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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.