RT-News reports on reprisals against Nikolay Tsiskaridze for his recent criticisms.

RT-News

It isn’t clear from this article whether Tsiskaridze is being sacked as a dancer or just as a teacher, either way the company is shooting itself in the foot as his popularity in Russia as a performer is immense; also his success as a teacher has been inestimable.

As far as criticisms of the theatre restorations go, Tsiskaridze’s wasn’t the only voice raised against the poor quality of work with the backstage facilities in particular being described as inadequate in many cases. I am surprised that Grigorovich’s name is mentioned in connection with this as Tsiskaridze was always very much his protégée and has danced highly successfully in a number of his productions and up until now Grigorovich has remained very loyal to a dancer who has always held him in the highest regard.

Mention is also made of that very fine and popular dancer Andrei Uvarov who was forced out of the company recently. Some years ago I interviewed Uvarov for CriticalDance and found him to be a highly intelligent and articulate man and possibly someone unafraid to voice an opinion. I am deeply saddened that his unblemished career has been ended in such an unpleasant way.

I am also saddened to hear that Yan Godovsky (one of the nicest people in the ballet world) has been relieved of his teaching duties too, I have watched him teaching and consider him first rate. Godovsky was actually appointed director of the Bolshoi after the scandalous events of last year’s ‘Bolshoi Gate’ affair, though only held the post for a matter of days before present incumbent, Filin, succeeded to the job. Why he should he be selected for this treatment, I wonder?

So Filin heads the Bolshoi’s trade union as well as holding the post of director, in any country other than Russia that would never be allowed. Now he was at the Stanislavsky before going to the Bolshoi so has clearly displaced whoever previously held the union job, what a clever way of dealing with dissent – to block off the legitimate route of those with grievances.

I start to understand why Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev chose to leave an organization that is fast becoming a snake pit.

If Tsiskaridze decides on legal action that may well prove a fruitless endeavour as judgements in Russia now go to whoever offers the highest bribes: I hope for his sake he has deep pockets.

In the Moscow News, Alina Lobzina reports on the Bolshoi's response to Tsiskaridze's charge of retaliation.

Moscow News

According to a report in RIA Novosti, Tsiskaridze will get to keep his teaching job, at least through the June 30, 2012 duration of the contract, instead of being terminated in mid-January.

RIA Novosti

David Hallberg

"Tonight. Debut [with Svetlana Zakharova] of Grigarovitch's Swan Lake. Kinda feels like Swan Lake on steriods, its that epic."

http://twitter.com/DavidHallberg

Also just graduated from the Vaganova, the wonderful Olga Smirnova, danced The Lilac Fairy (Sleeping Beauty) twice last week.

And....

The new Bolshoi homesite is now available in english.

http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/
(info first posted by Beryl H at balletco)

In the Moscow Times, Raymond Stults reviews a January 2012 performance of Grigorovich's "The Sleeping Beauty" with Yevgenia Obraztsova as Princess Aurora and Ruslan Skvortsov as Prince Desire.

Moscow Times

Speaking of Obratsova, she is now listed as a permanent (not guest) Principal Dancer on the Bolshoi Ballet's web site.

http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/persons/ballet/

And is no longer listed on the Mariinsky roster. Congratulations to Zhenya for the move, and wishing her success in her new artistic home!

David Hallberg is interviewed by Joy Neumeyer fr the Moscow News.

Moscow News

There actually seem to be good seats (Orchestra, 92 euro) available for Svetlana Zakharova's April 4 Paris performance of La Baydere, not a normal occurence from my experiences with the Paris Opera Ballet. Grab them now if you are at all interested.

http://www.operadeparis.fr/Saison_2011_ ... tribution/

The Paris balletgoers aren't easily fooled, why should they shell out a goodly sum for this poor excuse for a dancer when their own principals are far superior?

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On the subject of Bayadere in Paris, if anyone has a pair of tickets for next Wednesday 7th March, please get in touch.

Tickets are no longer available for any of the La Bayadere performances from the Paris Opera Ballet site, but it might be worth checking again from time to time.

Here's the site in english.
http://www.operadeparis.fr/en/Saison_20 ... tribution/

Videos uploaded by the Bolshoi. "Le Corsaire" this Sunday can be seen live. (Here?)

http://www.youtube.com/user/bolshoi
(posted at ballet alert)

Added comment:

According to Dansomanie "Le Corsaire" live will not be available on line outside Russia. If I find more information I will try to post it. In any case you can enjoy the other good stuff now.

Ellen Barry interviews David Hallberg for the New York Times.

NY Times

In the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay reviews the Bolshoi's live broadcast of Alexei Ratmansky's "The Bright Stream."

NY Times

The Bolshoi performs Balanchine's "Jewels," May 5-10, 2012 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Raymond Stults previews the performances for the Moscow Times.

Moscow Times