The Mariinsky Theatre of St Petersburg is opening a world ballet festival Thursday. Russian, American, Italian, and British stars will dance in Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, now into its second century on the Mariinsky boards. The festival will last to 23 March 23, ad it shall end with a star-studded gala. The Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Companies are running their 225th season this winter.
Stars of the leading ballet theatres shall take part in the 8th International “Mariinsky” Ballet Festival in Saint Petersburg. It opens today with a première, Heart of Glass, staged by choreographer Kirill Simonov, set to music of Alexander von Zemlinksy. The troupe will also perform the traditional favourite Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. Apart from Russian dancers, soloists of the American Ballet Theatres, the Royal Ballet of London, and the Italian La Scala company shall perform in St Petersburg. A gala-concert is scheduled for 23 March to close the festival.
12 and 13 March 2008
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=24121&cid=51&p=12.03.2008
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=24141&cid=51&p=13.03.2008 (in Russian and English)
