Valentin Federov:The artist who makes the GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER puppets, animals and sets come alive with childlike whimsy!

Moscow Skyline backdrop – opening scene

While Ballet Master Vladimir Troschenko tours the Riviera, Spain and Portugal with his acclaimed Swan Lake, Moscow Ballet Scenic Designer Valentin Fedorov works on the imaginative sets and puppetry that come to life in the Great Russian Nutcracker. Exclusive to Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker is the very first scene, set to the music of the overture, in which Magician/Uncle Drosselmeyer enchants children with a puppet show that he magically brings to life.

Masha’s bedroom – with artists at work

Artist Federov created the whimsical puppet theatre and puppets as well as the iconic Moscow skyline behind the dancers. Federov is also the artist behind Masha’s delightful bedroom with it’s larger-than-life toys and where the Mice Army battle and injure her beloved Prince Nutcracker. Federov also created the fanciful world of Peace and Harmony, an homage to Henri Matisse’ wonderfully childlike and colorful jungle scenes.

Chinese Dragon puppet in Chinese variation

Federov is also the creator of the 6 to 8 foot tall puppets in Act II’s Land of Peace and Harmony which represent animals from each couples’ region. The Russian dancers are accompanied by a Bear, the Spainards by a Bull, Chinese have their red and yellow Dragon, the French Unicorns and the Arabians are given two animals – a lion and an elephant. The animals are friendly and dance along with their human counterparts.

Valentin Federov, set and puppet designer

The talented Federov hails from the small. central Russian republic Chuvash which has a long history of puppet making. In fact, he was given the title “Honored Artist of Chuvashia.” At the Moscow Artistic Academic Theatre, Fedorov studied under the legendary designer Valery Leventhal, of Bolshoi Ballet fame, and he has been the art director at the Chuvashia State Theatre of Opera and Ballet since 1988. There he designed more than 40 productions for opera and ballet to critical acclaim. Moscow Ballet is proud to add Federov’s charming sets and puppets to the whimsical and imaginative storytelling that sets Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker apart from others.

For more picture’s of the drops & puppets, go to our facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/nutcracker.moscowballet?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=15357&id=117148474970862

Tickets are now on sale for this family Holiday tradition and start at $27.50. Buy tickets online at www.nutcracker.com or call Ticketmaster 800.745.3000 and ask for a performance near you!

Moscow Ballet commemorates the 100th anniversary of Marius Petipa’s life and legacy with Commissioned Russian Art for the Great Russian Nutcracker and Swan Lake 2010 Tour

A Tapestry of Cultures – Petipa, The Father of Russian Ballet

Marius Petipa

Today is the 100^th anniversary of the passing of Marius Petipa, known as the Father of Russian Ballet. Born March 11, 1818 in France and died in what is now Ukraine (former Russian Empire), July 14, 1910,  Petipa is nearly unanimously cited to be the most influential balletmaster and choreographer that has ever lived and is credited, along with Lev Ivanov, as the original choreographer for the traditional holiday ballet we all know and love, The Nutcracker.

Lydia Rubtsova as Marianna, Stanislava Belinskaya as Clara, and Vassily Stukolkin as Fritz, in the original production of The Nutcracker. Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, 1892

In recognition of Petipa’s vast contributions to Russian ballet and culture, Moscow Ballet is selecting Russian artists who represent the contemporary sensibilities in Russian visual art to create limited edition paintings. These new works will be inspired by three of Petipa’s artistically acclaimed story ballets:  Swan Lake,The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty- all of which Moscow Ballet performs on it’s annual tours of North America.  The St. Petersburg Academy of the Arts Foundation (Repin), representing

artists from the famed school of the same name, is assisting Moscow Ballet in the selection of relevant painters.  The first two artists to be contracted for this project are: Tatyana Kalin(also Kalyn) and Alexandra Nedzvetskaya.

