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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ballet Performance An Extraordinary Delight

Courtney Page Correspondent

St. Petersburg Ballet Tuesday, March 4, Opera House

While attending a performance at La Scala in Milan last week, I felt as though I was experiencing the pinnacle of live entertainment in both the quality of performers and venue. Tuesday night, though, the highly acclaimed St. Petersburg Ballet offered a performance with a quality equal to any that I have ever seen, even at La Scala.

The troupe danced variations from many of the classical Russian ballets - “The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake” and “Don Quixote” - and added several contemporary pieces and a touch of humor to its repertoire, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable “excerpt” performance.

Galina Mezentseva, one of the most distinguished prima ballerinas of our time, heads the talented group. Mezentseva’s liquid velvet movements joined with her sinewy muscles to bring a swan to life in her incomparable renditions of the White Swan Adagio from “Swan Lake,” and her signature piece, “The Dying Swan.” A combination of artistry and athleticism perfected, the revered ballerina also exhibited her versatility in her primal solo from the contemporary ballet “The Legend of Love.”

Mezentseva’s pieces added to what was already an extraordinary performance. Engaging, challenging, intricate choreography characterized every one of the dances, which were performed with energy and technical precision.

American choreographer Peggy Willis-Aarnio should be complimented on her pairing of ballet and ballroom, with Charleston and cancan, in the Gershwin number “Remember When?” Fanciful and fun, with top hats and canes, this piece captured both the accoutrements and the flash of an era. All swizzles and sass, Alla Novayefskaya flirted with the audience and easily became a favorite.

Anrei Ivanov and Nathasha Bashkirtseva sparkled in the pas de deux from “Don Quixote” and promise to be the future of Russian ballet. Ivanov’s powerful, soaring leaps, and Bashkirtseva’s coquettish charm propelled the audience’s enthusiasm to a new level. Kudos to Bashkirtseva for her beautifully executed 32 fouette turns, which for me, made the evening complete.

Despite the Spokane Opera House being only half full, the St. Petersburg Ballet dancers put their heart and soul into every number, the mark of true professionalism. The audience appreciated their talents and efforts and rose at the end to applaud some of the finest-quality ballet that can be seen.