The Kirov's 'Swan Lake'

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Fri Jun 29, 2001 11:23 pm

The Kirov's queen of ballerinas Lopatkina in Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House **** (out of 5) reviewed by Judith Mackrell in The Guardian <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Ballerina-watching always dominates a Kirov season, not only because their mostly classical programmes show off female dancing with so much ceremony and splash, but also because the women are generally so much better than the men. The queen of the ballerinas is still Uliana Lopatkina - with Swan Lake still her defining ballet. Lopatkina cultivates mystery the way others cultivate brilliance or personality. Her veiled gaze and private aura rarely seem disturbed by the presence of other dancers, let the audience.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <A HREF="http://www.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,514761,090.html" TARGET=_blank>more...</A> [Edited by Azlan to correct URL][This message has been edited by Azlan (edited June 30, 2001).]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2001 11:29 pm

Superlative, in honour of a masterwork

CLEMENT CRISP in The Financial Times contnues his deep love affair with the Kirov. I fully agree with him about the dancers, incuding the super Golub (still in the Corps de Ballet), but I'm not so convinced by the productions, 'Jewels' apart.

Quote:

What do we see when we watch the Kirov Ballet? In the troupe's splendid season at Covent Garden, Petersburg's treasure - like the Hermitage treasures on show in London - has been prodigal in skill, artistry, grandeur of resources. Night after night we discover young artists - and the company is, in general, young - in whom the dance lives, aspires. Four demi-soloist women in Balanchine's Diamonds move on the same impulse, seem cloned in their stylistic unity, but are still individual.

This link is no longer available.

[ 20 July 2003, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2001 11:59 pm

More reviews of 'Swan Lake':

Kirov's Swan soars gloriously

Ismene Brown in The Daily Telegraph:

Quote:

THERE is no such thing as the definitive interpretation of a great work of art, since the greatness of a piece rests in its ability to be constantly renewed by interpreters. But, occasionally, you are jolted by the certainty that the crust of a work has been torn through, that you have been given a vertiginous glimpse of its molten heart, and that it is even more awesome than you had appreciated.

The Kirov's venerable production of Swan Lake is one of the most attractive versions you will ever see....

This link is no longer available.

*************************************

Glorious dancing and music, average production

JOHN PERCIVAL in The Independent:

Quote:

ONE OF the chief pleasures of the Kirov Ballet's present London season has been the large number of gifted young dancers on show in roles both large and small. At the first performance of Swan Lake this time the four Big Swans leading the corps de ballet in their lakeside dances were Veronika Part, Daria Pavlenko, Tatiana Amosova and Natalia Sologub, all of whom also take leading parts (and doubtless could play the ballerina role in Swan Lake). That's really quite some line-up.

This link is no longer available.

[ 20 July 2003, 11:25 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]

Stuart Sweeney · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2001 4:34 am

Double your pleasure

The Kirov Ballet's Uliana Lopatkina reaffirms her star status in Swan Lake

BY DEBRA CRAINE in The Times

Quote:

The Kirov boasts several world-class ballerinas, but none is so feted as Uliana Lopatkina. At 27 she reigns as Queen of the Kirov, a ballerina of extraordinary physical habit who brings a unique approach to all of her roles. Once seen, she is never forgotten.
Of all the ballets in her repertoire I suspect Swan Lake, with its dual challenge for the ballerina, is the one closest to her heart. Last week she performed it at the Royal Opera House, and it was for many one of the highlights of the Kirov Ballet’s big summer season.

This link is no longer available.

[ 20 July 2003, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]


	public forum

The Kirov's 'Swan Lake'

Who is online