Northrop Presents Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia 2/3/2011

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota presents The Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia, Thu, Feb 3 at 7:30 pm at Northrop at the University of Minnesota. Because Northrop will remain open through early February, this performance has been moved back to Northrop. For this special occasion, Minnesota welcomes back one of the greatest fairytale ballets of all time, Swan Lake.

"...a visual treat, and a testament to the enduring charm of classical Russian ballet."
-The New York Times

PERFORMANCE

The Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia
Swan Lake
A Ballet in Four Acts
Thu, Feb 3, 7:30 pm
Northrop, University of Minnesota
84 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
$35, $48, $58
Discounts available

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Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, and Konstantin Sergeyev
Choreography Adaptation by Dmitry Korneev
Set and Costume Design by Valeriy Kochiashvili
Igor Nepomnyashciy, Artistic Director of the Theatre
Lyudmilia Sycheva, Artistic Director of the Ballet
Lyudmila Maslennikova, Ballet Coach
Aleksandr Ivnov, Ballet Manager

CAST

Odette/Odile Marta Filippova, Svetlana Noskova,
Yulia Nepomnyashchaya, Anastasiya Rusinova
Prince Siegfried Ivan Alexeev, Alexander Lityagin
Rothbart Ivan Alexeev, Alexander Lityagin
The Queen Mother Marina Skomorokhova
Beno Gennadi Gorozhankin, Alexander Ponomarev
Andrey Shiporov
Pas de Trois Marta Filippova, Yulia Nepomnyashchaya,
Ivan Alexeev, Svetlana Noskova,
Anastasiya Rusinova, Alexander Lityagin
Four Cygnets Svetlana Lazarenkova, Svetlana Kudrina,
Galina Sizova, Anna Shapovalova
Four Big Swans Elena Batishcheva, Marta Filippova Yulia Nepomnyashchaya,
Svetlana Noskova Anastasiya Rusinova
Tickets on sale online on Northrop's website, by phone at 612-624-2345, or in person Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Room 105 Northrop.

The Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia, a company of 54 distinguished Russian dancers, performs Swan Lake on the majestic Northrop stage. This timeless ballet features Prince Siegfried and swan Odette as they lure your imagination deep within their love battles against the evil sorcerer's continuous trickery. The dancers soothe over the doom and sorrow with their amazing grace and intricacy that carries all the way through to the mystical ending. Swan Lake was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's first ballet score that paved the way for his career in theatre arts.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The 2006-2007 season marked the debut of North American performances of The State Ballet Theater of Russia, which is the touring name of The Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, established in 1961.

Igor Nepomnyashchiy, Director of the Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, is an Honored Artist of Russia. Nabilya Valitova has been the artistic director of the ballet since the early 1990's and is the People's Artist of Russia.

Voronezh, the large city in the south of central Russia, was founded in 1585 by Tsar Feodor, as a fortress protecting the Russian state from the raids of Crimean and Nogay Tatars. Settlements were present in Voronezh since the Stone Age, but because the name Voronezh is very old, its exact meaning is unknown.

Many famous people were born in Voronezh including poets and writers Platonov, Koltsov, Bunin, Nikitin, Marshak, Troepolskii; painters Kramskoi, Ge, Kuprin; the physicist Cherenkov; gymnasts Davydova and Tkachyov; and the anarchist Voline.

The repertoire of the theatre includes work by both classical and modern Russian composers including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Don Quixote, Le Sylphide, Scheherazade, Gavalry Halt, The Stone Flower, 1001 Nights, Carmen Suite, Cipollino, Doctor Aubolit, Francesca di Rimini, and The Fountain of Bakhchisarai.

Numerous distinguished students of the famous Voronezh Choreographic College have immediately joined the State Ballet Theatre of Russia upon their graduation. Alumni of the Voronezh Choreographic College include such well-known choreographers as Ter-Stepanova, E. Aksenova (Moscow), O. Ignatyev (St.-Petersburg), N. Nazirova (Azerbaijan), S. Sheina, V. Petchersky (St. Petersburg).

