Special thanks to K. for this film & kind permission to upload it.
2/2 of a performance of "Le Talisman" pas de deux by Anastasia Nikitina & Masahiro Nakaya. Taken from the 2008 graduation performance of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg.
The variations are not from Drigo's score for Petipa's "Le Talisman" - the male solo is taken from Cesare Pugni's score for Petipa's "The Pharaoh's Daughter". The pizzicati female solo is taken from Drigo's score for Petipa's "La Perle", a ballet originally produced for the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. Another piece taken from "La Perle" is the -so-called "Ocean & the Pearls" pas de trois.
The boys' variation that is.
BalletBabyBoy 4 months ago
Isn't this music from Laurentia? sp?
BalletBabyBoy 4 months ago
Who is the male dancer? he is Absolutely amazing
Dawn8022 7 months ago
@mariinskyfan. I fully share your opinion. She is an impressive young dancer, and so mature.
palubob 9 months ago
I love Nikitina but she was too thin back then. She is a perfect weight right now. She is one of my favs for sure. She is one of the few ballerinas who could dance almost any role. For instance, I could see her as Aurora or Lilac, Nikiya or Gamzatti, etc. Same for smaller roles. I could see her dancing all three of the shade soloist variations, etc. I would cast her as Odette/Odile for her first major principal role. She would be able to showcase her rare versatility.
mariinskyfan 10 months ago
Thank you for the most informative notes on the music. Concerning Masahiro Nakaya, did he return to Japan or join a Russian company after graduation?
palubob 2 years ago
Beautiful performance!!!! Thank you for posting.
ecj177 2 years ago