Don Quixote: Olesya Novikova-Evgenia Obraztsova-Alina Somova

[dancermaddie97]

Evgenia is so cute! i love the way she dances! she is such an inspiration!

[camille32087]

For me, Somova is too unproportionate to dance classical roles. Besides her flopsy appearance, she also has technical faults which distort the classical form. But the girl does have talent and has a nice expressive face. She kind of reminds me of Suzanne Farrell, but Farrell recognized her shortcomings and used it to her advantage and danced more neo-classical roles. I think Somova would fair well with choreographers like Bejart. But I just don't like her in tutu roles.

[2011GNA]

I love Evgenia too! And I love the Cupid variation! I dance it two times and, really, it was a dream that became true! ;)

[chamuda610]

I love Evgenia! So sweet!

[maseraticboychik]

Hate would be discussing the imbecility of anyone capable of thinking Somova's snake-charmer, hootch-dancer arms have anything to do with classical ballet--not to mention her ugly, contorted 'extensions' and distortions of arabesques. LOL. Observing her many failings is simply telling the truth.

[almazdionysus]

@maseraticboychik You're certainly entitled to your opinion of Somova, but must you be so crude? It's absurd and out of line to call someone an imbecile for disagreeing with your purely subjective view of Alina. Russianballetvideo may also be wrong in stating her opinions as fact, but why is such animosity necessary? I agree that Somova does have obvious failings, but the qualities I appreciate in her dancing transcend pure technique or flexibility. If you disagree, so be it.

[CountDanse]

Beautiful!

[maseraticboychik]

Somova is not even the reigning dancer of the Kirov, nor any other company. What horrendous and tasteless hyperbole from someone calling itself 'balanchinedancer' --an atrocious,self-aggrandizing, contrived, mannered monster like Somova is anathema to everything about Balanchine's genius--indeed to great dancing of any sort.

[russianballetvideo]

@maseraticboychik What balanchinedancer said is 100% true. Somova is the dancer of her generation and you should stop reading the lies generated on ballet forums from people out on a hate campaign against the best ballerina in the world today and I have seen her close up in every ballet in her repertoire, where I can clearly see her face and amazing acting ability, plus arms much better than any principal in the world, with an exceptional technique.

[maseraticboychik]

@russianballetvideo For your information, not every dancer who danced for NYCB has a brain--even Mr. B made mistakes, and I'm sure balanchinedancer languished in the corps his or her entire brief time there. I don't need to parade my credentials for idiots like you, who think Somova is any kind of 'ballerina', nor do I need to see her close up again. Twice was more than enough.. I would PAY NOT to see her atrocities. You need to grow up and learn what hate is--the truth hurts a lot doesn't it?

[russianballetvideo]

@maseraticboychik For your information, balanchinedancer has danced for New York City Ballet company so their name fits them perfectly, having danced for Balanchine's main company. They know what they are talking about unllike the Somova haters, who know nothing.

[noachka]

My favorite performance of Don Quixote! I saw a side of Kitri I had never seen before the first time I saw this performance, Novikova brings a certain delicateness and playfulness to contrast with Kitri's fire and flare (which she still brings!) Somova is a technical beauty as always and is so suited to this soloist role. And finally, Obraztsova is THE cupid if there were ever a single most appropriate cupid! Besides that, I think the Mariinsky's costumes for this act are among my favorite ever!

[seminoleseminole1]

@ilia0708: I am a fan of Obraztsova, and I am only 36 years old, hardly an "old lady." I like her for her dancing, not for any charming or cute resemblance to someone's granddaughter. I also like Somova. I like them both in different roles, for different reasons. To me, comparing "who is better" between different types of ballerinas is like comparing great musicians who play different instruments. Let's just appreciate all of these dancers and be greatful that we can watch them on youtube!

[thach0x0]

The best three talents in one production.The best ever!

