Debuts in Don Quixote

Scene from the ballet Don Quixote

In the evening Timur Askerov will be making his debut in a lead role. The role of Basilio is a treasured dream for many young dancers. There is great scope for both acting and for demonstrating technique – something that makes it particularly attractive for young performers. Many brilliant dancers of the 20^th and 21^st centuries who have danced this role have enhanced the choreographic text of virtuoso variations with “tricks” and expressive elements of their own, displaying their abilities in all their glory. The appearance of a new performer somehow leads us to ask whose version of the variation he will choose in the popular wedding pas de deux. And, of course, it is always interesting to see if “newcomers” have the temperament required to be the centre of attention of this incredibly colourful and emotional ballet, if their acting is natural and fitting and whether their technique serves the imagery rather than being an end in itself...

In the evening performance the role of the Street Dancer will be performed for the first time by Anastasia Petushkova with Nelli Smirnova and Daria Ustyuzhanina making their debuts as the Flower Sellers. In the matinee performance Kumiko Ishii will perform the variation for the first time and Roman Belyakov will appear in the Fandango.