February, 18, 2014. Issue No. 236
News of the day Onstage at the Bolshoi TheatreThe Bolshoi Theatre General Director Vladimir Urin gave an interview to "Vechernaya Moskva"
The opera "Eugene Onegin" staged by Dmitry Chernyakov will remain in the Bolshoi Theatre repertory
Svetlana Zakharova spoke about what it was like to dance at "The First Ball of Natasha Rostova"
Ilze Liepa has written a book of tales about the Bolshoi theatreHistoric Stage - rehearsal day New Stage - rehearsal day Dates and events February 17 - the ballet "Jewels" was transmitted at the Documentary Film Center; the Bolshoi Theatre productions are now transmitted both at the cinemas and at the Documentary Film Center
February 22, 23 and 25 - premiere performances of the Rimsky-Korsakov opera "The Tsar's Bride"Mass media about the TheatreRehearsal of "The Tsar's Bride". Premiere performances will be take place on February
22, 23 and 25. Photo: Damir YusupovOlga Smirnova and Semyon Chudin, "Diamonds". The ballet "Jewels" was transmitted
at the Documentary Film Center on February 17Vladimir Urin: Theatre always comes out against
Vladimir Urin at the Bolshoi Theatre Hall. In the background: the central box of the main theatre of the country. Photo: ITAR-TASS
The recent scandals that took place at the main theatre of the country - "the acid attack", clearing the air with Nikolay Tsiskaridze and premieres that caused mixed reviews - thrilled both the audience and the community. The situation became more stable once the new General Director, Vladimir Urin, came to the Bolshoi. He has been working there for six months; we have decided it is the right time to talk about ballet now.
The Bolshoi Theatre General Director does not have time at all. He is pulled into pieces; however, he found an hour to talk to "Vechernaya Moskva".
- Our first question is: what is the course of future development for the Bolshoi Ballet?
- The main objective is to preserve the balance between classical heritage and modern productions in the context of the global choreographic process.
I would say there should be three focus areas. First of all, those productions from the Bolshoi Theatre gold pool which have not lose their artistic value and which are as interesting for the audience as they were when they premiered should be preserved. I mean, they should not just appear on the playbill, but should also be in good condition and star talented artists.
Only the creative union of luminaries and young artists who replace them will allow this gold pool not to turn into a necropolis. Including several versions of the famous ballets into the Bolshoi repertory will enable us to enlarge the palette of performing colors and will also provide additional opportunities for developing the Russian ballet Newsletter school; it will increase audience interest in ballet productions as well.
Secondly, we need to familiarize ourselves with the great choreography of the 20 century. The Bolshoi Theatre playbill should include its best masterpieces. Finally, it is necessary to create conditions for young and talented choreographers to enable them to do creative work. Today there are many names, but no bright personalities. We need a Bolshoi Young Artists Ballet Program that would be similar to the Opera Program that Dmitry Vdovin is the head of.
- In your interview to British journalists you said that you determined the Bolshoi Theatre creative policy. Does it concern ballet as well?
- According to the Bolshoi Theatre Charter and Statute, its General Director is responsible for everything, including the creative component. This does not mean that I am going to interfere with the creative process and rehearsals. Creators and artistic directors who design repertory policies in their fields for several years in advance suggest ideas. We discuss them together; we consider all components of each project, including organizational, production and financial capacities of the theatre. But I am the one who makes the final decision, because I am the one who - In your opinion, what professional and personal qualities should the Bolshoi Ballet artistic director have?
- An artistic director of any company, the Bolshoi Theatre not being an exception, should be a bright personality; he also should be a professional, have creative influence, be creative and know how to build relationships in the company and with his other colleagues in the ballet community.
- How did the Bolshoi Ballet tour in England and France go? What are the future tour programs?
- The tours were successful in general. The critics unanimously mentioned the highest level of performance that our artists demonstrated. This year the Bolshoi Ballet will go on a big tour to the USA and Japan; the Royal Ballet will bring to Russia modern ballets and "Manon".
- In your opinion, what role does ballet play in the modern world?
- It does not play as big a role as people think. In many countries people prefer opera, for example, in Italy, Germany and Austria. In France and Russia ballet is in the first place. One does not need an interpreter to understand the language of the dance that can create beauty. Talented ballerinas and dancers use the plastique of their bodies to give other people the emotional charge, which is very powerful; it can heal souls and fill hearts with joy and hope. Judging from this point of view, the role of ballet as an art form is invaluable.
OPINIONS
February, 182014I was amazed with the scale, the beauty and the scope of the event in the first place. I have to admit that was very proud to be able to participate in it. Perhaps, I, more than others, understood how much effort, energy and nerves people spent to bring this beautiful ceremony to life. What the organizers managed to do should be discussed separately. It seemed that people did not stop working day and night. It seemed that the time they spent on this project had nothing to do with how much time people in Natasha Rostova of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: "I follow all events, including hockey games"
The world ballet star Svetlana Zakharova told "Komsomolskaya Pravda" what it was like to dance at "The First Ball of Natasha Rostova"
The Bolshoi Theatre prima ballerina and world ballet star told "Komsomolskaya Pravda" what it was like to dance at "The First Ball of Natasha Rostova" during the Newsletter February, 182014The ballerina said:
- I grew up at the Bolshoi Theatre; I came there at an early age. My book has the smell of these corridors, costume departments and engine rooms, where my fairy tale characters live. There are cats that fight the theatre mechanisms, a skirt that falls in love with a jerkin that marries a hat, a curtain that is fond of a coulisse and projectors that got to know each other….
Ilze would very much like this book to open the hearts of young readers to classical art and ballet. It is necessary to help a child to understand ballet and to fall in love with it. Newsletter famous choreographer John Neumeier held rehearsals. This is one of his most famous ballets to the music by F. Chopin. The audience understands ballet movements; the characters have real feelings that strike a chord with the audience and make people cry. The costumes and dresses that my character wears during the production are very beautiful.
Ilze Liepa has written a book of tales about the Bolshoi theatre
"Theatre Fairy Tales" is the title of the book, written by Ilze Liepa, the famous Russian ballerina, People's Artist of Russia and a laureate of many prestigious awards. The book was published by "RIPOL Classic" publishing house; it does not give out any gloomy backstage secrets. On the contrary, this is a collection of nice, kind fairy tales for the youngest audience, including those who cannot read themselves yet. One cannot fail to notice that Ilze Liepa is a bright person with a very generous soul who is in love with her job. From their earliest childhood Ilze and her brother Andris studied at ballet school, participated in the Bolshoi Theatre performances and communicated with great musicians, artists and directors. The children of Maris Liepa grew up at the Bolshoi Theatre; this is their home, filled with fairy tales; this is the world where wonders come to live and become unalienable parts of a creative process."Theatre Fairy Tales" by Ilze Liepa shows children the magic land of ballet, where all participants of a performance - from ballet shoes to lighting equipment - February, 182014International press analysis 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
|
