Crown of the Russian Ballet

Royal Moscow Ballet will be returning to South Africa in July with a programme entitled Crown of the Russian Ballet for two shows only in Durban on Saturday July 28 at 2pm and 6pm.

This time they bring a ballet programme featuring new works not brought to Durban before, Paquita with music by Ludwig Minkus choreographed after Marius Petipa; and The Firebird - a one act ballet with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by Anatoly Emelianov.

Paquitais the creation of French composer Édouard Deldevez and Paris OpÈra Ballet Master Joseph Mazilier. In 1847,Paquitawas staged for the first time in Russia for theImperial Ballet of St PetersburgbyMariusPetipaandPierre-FrÈdÈric Malavergne, being the first work ever staged by Petipa in Russia. In 1881, Petipa produced a revival of the ballet for which he added new pieces specially composed byLudwig Minkus. This included thePaquita pas de troisfor the first act and thePaquita grand pas classiqueand theMazurka des enfantsfor the last act. Petipa's version ofPaquitawas retained in the repertory of theMariinsky Theatreuntil 1926.

The ballet has historic significance not only as Stravinsky's breakthrough piece, but also as the beginning of the collaboration between Diaghilev and Stravinsky that would also produce the acclaimed balletsPetrushka (1911) andThe Rite of Spring (1913).

In a country starved of professional ballet, the regular visits from dancers of the Royal Moscow Ballet are always a treat. The company arrives in the country for a six city tour in July covering Johannesburg, Sasolburg, Gaborone; Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.

In 2018 the Royal Moscow Ballet will be celebrating its 16th anniversary. The company has created more than 20 modern and 15 classical ballets. The ballets were created by choreographers / founders Anatoly and Aleksidze.

The Royal Moscow Ballet has visited countries such as Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya - the first visit of a Russian ballet company to East Africa, The dancers performed on specially built stages near Victoria Falls.

In honour of their contribution to the furthering of Russian Culture both Anna Alexidze and Anatoly Emelianov were awarded the prestigious Knight of the Second Order of Dyagilev in 2007.

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