Marius Petipa is considered one of the greatest choreographers of all time. Petipa elevated the Russian ballet to international fame and laid the cornerstone for 20th Century ballet. His classicism integrated the purity of the

Ekaterina Bortyakova as Masha and Akzhol Mussakorov as Nutcracker Prince with Corps de Ballet in 2009 Tour of Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

French school with Italian virtuosity. Noted for his long career as Premier Maître de Ballet of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres, a position he held from 1871 until 1903, the value of his accomplishments is inestimable.

Petipa produced more than sixty full-evening ballets and innumerable shorter. Petipa’s original ballets, some of which have survived in versions either faithful to, inspired by, or reconstructed from the original, include: The Pharaoh’s Daughter (1862); Don Quixote (1869); La Bayadère (1877); The Sleeping Beauty (1890); The Nutcracker (attributed to Lev Ivanov and  Petipa ) (1892); and Raymonda (1898). He also revived a substantial number of works created by other Ballet  Masters and his productions became the definitive versions from which nearly all subsequent revivals are based — Le Corsaire, Giselle, La Esmeralda, Coppélia, La Fille Mal Gardée (with Lev Ivanov), The Little Humpbacked Horse and Swan Lake (with Lev Ivanov).

Tickets for the 2010North American tour of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are now available. Click here to find a performance near you. The limited-edition prints are available when purchasing the “Platinum Ticket Package.”

Moscow Ballet’s Swan Lake

While Moscow Ballet’s Vladimir Troschenko delivers his elegant Swan Lake to 61 cities in Europe…here is a fab review from the 2007 North American tour…

The fast-moving production of Swan Lake was elegant, exciting and breathtakingly beautiful.

Swan Lake Soloists Anna Dorosh and Maksim Chepik

Soloists and the troupe presented a youthful — most of the dancers are in their mid-20s — and dynamic show for the near sell-out audience.

This version of the world’s most famous ballet is staged by artistic director Vladimir Troschenko, a former partner to legendary Russian ballerinas such as Nadia Pavlova, Ludmilla Seminyaka and Galina Mezentseva. He carries on their long and soulful legacy.

Troschenko has created a moving sculpture garden where Russian passion is clear for everyone to see, especially in the tall proud bearing of so many manly dancers, and the exquisite, broadly open upper torsos of the women, who hold their arms delicately and high, and attack each step with precision.

Swan Lake tells the story of a young maiden, Odette, who is under the spell of evil sorcerer von Rothbart, who has condemned her and others like her to be swans by day and human at night. Odette, the Swan Queen, can only break the spell by having a young man swear his undying love for her.

If unfaithful, she will be trapped forever.

Prince Siegfried longs for love, but his mother tells him he must choose a bride from among the princesses invited to his 21st birthday. Unimpressed, he leaves the ball and goes into the forest to hunt with his friends, sees the maidens near a lake and falls deeply in love with the queen. He pledges to free her from the spell but, back at the party, is tricked by von Rothbart and chooses his daughter Odile instead. Discovering his error, he rushes back to the forest, battles Von Rothbart and is reunited with his love.

'The Dying Swan' Soloists Anna Dorosh and Maksim Chepik

Maria Makarenko is simply beautiful in the dual role of swan (Odette) and sorcerer’s daughter (Odile). Trapped in the body of a bird, her movements of back, head and neck are extraordinarily supple, while the articulation of her hands and feet is lovely. The tall Zavalishin (who happens to be her husband in real life) makes a handsome Prince, but he has little to do but show her off until halfway through the second act, when he delivers some splendid clean leaps.

While Swan Lake is one of the most technically demanding ballets for a ballerina, the remarkable Makarenko manages her moments of unsupported balance with ease, and is in total control of her dozens of whip-sharp spins. The passionate pas de deux with her and the Prince are irresistibly romantic and tender. She is velvet smooth.

