BENOIS DE LA DANSE - ‘ BALLET OSCARS’
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE
Sadler’s Wells, London Monday 23 February 2004

Living legends and famous personalities of the dance world will be on stage at Sadler’s Wells on 23 February 2004 for a star-studded showcase performance of recent winners of the Benois de la Danse prize. This is the first time such an event has been staged (in addition to the annual awards held each April) and will highlight the profile of this prestigious prize which celebrates and honours the achievements of dance creators worldwide.

The evening’s performances (full details to be announced soon) will be presented by Yuri Grigorovich, President of the International Choreography Association* which founded the Award in 1991, and Sir Peter Ustinov, great nephew of Alexandre Benois, the epoch-making artist, ballet designer and Diaghilev collaborator after whom the award is named. Dancers currently listed to perform include: Sofiane Sylve (New York City Ballet) and Raphael Coumes-Marquet (Dutch National Ballet) dancing Grey Matter by Benois award-winning choreographer David Dawson; Elisabeth Platel (Paris Opera Ballet) in John Neumeiers’s Sylvia; Sue Jin Kang (Stuttgart Ballet) and Robert Tewsley (New York City Ballet) in John Neumeier’s The Lady of the Camellias; and Irek Mukhamedov.

The first public awards and performances for Benois de la Danse were held at the Bolshoi Theatre on April 29 1992 under UNESCO patronage. Since then it has become an annual event and has gained recognition throughout the world as the “Ballet Oscars”. The first to be honored by the Award were John Neumeier as “Best Choreographer”, Nadezhda Gracheva as “Best Ballerina” and Julio Bocca and Alexander Kølpin jointly as “Best Ballet Dancer”. To these categories have been added three more in recent years: “Best Composer”, “Best Scenographer” and a special award for lifetime achievement in the world of dance “Life in Art” . The statuette presented to all winners was designed by French sculptor Igor Ustinov, great, great nephew of Alexandre Benois. A new jury each year makes the nominations and awards and is made up of leading figures in the world dance arena, including artistic directors, teachers, and performers.

The aim of the Awards event is to present to the public the very best of contemporary dance and ballet and also to encourage unity amongst international dance artists by providing a network for creative contacts. This all-embracing policy also includes ‘ballet veterans’ as proceeds from the public award performances are pledged to a fund for retired ballet dancers.

Following this London debut event, the 12th Award presentation will take place at the Bolshoi Theatre on 27 April 2004.

* now the International Dance Union

FURTHER BOOKING INFORMATION:
Sadler’s Wells Box Office Tel.020 7863 8000 www.sadlerswells.com
Ticket prices: £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40, £45.

Benois de la Danse Award
Over the past decade members of the Jury have included: Frank Anderson, Loipa Araujo, Altynai Assylmuratova, Patrice Bart, Yvette Chauvire, Rudi Van Dantzig, Carla Fracci, Alexander Grant, Karen Kain, Irina Kolpakova, Brigitte Lefèvre, Nadia Nerina, John Neumeier, Rudolph Nureyev, Peter Schaufuss, John Taras, Helgi Tomasson, Galina Ulanova.

Laureates of the Prize include:
Lifetime achievement: Alicia Alonso, Rudi van Dantzig, Jurgen Rose (designer), Marina Semionova, Maurice Bejart, Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Choreographers: Jiri Kylian, Roland Petit, Angelin Preljocaj, Valentin Elizariev, Carolyn Carlson, Davide Bombana, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, David Dawson, Edouard Lock.

Ballerinas: Isabelle Guerin, Sylvie Guillem, Dominique Khalfouni, Galina Stepanenko, Diana Vishneva, Ulyana Lopatkina, Julia Makhalina, Marie Claude Pietragalla, Elisabeth Platel, Sue Jin Kang, Alessandra Ferri, Julie Kent, Aurélie Dupont, Lucia Lacarra.

