I know a number of Ballet.coers (though sadly not myself) are travelling across to watch the shows, and I hope that they will record their thoughts here.

Herebelow are a selection of titbits from the Ballet.co Archives

Bolshoi Le Corsaire Reviews

Le Corsaire John Ross Photo Gallery

2006 Jeu des Cartes & Pique Dame John Ross Photo Gallery

Bolshoi Spartacus Reviews

2007 Spartacus John Ross Photo Gallery

Enjoy!

Le Corsaire
January 5, 7.30 pm
Medora - Svetlana Zakharova
Conrad - Nikolai Tsiskaridze
Gulnare - Yekaterina Shipulina
Birbanto - Andrei Merkuriev
Pas des esclaves - Nina Kaptsova, Ivan Vasiliev
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

January 6 , 2.30 pm
Medora - Maria Alexandrova (replaces Natalia Osipova)
Conrad - Sergei Filin
Gulnare - Nina Kaptsova
Birbanto - Vitaly Biktimirov
Pas des esclaves - Chinara Alizade, Denis Medvedev
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

January 7, 7.30 pm
Medora - Svetlana Lunkina
Conrad - Denis Matvienko
Gulnare - Yekaterina Krysanova
Birbanto - Andrei Merkuriev
Pas des esclaves - Nina Kaptsova, Ivan Vasiliev
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

January 8, 7.30 pm
Medora - Maria Alexandrova
Conrad - Sergei Filin
Gulnare - Yekaterina Shipulina
Birbanto - Vitaly Biktimirov
Pas des esclaves - Chinara Alizade, Denis Medvedev
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

January 14, 7.30 pm
Medora - Maria Alexandrova
Conrad - Dmitry Belogolovtsev
Gulnare - Yekaterina Shipulina
Birbanto - Vitaly Biktimirov
Pas des esclaves - Chinara Alizade, Andrei Bolotin
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

January 15, 7.30 pm
Medora - Svetlana Zakharova
Conrad - Denis Matvienko
Gulnare - Yekaterina Krysanova
Birbanto - Andrei Merkuriev
Pas des esclaves - Nina Kaptsova, Ivan Vasiliev
Lanquedem - Gennadi Yanin
Seyd-Pacha - Alexei Loparevich

One-act ballets
January 11, 7.30 pm
January 12, 2.30 pm
January 12, 8 pm
January 13, 2.30 pm

Jeu des cartes
Maria Alexandrova (11; 12, 2.30 pm; 12, 8 pm), Nina Kaptsova (13), Svetlana Lunkina, Yekaterina Shipulina (11; 12, 2.30 pm; 12, 8 pm), Anna Leonova (13), Anna Tikhomirova, Natalia Osipova, Yekaterina Krysanova, Anna Nikulina, Yan Godovsky, Denis Medvedev,
Morikhiro Ivata, Vyacheslav Lopatin, Denis Savin, Anton Savichev, Yegor Khromushin, Yevgeny Golovin

Kingdom of the Shades scene from La Bayadere
Nikia - Svetlana Zakharova (11; 12, 8 pm), Nadezhda Gracheva (12, 2.30 pm; 13)
Solor - Denis Matvienko (11; 12, 8 pm), Andrei Uvarov (12, 2.30 pm; 13)
First Variation - Maria Alexandrova (11), Yekaterina Krysanova (12, 2.30 pm; 12, 20.00; 13)
Second Variation - Yekaterina Shipulina (11; 12, 8 pm), Natalia Osipova (12, 2.30 pm; 13)
Third Variation - Maria Allash (11; 12, 8 pm), Anna Nikulina (12, 2.30 pm; 13)

La dame de pique
Hermann - Nikolai Tsiskaridze (11; 12, 8 pm, 13), Dmitry Gudanov (12, 2.30 pm)
The Countess - Ilze Liepa
Liza - Svetlana Lunkina (11; 12, 2.30 pm, 13), Nelli Kobakhidze (12, 8 pm)
Chekalinsky - Georgy Geraskin

Spartacus
January 19, 7.30 pm
Spartacus - Carlos Acosta
Crasus - Alexander Volchkov
Phrigia - Nina Kaptsova
Aegina - Maria Allash

