Don Quixote

Published Monday 19 May 2008 at 10:15 by Natalie Anglesey

In spite of behind the scenes problems with visas and injuries, which has meant certain changes of cast during the Kirov’s stay at the Lowry, the enthusiastic response to the various programmes proves the popularity of this internationally-renowned company.

Don Quixote is the first full-length ballet the company presents on this brief tour. The orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, conducted by Pavel Bubelnikov, was in fine form, attacking the passionate music of Ludwig Minkus with gusto. Based on Gorsky’s 1900 production, the colourful, quayside, opening scene is bustling with bull-fighters and gypsies providing a series of delightful divertissements.

Although the story of Don Quixote tends to be rather lost in this ballet, such is the quiet dignity and elegance of Vladimir Ponomarev’s soulful performance, combined with the rumbustious comedy capers of Stanislav Burov’s Sancho Panza, that their tale is salvaged from the passionate love story. The tilting at windmills scene, which often misfires, is cleverly executed.

Among the principals, Tatiana Tkachenko is a vividly dramatic street dancer. By contrast, Alina Somova makes an ethereal Queen of the Dryads while Valeria Martinyuk is a cute Cupid dancing in an autumnal, fantasy garden.

But, once again, the evening is stolen by an exquisite performance from Viktoria Tereshkina as the feisty Kitri and Leonid Sarafanov as her boyish lover Basil. This is a superb partnership which sees a combination of skill, strength and artistry in a series of lifts which brought gasps from the appreciative audience.