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The result was a consummate experience, and a glorious feast for the eye in terms of dancing and the stage picture much enhanced by these lavish sets and costumes. The final apotheosis with the golden backdrop of Apollo and his steeds is a crowning glory. I think that this Kirov 1890 version of "Beauty" is the definitive production of this Petipa masterpiece.

Highlights of the 1890 Choreography
Among my happy discoveries from this production is the Prologue solo danced in pointe shoes by the Lilac Fairy who later however wears character shoes when she sends the whole court to sleep at the end of Act 1. I love the extended mime scene in Act 1 when the King finally spares the lives of the knitting women, as well as the magnificent garland waltz.

In Act 2 there is a delightful Farandole for the peasants. And there is a lovely part which sees Aurora balancing on a hidden toe-hole in a sea shell like Venus in Botticelli's painting. The extended mime scene when the Lilac Fairy explains to the King and Queen (splendidly played by Vladimir Ponomarev and Elena Bazhenova) about Aurora's awakening by Prince Desire enhances the drama. In Act 3, the Cinderella divertissement (danced at every performance this year by Polina Rassadina and Maxim Krebtov) is a gem.

4 Casts
What a wealth of talent the Kirov has. My passion in ballet is constantly renewed by seeing these unique Kirov dancers. The opening night was danced by Natalia Sologub, a rising star who was actually making her debut in this ballerina role. Her dancing was assured, sharp, and precise, and I have no doubt that she will add more colouring to her characterisation with more performances in future. Her Prince Desire was Andrian Fadeyev, a pure classicist.

My favourite cast was the partnership of Diana Vishneva and Igor Kolb on the following night. Vishneva has a ravishing radiance, and is divine. Her poetic performance had a perfumed aroma which lingered in the mind long afterwards. I have never seen Kolb dance better. He was full of romantic yearning in Act 2. In the grand pas de deux his dancing was most stylish; I couldn't forget his soft landings after his second series of double tours en l'air.

The best cast of Blue Bird pas de deux was Daria Pavlenko paired with the Bolshoi star Nikolai Tsiskaridze making a welcome guesting appearance. Pavlenko was a stylish Florine, her dancing was most muscial and full-bodied. Tsiskaridze had plenty of charisma and dazzled in the technical fireworks. Veronika Part was a heart-meltingly beautiful Lilac Fairy.

One disappointment is the absence of the Vaganova Academy students who danced so beautifully in the Act 1 garland waltz. The British students this year were no comparison. The Orchestra of the Maryinsky Theatre played beautifully under the baton of Valery Ovsyanikov.