January 20, 2.30 pm
Spartacus - Denis Matvienko
Crasus - Vladimir Neporozhny
Phrigia - Svetlana Lunkina
Aegina - Yekaterina Shipulina

January 21, 7.30 pm
Spartacus- Dmitry Belogolovtsev
Crasus - Vladimir Neporozhny
Phrigia - Anna Antonicheva
Aegina - Maria Alexandrova

January 22, 7.30 pm
Spartacus - Carlos Acosta
Crasus - Alexander Volchkov
Phrigia - Nina Kaptsova
Aegina - Maria Allash

Also of note - and perfectly timed to coincide with the performances of Pique Dame - there is a huge exhibition opening on 12th January dedicated to Roland Petit at the Palais Garnier. It runs until April.

Further information can be found below:

http://www.operadeparis.fr/Accueil/Actualite.asp?id=447

oh no.... for very terribly selfish reasons I wish Masha a speediest and full recovery - I'm going to Paris to see HER (and Filin)!!

It appears that it's Svetlana Lunkina who danced in this afternoon's matinee performance....

Yes, indeed, looks like I will get to see Ms. Osipova's debut in role (with Mr. Matvienko)!

In her extremely slender and fragile-looking frame one could only wonder in amazement where all the stamina came from; on her third night (the 8th) her grand fouette en tournant in 'that' pdd may have lost a bit of sparks than on the previous evening, but overall she did deliver the goods - and so did her partner, Denis Matvienko (who has never failed to impress me as an incredibly reliable, professional dancer).

In London Corsaire last summer Lunkina was the third cast Medora, which seemed pretty much a reasonable arrangement. To me, her performance, albeit full of delicacy and loveliness, was a bit overshadowed by those of Alexandrova and Zakharova, who possessed more of stage presence and technical bravura. But then perhaps she might have been a better actress of the three; her acting, just like her dancing, had a subtle yet very nuanced manner, and once again her approach to the role looked pleasant as well as quite effective. Her best moments, to my eyes, came at the very last of the substantial ballet scene for a prima ballerina: Grand pas des eventails (beautifully flowed movements!).

Her Conrad, Matvienko, is a terrific turner and once again showed off his skills to a great effect. His another weapon, thrilling and masculine jumps dominated the stage like big waves coming down one after another - a bit of a shame that the stage of Palais Garnier perhaps wasn't too big enough for him!

One of the joys watching the Bolshoi's Corsaire this time, was seeing different cast in supporting roles. Not seen in London, for instance (though I may be terribly wrong!), was one half of the pair who danced Pdd des Esclaves on both nights: Chinara Alizade, with Denis Medvedev. Medvedev might have lacked that 'wow' factor very distinctive to Ivan Vasiliev, yet his technical assurance was impressive throughout, and I very much enjoyed watching Chinara Alizade dancing in the role. Alizade is a young Corps dancer (so I presume), who caught my eyes in London Corsaire dancing one of the main Corps girls in the scene of Le jardin anime. On this occasion her dancing had an attack, she had an attitude - her sparkling personality shone through, that made you forget the initial impressions that perhaps the technical dept. of the dancer still requires a touch of polish.

On to the second ballerina role, Gulnare - Nina Kaptsova on the 7th and Ekaterina Shipulina on the 8th. I saw Kapsova in this role for the first time and thought that - as you *all* can imagine - she was full of charm and youthful innocence. Her clean technique, understated elegance and feminity were just three of the qualities she happened to share with the prima ballerina of the evening, Lunkina. Together with the delightful ensemble they created one harem on the planet to die for!

With Ekaterina Shipulina, it was a totally different story (ballet) - she danced big and acted big, in an almost flamboyant manner. One thing is for sure, whatever she does, she never fails to raise the temparatures on the stage a few degrees higher; the unashamed liveliness she brought on to the stage was really, quite something. (Oh and it appears that Anastasia Yatsenko, who impressed in this role last summer, hasn't participated in this tour; her bio isn't on the programme.)

As to trois Odalisques - although the cast I saw gave a wonderfully polished display of classical dancing, I still felt a bit sorry for Parisian audience for not getting the treat we had had over here, seeing that amazing trio of the first cast Odalisques: Krysanova, Nikulina and Osipova - their performances were one of the highest points in this production of Corsaire, when I saw it last summer. (Only Osipova made it there. The cast were: Olga Stebletsova, Chinara Alizade, Anna Leonova for the 7th; Olga Stebletsova, Anna Leonova, Natalia Osipova for the 8th.)

