© John Ross Kirov 'Le Corsaire' reviews 'Le Corsaire' reviews Vishneva in reviews Zelensky in reviews recent Kirov reviews more Baletoman reviews

As far as I am concerned I was absolutely fascinated by today's cast (22 July, Tuesday): Diana Vishneva (Medora), Igor Zelensky (Ali), Andrian Fadeyev (Lankadem), Elvira Tarasova (Gulnara), Vladimir Shishov (Conrad), Islom Baimuradov (Birbanto)! I must say that the word "fascinated" is too weak comparing to what I experienced during the performance, to the feelings their dancing and acting provoked in me.

I saw the performance yesterday and today and my votes go entirely for today's performance. Not that yesterday they danced worse, not at all - it was wonderful! But, what they did today was absolutely fantastic: superb dancing, great acting, purity in technique - great fun and happiness for spectators! As one "critic" wrote : the company "is still worth seeing". Ha-ha-ha ;)

Vladimir Shishov's dancing was technically strong (as I perceived it) and more emotional and confident today. He is only in the corps these days (!!!), but his dancing is really good. He was not lost among all the stars this evening. I wish him luck, health and courage to develop into a very very good dancer.

Gulnara played by Tarasova was fine and charming, as well as technically pure and emotionally appropriate. It was very enjoyable to see her dancing. Though, as I wrote already I liked Tkachenko as well, she was "fresher", if I can say so.

I had another opportunity to enjoy Ponomarev in Seid Pasha, each time I looked at him I wanted to laugh: he was a mixture of lust, foolishness and a pure charm at the same time.

Islom Baimuradov was a nice Birbanto again, especially I liked the scene of "conflict of opinions".

Here I would like to say some words about acting: The whole ballet is very witty. It is possible to make a caricature out of it by adding more naturalism and exaggeration into it. What Mariinsky Ballet does is very very nice work: the acting is stylish (don't ask me in what way, as I the only thing I can say - in their own Mariinsky way), with enough irony and wit, nice and clear pantomime (I think Fadeyev and Ponomarev were especially good in it, though I personally prefer reserved but deep and manly manners of Zelensky), but without naturalism and with proper symbolism, which to my mind makes the ballet more interesting and reserves some latent senses. As far as Medora is concerned, Vishneva's Medora was more touching and I think emotonally richer and preciser. For example: the scene with kisses (when they sit down on the bed and Conrad kisses Medora and then, Medora playfully tries to escape him and they run around the bed and sit down again, thus changing places, and Conrad again kisses Medora) was more understandable and convincing when played by Vishneva and Shishov. Vishneva was more attracting, queen-like, joyful, lighter and briskier than Zakharova. It was easy to understand what Conrad found in her (she is beautiful, by the way) and why Ali is so slave-like before her: she must be of royal blood (does not matter whether it true or not).

Diana Vishneva as Medora in Le Corsaire
© John Ross

Diana was dazzling. Yes, "dazzling" and "sparkling" are relly right words for her, for her pure, brisk and feminine dancing! She is so plastic and her lightness and jumps are astonishing!She is a real ballerina! No wonder she is considered one of the best ballerinas in Russia , if not the best (taking into consideration the fact that Uliana has not yet fully returned to the stage)

We had two male principals today: Fadeyev as Lankadem and Zelensky as Ali, which was a surprise for me and of, course, the greatest pleasure. Lankadem played by Andrian was a real adornment of the ballet. He is a very good actor, by the way! (add to this wonderful proportions, lines, face and technique )

The most of ovations went to Zelensky. I think it is partly because he must be well- known here in London and favourite. But, to my mind, he deserved all the ovations and "bravos" we addressed to him today (the spectators roared after his dancing!) There were many speculations in press and forums about his health and ability to dance after his auful injury. Today I saw myself that all of them were just speculations! (Though I saw it already in Manchester and in RAH and during the Gala) But how he danced today was unbelievable! High jumps with great extensions (as always), quietest landings, absolutely beautiful spinning (he did it in such an exquisite manner, different from Sarafanof's, those who saw it will understand what I mean) and he controlled his every movement. I already said that I enjoy his manners and acting very much. A movement of his hand is enough to believe that he stopped a dozen of armed men by it. He is,no doubt, charismatic person. And frankly, to my taste I prefer Zelensky to Sarafanov. I think that "old" dancers Zelensky and Vishneva danced at least two times better than "young" Zakharova and Sarafanov. Of course, when it comes to such level of dancers, the difference is more subjective, subtle, more in confidence, acting, presenting. My subjective choice is undoubtedly Zelensky and Vishneva.

Yesterday and today I saw and heard people moaning and sighing (ah!, oh!) during the dancing, from astonishment, disbelief in such dancing, feeling of beauty, from doubt that it is possible to fly like the dancers did (especially, Korsakov yesterday, Zelensky today). I myself did not know to cry or to laugh, because it was so well done and so beautiful and so emotional that I needed time to cool down .

The corps were very good (though one girl dropped the flowers). Zelensky, by the way, ran across one dancer in the corps in the 1 Act. Did anyone have notice ? Odalisques' dancing was also very enjoyable and precise.

I think, the whole company did very good performance today (and yesterday, of course). There were many ovations (starting just from the beginning - the impressive shipwreck) to all dancers and several curtain calls. They deserve this, this is the only thing (except for the price for ticket and our love) by which we can express our gratitude for their art.

"Thank you" to all dancers, musicians, workers of the stage. Let's wish them health and God, bless them! They create such beauty and share it with us!