At the end of the 1960s and in the beginning of the 1970s the playbill contained Per Gûnt by E.Grieg, Giselle and Le Corsaire by Adan, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev, and Young Lady and Hooligan by Shostakovich.

During the 1970s the works of modern composers were widely represented, such as A. Khachaturyan's Gayane, E. Lazarev's Antony and Cleopatre, R. Shchedrin's Carmen-suite, Mischievous Chastooshki, A. Petrov's Adam and Eve, A. Crein Laurensia and ballet classics such as A. Glazunov's Raimonda, and L. Gerold's Vain Precaution.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia has toured with productions of traditional Russian classics throughout France, (performing Sleeping Beauty in 38 cities), Germany, Holland, and Czech Republic, as well as in India and throughout Africa with engagements in Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia.

Among the company's 54 dancers are many distinguished Russian artists and winners of international ballet competitions including: Tatyana Frolova - People's Artist of Russia; Mikhail Negrobov, Vladislav Ivanov, Piotr Popov - Honored Artists of Russia; Denis Kaganer, Dina Bolotova, Julia Korneva, Svetlana Noskova, Anna Belyustova, Alexandra Alimova, Julia Plonish, Alexander Ivliev, and Marina Leonkina - Laureate of international competitions in Moscow, Paris, and Varna.

These leading dancers have represented the art of Russian Ballet in the U.S., Germany, Hungary, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Vietnam, India, Cyprus, Malta, Japan, and several countries in Africa.

Igor Nepomnyashchiy, Artistic Director of the Theatre

Awarded the honorable title of Deserved Artist of Russia in 1984, Nepomnyashchiy has served as the Artistic Director of the Voronezh State Opera and Ballet Theatre of Russia since 1988.

Russian opera lovers easily recognize Nepomnyashchiy's name, as he is a highly regarded bass-baritone, not only for his beautiful timbre and full range, but also for his natural gift of musical acting. In all of his work he displays fine musical taste and eminent culture, making his audience empathize with his characters in laughter, love, and sorrow.

During his 30 years of performance on stages throughout Russia, Nepomnyashchiy has performed more than 50 roles. He has performed a variety of leading roles such as Basilio in IL Barbiere di Siviglia, Ferrando in Il Trovatore, Amonasro in Aida, Phillip in Verdi's Don Carlos, and Mephistopheles in Guno's Faust, among many others.

His signature role is widely considered to be Peter the Great in Stavonin's opera Vivat, Russia! Nepomnyashchiy saw this character as temperamental, gentle, angry, humorous, and fun.

Born in 1947 in Odessa, Nepomnyashchiy trained at the Moscow Musical Theater. The role of Gremin in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin became Nepomnyashchiy's debut on the stage of the Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

Lyudmila Sycheva, Artistic Director

Sycheva was born in Voronezh in 1955. In 1974 she graduated from the classical department of the Voronezh Choreographic Institute and was accepted to the ballet troupe of the Voronezh State Opera and Bailer Theater, and worked as a soloist of the ballet until 1992.

In 1987 Sycheva graduated from the department of ballet production at the Moscow State Institute of Theatrical Art named by Lunacharsky as a "teacher-ballet master." From 1979 to 1987 and from 1994 until present, she has worked at the Voronezh Choreography Institute as a teacher of special disciplines.

From 1987 to 1990 Sycheva worked at the ballet school of the town Moputu of Republic of Mosambic as a classical dance teacher. From 2000 to 2001 she also worked as a teacher at the Liaonin ballet school in Shenyan, China. In 2003 she was providing methodical assistance for the preservation of classical heritage of a ballet school in city of Gdansk, Poland.

