Festival of Russian Ballet Set To Wow NZ Theatres

Festival of Russian Ballet

Following sellout performances of “The Nutcracker” in 2003 The Imperial Russian Ballet Co. return to New Zealand this September, with a stunning and diverse medley from some of the world’s great ballets.

Irina Surneva has been with the Imperial Russian Ballet Company since 1998 and her performances have included Giselle, Shopeniana, Don Quijote, Sleeping Beauty and as Princess Clara in the Nutcracker in 2003. Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and as Princess Clara in the Nutcracker in 2003.

A “Festival of Russian Ballet” consists of an eclectic mix which ranges from the magnificent “Don Quixote” to the rollicking and hilarious “French Can Can Surprise.”

The 45 strong company opens its national tour at Founders Theatre, Hamilton on Thursday 2 September and plays throughout New Zealand until Saturday 25 September.

The Imperial Russian Ballet Co was formed in 1994 headed by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist, Gediminas Taranda and Igor Moiseev's Folk Dance Ensemble, soloist Nikolai Anokhin. The Imperial Russian Ballet Co comprises 45 dancers from the major ballet schools of Russia, Kiev & Perm.

The name of the company is recognition of the grand masters of Russian Classical Ballet School and the Imperial Family who made such a great contribution to the development of Russian culture including the creation of the Bolshoi and Marinsky Theatres.

The prime choreographic style adopted by the Company is a classical one, however, they also indulge in modern dance. Their stage repertoire is based on the combination of classical masterpieces and modern choreographic novelties. As well as touring the world with their various productions they find time for regular seasons in Moscow’s premier theatres.

Actively co-operating with the Imperial Russian Ballet Co are world renowned dancers & ballet stars, including Maya Plisetskaya, Patrick Dupond (Opera de Paris), Farukh Ruzimatov, Yulia Makhalina and Diana Vishneva (the Mariinsky Theatre), Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Lyudmila Semenyaka and Nadezhda Pavlova (The Bolshoi Theatre), Vladimir Malakhov and Julia Kent (American Ballet Theatre), Tamie Kusakari (Japan).

Irina Surneva has been with the Imperial Russian Ballet Company since 1998 and her performances have included Giselle, Shopeniana, Don Quixote, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and as Princess Clara in the Nutcracker in 2003.

The programme for the Festival of Russian Ballet features Acts I and II of Don Quixote, followed by excerpts from ”Bolero”, “Carmen” and “Walpurgis Night”, and finishing with a French Can Can Surprise.

Tour Dates:

2 & 3 September 7.30pm: Founders Theatre, Hamilton Book at Ticketek (07) 838 6600

Saturday 4 September 7.30pm & Sunday 5 September 5pm: ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Book at Ticketek (09) 307 5000

Wednesday 8 September 7.30pm: Regent Theatre, Dunedin Book at Ticketek (03) 477 8597

9-11 September 7.30pm: Theatre Royal, Christchurch Book at Ticketek (03) 377 8899

Sunday 12 September 5pm: Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North Bookings 0800 484 253

14 & 15 September 7.30pm: Baycourt, Tauranga Bookings (07) 577 7188

17 & 18 September 7.30pm: Opera House Wellington Book at Ticketek (04) 384 3840

Sunday 19 September 5pm: Municipal Theatre, Napier Book at Ticketek (06) 835 1059

Wednesday 22 September 7.30pm: Rotorua Convention Centre Book at Ticketek (07) 350 2244

Friday 24 September 7.30pm: TSB Showplace, New Plymouth Book at Ticketek (06) 759 0021

Saturday September 7.30pm: Royal Opera House, Wanganui Bookings (06) 349 05 0511.