OK, so Russia took the medal title in the Olympics (and thank you Mr. Unnamed Washington State skier who, though born in the USA, defected to Team Russia and won two golds…). They have their problems in the Ukraine and are notoriously sheltering the leakiest man on the planet, Edward Snowden. But there is one area where we cannot find fault in any way, shape or form. That is ballet. Arguably, there is no country in the world that does it better, and more famously. The list of talented dancers coming out of Russia is legendary – Rudolph Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ivan Vasiliev, Anna Pavlova, and many more whose names I cannot add here because they are longer than a Ted Cruz filibuster. Most revered of all ballet companies in Russia is the Moscow Ballet. And we are being invaded. Not in a “Red Dawn” sort of manner but in the classic presentation of one of the globe’s most notorious dance pieces – Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” You remember that on, right? If not, let me give you a quick Cliff Notes refresher – In this classic tale of love in the face of evil, Prince Siegfried falls for Odette, the Swan Queen, who has been transformed into a bird by an evil sorcerer. Got it? Cool, let’s move on.
A bit of history… The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Sergei Radchenko sought to realize his vision of a company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classic ballet. Leading dancers from across Russia have forged under Radchenko’s direction an exciting new company staging new productions of timeless classics such as Giselle, Don Quixote, Paquita and Carmen. Since its inception, the Moscow Festival Ballet has completed two tours of Europe, with extraordinary receptions in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. Two tours of the United Kingdom, including capacity audiences at London’s famed Coliseum, have resulted in re-engagements during the 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.
The company has also performed with great success in Turkey at the Istanbul Festival and in Greece at the Athens Festival, and recently completed a two-month tour of Japan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. Under the direction of Sergei Radchenko, the Moscow Festival Ballet continues to expand its repertoire. In addition to commissioning new works from within Russia and abroad, the company specializes in Twentieth Century full-length ballets such as Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Legend of Love, Stone Flower and The Golden Age. Mr. Radchenko has researched the original choreography and stage productions of several of Marius Petipa’s classic ballets, including new productions in the year 2000 of Don Quixote and Paquita, and a recreation of Jules Perrot’s and Jean Coralli’s Giselle.
The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! And in a very good way.
Mar 19 8 pm; $30-$55. Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank
732-842-9000, countbasietheatre.org
