Zelensky Reviews

Apollo (ch. by Blanchine)
danced by Igor Zelensky (Kirov), Darcey Bussell (RB),
Julie Kent (ABT) and Wendy Whelan (NYCB)

Very interesting piece to look, because all the dancers from the different company but they all touch a little/lot to Balanchine and to NYCB. They expressed their own Balanchine style; maybe Whelan's dance was perfect as Balanchine but Zelensky's perfectly figured Apollo was also worth to look. His steps were full of confident, only I ask more is smoothy of his movement. Bussell was very bold Terpsichore, and wonderful to look her beautiful and strong forth position on point with lyre above her head. Sophisticated Whelan and charming Kent added their own dancing flovour for the very white ballet.

Sleeping Beauty pdd
danced by Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur(both ENB)

When I look two dancers on stage of the first scene, I thought I came 1970s theatre. Oaks made her hair style like Antoinette Sybley I only know by old photographs. They put on very glittering white and silver costume and choreography was bit different from original Kirov or The Royal version ( no mention about rechoreography on the programme). I enjoyed very fast music and unique choreography, especially the last coda was like showpiece.

Gopack (originally the Russian Folk Dance)
danced by Ethan Steifel(ABT) and Damian Woetzel(NYCB)

I do not have any idea that they danced this very folk dance for the gala. The quality of their dance never met for the spirit of strong Russian folk dance, maybe dancers would like to dance this for their fun ?

Stars and Stripes (ch. by Balanchine)
danced by Wendy Whelan and Damian Woetzel

Their dance talked very agressively "This is America "! Yes, it is very enjoyable piece and fun , especially Woetzel's cheerful character was very suitable for the piece. But just one wish was if any other Balanchine we can see. Woetzel danced this piece for two years every gala performance in Japan. Hope he trys any other piece next time !

Le Corsair pdd
danced by Julie Kent and Ethan Stifel

It is no doubt that Julie Kent is very beautiful dancer ,because Misha Baryshinikov chose her as his partner in the film called "Dancer" and very famous photographer Eve Arnold took Kent's portrait and many people stopped at the photo when the exhibition were held at the Barbican Centre. She was very gorgeous when she appeared with pas de bouree and controlled her aristocrtic atomosphere until the end even she did some difficult fouettes and jumps. On the other hand , this piece for very sorry for Ethan Stifel. He is not the kind of super technique dancer as Kumakawa, Acosta or Carrenio, but this time he had to show that kind of dance . Imagine beautiful prince had to play the slave for one night ! Just poor for Stifel.

Schubert's Imprromptus (ch. by Derek Deane)
danced by Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur

The piece originally choreographed for Antoinette Sibley and David Wall and costume designed by Anthony Dowell. I loved this piece best of the night . Beautiful two presence and choreography was just along with the music. I think Oaks and Edur are most wonderful when they dance together, their body lines and musicallity make very different creation than when they dance individually. This piece was very suitably to show their such dance quality. Many ballet fans around me said this was very wonderful, beautiful , like seeing the music . Hope we have another chance to see this piece again.

La Bayadere pdd (Kingdom of the Shades)
by Darcey Bussell and Igor Zelensky

First of all, the quality of the recorded music was awfully bad. We could not hear the proper music but could hear the noises of point shoes and so on. On the first day, Bussell was not good as I expected especially on the technical side when she danced with shawl. Zelensky was very perfect for supporting and for variations. He controlled his ample energy to fit for the smaller Japanese stage but we were completely satisfied with his dynamic dance filled with artistry. On the second day, Bussell showed her serene dance which was very beautiful and fantastic dreamy pas des deux.

Finale (ch. by Igor Zelensky)

Six dancers appeared with their back toward the audience It was very unusual and very good to look this kind of dance. Zelensky thought very unique step sequences with the music of simple rythm only (percussion) every dancer put on black costume (T shirt and pants for men,leotard and mini skirt for ladies) they show their technique one after another, sometimes they just walk the stage with pale face then change the mood and show passionate big jumps and turns. I loved Bussell and Woetzel , just they were " tornado" on stage. So hot ending both on stage and off stage.