The headline from Allan Ulrich's review reads, "Bolshoi's 'Romeo' shows age -- But Ananiashvili a worthy successor to Juliet interpreters":<P> <A HREF="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/2000/06/26/STYLE4600.dtl" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/2000/06/26/STYLE4600.dtl</A>

From the LA Times's Patt Dirol's story on the opening gala in LA:<P>"Reviews of the Bolshoi Ballet's production of "Don Quixote" may have been tepid, but the message from the opening night crowd at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was clear: Angelenos love dance."<P> <A HREF="http://www.latimes.com/living/20000626/t000060583.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.latimes.com/living/20000626/t000060583.html</A>

Sounds like LA Times dance critic Lewis Segal has mixed impressions:<P>"Bolshoi Rebounds, but Something's Amiss <BR> Six sold-out shows at the Chandler Pavilion reaffirm the legend, but its storied individuality seems lacking."<BR> <A HREF="http://www.calendarlive.com/theater/20000626/t000060563.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.calendarlive.com/theater/20000626/t000060563.html</A><P><BR>"The Bolshoi's Romeos and Juliets Lend Varied Hues to Their Roles"<BR> <A HREF="http://www.calendarlive.com/theater/20000625/t000060351.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.calendarlive.com/theater/20000625/t000060351.html</A> <BR><p>[This message has been edited by Azlan (edited June 27, 2000).]

Maria Alexandrova was indeed spectacular Thursday night in Orange County. As was her partner, Dmitri Belogolovtsev. Together they brought the house down in the wedding pdd in Act III of Don Quixote. However, as amazing as she was, she doesn't quite compare to Nina Ananiashvili, who most say is currently in her prime.<P>A side comment on Ananiashvili: Cygnet, Richie and I were somewhat surprised by how tiny she is offstage. We are excited about seeing her in Romeo & Juliet tomorrow, opposite Andrei Uvarov.<p>[This message has been edited by Azlan (edited June 30, 2000).]

Both Andrei Uvarov and Nina Ananiashvili were spectacular in tonight's Romeo & Juliet; Uvarov with his spectacular leaps and clean execution and Ananiashvili with her technique and acting. The choreography was dense (with so many things happening on stage that it was difficult to focus on any one thing) and dramatic (it even made Cygnet weep at Juliet's death). Alexander Sotnikov's excellent conducting probably had quite a bit to do with the emotional impact as well.<P>All in all, an excellent production.<P>And, oh, Maria Alexandrova turned in another fine performance, this time as Juliet's girlfriend. I can't believe she's only 21 years old. If she continues like this, she will be a superstar by the time she reaches her prime.

Actually I admire Maria Alexandrova too. It is good that she now gets leading ballerina roles, probably due partly to the absence of Svetlana Lunkina. Azlan, you mentioned that she is only aged 21, but the age is nothing unusual. I am always for pushing talent early into leading roles before it's too late!<P>Actually the Kirov's London season shows that it has plenty of budding ballerinas in their early twenties. Veronika Part is only 20, Svetlana Zakharova and Diana Vishneva are in their early twenties. As for male dancers, they have the 18-year-old Dmitri Simeonov who is already an impressive Solor, the 20-year-old Anton Korsakov who is one of the princes in Sleeping Beauty. Igor Kolb, Andrian Fadeyev, etc. are in their early 20s too.<P>My heart is still with the Kirov after my return to Hong Kong! These unique Kirov dancers, even more than the Paris Opera dancers, have constantly renewed my balletomania and love of classical ballet.

Kevin, I have yet to see the Kirov. I didn't know there are so many young dancers in their ranks. Do you know of any other companies with so many talented young soloists?<P>However, Laura Freiberg of the Orange County Register had a slightly different opinion of Maria Alexandrova, as she writes, "The impressive Maria Alexandrova is a bit too serious as Kitri":<P> <A HREF="http://www.ocregister.com/search/20000627/entertainment/bolshoi00627cci2.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ocregister.com/search/20000627<BR>/entertainment/bolshoi00627cci2.shtml</A> <P><BR>But she also writes of Ananiashvili and Uvarov, "With passion missing from 'Romeo and Juliet's' center, we are left to admire the periphery":<P> <A HREF="http://www.ocregister.com/search/20000626/entertainment/bolshoi00626cci2.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ocregister.com/search/20000626<BR>/entertainment/bolshoi00626cci2.shtml</A> <P><BR>Oh, well, you can't win them all.<P><p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited July 02, 2000).]