Primary Sources: Russia, Russian Federation, U.S.S.R., Soviet Union: Music & Dance

This interview with David Hallberg is about his work with the Bolshoi Ballet.
In English

"The world of ballet changed dramatically when the Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev took Paris by storm at the Théâtre du Châtelet in May of 1909. Armed with ground-breaking choreographic originality and an innovative use of collaborating artists, the Ballets Russes produced some of the most significant ballet masterpieces of the twentieth century, including Les Sylphides, Schéhérazade, Firebird, Petrouchka, L’Après-midi d’un Faune, Parade, Les Noces, Les Biches, and Apollon Musagète.

The man behind this accomplishment was Russian art critic, impresario, and producer Serge Diaghilev, who served as founder and artistic director of the Ballets Russes until his death in August of 1929 at the age of 57. Among Diaghilev’s revolutionary ideas was the aspiration to make ballet music equal in importance to dance. Consequently, he commissioned scores from composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Sergei Prokofiev, Francis Poulenc, Georges Auric, Darius Milhaud, Constant Lambert, Erik Satie, and Vittorio Rieti. The most prolific composer, however, was Igor Stravinsky, whose commissions for the Ballets Russes included Firebird,1910; Petrouchka, 1911; Le Sacre du Printemps, 1913; Pulcinella, 1920; Le Chant du Rossignol, adapted from his 1914 opera Le Rossignol in 1920; Le Renard, 1922, and Les Noces, 1923."

...a double portrait of two icons of contemporary Russian ballet. Svetlana Zakharova of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and Ulyana Lopatkina from the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg are perhaps unmatched in today's ballet, and might be ranked amongst the greatest ballerinas of all time. Each have their own unique style and personality, on stage and off, as shown in these breathtaking films. Revealing interviews with Zakharova and Lopatkina, as well as their fellow dancers, coaches and dance critics provide an inside perspective on the motives, the agonies and the joys of a prima ballerina at the top of her game.

Live from the Bolshoi Theatre. This 1978 remake is a truly spellbinding version of this Christmas classic. Tchaikovsky's beloved melodies combine with superb dancing to create pure delight. Starring Yekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Victor Levashev.

"The aristocratic beauty of the Bolshoi Ballet brings this acclaimed production of Swan Lake alive with ennobling presence and artistry. Natalia Bessmertnova is soft and lyrical in the dual role of Odette and Odile; her eminently feminine quality makes her the ideal interpreter of this classic. The elegance and magnetism of Siegfried is masterfully portrayed by Alexander Bogatyrev. With exquisitely designed sets, and a dance corps whose skill rivals that of the principal ballerinas. This historic production was choreographed by the critically acclaimed master Yuri Grigorvich, with Tchaikovskys timeless score performed by the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Algis Zhuraitis."

Carmen-Suite; Romantic Encounter; Grand Adage à la Rose; La Rose Malade and Ave Maya