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ST PETERSBURG BALLET THEATRE
The talented young company from St Petersburg is acknowledged as one of the few genuine Russian companies visiting the United Kingdom and is consistently described by the press as 'in a league of its own' and 'at the top of its game'. This is a company you will see on some of the world's most prestigious stages. Since their first visit to the UK in 1997 SPBT has made a huge contribution to bringing classical ballet of the very highest quality to theatres and halls in the UK, building new audiences to experience a quality performance of classical dance. In the current UK climate of "dance dance dance" wherever one looks, SPBT's long term contribution tends to go unrecognised as funded dance companies and funded dance organisations tap into the very same venues and very loyal audiences created and built by this totally unfunded phenomenal young Russian company.
The dancers consist of graduates mainly from the famous Vaganova School in St. Petersburg, also Perm School, Moscow Academy and Nureyev School of Bashkir. Many are prize-winning soloists of several prestigious competitions. Guest Prima Ballerina is the world class Irina Kolesnikova. Principal and character dancers include Dmitry Akulinin, Andrei Stelmakhov, Olga Ovchinnikova, Anna Podlesnaya, Dmitry Shevtsov, Dimchik Saykeev, Alla Bocharova and Asia Ogannesyan, all exceptionally fine dancers in the pure classical style. Balletmasters include Svetlana Effremova, Natalya Raldugina at one time with Mariinsky (Kirov). The productions feature sumptuous set designs, opulent costumes, and authentic choreography. PMB Presentations Says:2009-2010 Irina Kolesnikova European Tour Celebrating 10 years on stage Opening date on the Kolesnikova European tour was at the London Coliseum when with SPBT Irina performed in La Bayadere dancing the role of Nikiya. Following an underwhelming season of Spring Dance at the same theatre, this performance was virtually sold out and well received by an ecstatic audience. After the London performance the company headed to Spain for 7 sell out performances, and 3 sell out nights in Paris Theatre Champs Elysees. What a great start to 2009 and a credit to their reputation for playing sell out shows, whilst some performances by visiting classical ballet companies in London have been poorly attended. Watch out for Giselle and Don Quixote in Paris in October
2008-2009 In the current climate of "dance dance dance" wherever one looks, SPBT's long term contribution to creating new ballet goers in the UK tends to go unrecognised as funded dance companies and funded dance organisations tap into the very same venues and very loyal audiences created and built by this totally unfunded phenomenal young Russian company.
The talented young company from St Petersburg is acknowleged as one of the few genuine Russian companies visiting the United Kingdom and is consistently described by the press as 'in a league of its own' and 'at the top of its game'. Since their first visit to the UK in 1997 SPBT has made a huge contribution to bringing classical ballet of the very highest quality to the theatres and halls in the UK, and building new audiences to experience a quality performance of classical dance.
The company of over 100 artists (almost 60 dancers) was formed by Konstantin Tachkin in 1994. SPBT are based and perform in the beautiful Officers House in St Petersburg. The productions feature sumptuous set designs, opulent costumes, and authentic choreography.
This is a company you will see on some of the world's most prestigious stages, so it is hardly surprising that they get the pick of the best young dancers leaving the schools and academies. When a ballet company visits Tokyo, Paris and London and other prestigious venues around the world, it can attract the cream of dance graduates.
The dancers are mainly from the famous Vaganova School in St Petersburg, Perm School, Moscow Academy and Nureyev School of Bashkir. Many are prize-winning soloists of prestigious compeitions. Prima Ballerina is the world class Irina Kolesnikova. Principal and character dancers include Dmitry Akulinin, Andrei Stelmakhov, Olga Ovchinnikova, Anna Podlesnaya, Dmitry Shevtsov, Dimchik Saykeev, all exceptionally fine dancers in the pure classical style.
Last season introduced some exciting new dancers including excellent boys Alexander Yakovlev, Vladimir Iznov, Dmitry Lisenko, and ballerinas Alla Bocharova and Asia Ogannesyan. This season we welcome ballerina Marina Veznovets and her partner Yuri Kovalev among others. Coaching the dancers are esteemed balletmasters Lubov Kunakova, Natalya Raldugina and Aleksandr Kurkov, all at one time with Kirov (Mariinsky).
Founder of SPBT Konstantin Tachkin is delighted and very proud that the company goes from strength to strength, a success which is borne out by the international interest in the company. After a Paris debut last year the company was invited back for three nights in May which is already 50% sold out. The London Coliseum performance of Irina Kolesnikova in La Bayadere on Sunday 17th May 2009 is already selling fast.
In all this development and progress, the UK remains a firm favourite with SPBT and they are delighted to be back for a 2008-2009 season to perform for their very loyal, supportive and appreciative audience.
2007-2008 Since their last tour of the UK and Ireland, St Petersburg Ballet Theatre has continued to gain recognition around the world. Their latest triumph is Paris Theatre Champs Elysees, where Prima Ballerina Irina Kolesnikova was a guest in the 2007 Stars of 21st Century Gala and where SPBT made their debut with SwanLake on October 17th. After Paris came another debut at Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre. Both Paris and Cardiff were completely sold out in advance.
