October 2009 Vaganova Gala Hermitage Theatre Chopiniana Olga Smirnova Safin 7th Waltz

[1931JC]

Not a great personality but fine dancer

[balanchinedancer]

Incarnation off Elena Evteyeva.

[palubob]

I know that she can smile, because I saw her do it - somplace.

[Martyrdurock]

The boy is gorgeous in these white tights, isn't he?

[HelgaMaq]

Too refined, too beautiful for the modern Bolshoi theatre... I dont like her 6 oclock

[huixue]

@HelgaMaq Me neither. It doesn't fit the piece. I find my mind going "oh wow she did a six o'clock penche" instead of just being absorbed by the dance. But I enjoyed this other than that. She seems like she is in some kind of dream, which is nice, but somehow it doesn't seem like her love, her partner, is in the dream with her.

[sangfroidjen]

Too affected in phrasing for this PDD. I like her but I'm beginning to think she's not a very musical dancer.

[bolshoiboy8]

She's beautiful to watch. Where do you think that comes from? Thats not just training, thats the soul. I honestly would compare her to Ulanova. I like that everythings in her movements rather than her face. Very poetic. And shes really playing the hell out of this sylph role. Its enjoyable. I would pay to see her in a principal role definitely. And there are lots of iffy dancers who are pro, so I DEFINITELY think she is just fine. Her Don Q was engaging too..needs work but thats fine.

[Bnesque]

I wished Olga to blossom as a great Mariinsky dancer blessed with strong legs and precise technicality. But in the second variation of DQ she totally forget about precision of arms/upper body movement. Then I think run away from the very competitive and demanding Mariinsky troup is not the best answer for young talented ballerinas.

[Pearlaceous]

@Bnesque Precisely! DQ was disappointing indeed, but some may have been as a result of debut nerves. I hope the Bolshoi have not made a dreadful mistake giving Smirnova too much too soon - she would stand more chance of success if she could concentrate on one major debut at a time.

[Bnesque]

@Pearlaceous Part of it was from nerves I believe. But also I think some were come from coaching, Bolshoi tends to give dancers bigger freedom. The way she ignored everything for double rond de jambe part was davestating.You know great Mariinsky/Vaganova coaches like Terekhova, Yevteyeva, Kunakova, AAs are very demanding how to use arms and timing. And yes, too much too soon is no good for even Olga.

[GymnasticDancer]

@Bnesque I too wished Olga to become the next star of Mariinsky... just out of curiosity, does anybody know the reasoning behind Kristina Shapran's move to the Stanislavsky? As a corps dancer? I don't understand why she didn't stay at Mariinsky or even Bolshoi, or if she was even offered contracts to either. I just don't know much about the Stanislavsky Theatre and I wonder what opportunities she would be given there that she wouldn't be in St Petersburg... anyways, I think Olga's wonderful here

[Bnesque]

@GymnasticDancer I don't know the reason of Shapran's decision. Maybe @russianballetvideo or RusskiBalet can answer. Only thing I can say is there is fabulous partner Seion Chudin, I believe.

[SilverInsanity]

@Bnesque Semyon Chudin moved to the Bolshoi, I think.

[GymnasticDancer]

@SilverInsanity Really?! Wow.. he has great feet, and legs.

[Bnesque]

@SilverInsanity Then I have no clue. And Olga has it all.

[looovecats]

@GymnasticDancer

Stanislavsky now has Igor Zelensky as a director. Shapran is in corps but I've read that she will dance Sylph in upcoming premiere of La Sylphide (Lacotte version, the same as in POB).

[balanchinedancer]

Olga is a lovely dancer, no doubt. But she has no wow factor, she is not unique either, though certainly very Mariinsky. 

[rosy879]

Beautiful! I think this is one of my favourite pas de deux!! Thanks for posting. Smirnova is such a gorgeous dancer.

[Pearlaceous]

Smirnova is not a dancer who appeals to me personally - I find her cold and lacking in luminosity and charm. So much hope riding on her and so many debuts so soon - hope she can live up to expectations. I wish her every success.

[animallover2297]

She dances so beautifully!! She is my new inspiration <3

[rayssa9240]

oun que lindo,eu amo ballet

[clavol1]

nice video, but for what is the url 4 times placed ?????