'Swan Lake' Soloists Anna Dorosh and Maksim Chepik and the 'corps de ballet'

The corps de ballet — a flock of 18 swans — shows off its precision, delicacy and harmony of line, while standing with feathers quivering in unison, folding themselves up like fluffy goslings, preening, gliding across the stage with tiny pitter-patter steps, or posing in a stunning tableau

While the original version is more than four hours long, this staging has been artfully edited to just over two, yet it still manages to run the gamut of human emotion from elation to despair, purity to corruption, melancholy to joy. It grabs the audience at the beginning and doesn’t let it go — although the ending is not what everyone might expect.

Performances in Russia and Cuba often have happy endings and in this version the Swan Queen doesn’t die. Frankly, I miss that cathartic moment. It feels a touch saccharine when the evil von Rothbart is vanquished and the loving couple appear headed toward marital bliss. But the essence of the story is the same.

By Victoria Times Colonist, edited version
Go to nutcracker.com to find a Swan Lake or Great Russian Nutcracker performance near you in 2010.

Tapestry of Cultures – Multi-cultural Moscow Ballet

We are excited to announce two principal dancers for the 2010 tour of the Great Russian Nutcracker!  These amazing artists reflect the excellence and diversity of heritage that is the Great Russian Nutcracker.  Just as Masha and the Nutcracker Prince enjoy dances from around the world, so will the multi-cultural background of our principal dancers enrich the performances on every stage of the tour!

Anna and Maksim - love in ballet class!

We are pleased to have the exquisite Anna Dorosh perform Masha in 2010 for the West Coast Tour. Anna grew up in Novosibirsk, a very new city in Siberia. She excelled in her studies at the State Choreographic Academy and became the prima ballerina of Novosibirsk State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Later Anna moved from this eastern-most province of Russia to Kiev, capitol of Ukraine.  Kiev is a centuries old city and is known the heart of the Russian Eastern Orthodox Christianity – home to many sacred sites.  When not touring with Moscow Ballet, Anna is a principal dancer with the National Opera and Ballet in Kiev where she was bestowed with the honored title of “National Artist of Ukraine.”  Anna has medalled in five International Ballet Competitions (IBC) – taking home Gold and Silver medals from Paris, Moscow, Luxembourg, Osaka and Budapest and has performed in Asia, Africa, South and North America, Australia and Europe.

Madam Dorosh - Principal dancer of Moscow Ballet West.

We are also thrilled to announce Maksim Chepik as the Nutcracker Prince to Anna’s Masha. Like Anna, Maksim graduated from the Novosibirsk State Choreographic Academy in Siberia (did they meet in Ballet 101?) and is now principal dancer with the National Kiev Opera House of Ukraine, famous for appearances of celebrity artists from Tchaikovsky to Sandra Bernhardt to Serge Lifar.  Maksim was a proud member of the Governmental Delegation participating in the opening ceremony of Expo’97 in Lisbon, Portugal. He also received the “Honored Artist of Ukraine” title and has won awards at multiple International Ballet Competitions.

The combined star power of Moscow Ballet principals is acknowledged in the press. Check this out from the Rapid City Journal, “The technical clarity, bravura and partnering were the ultimate examples of Russian mastery of the classical ballet art form… the most exquisite partnering work to be seen anytime, anywhere.”  So make arrangements with your special partner and reserve seats to experience the Great Russian Nutcracker today!

Visit www.nutcracker.com for tickets!
facebook.com/moscowballet.nutcracker

Father’s Day with Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we thought we would take a look at the role of fathers in Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker! As with everyone’s family, Dad is a pretty key guy. Moscow Ballet’s production is no exception!

The Great Russian Nutcracker ballet starts out with the Christmas celebration in the house of the Stahlbaums. In the traditional story, the children gather around the tree, decorating and playing. The adults waltz together slowly.

Then at the ring of the bell, Mr. and Mrs. Staulbaum appear to lead the waltz.
We know that Mr. Stahlbaum is Masha’s father. We know he is a talented dancer. But what else should we know about the Nutcracker’s most famous father? What does he do for a living? Who are some of his friends? Does he just spend all his time waltzing around with Mrs. Stahlbaum? If you know what he spends his time doing, please tell us! We need to find him in time for Moscow Ballet’s 2010 tour!

