their love story and his courtesan, who was in love. There are not only real people from the novel by Dumas fils; Neumeier added their doubles, reflections from another passion story. It always seems to the main heroine that she sees Manon Lescaut, who also loved luxury and comfortable life. March, 252014Newsletter Tuberculosis and paleness John Neumeier presented the ballet "Lady of the Camellias" at the Bolshoi Theatre; in this production, set to the music by Chopin, the choreographer brought together characters from the novel by Dumas and "Manon Lescaut". The ballet "Lady of the Camellias" was first performed in Stuttgart in 1978; later John Neumeier created a second edition for his own company in Hamburg. Now the author has brought this production to the Bolshoi Theatre, which is understandable: the heart-breaking love story, with characters dressed in historic costumes, will surely be a success. The ballet is based on a story of Marguerite Gautier; a Paris courtesan Marie Duplessis, who used to be a lover of Dumas fils (his novel "Lady of the Camellias" became an inspiration for many theatre workers), was her prototype. Soon after the story was written, Verdi got interested in it; this is how the most popular opera "La Traviata" appeared. Later the devoted whore became a ballet character; Neumeier, a fan of psychological plot-based productions, is not the first, who made Marguerite and her beloved Armand Duval dance. By the way, the choreographer was going to take the music for his ballet from Verdi's opera, but then he turned down popular hits and got inspired by romantic Chopin. Duplessis was cynical, loved camellias and died from tuberculosis at a very young age. These realias were reflected in the novel, which was written without delay (this is what André Maurois wrote about that epoch: "tuberculosis and paleness have now got a dark shape"), and then in the ballet by Neumeier. The comparison of Marguerite Gautier and Manon Lescaut, which exists in the novel, is preserved in the ballet as love and she slowly surrenders. All of this is expressed not directly, using classical and neoclassical ballet pas, which start "talking": a pirouette is an untwisting spring, quick movements of pointe shoes - longing for an embrace, a jete - an outburst of passion. March, 252014Newsletter Mass media about the TheatreMedvedev made a speech at the Year of Culture in Russia opening ceremony The Year of Culture in Russia opened on Monday with a gala-concert at the Bolshoi Theatre. Over 800 representatives of the cultural sphere from every region of Russia were invited to the ceremony. In April 2013 the President signed a Decree to organize the Year of Culture in Russia in 2014. The Prime-Minister Dmitry Medvedev made a speech at the Year of Culture in Russia opening ceremony, which took place at the Bolshoi Theatre, and had a meeting with culture workers. The government's press-office informed: "The Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, the Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky and the Russian culture and art workers took part in the ceremony". Massive cultural and educational events, international and all-Russian projects in the spheres of theatre, musical and modern visual arts, aimed at preserving and developing folk art and traditional culture of the peoples of Russia, finding talented Earlier the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky mentioned that attention paid to regions would be the key feature of the Year of Culture. The Minister said: "The Year of Culture is not only a chance to get additional financial support". In his opinion, the Year of Culture will help to highlight various challenges and formulate tasks for the future in the first place. The Minister added: "We will enrich museum funds, celebrate anniversaries of Hermitage and the Big Drama Theatre and stage new productions; this is what we do every year anyway". According to Mr. Medinsky, the main task is to "awaken" culture in the regions. He continued: "Our plans for May include the reconstruction of the Tovstonogov Big Drama Theatre; it is planned that several regional theatres will be reconstructed in summer. The Maly Theatre is being reconstructed as well; its reconstruction is planned to finish in 2016". The Minister of Culture also highlighted the importance of creating the First World War Museum in "Tsarskoye Selo", the second stage of the Tretyakov Gallery and the reconstruction of the Space Museum in Kaluga and the creation of an exposition at the Armory Museum in Tula. Mr. Medinsky promised: "We will also finally decide on the concept of the Museum Quarter in Moscow. Speaking about cultural heritage site, I would pay special attention to re-creating the Novo-Ierusalimsky Monastery and continuing implementing the ambitious project in Solovki". Besides, before the 700 anniversary of Blessed Sergius of Radonezh that will be celebrated this year, "a massive reconstruction and renovation of the Svyato-Troitskaya Sergiyeva Lavra buildings has been started". According to the Minister, this year "the renovation of the State Historical Museum will start; there are also plans to open the new Moscow Philharmonic complex in the south-west of the capital as soon as possible". Mr. Medinsky also said that the construction of the State Center of Modern Art was an important project. Over 100 main events are planned to be organized across Russia during the Year of Culture. On the Bolshoi Theatre official pages in the social networks we published pictures, taken at the premiere performances of "Lady of the Camellias": Sergei Filin and John Neumeier The Bolshoi Theatre in the Internet March, 252014Newsletter Digest has been compiled by The Bolshoi Theatre Press Office Photos: Damir Yusupov and Mikhail Logvinov Design layout: Vladimir AndrusenkoAll materials used in the digest are the public domain of information agencies, mass media, civil society organizations and government Pierre Lacotte came to congratulate John Neumeier on the opening of "Lady of the Camellias" at the Bolshoi Theatre Bolshoi Ballet's Marco Spada will be transmitted live in cinemas 30 March The Bolshoi Ballet's fabulous new production of Pierre Lacotte's Marco Spada will be transmitted live in cinemas around the world on Sunday 30 March 2014. Pierre Lacotte is one of the world's leading choreographers and famous for bringing new life to of historical ballets such as the Bolshoi Ballet's hugely popular . Now you can see his newest work for the Bolshoi. The hugely entertaining has already become one of the biggest hits of the Bolshoi season and this will be the first time audiences outside Russia will have a chance to see it. There will 500 live screenings and another 250 near live screenings making a total of 750 cinema screenings throughout Europe, Israel, the South African Republic, Hong Kong, India and South America. Marco Spada is a joyful romp choreographed by Pierre Lacotte who also created the colourful sets and costumes that make this extravaganza a wonderful outing for the whole family. Set to music by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber the story the story is full of bandits, mixed up identities and lots of swash-buckling fun as well as Lacotte's signature French style and breath-taking pas de deux. Bolshoi Ballet principal David Hallberg, one of the world's top ballet stars, is slated to dance the leading role of the bandit Marco Spada together with some of the Bolshoi Ballet's most acclaimed start including Evgenia Obraztsova, Olga Smirnova, Semyon Chudin, Anastasia Stashkevich and Vyacheslva Lopatkin. A full synopsis in English is available on the theatre's website .bolshoi.ru In Europe the performance starts at 17:00 CEST. Check the listings to find the local cinema nearest to you and the local times. List of cinemas: .pathelive.com/fr/bolshoi-worldwide/bolshoi-worldwide-1 Marco Spada Sunday 30 March 2014 5pm (in Europe / CEST) "The Bolshoi Ballet in cinemas: Marco Spada in 750 cinemas" .facebook.com/patheliveofficie Analysis of articles published March 21 - 23 2014 Arts Desk Critics Ismene Brown writes in her blog based on translations of Russian newspapers that it was Vladimir Medinsky, Culture Minister, and his ministry who organized the open letter supporting Putin over Ukraine, signed by 85 leading arts In briefSergei Plusnin |
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