Dancers: Andrei Uvarov, Sergei Filin, Nicolas Le Riche, Vladimir Derevianko, Irek Mukhamedov, Gregor Seyffert, Farukh Ruzimatov, Manuel Legris, Vladimir Malakhov, Nikolai Tsitskaridze, Angel Corella, Jean-Guillaume Bart; Jeffry Gerodias, Jiri Bubenicek, Lukas Slavicky.

Composer: George Couroupos.

Designers: Olivier Debre and Jaffar Al Chalabi.

We now have some confirmed names of artists appearing on 23 February 2004 at Sadler's Wells for the Benois de la Danse 'Ballet Oscars' showcase performance. Full programme will be announced early in the new year. See below:

PRESS RELEASE:

BENOIS DE LA DANSE - Œ BALLET OSCARS¹
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE

Sadler¹s Wells, London Monday 23 February 2004

Living legends and famous personalities of the dance world will be on stage at Sadler¹s Wells on 23 February 2004 for a star-studded showcase performance of recent winners of the Benois de la Danse prize. This is the first time such an event has been staged (in addition to the annual awards held each April) and will highlight the profile of this prestigious prize which celebrates and honours the achievements of dance creators worldwide.

The evening¹s performances will be presented by Yuri Grigorovich, President of the International Choreography Association* which founded the Award in 1991, and Sir Peter Ustinov, great nephew of Alexandre Benois, the epoch-making artist, ballet designer and Diaghilev collaborator after whom the award is named. Dancers currently listed to perform include: Sofiane Sylve (New York City Ballet) and Raphael Coumes-Marquet (Dutch National Ballet) dancing Grey Matter by Benois award-winning choreographer David Dawson; Elisabeth Platel (Paris Opera Ballet) ; Sue Jin Kang (Stuttgart Ballet) and Robert Tewsley (New York City Ballet) in John Neumeier¹s The Lady of the Camellias; Diane Vishneva and Vladimir Malakhov; Ulyana Lopatkina, Galina Stepanenko, Gregor Seyffert, IrekMukhamedov and students of The Royal Ballet School by kind permission of the director, Gailene Stock, AM (in a work choreographed by Irek Mukhamedov).

The first public awards and performances for Benois de la Danse were held at the Bolshoi Theatre on April 29 1992 under UNESCO patronage. Since then it has become an annual event and has gained recognition throughout the world as the "Ballet Oscars". The first to be honored by the Award were John Neumeier as "Best Choreographer", Nadezhda Gracheva as "Best Ballerina" and Julio Bocca and Alexander Kølpin jointly as "Best Ballet Dancer". To these categories have been added three more in recent years: "Best Composer", "Best Scenographer" and a special award for lifetime achievement in the world of dance "Life in Art" . The statuette presented to all winners was designed by French sculptor Igor Ustinov, great, great nephew of Alexandre Benois. A new jury each year makes the nominations and awards and is made up of leading figures in the world dance arena, including artistic directors, teachers, and performers.

The aim of the Awards event is to present to the public the very best of contemporary dance and ballet and also to encourage unity amongst international dance artists by providing a network for creative contacts. This all-embracing policy also includes Œballet veterans¹ as proceeds from the public award performances are pledged to a fund for retired ballet dancers.
Following this London debut event, the 12th Award presentation will take place at the Bolshoi Theatre on 27 April 2004.

* now the International Dance Union

FURTHER BOOKING INFORMATION:
Sadler¹s Wells Box Office Tel.020 7863 8000 www.sadlerswells.com
Ticket prices: £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40, £45.

Notes to Editors:

Benois de la Danse Award

Over the past decade members of the Jury have included: Frank Anderson, Loipa Araujo, Altynai Assylmuratova, Patrice Bart, Yvette Chauvire, Rudi Van Dantzig, Carla Fracci, Alexander Grant, Karen Kain, Irina Kolpakova, Brigitte Lefèvre, Nadia Nerina, John Neumeier, Rudolph Nureyev, Peter Schaufuss, John Taras, Helgi Tomasson, Galina Ulanova.