In the meantime, here is a cool video of very first scene in Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker! Lo and behold – another patriarchal figure has appeared in our story! It’s Drosselmeyer! I wonder if he has kids?

If you are looking for something interesting and new this Fathers Day….we have an idea! Why not surprise him with tickets for the family to the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nuntcracker!? For a limited time, we are proud to offer our Father’s Day Discount. Just enter the code ‘SAVE’ when purchasing your tickets, and you will save up to $20 per ticket!

If you have the best Dad in the world and want to share your story with the Moscow Ballet community, please let us know! We will post it on Facebook.com/nutcracker.ballet and nutcracker.com/studio!

Announcing Moscow Ballet’s ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ Tour 2010!

Welcome to Moscow Ballet’s 2010 Great Russian Nutcracker tour!
The company will be traveling coast to coast this year so check http://www.nutcracker.com/tickets to see when we will be in your neck of the woods! We are excited to be able to tell you that we are commissioning some new costumes this year. Stay tuned for that! We’ll be updating our Facebook Page with a behind the scenes look soon! (http://www.facebook.com/nutcracker.moscowballet)

We are also proud to announce this year’s deepest discount! Only available to early patrons, enter ‘SAVE’ when you purchase your tickets for savings of up to $20 on each seat! (check your local box office!) That’s $80 bucks for a family of four!

In honor of The Father of Russian Ballet, Marius Petipa, Moscow Ballet introduces an exclusive, premium seating package: Platinum Seating. For our most discriminating patrons, Platinum Seating is limited to 7 couples per performance. The Platinum Seating Package includes (2) front row seats, a limited edition, signed Giclee print of original art commissioned to commemorate the passing in 1910 of legendary Ballet Master, Marius Petipa. Early seating coinciding with a meet and greet with a Moscow Ballet artist, preferred parking, and an assortment of fine chocolates.
With Platinum Seating, you will receive:

• 1 Front row center orchestra seats
• 1 Limited Edition signed and numbered Giclee print (see description below)
• Meet and greet with Moscow Ballet soloist
• Early seating up to 60 minutes prior to general public seating
• Tour of backstage 45 minutes prior to curtain.
• Preferred parking
• Gourmet chocolates

CLICK HERE for more information!
100 years after Petipa’s passing, Moscow Ballet is proud to commission in his memory, two of today’s most highly skilled painters direct from the honorable Russian Academy of Arts located in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since its inception in the eighteenth century, the Academy has remained faithful to agelessly traditional methods and practices in the visual arts. This dedication is reflected in Moscow Ballet’s faithful advocacy of pristine, classical ballet.

VIP Package Description
Treat your family to a VIP experience of Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Enjoy preferred seating located within the first 10 rows of the center orchestra section along with a Moscow Ballet Goodie Bag filled with souvenir merchandise including:

• Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker DVD, featuring esteemed International Ballet Completion Gold Medalist Cristina Terentieva. Shot in 2009 in Toronto, this performance showcases the elegance and beauty of Russian classical ballet, performed at it’s highest level.
• Moscow Ballet Canvas Tote bag
• Autographed Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker Poster
• Moscow Ballet ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ plush bear.

Take advantage of our early bird discounts. Just click here to save up to $80 on family pack tickets. (Check Box Office)

This year’s Nutcracker features enhanced choreography and new costumes. The two tours are choreographed by Moscow Ballet’s ballet masters, Anatoli Emelianov and Vladimir Troschenko.

So keep checking back! We have lots of cool stuff planned here with Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker!

To Those Who Serve Us, We Are Serving You… A Special Gift!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL!

In honor of Veterans Day and the commencement of the 2009 Great Russian Nutcracker Tour, Moscow Ballet is proud to announce an incredible gift for military personnel. While supplies last, Great Russian Nutcracker tickets will be distributed for free to kids from military families with love from the producers, employees and dancers at the Moscow Ballet.

