The Jerusalem Ballet presents an International Ballet Stars Gala in honor, and in memory of renowned ballerina Nina Timofeyeva (1935 – 2014), star of the Bolshoi, and founder of the Jerusalem Ballet. 10 principals and leading dancers from the Bolshoi, La Scala Theatre, Dortmund Ballet, Mikhailovsky Theatre, Mariinsky Theatre and Vienna State Opera, will perform an evening of solos and duets from classical and neoclassical ballets, as well as the world premiere of a new work by Ivan Vasiliev. The gala evening will take place on Monday, September 4, 2017, at the ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center at 20:00.
On the program:
Svetlana Zahkarova Principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre (Russia) and étoile at the La Scala Theatre (Italy) and Dennis Rodkin Principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre (Russia) will perform the Le Corsaire pas de deux, as well as a solo performance by Zahkarova of Revelation, choreographed by Motoko Hirayam to John Williams’ music for the film Schindler’s List.
Lucia Lacarra Principal dancer of the Dortmund Ballet (Germany) and Marlon Dino Principal dancer of the Dortmund Ballet (Germany) will perform Swan Lake Act II – The Adagio, and Spiral Twist, choreographed by Russell Maliphant, with music by Max Richter.
Ivan Vasiliev Principal dancer of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, St. Petersburg (Russia) and Kristina Kretova Leading dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre (Russia) will perform a Pas de deux from Don Quixote, and the world premiere of a new work choreographed by Ivan Vasiliev.
Maria Eichwald Principal dancer with leading companies in Germany and Roman Lazik Principal dancer of the Vienna State Opera (Austria) will perform a pas de deux from the ballet Manon, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, and Prisonnier, choreographed by Roland Petit. The dancers have received special permission to perform these works at the gala evening in Jerusalem.
Marianna Rizhkina Principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre (Russia) and Timur Askerov Principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre (Russia) will perform La Sylphide pas de deux, choreographed by August Bournonville in 1836, and the Adagio from The Legend of Love Act II, choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich.
Nina Timofeyeva
Nina Timofeyeva was born in Leningrad in 1935. Her mother was a rehearsal pianist for the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, and young Nina began studying ballet there at age 10. Following her graduation, Timofeyeva joined the Kirov Ballet, where she was cast as Odette/Odile at the age of 19. She joined the Bolshoi Ballet in 1956, performing with the company at Covent Garden in London in the fall of that year, garnering attention and praise from critics. Known both for the perfection of her technique as well as her dramatic ability, Timofeyeva imprinted her distinctive style on several roles. She originated the role of the courtesan Aegina, in Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus (1968). Entwining her legs around a javelin, she rendered the rebellious slaves helpless before her sensuality, winning the battle for her lover, the emperor Crassus. Prior to that role, one of her many star turns was as Queen Mekhmene Banu in Grigorovich’s Legend of Love, and excerpt from that ballet will be performed at the gala. Another memorable role was as Lady Macbeth in Vladimir Vasiliev’s 1980 ballet. Timofeyeva immigrated to Israel with her mother and her daughter Nadya in 1991, founding the Jerusalem Ballet and school in 2004.
In addition to the international soloists, students of the Jerusalem Ballet and the Jerusalem Ballet School will perform at the gala. The gala evening was initiated and directed by Marina Neeman, CEO of the Jerusalem Ballet, and Jerusalem Ballet School, and under the artistic direction of Nadya Timofeyeva, Artistic Director and co-founder of the Jerusalem Ballet.
The International Ballet Stars Gala will take place on Monday, September 4, 2017, at the ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center, at 20:00. Tickets range from 154 – 354 NIS, and may by ordered online from Bimot, or call the Bimot box office *6226.