Kolesnikova’s star continues to be in the ascendant, and invitations for her guest appearances internationally are increasing. For her performance in Stars of the 21st Century Gala in Paris she danced Scheherazade for the first time. Talks are currently taking place for her to visit the USA, and a Tokyo season for the whole Company is being planned for next year.
This attention to Irina puts the spotlight on the entire Company and people discover just how special and what a considerable array of talent is the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. Such is the excellence of SPBT’s reputation and the prestige of their touring schedule that many top dancers in the City of St Petersburg want to join this irresistibly likeable and successful young ballet company.
SPBT does not have its own school (yet!) but is committed to annually increasing its numbers from the pool of hugely talented graduates and dancers that continues to emerge from the great City of St Petersburg. This season introduces some outstanding new talent and we are delighted the UK will be the first to see these new dancers. Nurturing this talent are the exceptional ballet masters and Konstantin Tachkin is delighted to announce the most recent appointment of two new coaches, both from the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre. At the end of last year Natalya Raldugina, joined SPBT, and most recently the esteemed Aleksandr Kurkov has become a balletmaster with the Company.
St Petersburg Ballet Theatre is a unit of modern young men and women who maintain the discipline and training equal to top athletes and who love dance in all its forms. As a non-sponsored non-funded company SPBT does not have any pressure to perform what is fashionable or is the diktat of cultural policy. Artistically they present what they feel is right for their loyal and supportive audience. On tour SPBT chooses mainly to perform the classics. As well as popular titles, they delight also in introducing audiences to new experiences from the classical ballet repertoire.
We, the presenter, first introduced SPBT into the UK in 1997, which was the bedrock of their development and success. The audiences took this company to their hearts with great enthusiasm supporting them and helping them build the excellent reputation they now have, which has taken them to the most prestigious theatres in the major cities around the world.
We hope you enjoy this classical ballet experience, with music from an excellent live orchestra and dancing from the exquisite young company that is Konstantin Tachkin’s St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.
2006-2007 Konstantin Tachkin as Artistic Director of an unfunded ballet company, created SPBT with the organisation to provide the teaching, sets and costumes that enable his dancers to perform with the artistic excellence for which they are now renowned.Tachkin's belief in every one of his artists infuses them with an irresistible honesty and caring for their art which sets them apart from many other companies.
The dancers are mostly graduates of the great Russian schools, the Vaganova Academy which taught Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Njinsky, and the Moscow School which taught Irek Mukhamedov and Galina Ulanova..Theirs is a devotion to a shared schooling and culture, and deep respect for what they do.The end result is an outstanding unit of young dancers who have the opportunity to progress within the company; some hugely talented principals; and a jewel in their crown namely Irina Kolesnikova.
Kolesnikova is a perfect example of the modern woman as the traditional Russian Ballerina in the grand manner.She loves touring the world, and whilst the announcement of her name will sell 4,500 tickets at London's Royal Albert Hall, and cause a stampede for tickets in Cape Town South Africa adding extra shows, she never loses sight of the need to bring the joy of ballet to a mass audience.
From their formation in 1994, SPBT has grown significantly in terms of reputation and prestige. Tachkin has increased the size of the company to over 60 dancers, and devised a touring schedule that ensures the dancers get adequate rest enabling them to perform their busy schedule always fresh and full of enthusiasm.