All active, reserve and retired men and women will enjoy a ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ ticket deal for the November and December performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker. To qualify, individuals must bring a copy of their military ID, kids must be under the age of 18 and discounts can be redeemed at the venue’s box office.

With the holiday season approaching, Moscow Ballet is excited to extend their hand of gratitude to those who presently serve and previously served to protect the life, liberty and love of our country. Akiva and Mary Talmi, the producers of the Great Russian Nutcracker, have come together with the entire Moscow Ballet family in welcoming this generous offer.

“The Great Russian Nutcracker story takes place in the land of Peace and Harmony. In the performance itself, the classical story conveys the character’s desire for tranquility among mankind. The armed forces of the United States share the same aspiration for our country and we couldn’t be more grateful,” Akiva Talmi explains.

Acclaimed for beautiful dancing and elegant costumes, critics rave that Anatoli Emelianov’s Great Russian Nutcracker is “flawless,” “breathtaking” and “dazzling.” With exquisite classical ballet dancing, beautiful handcrafted backdrops and world-renowned life sized puppets, this holiday classic is sure to mesmerize and captivate audiences.

The Moscow Ballet is looking forward to seeing you at the show and spreading holiday cheer to audiences in 70 different markets and over 100 performances!

For more information and a full list of tour dates, please visit: http://www.nutcracker.com

*Offer applies to all United States Great Russian Nutcracker performance cities excluding: Cedar City, UT; Easton, PA; Leavenworth, KS; La Miranda, CA; Nacogdoches, TX; New Orleans, LA; Phoenix, AZ; Sheboygan, WI; Springfield, MA; and Stephensville, TX.

Geraldine Family in Montana: Wonderful Holiday Story

“Geraldine Family Thankful for Generous Gift”

Credit: montananewsstation.com // Date: November 2nd, 2009
VIDEO: Family Story

Four-year-old Mariah Thompson of Geraldine has had a difficult year after a cancer diagnosis, and her family spoke with us about their struggle and a recent rally of support from unlikely sources.

It’s hard to tell from looking at energetic Mariah Thompson that she’s battling childhood leukemia after being diagnosed with the illness in January.

“It’s been a pretty miserable year for us,” said her mom, Bonnie Thompson.

The news hit Mariah’s five siblings just as hard and while Mariah’s cancer has a very high rate of survival, Bonnie says she doesn’t take any days for granted.

For that reason – and because her family loves the ballet - she decided to try and take her entire family to see the Nutcracker when the Moscow Ballet comes to town.

But money was kind of tight, according to Bonnie. “They have given us tickets to go see it, so all seven of us get to go which has never happened. We’ve never been able to afford to do that, so that’s really great.”

The Moscow Ballet is taking its generosity even further by donating $1 from every ticket sold to other families like the Thompson’s. The ballet will also donate 300 T-shirts to the local Uptown Optimist Club, an organization that’s been supporting the Thompson’s through food, clothes and money for medical bills.

“I never expected such an outpouring from the Moscow Ballet as what we have received,” Bonnie told us. “I was hoping that they might help me get a few of my kids to go. I was hoping especially to take her because she has had such a hard year. But, I never expected them to take all of my children and then to also support the group that’s supporting us.”

Bonnie said the support she’s seen has taught her valuable lessons, “Trust God, your family and friends, because you’re gonna need ‘em.”

The Moscow Ballet will be performing the Russian Nutcracker in Great Falls on November 18^th at the Mansfield Theatre.

Aleksey Burakov to star as Herr Drosselmeyer!

The Moscow Ballet expects this to be their greatest season to date producing the Great Russian Nutcracker.  Last minute preparations are taking place for the 2009 season as the producers want to continue to delight audiences across the country with one of the greatest holiday classics.

The Moscow Ballet is proud to announce the addition of the Russian Father Christmas, a large magical clock and Snegurochka, the Russian Snow Maiden taken from Russian folklore, to this year’s Great Russian Nutcracker.  Although the additional characters are an integral part to this year’s performance, the Moscow Ballet is particularly excited about welcoming Aleksey Burakov to the stage as the character, Herr Drosselmeyer.

