Cast unveiled for QPAC’s Bolshoi Ballet season
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) recently unveiled the casting for Bolshoi Ballet’s limited season, comprising of 12 performances in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from 30 May to 9 June. Since it has been almost two decades since the world-renowned ballet company has performed in Australia, ballet lovers are urged to book their seats early. The company will only be performing in Brisbane.
The Bolshoi Ballet will present two works never before seen in Australia, the spectacular 19th-century classic Le Corsaire and The Bright Stream, the first revival of this light-hearted ballet since 1935. Le Corsaire is a swashbuckling, romantic tale of pirates, slaves and intrigue and is typical of the exotic and ambitious ballets created during the Tsarist era. It is also one of the most spectacular (and expensive!) productions ever staged by the Bolshoi and is a showcase of the company’s talent.
On the other hand, The Bright Stream, features an original score written by one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century, Dmitri Shostakovich. A comedic rural romp that incorporates dazzling Cossack and other ethnic dances as well as hilarious cross-dressing spoofs of classical ballet, The Bright Stream will charm, delight and surprise Australian ballet lovers.
The casting for Le Corsaire, being performed 30 May to 5 June in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, will include Principal Maria Aleksandrova, Principal Yekaterina Shipulina and Principal Ekaterina Krysanova as Medora; Leading Soloist Vladislav Lantratov, Principal Ruslan Skvortsov and Principal Mikhail Lobukhin as Conrad; Principal Nina Kaptsova and Leading Soloist Kristina Kretova as Gulnare; and Leading Soloist Andrei Merkuriev and First Soloist Denis Savin as Birbanto. For a complete casting of Le Corsaire, click here.
The casting for The Bright Stream, being performed 7 to 9 June also in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, will include Principal Nina Kaptsova and Principal Ekaterina Krysanova as Zina; Leading Soloist Andrei Merkuriev and Principal Mikchail Lobukhin as Pyotr; Principal Maria Alexandrova and Principal Yekaterina Shipulina as Ballerina; Principal Ruslan Skvortsov and Leading Soloist Vladislav Lantratov as Ballet Dancer; and First Soloist Denis Savin and First Soloist Denis Medvedev as Accordionist. For a complete casting of The Bright Stream, click here.
The Bolshoi Ballet season is the second in the QPAC International Series, a joint initiative by QPAC and Events Queensland. To book tickets, go to qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.
Photo: The Bolshoi Ballet performing The Bright Stream. Photo courtesy of Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and The Bolshoi Ballet.