The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, has hosted the first performances of Swan Lake by the Mariinsky Ballet
The main focus of admiration of the London press was the Mariinsky Theatre’s corps de ballet. The “sublime magnificence of the Mariinsky corps de ballet” inspired the reviewer for The Times to write that “Their exquisite clockwork precision is worthy of Faberg.” The “aristocratic assurance” of the corps de ballet was commented on by The Independent, while the London Evening Standard noted that “The famous corps of Mariinsky swans are perfectly aligned as ever.” Enchanted by the fact that “The corps de ballet is magnificent, the troupe of swans gliding on their aquamarine lake like the very essence of ballet,” The Telegraph’s reviewer did not stint in her praise, stating that “No performance of Swan Lake has ever been perfect, but the Mariinsky came close.”
In its first performances, the Mariinsky Theatre presented a new generation of dancers of the lead roles. Naturally, the British critics focussed their attention on the performance by “Russian Brit” Xander Parish. Numerous publications have related the story of the career of their compatriot who, after graduating from the Royal Ballet School and several years in the corps de ballet at the Royal Opera House, was invited to join the Mariinsky Theatre where he now performs lead roles in ballets in St Petersburg. Noting Xander Parish’s “graceful, male masculinity” and also his skills as an “exceptional partner” and his musicality, The Times considered the dancer worthy of the title of “danseur noble”.
The critic of The Guardian commented that as Siegfried “Timur Askerov is very watchable, with a handsome elevation and line.” The Financial Times gave a flattering appraisal of Oxana Skorik: “She possesses exquisite line – eloquent for Odette; dazzling for Odile – and an intriguing air of mystery, of an inner passion.”
The press also commented on the performers of other roles. The internet portal theartsdesk.com described Andrei Yermakov as “sinister and explosive, his fey, spiky jumps crackle with energy” as von Rothbart, while The Guardian commented on the “exceptionally expansive line” of the “mesmerising” Kimin Kim as the Prince’s Friends.

News source: The State Academic Mariinsky Theatre
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