Mesmerising Mariinsky

Before their much-awaited arrival at Bangkok's 13th International Festival of Dance and Music, the Mariinsky Ballet stopped over in the island state to perform "Don Quixote" at the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay - the first time the Russian company had ever performed there.

Not so surprisingly, all three performances from Friday to Sunday were completely sold out. On Sunday afternoon, the enthusiastic audience applauded long and loud throughout and, at the end, gave a standing ovation to the vibrant performance that's classical to the core but at the same time, both athletic and amusing.

"Don Quixote" was a fine choice for the first experience with the Mariinsky Ballet's full-length work. The story is easy to follow and leaves much space and time for a good number of highly skilful dancers to strut their technical prowess, making the audience forget that the whole three-act performance lasts about three hours, two intermissions included.

The star of the show who captured the hearts of the audience, myself included, was multi-award winner Alina Somova whose Kitri was filled with playfulness as well as, of course, her technical brilliance. Yevgeny Ivanchenko, as her star-crossed lover Basilio, matched her perfectly, although his role didn't allow him to fully shine until the last act's grand finale.

Dance skills aside, the company also focused on characterisation and dramatisation because, after all, they're also telling a story. As Gamache, a young man in love with Kitri and favoured by her father Lorenzo, Soslan Kulaev showed a character that's flamboyant, full of himself, and hence very comical. And while Vadim Balyaev was a little too young in his portrayal of the title character, his sidekick Sancho Panza, as portrayed by Stanislav Burov, pulled out the physical comedy.

Ludwig Minkus' music was interpreted live by the Mariinsky Orchestra, under the baton of Alexei Repnikov. And the overall ballet-going experience was raised to another level thanks to the complete coherence of the dancers and musicians - and that explains why many ballet companies refuse to work with local orchestras when they travel to Asian countries, which makes their visit to the region even rarer.

Alexander Golovin and Konstantin Korovin's set design featured traditional painted drops whose light colours served as a good background to Korovin's costume designs filled with vivid colours. The combination was most evident, and visually dazzling, in the kingdom of Dryads scene in the second act.

At the end, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza trotted on for more adventures, and I really hope that the next time the Mariinsky Ballet return to this region - whenever that might be - it will be an even more adventurous experience for the audience.

Although globally renowned as one of the best classical ballet companies, the Mariinsky Ballet now also has in its repertoire many contemporary works by acclaimed choreographers like William Forsythe and Angelin Projocaj. It's probably important for Asian presenters to some time show a different side of the company to give the audience a full spectrum, like the way their European and American counterparts are doing - despite the risk of lower ticket sales of course.

The annual "da:ns festival" at the Esplanade runs from October 7 to 16. Highlights include "6,000 Miles Away with Sylvie Guillem", a contemporary dance triple-bill that recently premiered at Sadler's Wells, and "Black and White" by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company, who are artists-in-residence there now. Details at www.DansFestival.com.

Classical ballet fans will also want to mark their calendars for January 19 to 21, as another prominent company, the Paris Opera Ballet, will make a rare visit to the region with "Giselle", as part of the Esplanade's ongoing da:ns series and their 10th anniversary celebration.

Special thanks to the Esplanade's corporate communications team.

MARIINSKY IN BANGKOK

The Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra perform "Le Corsaire" today and tomorrow, "Ballet Gala" on Thursday, and "Don Quixote" on Saturday and Sunday at the Thailand Cultural Centre as part of Bangkok's 13th International Festival of Dance and Music.

 Shows are 7.30pm except on Sunday when it's at 2.

Tickets cost Bt1,000 to Bt4,500 at the door or from www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

For more information, visit www.BangkokFestivals.com and www.Mariinsky.tu.

Pawit Mahasarinand

Special to The Nation

Singapore