* Edited to change the title

>>Did Matvienko dance her Conrad at both performances or did
>>Filin dance as well?

Apologies for ambiguities - it was Matvienko who danced at both performances (with Lunkina).

>>Also what of the stage itself? My recollections of the Garnier
>>are that it is not as large in width as even the Coliseum (though
>>I could be mistaken). Did the "Jardin Anime" look cramped?

Perhaps the Coli is slightly large in width? But I'm not too sure... at least the depth of the Garnier's stage was ok, and last night the scene didn't look particulary 'cramped'. (The only thing I can recall now is glorious dancing!)

Just a very quick word on Triple Bill, featuring "Jeux de Cartes", "The Kingdom of Shades" and "la Dame de Pique" - I saw two performances on Saturday evening and again on Sunday. I'd like to mention on each and every dancer who appeared and gave us such a rare treat, but let me just say for now that I felt hugely previleged to have seen two of the company's senior ballerinas - Nadezhda Gracheva and Ilze Liepa. (They are the true artists...)

And happily last night Maria Alexandrova made the first appearance in Le Corsaire, in Paris. Again, what a treat - she simply proved she was THE Medora of this production. (Well to my mind there's no doubt about it!)

Did anyone see Dmitri Gudanov as Hermann in "Pique Dame" at the Sunday matinee? I understand he doesn't get to dance the role that often.

I wish I had seen her in that performance!

>Did anyone see Dmitri Gudanov as Hermann in "Pique Dame" at
>the Sunday matinee? I understand he doesn't get to dance
>the role that often.

It was a shame I had to miss Gudanov in the role.... but I indirectly learnt of a feedback from one of his colleagues. A friend who had a chat with one of the Bolshoi (male) dancers told me that he found Gudanov in a terrific form and was very impressed (in fact to this dancer Gudanov gave a far superior performance, than earlier in Moscow.... )

I was very curious to see Triple Bill for the first time and did not know what to expect. After having actually seen it I still don't know whether I like it. The male cast was a bit disappointing - no-one really stood out. On the ballerinas side Osipova was brilliant, but it was Alexandrova who was a class of her own.
The audience also did not know what to make of the performance and the applause was rather polite then enthusiastic - it barely lasted until the last dancers bowed.
People were kind of relieved when Les Ombres came on as this is more what was expected from a Bolshoi performance. For my taste Gracheva and Uvarov did not convince as a "couple" though.
La Dame de pique then was well received by the French audience. Gudanov got the audience from the very first moment and danced very stirringly and Ilse Liepa was very intense in her part. In the end this ballet received the best response and even some "Bravos".

Le Corsaire on Monday 14th was an excellent performance. Again I was especially impressed by Alexandrova. On other occassions I felt she had given up on competing with Osipova (Don Quixote, The Bright Stream), but in this performance from start to finish she was in command. Belogolovsev and Alexandrova made a convincing couple. If I could not see Filin I was at least looking forward to seeing Vassiliev for the first time and he is really somebody to look forward to see in leading roles soon. It's been quiet amazing what a stage presence he already possess in such an early stage of his career. Having seen him also on Tuesday I preferred him dancing with Alizade.
On Tuesday I saw Zakharova for the first time on stage. Since having seen her on DVD only I was especially looking forward to her performance. She is truly special and I was smitten by her, that I hardly remember what Matvienko did. Outstanding though was Merkuriev as Birbanto - he truly seemed to enjoy himself in that role and he easily carried that over to the audience.
Resumee of the week-end was how impressive Alexandrova was - compared to Zakharova you can only state it was different but equally good and beautiful.

If somebody would like to get information on the detailed cast, please drop me an email.

On French TV I saw a short report on the news.
They showed glimps of Zakharova and Tsikaridzse performing in different pieces. Zakahrova and the Director of the Bolshoi Theater were interviewed. Zakahrova seems to be very popular in France. They said the tickets were sold out within hours, but who did not manage to get any this time should not worry. The Bolshoi Ballett would be back already in September to open the new season at the Opera Garnier - I wonder if that's true.

http://www.1tv.ru/news/n115406

- and then click on a small picture on the right-hand side of the page.