In the classic tale of the Great Russian Nutcracker, the mysterious godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, enters the room where everyone is celebrating and brings all the kids different gifts.  After Clara is left without a gift, Herr Drosselmeyer presents a toy Nutcracker, dressed in a soldier’s traditional parade uniform, to the little girl.

Aleksey Burakov is an honored artist of Ukraine who has traveled with touring groups throughout Europe, China, America and Japan.  Burakov is a graduate from the Academy of Russian Ballet and has also previously worked for opera and ballet theaters in Cheboksary, Sverdlovsk and Ulan Ude, Russia.  In 1990, Burakov was a part of the first trip to Japan with the “Ballet Stars of Russia” and also joined the Kharkhov Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.  From 1992 to 1995 he worked for the Cairo National Opera in Egypt.

Currently Burakov is the principal dancer at Kharkov Theater of Opera and Ballet and is one of the lead dancers in “Swan Lake”, “Nutcracker”, “Giselle” and “A Thousand and One Night”.  In 2000, Burakov participated in The International Ballet Festival and won the Nizhinsky Prize for his performance of Petrushka in Stravinsky’s “Petrushka”.

Praised for exquisite dancing and gorgeous costumes, the Great Russian Nutcracker is directed by Ballet Master Anatoli Emelianov. It is also set against Valentin Fedorov’s spectacular hand-painted backdrops and life-sized dancing puppets. Critics rave that the Great Russian Nutcracker is “flawless,” “breathtaking,” and “dazzling.”  Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blend with the richness of Russian classical ballet to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a memorable holiday treat for everyone.

Tickets for the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker are currently on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.nutcracker.com or by calling your local venue’s box office.  Use promo code “SAVE” when purchasing your ticket for advance discounts.  Groups of 10 or more will enjoy special rates available by calling (800) 320-1733.

The Binghamton NY Parade Welcomes Moscow Ballet

Binghamton’s 51st Annual Columbus Day Parade Welcomes Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker Puppet Showcase & Activities

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – The 51st annual Columbus Day Parade will march through the streets of Binghamton, NY this Saturday; October 10th.  With festivities starting at 10:00AM on the corner of Arthur and Main Street, you can expect a full day of Columbus Day celebrations.  Mayor Matt Ryan announced the details about the parade earlier this week, which consisted of a new sponsor and the revival of a festival classic, the Tournament of the Bands.  Among the several additions to this year’s festivities will be the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Puppet Showcase and activities.

Moscow Ballet will be premiering their world famous, life-sized puppets used in their rendition of the holiday classic, the Great Russian Nutcracker.  After the march through the streets, the puppets will be on display at Moscow Ballet’s booth where local children and residents can see how beautiful these handcrafted masterpieces really are.  Residents are invited to have their picture taken with the puppets or get their faces painted; both of these options are $10.  With no purchase required, attendees are invited to enter a drawing to win two complimentary tickets and a VIP package to Binghamton’s November 12th performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker.

As an additional treat, the volunteers from the Moscow Ballet are also commending the participating local high school marching bands that showcase their talents at the Tournament of the Bands contest.  The winning group will be invited to perform traditional holiday music at the Broome County Forum Theatre preceding the performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker.

Ron Sall, this year’s parade organizer, couldn’t be more excited for the festivities. He mentioned, “It is a premier event. The kids look forward to it, it’s something annual. It’s great for the community; it’s great to see the kids… everybody is off from school, just come on down and see what we have!”

Moscow Ballet will present its Great Russian Nutcracker performance at Binghamton’s Broome County Forum Theatre on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 7:30PM.  Tickets are on sale now.  To purchase tickets, visit www.nutcracker.com or call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Use promo code “SAVE” when using Ticketmaster for advance ticket purchase discounts.  Groups of 10 or more will enjoy special rates available by calling (800) 320-1733.

For more information please visit: http://www.nutcracker.com/