Graduation Gala 2022

On May 29 and 31, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy hosted traditional Graduation Gala shows at the Historical Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. This year, the Gala shows were a part of the All-Russia Festival of Artistic University Graduates held under the aegis of the RF Culture Ministry.

The Academy put together a rich program for both gala shows – three parts comprising numbers from classical and neo-classical choreography ballets, as well as character dances. The audience got a chance to watch the Grand Pas Classique from the Paquita, the Rococo Variations (one-part ballet staged by Alexei Miroshnichenko), the Dream Scene from the Don Quixote, the Blue Bird and Princess Florina Pas-de-Deux from the Sleeping Beauty, the Forban Dance from the Corsaire, the Jeanne and Philippe Pas-de-Deux from the Flames of Paris and the Hungarian Dance from the Raymonda.

Foreign students and trainees took part in almost every number. Francesca Operto (Italy) and Petra Tettamanti (4th grade) played the parts of Cupids in the Dream Scene, whereas Hollyn Henderson (USA) played a tree nymph in the same number. Rachel Mortensen (Canada) was one of the lead dancers in the Forban Dance and, along with Daisy Wyatt, led the Hungarian Dance. Catalin Bucuresteanu, a graduate from Romania, took part in a pas-de-trois and danced in the Rococo variation.

Our compliments to all graduates and participants of the gala shows which became true festivals of dance and beauty – for performers, teachers and the audience!

Photos: Alisa Aslanova

Source: The Ballet Magazine (web edition)