PMB Presentations and its associate companies first introduced the Company into the UK in 1997, organising tours to Australia and Japan where they received ecstatic reviews.We plan some new Far East territories to coincide with our next Japanese tour in 2008, and we present their Paris debut on October 17th at the Paris Theatre Champs Elysees.View Gallery What the Press SayOut of respect for professional journalists and critics we will not reproduce here any reviews from anonymous amateur reviewers such as those who post reviews on ballet and dance websites UK Press: 2006-2007 "Already a world –class talent Kolesnikova improves year on year with her passion, obvious perfectionism and inimitable technique.What a sensation she would be on the Opera House stage. Not to be missed." Sunday Express "Irina Kolesnikova has that marvellous Russian soul which makes her Odette a creature of tragic proportions.Is there any other ballerina dancing the role of Odette/ Odile who can equal her?" The Stage "A unique chance to enjoy an evening of genuine balletic brilliance, featuring a true superstar." Glasgow Herald "Irina Kolesnikova filled the sold out Royal Albert Hall with her charm and balletic technique as Clara." The Stage "A star at the peak of her powers." Metro Scotland "Kolesnikova is light and ethereal, lyrical and tragic, her beautiful arms and back and lightning footwork a real joy to watch. One of the most memorable Giselles I have seen." Dance Expression "St Petersburg Ballet Theatre continues the fine tradition of bringing high art to far flung places." The Mail on Sunday "You don't need to be Rudolf Nureyev to tell that these are gifted dancers at the top of their game.For novices watching this performance was probably a privilege. For ballet lovers it must have been a dream." Yorkshire Advertiser "Dimchyk Saykeev is a terrific and athletic actor dancer who likes nothing better than tackling the menacing roles.Dmitry Shevtsov Olga Ovchinnikova are names to watch. St Petersburg Ballet is in a league of its own" Midlands Metro "Olga Ovchinnikova thrilled with her awesome pointe work.The corps de ballet were supreme throughout.We hope for a return for this brilliant company next year." Reading Chronicle "Grand Pas Classique was a highlight of the lineup as was the Petipa rarity Harlequinade….Paquita brought this entertaining evening to a fizzing close." Mail on Sunday "The excellent corps, character parts, and orchestral playing have that raw Russian vigour that sends shock waves through the audience." Yorkshire Post "SPBT is an annual treat worth putting in your diary for next year." Manchester Evening News "SPBT is a major company, and their Giselle gives ballet lovers around the country a rare chance to see a first class production of one of the great classics." Dance Expression "The pick of the crop of Russian ballet companies" Dublin Business Post "An ensemble that places all its strength in the quality and power of the dancing." Metro Scotland "The dancers of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre have a distinct academism of behaviour in the placement of the arms, the carriage of the head, which speaks of diligent Russian schooling and technical accomplishment, yet justify a more artistic end." Balletco website "Every dancer on the stage was a star with the corps providing a stunning spectacle in the mini ballets Chopiniana and PaquitaWith fabulous costumes, detailed sets and some wonderful dancing this was a fabulous night for any ballet lover." Norwich Eve News "The sumptuous gala was the opportunity to show of the talents of the stars of SPBT" Eastern Daily Press "Norwich Theatre Royal was privileged to present the Stars of SPBT Gala. The production has several sets, the costumes are spectacular in a brilliant range of colours and designs. On top of this the production values were high, the dancing brilliant and the occasion of a rare quality. This was the cream of classical ballet, the right way to bring ballet to the people." Balletco website International Press: 2007 SOUTH AFRICA "Dance delivers occasional moment of such transcendent beauty that they are forever cherished as the amber of memory. Such was Irina Kolesnikova's Odette in Act II of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake."Heather Mackie, Business Day, 13 March 2007 "It is a rare opportunity for South African audiences to experience the difference between a "so so" company and a great one" "The sets, costumes, music, programme, staging, the theatre itself - and most particularly the dancing - was wonderful" Mambaonline, 5 March 2007 "if you get the opportunity to experience only one ballet performance in your lifetime, then Giselle performed by the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre is that chance" Fred Boshoff, Record, 9 March 2007 "The corps de ballet are beautifully synchronised…….Kolesnikova is sublime...she has an incandescent floating quality" Heather Mackie, Business Day, 6 March 2007 "The poise and polish of the Company is superb. The Russians are spectacular … seeing them perform is an infinitely special experience" Sabrina Dean, Citizen, 5 March 2007 "A vision to behold….exquisite sets and costumes. Kolesnikova is ethereal and mesmerising" Christina Kennedy, Sunday Times, 4 March 2007 UK Press: 2005-2006 "SPBT opened its tour with Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall and 4,500 paying customers raised the roof." Jeffery Taylor Sunday Express "As exciting as it is theatrically credible." Allen Robertson The Times "The female corps seemed to move with the same breath, while the company orchestra responded sensitively to Kantarov's baton." Donald Hutera The Times "The corps de ballet of this company is worthy of the Kirov itself." Dance Expression "The sumptuous costumes, magical sets and Tchaikovsky's luscious music are a joy in itself, there could be no better treat than to see the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre." The Stage "The most exotic and erotic Arabian dance you'll ever see.What a treat to discover St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, a bone fide group which boasts at least one principal dancer of world calibre." Jenny Gilbert Independent on Sunday "Dmitry Akulinin found an elegant balance between charming his guests and withdrawing into brooding mode." D Weiss Dance Europe "The jewel in the crown of SPBT is the ravishingly beautiful Irina Kolesnikova, who rivals any star of the Bolshoi or Kirov in technique and stage artistry." Mike Dixon Stage World of Dance "Utterly synchronised with her partner, Dmitri Akulinin, the lyrical pair dance with the romantic fluidity and lovingly produced technique that gives St Petersburg-schooled dancers such harmony and stature." Jeffery Taylor Sunday Express "It's not often that the name of a ballet star breaks out of the ranks and into the public consciousness.Irina Kolesnikova could join the likes of Fonteyn, Guillem and Bussell, as a prima ballerina whose fame extends outside hard core ballet fans." K Watson The Metro "Many people in the audience were seeing ballet for the first time, and it was clear from the ovation that followed the final curtain that they were thrilled by what they saw. What made the impact was the piece as a collective whole, and a mixed delivery of slow poetry and breathtaking panache." Ann Nugent Dance Magazine Japan |
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