Kirov 'Jewels' reviews 'Jewels' reviews 'Rubies' reviews 'Emeralds' reviews 'Diamonds' reviews Zakharova in reviews Tsiskaridze in reviews recent Kirov reviews more Viviane reviews

On the 10th and 13th July I went to see "Jewels", the famous Balanchine-ballet. I've already seen the Kirov performing it during the London season a couple of years ago and recently I saw the POB-performance, but I'm still learning about it !

At first sight, I was impressed by "Rubies", later I changed my mind and made "Diamonds" my favourite. But have to confess I'm still wrestling with "Emeralds" even the POB could not change that.

10th July.

I don't know if it was the excellent cast or me - being more patient this time - I've started to appreciate 'Emeralds' !

A line-up of Shanna Ayupova, Victor Baranov (what a handsome dancer !), Sofia Gumerova, Denis Firsov, Jana Selina, Svetlana Ivanova and Anton Korsakov....wow. Ayopova and Baranov made me discover a romantic layer in 'Emeralds'. Seeing Ayopova for the first time I was intrigued by her soft and lovely arms and the purity of her dancing.

"Rubies" was like a delicious box of chocolates : playfull duets and pdd by Irma Nioradze and Nikolai Tsiskaridze (YES !) both cracking in their outfits and complete with a red-shine in their hair ! Add the allround Daria Pavlenko to this and I started doubting again if I didn't liked Rubies more than Diamonds. Nioradze and Tsiskaridze made a great pair if you need abundance in dance, the public adored them !

The most impressive of the jewels, "Diamonds" brought Svetlana Zakharova again in the spotlights. Carried by the sweeping Tchaikovsky music, I discovered so much melancholy and tragic in the first pdd. Beautifully partnered by Danila Korsuntsev and supported by Viktoria Tereskina, Jana Selina, Tatiana Tkatschenko etc..., I saw Zakharova in a role that touched me like never before. It even didn't needed the 'royal' end, again a public in raptures

On the 13th July we had a slightly different cast :

Emeralds had Daria Sukorukova and Vasily Scherbakov replacing S. Gumerova and Korsakov. Diamonds was danced by Sofia Gumerova and Igor Kolb instead of S. Zakharova and D. Korsuntsnev.

I was surprised by the choice of Sukorukova, one of the newcomers as I've heard. She certainly must had a seriously day-off : no fluent movement, awfull arms, hopeless coordination. A graduating dancer could forget about a job with this dancing .

Baranov was pretty emotion-less but I discovered such pure movements in this 'Emeralds'. Ayupova took me with her in the solo, folowwing the opening pdd and suddenly I discovered subtle nuances in the music and the dancing. In Rubies I rediscovered this time the piano. No, ofcourse I didn't missed a blink of Nioradze and Tsiskaridze ! Unbelievable that between the two performances Tsiskaridze had a quick visit to Italy for a performance ! I love the way he takes his bows and his generosity towards the ballerina, the public absolutely loved them.

I was completely surprised by Sofia Gumerova in "Diamonds". She showed us a totally different reading than Zakharova : warmer and more lyrical. I'm always having a good time seeing Igor Kolb dancing, he's such a solid, attentive partner. He has an amazing control and the speed in his solo was dazzling. Gumerova's solo was a complete whirlwind of elegance.

Hmm...I come to the conclusion that I need to see lots and lots more of "Jewels"!