The Annual Summer Ballet Festival

The annual “Summer Ballet Festival” will take place at the stage of Moscow “New Opera” theatre from July, 1 till August, 28.

Ballet lovers are especially happy this time; since the theatre is situated in one of the most picturesque and beautiful corners of Moscow – in the “Hermitage” garden. In summer it is particularly attractive. “The New Opera” theatre is unique. It is characterized by classical architecture of the building that is combined with super modern stage equipment and comfortable auditorium.

Three world-known ballet groups will take part in “Summer Ballet Festival” this year. They are: “The State Classic Ballet Theatre, leaded by Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilev”, ballet troupe from “The State Musical Theatre named after Natalia Satz” – art director Vladimir Kirillov; and “Imperial Russian Ballet” by Gediminas Taranda.

National artists of Russia Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilev have been leading the “Classical Ballet” for more that 30 years. They make a very talented duet, since both of them used to be the Bolshoi Theatre stars. They have managed to create their own, unique troupe style. Innovations, search for unusual choreographic forms and dancing techniques, rich repertoire has made “Classical Ballet” on of the most well-known ballet groups of the world.

The name of Gediminas Taranda is closely connected with the name of Maya Plisetskaya. It was her initiative to create in 1994 the “Imperial Russian Ballet”. Gediminas has become a successor of the great ballet dancer’s creativity, and a holder of personality in ballet. The “Imperial Russian Ballet” is now one of the most successful and relevant ballet groups in Moscow. It is characterized by high troupe skill that works as a unit. Not only Russian stars, such as Vladimir Malakhov, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Elena Andrienko work with the “Imperial Russian Ballet”. Leading artists from the best European and American theaters also cooperate with it.

The development of the theatre named after Natalia Stats ballet troupe has suffered a great transformation during the latest 40 years. From 5 men, who only had to perform dancing and plastic episodes in operas, at the very beginning, it has grown to 65 professionals – graduates from the best ballet schools of Russia. The artists are equally skillful in different ballet genres - both in “The Blue Bird” by Iliya Sats and in classical masterpieces by P.Tchaikovsky. Nowadays it is the youngest and the most perspective state ballet group in Russia.

The artists will give more than 60 performances in a two-months period. They will be accompanied by the Russian Symphonic Orchestra. National artist of the USSR, the State Prize winner legendary Veronika Dudarova is its permanent art director.