Since 2002, Sycheva has been the artistic director of Voronezh Choreographic Institute. Her graduate students from the Institute work in many ballet companies of Russia, and about 20 of the ballet soloists are with the Voronezh ballet. Currently Sycheva is the Artistic Director of the Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia and also the Artistic Director of the Choreographic Institute.

BIOGRAPHIES

Svetlana Noskova, Principal Dancer

Noskova graduated from the Voronezh State Choreographic Institute. Today she is the leading soloist at the Voronezh State Ballet Theater of Russia. She performs roles from classical repertoire, such as Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Masha in the Nutcracker, Gisele in Giselle, Ekaterina in The Stone Flower, and many others.

Noskova easily and enthusiastically performs modern roles, such as the girl in the modernist style-ballet Angels of Death, and Aisedora Dunkan in Yesenin and Duncan.

In 2004 she became diplomat of the International Competition of Ballet Dancers in the Vienna, Austria.

Noskova repeatedly performed with the cast of the Voronezh ballet as well as other ballet companies during their tours to the U.S., France, Germany, Holland, and Belgium.

Marta Filippova, Principal Dancer

Filippova is a 2006 graduate of the Voronezh State Choreographic Institute. After graduating, Filippova joined the ballet troupe of the Voronezh State Theater of Opera and Ballet. Her repertoire includes principal and solo performances such as Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, Masha in Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, The Fate in Carmen Suite, Nurida in Thousand and One Nights, and the main Hussy in The Young Girl and the Hooligan.

Ekaterina Liubikh, Principal Dancer

Upon graduation of the Voronezh State Choreography Institute, Liubikh joined the Voronezh State Theater of Opera and Ballet. Today she is the leading ballet dancer. Highlighted performances include appearances in the roles of Odette- Odile in Swan Lake, Sylphyde in Le Sylphide, Nurida in One Thousand & One Night, Carmen in Carmen Suite, Mirta in Giselle, and many others.

Liubikh has toured with the State Ballet Theatre as well as other ballet groups on numerous occasions in the U.S., Germany, Netherlands, France, China, as well as others.

Yulia Nepomniashchaya, Principal Dancer

Nepomniashchaya received her training at the Voronezh State Choreographic Institute and after graduation in 2006, joined the ballet company of the Voronezh State Theater of Opera and Ballet.

While still a student, Nepomniashchaya danced Katerina in the theater performance of the Prokofiev's ballet, The Stone Flower. Her current repertoire includes solo and principal parts such as Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, Nurida in Thousand and One Nights, Myrtha in Giselle, Anuta in Anuta, The Street Dancer in Don Quixote, the main Hussy in The Young Girl and the Hooligan, and The Mistress of the Copper Mountain in The Stone Flower.

Anastassia Russinova, Principal Dancer

Russinova graduated from the Voronezh State Choreographic Institute in 2006. After graduating, Russinova joined the ballet troupe of the Voronezh State Theater of Opera and Ballet. Besides solo performances, her repertoire includes principal parts such as Giselle in Giselle, Odette-Odile Swan Lake, The Girl in Angels of Death, Masha in Nutcracker and Kitri's friends in Don Quixote.

Ivan Alekseyev, Principal Dancer

Alekseyev is a 2005 graduate of the Voronezh State Choreographic Institute. Upon graduation he went on to perform professionally with the dance company of the Voronezh State Theater of Opera and Ballet. The repertoire of the aspiring performer includes Prince Siegfried and Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Prince in Cinderella, Basilio in Don Quixote, Toreador in Carmen Suite, Danila in The Stone Flower, Student and Artynov in Anuta, Prince Nutcracker in Nutcracker, Seducer in Angels of Death, Aladdin in Thousand and One Nights, The White Angel in Yunona and Avos, and Leader in The Young Girl and the Hooligan.

In 2006 Alekseyev became a Laureate of the annual theatrical award Results of the Season held by the Voronezh branch of the Union of Theatrical Workers of Russia. In October of that year, Alekseyev was also one of the Laureates of the Second International Ballet Award, The Young Ballet of the World. In this competition he received an award for the best modern choreography.

