AFP reports that the Bolshoi Theatre will reopen with a gala on October 28, 2011, following six years of closure for renovation.

AFP

Nastassia Astrasheuskaya reports for Reuters.

Reuters

Stuart Williams reviews Wayne McGregor's "Chroma" and discusses other aspects of the Bolshoi's lead-up to its return to the main theatre in October for AFP.

AFP

Shaun Walker reports on the Bolshoi Theatre renovations for The Independent.

The Independent

Tsiskaridze remembers Pestov.

http://www.dancechanneltv.com/ballet/ni ... ter-pestov

Patricia Boccadoro reviews "Don Quixote" at the Palais Garnier in Paris for Culturekiosque.

Culturekiosque

In the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay reports that American Ballet Theatre principal dancer David Hallberg will join the Bolshoi Ballet in 2011-12.

NY Times

This is an unprecedented move for the Bolshoi, and I believe should be credited in part to the Bolshoi's new director, who seems determined to gather the creme de la creme as he creates a troupe that includes his preferred dancers. The first one to make the shift is Olga Smirnova, who had barely finished her graduation performances before being recruited from the Vaganova Academy in Saint Petersburg. She was a polished dancer (some say a real ballerina) even 2 yrs ago while still a student.

Congratulations to David Hallberg and to the Bolshoi for this new development!

David Hallberg

"The word is out. I will be joining the Bolshoi as a premier, marking an important step in my career and the Bolshoi's history. It has been....

....and will be an unforgettable ride, full of challenges and hopefully triumphs as well. I am so thrilled and honored... upwards and onwards."

http://twitter.com/#!/DavidHallberg


Thanks, Francis, for this news. What a surprise! I thought that he was on his way to the Mariinsky.

I join you wholehearted, Catherine, in your congratulations to David Hallberg, who is an exceptional talent and also seems like an extremely nice person. Also as you imply this shows that a lot of wonderfully exciting things are happening, and hopefully will continue to happen, at the Bolshoi.

Alastair Macaulay reports more extensively on the David Hallberg move to the Bolshoi.

NY Times

Russians Make Fun of Their Gem: Bolshoi Ballet. Very funny!

http://www.dancechanneltv.com/item/107

In the Los Angeles Times, Sergei Loiko interviews David Hallberg.

LA Times

In the New York Times, William Grimes' obituary for Bolshoi ballerina Nina Sorokina, who passed away in Moscow on Saturday, October 8, 2011.

NY Times

Olga Smirnova

This amazingly beautiful dancer, going directly from the Vaganova school to the Bolshoi as a Soloist, is already scheduled to perform such roles as the Lilac Fairy ("Sleeping Beauty"), the Dryad Queen ("Don Quixote") and Myrtha ("Giselle") in November.

(posted by sophia at "Dansomanie")
http://www.forum-dansomanie.net/forum/v ... start=1425

The good news for Olga Smirnova lovers left behind in Saint Petersburg is that there is now a fast train, 3 1/2 hours(?), to Moscow. It is rumored (by myself, anyway) that the fast train was built to keep up with her career.


David Hallberg

This newest Bolshoi Principal Dancer will peform the leads in "Don Quixote, " "Giselle" and "Sleeping Beauty" in November.

http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/theatre/person ... &id26=1422

Fireworks are happening at the newly restored, newly directed (Sergei Filin) Bolshoi this year.

Voice of America has a three minute video feature on David Hallberg.

Voice of America

The BBC has a video feature from a different perspective.

BBC

Article about the reopening of the Bolshoi:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/oc ... aul-russia

The price of those black market tickets is eye watering.