Ardani 25 Dance Gala to Feature Starring Natalia Osipova, Ivan Vasiliev, Edward Watson & Marcelo Gomes

This summer's hot dance ticket will be the ARDANI 25 DANCE GALA at the Coliseum on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July, presented by producer and impresario Sergei Danilian (Ardani Artists). The evening features an all-star line-up including Natalia Osipova, Edward Watson, Ivan Vasiliev, Marcelo Gomes, Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel in three exciting and diverse contemporary pieces.

The evening opens with the World Premiere of Royal Ballet choreographer Alastair Marriott's Zeitgeist starring Natalia Osipova and Edward Watson, who will be reunited following the recent success of Marriott's Connectome. Set to Philip Glass' Violin Concerto, the work will feature Royal Ballet dancers Donald Thom, Marcelino Sambé and Tomas Mock. Zeitgeist will tour to the United States and Russia as part of the 'Solo for Two' project afterwards.

"London's own Russian, Natalia Osipova, undulating her torso in tandem with Royal Ballet co-star Edward Watson in an intense, despairing duet..."

Lyndsey Winship, Evening Standard (on Marriott's Connectome)

The second piece, Tristesse, is created by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Marcelo Gomes, who took his inspiration from French poet Paul Éluard. Gomes will perform in this UK Premiere along with Denis Matvienko, Joaquín De Luz and Friedemann Vogel. Tristesse had its World Premiere as part of 'Kings of the Dance' in December 2014 at the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

"...a piece (created by Gomes himself) that finally allows the men to show off their strength while indulging their lyrical, more joyful side." Debra Craine, The Times (on Ko'D, Kings of the Dance)

Finishing the bill is Arthur Pita's Facada, which was seen at the Coliseum in 'Solo for Two' in August 2014. Pita adapted the piece especially for Osipova and Vasiliev from his original piece God's Garden. Original music created by Frank Moon will be played live by the composer.

"It's the kind of satisfying revenge no classical ballet heroine is ever allowed, and Osipova makes it look like a world of fun." Judith Mackrell, The Guardian (on Facada)

Natalia Osipova graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in 2004 and joined the Bolshoi Ballet the same year, ultimately reaching the position of Principal Dancer. She has been a guest artist with the Mariinsky Ballet, Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opéra, American Ballet Theatre and Zurich Ballet and is currently a Principal with the Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. At this year's Critics' Circle National Dance Awards Natalia was awarded Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) for her performance in the title role as Giselle for The Royal Ballet, and Best Female Dancer.

English dancer Edward Watson is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He has won particular acclaim for his interpretation of Principal roles in the works of Kenneth MacMillan, Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon. In 2012 Watson received an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his role in Arthur Pita's The Metamorphosis.

Donald Thom and Tomas Mock are Artists of The Royal Ballet; Marcelino Sambé is a First Artist. All three trained at The Royal Ballet Upper School, graduating into the Company. On graduation, Tomas Mock was awarded the Dame Ninette de Valois Outstanding Graduate of the Year award.

Currently a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Marcelo Gomes has been a guest artist with companies including Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. Gomes has recently begun a successful choreographic career, creating pieces for dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, La Scala and 'Kings of the Dance'.

Joaquín De Luz is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. De Luz has appeared as a guest artist with the Ballet Mediterraneo, Fernando Bujones and American Ballet Stars. He was a member of 'Kings of the Dance' and toured Russia and the US in 2008 and 2009.

Denis Matvienko is a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet. As a guest artist he has performed with New National Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre, Teatro alla Scala and Paris Opéra. From 2011-2013 he was Artistic Director of the Ballet Company of the National Opera of Ukraine. Since 2009 he has been a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet.

Friedemann Vogel is a principal dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet. Vogel has been a guest artist with Mariinsky Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Teatro alla Scala and English National Ballet.

Ivan Vasiliev was praised for his role in English National Ballet's Swan Lake at the Coliseum earlier this year. Currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Ivan has guested all over the world. Recent appearances include Romeo and Juliet, Le Spectre de la rose, Rubies and Le Jeune Homme et la Mort with Teatro alla Scala Ballet company; Don Quixote, Coppelia, Spartacus, The Nutcracker and Giselle with the Bolshoi Ballet; and Le Jeune Homme et la Mort and Prodigal Son with the Mariinsky Ballet.

Elizabeth McGorian is a Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet. She joined in 1977 and was promoted to Soloist in 1991 and Principal Character Artist in 1997. She will reprise her role in Facada after originating the role in 'Solo for Two' in 2014 alongside Natalia and Ivan.

Arthur Pita is a talented and versatile choreographer and director, creating works for dance companies as well as opera and theatre. Most recently he premiered The World's Greatest Show at Greenwich Dance, Jerwood Dance House and Royal Opera House; The Death of Klinghoffer at The Metropolitan Opera New York; Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny for the Royal Opera; and The Little Match Girl at Sadler's Wells.

Dancer and choreographer Alastair Marriott is a Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet. Marriott's many works for the Company include Night Falls Fast, Grey Garden, Being and Having Been, Tanglewood, Children of Adam, Sensorium, Trespass (Metamorphosis: Titian 2012, in collaboration with Christopher Wheeldon), In the Hothouse (Diamond Jubilee Gala) and Connectome.