Laureates of the Prize include:
Lifetime achievement: Alicia Alonso, Rudi van Dantzig, Jurgen Rose (designer), Marina Semionova, Maurice Bejart, Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Choreographers: Jiri Kylian, Roland Petit, Angelin Preljocaj, Valentin Elizariev, Carolyn Carlson, Davide Bombana, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, David Dawson, Edouard Lock.

Ballerinas: Isabelle Guerin, Sylvie Guillem, Dominique Khalfouni, Galina Stepanenko, Diana Vishneva, Ulyana Lopatkina, Julia Makhalina, Marie Claude Pietragalla, Elisabeth Platel, Sue Jin Kang, Alessandra Ferri, Julie Kent, Aurélie Dupont, Lucia Lacarra.

Dancers: Andrei Uvarov, Sergei Filin, Nicolas Le Riche, Vladimir Derevianko, Irek Mukhamedov, Gregor Seyffert, Farukh Ruzimatov, Manuel Legris, Vladimir Malakhov, Nikolai Tsitskaridze, Angel Corella, Jean-Guillaume Bart; Jeffry Gerodias, Jiri Bubenicek, Lukas Slavicky.

Composer: George Couroupos.

Designers: Olivier Debre and Jaffar Al Chalabi.

The Benois de la Danse London showcase performance is managed by Centre Benois and London-based Ensemble Productions, an independent production company founded by Olga Balakleets and Julian Gallant which promotes international cultural exchange with projects in the UK and overseas, especially Russia. Forthcoming 2003/4 events in the UK include The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra at the Natural History Museum (November 03), a Brazilian concert series at the Wigmore Hall (03/04 season), Nina Ananiashvili and the Moscow Dance Theatre at Sadler¹s Wells in February/March 2004, Igor Zelensky and Friends at the Royal Albert Hall (April 04) and Helikon Opera at the Peacock Theatre (May 04). www.ensembleproductions.co.uk

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Amazing - Malakhov to dance Voyage:

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BENOIS DE LA DANSE - Œ BALLET OSCARS¹
SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE

Sadler¹s Wells, London Monday 23 February 2004 7.30pm

The greatest names in ballet will be flying in to London from all over the world to showcase the highly prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse ŒBallet Oscars¹ for the first time in the UK. Presented by Yuri Grigorovich, President of the International Choreography Union which founded the Award in 1991, and Sir Peter Ustinov, great nephew of Alexandre Benois, artist and ballet designer after whom the award is named, this special event will undoubtedly delight ballet lovers with its line-up of legendary stars, many of whom rarely appear on the London stage. Performers include: from Paris Opera Ballet the sublime Elisabeth Platel; from Berlin legendary performer Gregor Seyffert; from New York Sofiane Sylve and Robert Tewsley; from Stuttgart Sue Jin Kang; from Russia Ulyana Lopatkina and from our own home territory, Irek Mukhamedov and graduate students of the Royal Ballet School.

PROGRAMME

THE GREY AREA (excerpt)
Choreographed by David Dawson, the young British-born, Royal Ballet trained choreographer (a contemporary of Christophers Wheeldon and Hampson) currently based in the Netherlands with Dutch National Ballet. Sofiane Sylve (formerly DNB and now New York City Ballet) and Raphael Coumes-Marquet (DNB) perform an excerpt from The Grey Area which was originally created for them, to music by Niels Lanz.

David Dawson won the Benois de la Danse Award for the Best Choreography (The Grey Area) in 2003. Sofiane Sylve was nominated in 1998 and won a certificate as Best partner in 2003.

SOLO

Performed and choreographed by Irek Mukhamedov, former Bolshoi Ballet and Royal Ballet dancer, to music by Vayo Raymondo.

Irek Mukhamedov won the Benois Best Dancer Award in 1996

SIGUE

Jointly choreographed and performed by Nederlands Dans Theatre resident choreographer Paul Lightfoot and his wife, Sol Léon, to music by Frederic Chopin.