[GaGa2812809969]

i love how the first girl just stays at ):59 for like the longest time, and then turns her head >_< very cute!

[LVdancerbabe]

Could you please give me more information about this dvd. The year and company performing please? Thank you!

[08AB80]

@LVdancerbabe Mariinsky (Kirov) 2006-2007.

[TheOracleBird]

Best don quixote ever. Novikova, Sarafanov, Merkuriev, Obraztsova, Somova!!! Spasibo :')

[BaletAll]

This is best production of Don Quixote ballet ever.I seen almost all production of Don Quixote,which are available on market and this is absolutely unrivaled!Except scene design,costumes and choreography this is extremely nice at performance with best Mariinsky´s soloist in cast.It will be funny watch to,If new DVD with Fadeyechev´s Don Quixote version with Bolshoi, Osipova & Vasiliev, w­hich will be relase soon,overcomes this version.By me absolutely not can.

[SuperEfexor]

Everyone splendid....even I don' t like specially Somova, but this Dream Scene is perfect.

[TeftG]

i don't like novikova.

[calipso1010]

The ugly business of insulting dancers definitely take its origin on ballet-talk. With infamous Natalia N. of course, but also who by the way is not taken seriously even by her peers - she is just not all right in the head. But also Cassandra who hides under Russian name Mashinka. In fact she is a government employee with ROH. Funny thing is that BA own rules states that posters should write about a dancer as if her mother is watching over the :-) :) shoulder.

[sangfroidjen]

@calipso1010 But do you defend how some are emulating that kind of stupidity here on YT? If not, then you should also chastise those who do it to retaliate for injustice done to Alina over there. Why not say 2 wrongs don't make a right instead of condoning it or cheering it on? I think it's up to those of us who are frequent commenters and knowledgeable theater goers to have zero tolerance for this kind of thing, not making up additional accounts to slag Evgenia and others.

[ilia0708]

Obraztsova will never amount to more than a soubrette. Being 28 she has reached her plateau. She has her own audience however, mostly old ladies from BalletTalk/Alert whom she reminds of their granddaughters. 

[sangfroidjen]

@ilia0708 Do you troll much? Judging from your nasty words, seems like it. Resorting to putting down another dancer in order to prop up your own favs... quite pathetic. I can't stand rude posts on balletalert as well, but unlike you, I'm decent enough to not stoop to their levels by by demeaning dancers in such a fashion. But I guess it's asking too much intelligence and tact from likes of you haters to do otherwise, you are just as bad as those whom you purport to hate from balletalert.

[ilia0708]

@sangfroidjen Excuse me? BalletAlert is private not a public board. They can write what they want. I don’t go there. Plus, are you being objective? Earlier on, Evgenia showed lot of promise, but have you seen Obraztsova recently? She has no technique to speak of. She is constantly falling off the pirouettes. Surely wearing false arches and fake smile can’t possibly compensate for lack of technique.

[sangfroidjen]

@ilia0708 Ha ha, not technique to speak of, okay that was you being funny, I get it. Yes I have seen her recently & so have many ballet goers/ critics who, interestingly enough, praise her technique amongst other things. Do you know what arch enhancers are? They don't enhance arches but help to strengthen the feet/ lower ankle especially after strains or injuries.

Most importantly, why do people make obvious 2ndary accounts so that they can insult dancers? Such a coward way of doing things.

[sangfroidjen]

@ilia0708 Also, about balletalert, I personally think there's a bunch of nasty, rude posters there who demean dancers beyond belief, that's why I refuse to join that board despite it being 1 of few places on the web offering updated info/ critique on ballet. The way some on there single out Alina Somova whom I also love, is disgusting, and I actually blame that group for paving the way for YT posters to attack dancers in personal, demeaning ways. What you're doing is stooping to their level.

