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La Bayadere

Published Friday 5 August 2005 at 10:20 by Gavin Roebuck

This much-loved 1941 production of La Bayadere is a melodrama of betrayal and redemption. The tale of temple dancer Nikiya’s doomed love for the warrior Solor unfolds in scenes of exotic spectacle in this Petipa masterpiece packed with exhilarating choreography, culminating in the breathtaking Kingdom of the Shades. The sets are a masterwork of Russian scenography and design and the fake tiger, elephant and stuffed parrots all add to the enjoyment of the spectacle.

Daria Pavlenko was a ravishing Nikiya, at first reserved and then, with the appearance of Leonid Sarafanov as Solar, she became alive with a gorgeous, meltingly languorous style. Sarafanov has a boyish build but danced with strength and graceful power, his high leaps landing softly, like a leopard.

As Gamzatti, Ekaterina Osmolkina gives a powerful dramatic performance and unusually also doubles up as a Shade. Vladimir Shklyarov, covered in gold body paint, thrilled as the Golden Idol. With fakirs, warriors, a lively Indian dance and beautiful bayaderes, all the numerous variations were danced with a thrilling joy displaying a wealth of choreographic invention in their steps, arrangements and groupings .

Some British artists appear as characters, including James Graham who has danced in many productions with the Royal Opera. The dancers of the corps, who would no doubt be at least soloists in any other company, were exceptional in the Shades scene performing the challenging choreography with a perfect unison, earning prolonged applause.

The Kirov Ballet remains a supreme example of centuries of pure classical training in action.

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