Fokine double bill performed at the Birgitta Festival

By Simon Rees, 16 September 2015

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Reviewed at St Birgitta Convent, Tallinn on 8 August 2015

Scheherazade, Op.35 (Mikhail Fokine)

Polovtsian Dances (Mikhail Fokine)

Natalya Sats Musical Theater

Xander Parish, Dancer

Yulia Makhalina, Dancer

Estonian National Opera Choir

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Ivy Lin, 25th April

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

American Ballet Theatre's legacy works: vintage or dated?

Ivy Lin, 17th October

An uplifting triple bill by American Ballet Theatre with three contrasting ballets. Especially entertaining were Tudor's Gala Performance and Agnes de Mille's Rodeo.

****1

A Diaghilev celebration from BRB2

Mark Pullinger, 6th May

Carlos Acosta devises a programme of Ballets Russes highlights to celebrate Serge Diaghilev and to showcase the young dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s junior company, BRB2.

****1

National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

Naomi Mori, 15th March

While National Ballet of Japan’s latest triple bill presents many challenges, one hopes these valuable masterpieces will be revived, enabling the company to develop its virtuosity and artistry.

****1

Ballet Nights: an intimate evening with star quality

Deborah Weiss, 29th September

Ballet Nights offers a wonderful variety of dancing and genres. Whatever your preference, there are quality performances to enjoy.

***11

BRB2 in Carlos Acosta's Classical Selection is full of vitality

Graham Watts, 25th April

With five founding dancers in BRB2, this inaugural dance salad was embellished with other ingredients including the addition of seven members from the main company.

****1

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Simon Rees

Simon Rees writes programme articles and surtitles for most British opera companies, and reviews for Opera, Opera Now, Musical Opinion, Early Music Today and a wide range of other publications. A novelist, poet and librettist, from 1989 to 2012 he was dramaturg at Welsh National Opera. He lives in Cardiff.