[unluuckynluv]

@ilia0708 i've seen her and she is remarkable. the entire time she dances there are beautiful lines. she makes dancing beautiful but she knows how to pull the audience in. every now and again my dance class attends many different ballets, and it's a given some students are 9-10yrs old and become bored and sometimes intimidated by the dancers. miss obraztsova energy, beauty and grace keeps them on the edge of their chairs. so @sangfroidjen remember ENVY is a DEADLY SIN. just enjoy art, okay?

[TheBalletFan]

Olessya is a beauty, Somova is a force of nature and Evgenia is world's most engaging soubrette! LOVE this production of DQ.

[balanchinedancer]

Be thankful for a chance to watch the 3 Graces of Mariinsky on one stage! There is a place for healthy competition between artists, but elevating one dancer at the expense of another is just dumb. Obraztsova is 2 years older than Somova and here Alina is still a teenager, but even then, one could not help but notice her rare talent. Somova is the reigning dancer of her generation. Surely Evgenia has offers from other companies, if being a Principal is her main goal.

[sangfroidjen]

@balanchinedancer But it's not just one camp or certain camp that's doing it, it's many camps with their most fervent fans stirring up rivalries just to make drama. I like a variety of dancers, I don't think there is a perfect dancer or even type of dancer, we all have our own favorites but those are our own personal preferences. I don't think it's wrong to state them, but I think there's a way of doing it that's intelligence, thought-provoking, and non-offensive.

[MylenaBallerina]

This dream team no matter in what order one looks at it. And yet, my most sincere admiration go to Alina Somova. She is so light, almost weightless. If she is not the greatest ballerina of her generation on this video, she is certainly one now.

[russianballetvideo]

@MylenaBallerina 100% Somova is the best in the world among all principals of her generation or any other generation dancing today.

[KirovFan]

@russianballetvideo I would say that Zakharova can compete with Somova 5 years ago. Obraztsova is a different story. There is time honored institution in Russia called “blat”. Because of her family connections Genya came further than could be the case without such family connections. It doesn’t mean that the lady doesn’t have certain talents, but to promote her to Principal position is just not realistic.

[Missnewyork28]

@russianballetvideo Somova is better than Zakharova, Osipova, Vishneva, Semionova, Lopatkina and so on ? Come on, the girl is talented but still so young. She doesn't have the maturity of the fellow I mentioned. She is probably going to be one of the best but please, for now, she is not half of Zakharova and company.

[russianballetvideo]

@Missnewyork28 First, Somova is much better now and getting better all the time and I see her often in all her roles. Your use of the word maturity would not apply in comparing Alina with Osipova, since Osipova is younger. Somova is clearly better than everyone you mentioned and except for Semionova, I have seen all of them often recently.I do not consider the Moscow trained ballerinas (Polina,Osipova) in the same class as Vaganova students, due to inferior arms and upper body,

[Missnewyork28]

@russianballetvideo Osipova is apart, true. She is an excellent dancer for her age. I can't believe you consider Somova better than Lopatkina, Zakharova and the others. She is an excellent dancer and has a great technique. That DOES NOT make her better. She lacks interpretation, she is to me, very plain. But that's my opinion. And I hope she gains maturity in her dancing in the future. Otherwise, she would still look like a ballet student. As for Osipova, she is fantastic.

[kimmois1]

@MylenaBallerina Somova the greatest ballerina of her generation? You truly are a tasteless braindead cunt.

[egomi24]

That balance Evgenia makes! She was perfectly on her box balancing. Few dancer can do that without some help.....

[MrRight1000]

@LRBSballerinaz Obraztsova is free to take a principal position with ABT or any other company. To you I can only say that it never pays off to compare dancers in such a bias manner. Ultimately it only hurts the one you are trying to “promote”.

[etoiledelkirov]

novikova the best

[sarahdanceify]

evgenia obraztsova is so underrated. in my opinion she should be principal, not somova the rhythmic gymnast.

[loulie1997]

@sarahdanceify YES!! We need to write a strongly worded letter to MT!!

