Rudolph Nureyev, Svetlana Beriosova - PDD from 'Diana and Actaeon' (1964)

This 1964 pas de deux with Rudolph Nureyev and Svetlana Beriosova is from the Bell Telephone Hour Performances, 1961-1967. In various contexts, it is titled 'La Esmeralda' but clearly it's from 'Diana and Actaeon'. The footage is uploaded round You Tube, but, with my admiration for this Lithuanian born ballerina, I couldn't resist having it on the channel.

What's interesting about the dancers is the similarly expansiveness of gesture, line and phrasing that is typically Russian. And it's what probably encouraged their early experimental pairing. They work very well together stylistically and it's a pity they didn't attempt more together.

Incidentally, I couldn't help noticing the extent of Beriosova's musicality here - something I'd not entirely been aware of before. And it may well have been this quality, among others, that led to her being taken into the Royal Ballet in 1952.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Rudolph Nureyev
• Svetlana Beriosova
• Russian ballet
• Kirov Theatre
• Mariinsky Theatre
• ballet
• Diana and Actaeon

[AL45757]

Thanks for this and the Hightower video too. It's absolutely fascinating to see all these legendary dancers. I have always heard so much about Svetlana Beriosova and I truly appreciate having the opportunity to see her here and in the Sylphides you also so generously uploaded.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi AL45757 - glad you liked the Hightower and Beriosova videos - and yes thank goodness we live in the film age so performances of great dancers are not lost when they retire. and as there's so little of Beriosova it's good to have as much as we can here - i would love to have see her 'beauty' - old timers told me it was magnificent in its russian expansiveness and bigness of gesture and phrasing. hope the new year is good to you. cheers!

[Edward245100]

Yes, Nick, it is fine. I rely on your good taste to guide my viewing of ballet on YouTube.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Edward245100 - you are very kind, i'm touched, really - this inspires me to find interesting new things to upload! the best xmas and new year, cheers from Sydney

[jessDance00]

Just perfect!

Nureyev is one of my favourites

[nickwallacesmith]

hi jessDance00 - yes, the body is so plastic here - particularly in some of the interactive gestures. cheers

[opensecret51]

@nickwallacesmith Yes this is a great performance that I like him a lot and also I loved him very much in Le Corsaire with Dame Margot !!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi opensecret51 - yes, i think he's more expressive here than usual - quite powerful at times. glad you didn't scold me for uploading the much uploaded - LOL!

[opensecret51]

Thank nick ...I enjoyed very much ..and I love here the expressivness of Nureyev ...♥