Paul Lightfoot was nominated for Best Choreography in 2001

LUNCHBREAK

Performed by Gregor Seyffert one of Germany¹s most revered dance artists and a major star of Berlin¹s Komische Oper, in a work choreographed by his father Dietmar Seyffert to music by Gustav Mahler.

Gregor Seyffert won the Benois Award for Best Dancer in 1997

VOYAGE

Performed by Vladimir Malakhov, one of Russia¹s most celebrated dancers whose international dancing career spans Vienna State Opera Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Stuttgart Ballet. Voyage was specially created for him by Vienna State Opera Ballet¹s principal choreographer Renato Zanella to music by Wolfgang AmadeusMozart.

Vladimir Malakhov won the Benois Ward for Best Dancer in 1998

THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS (Pas de deux)
Korean ballerina, Sue Jin Kang, of the Stuttgart ballet won her Benois award for her portrayal of The Lady of the Camellias in John Neumeier¹s ballet originally created for the company in 1973 (To music by Frederic Chopin). She dances a pas de deux from the ballet with Robert Tewsley former Stuttgart Ballet dancer Robert Tewsley (now with New York City Ballet and formerly with the Royal Ballet).

Sue Jin Kang won the Benois Award for Best Ballerina in 1999. John Neumeier won the Benois Award for Best Choreographer in 1991 and has been a Benois de la Danse jury member. Robert Tewsley was nominated in 2000 and 2003.

LA ESMERALDA (Pas de deux)
Bolshoi ballerina Anastasia Volochkova will dance with the Kirov Ballet¹s Evgeny Ivanchenko in this Petipa masterpiece set to music by Pugni.

SYLVIA

Former danseuse étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet and a muse and favourite of Rudolf Nureyev, Elisabeth Platel will perform the Diane and Endymion pas de deux from the ballet Sylvia (music by Delibes) choreographed by John Neumeier who has created roles for her throughout her career. Her partner is Yann Saïz.

Elisabeth Platel won the Benois Award for Best Ballerina in 1999.

LE SPECTRE DE LA ROSE

Vladimir Malakhov performs one of Nijinsky¹s most famous roles, created by Mikhail Fokine set to Weber¹s ŒInvitation to the Dance¹.

CLOWN OF GOD (Excerpt)
This work, created for Gregor Seyffert by his father Dieter, explores Nijinsky¹s desperate struggle with insanity. It has been performed all over the world, was the subject of a German television documentary and is the work that won Seyffert his Benois Award in 1997. Music is by Igor Stravinsky.

THE DYING SWAN

This will undoubtedly be a mesmerising performance of another Fokine classic with the celebrated Mariinsky Ballet principal Ulyana Lopatkina. Music is Camille Saint-Saens

Ulyana Lopatkina won the Benois Award for Best Ballerina in 1997.

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION

The evening¹s finale is specially created for this Benois de la Danse occasion by Irek Mukhamedov for the graduate students of the Royal Ballet who perform by kind permission of Director Gailene Stock.

The Prix Benois de la Danse is an annual event and the next awards ceremony will be held on 27 April 2004 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The statuette presented to all winners was designed by French sculptor Igor Ustinov, great, great nephew of Alexandre Benois. A new jury each year makes the nominations and awards and is made up of leading figures in the world dance arena, including artistic directors, teachers, and performers.

The aim of the Awards event is to present to the public the very best of contemporary dance and ballet and also to encourage unity amongst international dance artists by providing a network for creative contacts. This all-embracing policy also includes Œballet veterans¹ as proceeds from the public award performances are pledged to a fund for retired ballet dancers.

FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION/IMAGES/PRESS TICKETS

Debra Boraston DBPR Associates
Henry Moore Studio 11a Parkhill Road London NW3 2YH
T: 00 44 (0)20 7483 1950 E: debra@henrymoorestudio.co.uk
www.henrymoorestudio.co.uk/dbpr

BOOKING AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

Sadler¹s Wells Box Office Tel.020 7863 8000 www.sadlerswells.com
Ticket prices: £15, £20, £25, £30, £35, £40, £45

Programme and casting details correct at time of issue: 20 January 2004