[BeautytifulTina]

Evgenia!!!!! OMG she is flawless.

[jayzcc83]

those 3 are the FUTURE of the mariinsky ballet...

[broadwaynballet]

Oh my goodness why is Evgenia not dancing the lead in every single ballet the Kirov does! She is so phenomenal....why is she only a first soloist still?

[ArtsObserver]

WOW!! So cool to see Obraztsova, Novikova & Somova all on the same stage! Thank you for uploading this!

[candycandyissodandy]

Zero dislikes. Go ballet!

[jayzcc83]

obraztova TOTALLY STOLE THE SHOW...her dancing just made want to leap into the air...she is so underrated...

[EvgenyOneginable]

Some ppl say that Mariinsky is not as good as Kirov. I'll be darn if I saw more grace than the three ladies show in this video. Great show!

[TutusAndPointeShoes1]

@EvgenyOneginable

Kirov is simply the former name of the Mariinsky. They aren't two different theatres.

[palubob]

@EvgenyOneginable. The name of the theater reverted to the Imperial name around 1991 when it was no longer necessary to name things after Communist Party leaders (Kirov).

[LVdancerbabe]

Could you please tell me who is playing who? I would have loved to see the Dryad Queen from this performance.

[DraxDomax]

This one of my favourite performances of OBRAZTZOVA of all times..GREAT

[missiheartballet]

Obraztsova is beautiful to watch! Novikova had a very stable Dulcinea. Thank goodness the video wasn't ruined by Somova's painful Queen of the Dryads!

[helimets]

love Obraztsova. She makes you want to see more of her. Other leads were great, but left me cold.

[chun25011]

Where's somova's variation?

[blueberryskirts]

somova and novikova have very similar styles in my opinion

[chun25011]

@blueberryskirts I don't think so, somova is far better than novikova!!

[tutus4life]

what happened to dulcinea's pink tutu? why is it blue here

[chun25011]

@tutus4life Cos this is quite old. Mariinsky only change Dulcinea's blue tutu to pink recently.

[semionova]

@chun25011 how do you now this kind of news about mariinsky ballet?? I'm very interested too in this kind of things..

[chun25011]

@semionova I just love ballet and I'm from Hong Kong's Jean M. Wong school of ballet. Miss Wong ( the principal) always tell us about ballet news and I will get those informations from the internet too :P

[rgscballerina]

you should really put the order of the dancers in the description according to when they appear in the video for people who dont know the dancers.

[marisha74]

Olesya Novikova, i adore her :))))))))))

[crystalized899]

btw, i thought that it was:

1. Obraztsova

2. Novikova

3. Somova

novikova's variation is the dulcinea variation, danced by kitri right?

sorry, im not quite familiar with Don Q variations.

[chun25011]

@crystalized899 Yea Novikova's variation is Dulcinea, danced by principal dancer. :)

[tutus4life]

@crystalized899 actually the Dryad Queen would be before the Cupid variation, but it's not in this video. if you're going by the ballet that is

[GawkyBallerina]

@crystalized899 You're right- Obraztsova is Cupid, Novikova is Dulcinea, and Somova is Queen of the Dryads. Although, in the past I've seen the variations danced in a different order.

[crystalized899]

wow, at 0:59. loved it!

[MrRight1000]

My FAV Somova's role - The Queen! Love-ly, love-ly, love-ly.

[likeafirstday]

Thankss alot for post that amazıng vıdeo ..they are gorgeoussss...

[bajaderkaaaa]

Obraztsova is amazing there!! Thanks for upload.

[Leonnidik]

Love it. (Though, I probably would have switched Somova and Obraztsova's roles).

[odile77]

Interesting.... I´m sure Obraztsova would make a beautiful Queen of Dryads, but I´m not sure of Somova as the cupid because of the speed and specially musicality required for that variation...

- please note I´m not saying I don´t like Somova or that she is a bad dancer, I´m just saying that not every dancer is good for every role -