aliceinwonderdanmark

Mixed feeling for differents reasons.
First of all why a performence including a new choreography by Alexeï Ratmanski, a ballet by Petit and the so classic and romantic 3rd act of The Bayadère. What is the link between these 3 pieces? What is the point? To show the evolution in classic ballet from lately 19th to nowadays? I did not catch it and I did not like it either.

"Jeu de cartes" by Ratmanski as starter. I don't know what Ratmanski wants with this ballet. The choreography is boring, old fashion and almost foolish. It looks like a bad ersatz of a ballet from the 50's.
When I heard for the 1st time that The Bolshoï will dance "Jeu de Cartes" I thought about Janine Charrat's ballet. I'm amazed Ratmanski  give the same title to his ballet.
I know Ratmanski from Copenhaguen where he was a great dancer as Principal. If I like him as a dancer, I don't like him as a choreographer. It's getting worse and worse everytime. I even prefer forget that I've seen it.

Bayadere, 3rd act. This is my favorite act of this marvellous ballet. The corps de ballet is good and save the show. Unfortunatelly, the soloists are not good enough. Not for me and my criteria.

Nadezhda Gracheva is too cold. I know she's supposed to be a shadow but it does not mean that she should not be graceful and artistic. Nikia is still in love with Solor and has to show it. But she does not show anything but coldness. No life, no feeling, nothing. I even wonder wether she liked be on stage or not. That is not what I expect from an artist. If she's not convinced by what she's doing, Ican't be convinced either.
What about the 3 shadows?
The 1st, Ekaterina Krysanova was the best. A bit too cold but very good technic and some feeling somehow.
The 2nd was Natalia Osipova. She dances exactelly the same way as she did last July as Kitri in London. I saw a gymnast, an athlet, a performer. Not a dancer. But I came to see a dancer. I came for ballet, not a GRS competition.  It's so frutrated to see people jumping, turning but keeping every feeling for themselves. When I see her and all critics that tell she is one of the best ballet dancer I'm getting worried about ballet. Ballet is becoming sport but it's not sport!!! It's Art!!!!
3rd shadow. I don't want be rude so I won't give her name. She dances as a student in a bad provincial ballet school for kids. I heard people around me making very bad comments as well and saw their astonishment: how come? Why a ballerina at Bolshoï Ballet dances this way??????
Solor, Andreï Uranov, saved the ballet. Much more better than his female partners.

La Dame de Pique. Petit is not my favorite choreographer and la Dame de Pique is not my favorite ballet by Petit. But, it was the best part of the evening.
Nikolaï Tsiskaridzé was perfect as Hermann. He did not play Hermann but was in Hermann's skin.
Ilze Liepa as the Comtesse was perfect. She is a great artist and honours her name (she is Marius' grand daughter). Her dance is beautiful and she gives so much to her audience. An artist, as I said.
Lisa was performed by the marvellous Svetlana Lunkina. She was wonderful in this role, awesome. I even can't describe. I just can say that it was a great moment.
Thanks to La Dame de Pique I still have hope in the Bolshoï Ballet. There's a lot of very good and great artists.

I will try to get a billet for Spartacus. Hope I won't be desappointed this time.