In Moscow of December of 2008 Ivan Alekseyev received the award of the Central Federal District for outstanding achievement in literature and arts in the nomination Creative Youth.

Alekseyev now participates in all tour productions of the company in Russia and abroad where he performs solo and principal parts.

Alexander Lityagin, Principal Dancer

Lityagin's credo is to dance as much as possible and not to rest on his laurels. His work differs in its high technique, emotional fulfillment, and artistry. Lityagin is a graduate of the Voronezh State Choreograph institute. Comfortable dancing classical as well as modern ballet, his repertoire includes many roles such as that of Albert in Giselle, Prince Zigfried in Swan Lake, the Charmer in the modern ballet Angels of Death, Resanov in rock-ballet Unona, Esenin in ballet Esenin and Dunkan, and Shahriar in One Thousand & One Nights.

Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky, Composer

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky was the composer of some of the most popular themes in all of classical music. He founded no school, struck out no new paths or compositional methods, and sought few innovations in his works. Yet the power of his best music elevates it to classic status. It was Tchaikovsky's unique melodic charm that could, whether in his Piano Concerto No. 1, in his ballet The Nutcracker or in his tragic last symphony, make the music sound familiar on first hearing.

Tchaikovsky was born into a family of five brothers and one sister. He began taking piano lessons at age four and showed remarkable talent, eventually surpassing his own teacher's abilities. By age nine, he exhibited severe nervous problems, not least because of his overly sensitive nature. The following year, he was sent to St. Petersburg to study at the School of Jurisprudence. The loss of his mother in 1854 dealt a crushing blow to the young Tchaikovsky. In 1859, he took a position in the Ministry of Justice, but longed for a career in music, attending concerts and operas at every opportunity. He finally began study in harmony with Zaremba in 1861, and enrolled at the St. Petersburg Conservatory the following year, eventually studying composition with Anton Rubinstein.

In 1866, the composer relocated to Moscow, accepting a professorship of harmony at the new conservatory. Shortly afterward, he turned out his First Symphony, suffering, however, a nervous breakdown during its composition. His opera The Voyevoda came in 1867-1868 and he began another, The Oprichnik, in 1870, completing it two years later. In 1869 Tchaikovsky entered into a working relationship with composer Mily Balakirev, leader of The Five; the result was Tchaikovsky's first recognized masterpiece, the fantasy-overture Romeo and Juliet. Other works were appearing during this time, as well, including the First String Quartet (1871), the Second Symphony (1873), and the ballet Swan Lake (1875).

In 1876, Tchaikovsky traveled to Paris with his brother, Modest, and then visited Bayreuth, where he met Franz Liszt. By 1877, Tchaikovsky was an established composer. This was the year of Swan Lake's premiere and the time he began work on the Fourth Symphony (1877-1878). It was also a time when he married Antonina Milyukova, an obsessed admirer, their disastrous union lasting just months. The composer even attempted suicide. Near the end of that year, Nadezhda von Meck, a woman he would never meet, became his patron and frequent correspondent. The period of subsidy by von Meck was abundantly productive for Tchaikovsky with a spate of outstanding compositions, including the Serenade for Strings (1881), 1812 Overture (1882), and the Fifth Symphony (1888). In both 1888 and 1889, Tchaikovsky went on European tours as a conductor, meeting Brahms, Grieg, Dv?rak, Gounod, and other notable musical figures. Sleeping Beauty was premiered in 1890, and The Nutcracker in 1892, both with success.

Throughout Tchaikovsky's last years, he was continually plagued by anxiety and depression. In 1893 he finished his Sixth Symphony (Pathetique) and it was successfully premiered in October the same year. Ten days after the first performance of the new work Tchaikovsky died of cholera in St. Petersburg on November 6, 1893.