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Kirov BalletJune 2001 London, Covent Garden by Kevin Ng |
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Seeing last weekend the Kirov's sumptuous production of "Le Corsaire", not performed in London since 1993, has brought back fond memories for me. The Kirov first performed it at Covent Garden back in 1988 after a long decade-long absence from London. That was the first London season of the Kirov that I attended. I can still remember Altynai Asylmuratova's lustrous beauty as Medora, Yelena Pankova as Gulnara, Konstantin Zaklinsky as the evil Lankedem, and Farouk Ruzimatov as Ali. That was a stellar cast which hasn't been matched since. Thirteen years on, last weekend Ruzimatov was still dancing the role of Ali marvellously. In this Kirov production the normal showpiece pas de deux is a pas de trois for Medora, Conrad, and Ali. The plot of this ballet may seem quite ludicrous, but the Kirov's magnificent dancing coupled with the sumptuous sets and costumes, made for a most satifying dance experience. The shipwreck in the prologue, the fountain in the last act etc., were quite spectacular. I saw both casts last Saturday. The tall and blond Ilya Kuznetsov, who was the first-cast Des Greux in "Manon" last Monday, had an imposing presence as the heroic Conrad. His high soaring jumps were most impressive; and he also strongly partnered his two Medoras - Sofia Gumerova in the afternoon, and Irma Nioradze in the evening. As the twice-abducted Medora, Sofia Gumerova was ravishingly beautiful. She had a dazzling technique, and astounded us with her triple fouette turns in the showpiece pas de trois in Act 2. Irma Nioradze was in good form. As the other female lead role Gulnara (Medora's friend), Irina Zhelonkina in the afternoon displayed her distinguished classical style with aplomb. The very talented 21-year-old soloist Anton Korsakov, who has impressed us in the last fortnight as the "Rubies" soloist and as the Prince in "The Sleeping Beauty", danced the evil slave-trader Lankedem with relish in the matinee. And praise must also go to Igor Kolb for his dazzling virtuosity as Ali in the pas de trois. He danced all the difficult steps with such ease. In the evening it was a bonus to see in the role of Lankedem Andrian Fadeyev, cast against type. How rewarding it was to see this young supremely classical dancer in a villainous role for once. Fadeyev danced and acted vivaciously. In his Act 1 solo, it was unforgettable to see Fadeyev land so low on his knees in a soft plie after a high jump. I look forward to seeing again Fadeyev's Prince in Sleeping Beauty this Wednesday.
Act 3 of this Kirov production was a truly splendid showcase of classical dancing, a glorious feast for the eyes. Irina Golub danced gorgeously the first Odalisque solo. I wish though that the water in the fountain could have sprung a little higher on Saturday night.
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