Russian ballet bounds into Vilnius

  • 2005-12-21
  • By Milda Seputyte
VILNIUS - It's likely to be a very cold and snowy Dec. 31 in Vilnius this year. The temperature outside is forecast to reach minus 10 degrees Celsius, but this shouldn't stop you from saying farewell to 2005 in the most unforgettable way 's with the world renowned Moscow City Ballet. And what a way to start the New Year!


The Moscow City Ballet will perform a sampling of classical ballet at Ledo Rumai under the direction of Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, one of the world's greatest living choreographers. The company will perform some of the classical ballet repertoire's most memorable dances, among them "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcraker."

The Moscow ballet is known for its delightful productions, in which a large and youthful company of dancers demonstrate their refined skills, accompanied by the Moscow City Ballet orchestra.

The ballet company was founded in 1988 by Russian choreographer and former Bolshoi Ballet soloist Viktor Smirnov-Golovanov. Moscow's productions delight the audience with a superb demonstration of beauty and graceful dancing both at home and abroad, which makes it one of Russia's most extensively touring ballet companies.

Given that classical ballet is an important part of Russia's national heritage, the Moscow City Ballet is one of the best examples. The company is renowned for the perfection of its expression, setting high performance standards in the best traditions of classical ballet. This year, it performed Romeo & Juliet for the first time. Smirnov 'sGolovanov choreographed this magnificent production to celebrate his 70th birthday.

The company's greatest success has been in the UK, where it has given more that 1,500 performances since 1991.

With more than 50 dancers, the Moscow ballet team is drawn from graduates of some of the finest choreographic academies and schools in Russia and the Ukraine. The company also invites soloists from abroad as guest artists. They perform with both confidence and feeling, which creates an absolutely enthralling result 's beautiful to see and experience.

"Swan Lake," with its lovely music by Tchaikovsky, and "Giselle," with music by Adan, are among the repertoire highlights.

The Vilnius show will be the perfect repose for a snowy New Year's Eve. And on your way home, when treading across the snow and ice outside the Ledo Rumai, you'll find yourself breathless, not from the chill in the air but from an experience you'll most likely never forget.

Moscow City Ballet

Ledo Rumai, Vilnius

Dec. 31, 20:00

Tickets: 60-160 litas

(17-46 euros)