yuri possokhov

Anna Karenina, Happiness, and Dance Career Satisfaction

February 18, 2019 by 4dancers

Anna Karenina. Victoria Jaiani, Alberto Velazquez, and Joffrey ensemble. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

by Luis Eduardo Gonzalez

Anna Karenina premiered this past Wednesday at the Auditorium Theatre. The story was originally written by Leo Tolstoy in 1878, and been adapted into various media including opera, film, television, ballet, figure skating and radio drama. Yuri Possokhov took on the task of doing it for himself and as far as I’m concerned excelled. There is always more excitement as well as stress with a world premiere rather than something that has already been choreographed. There are so many aspects to work out in terms of production and seeing what does and doesn’t work on the stage, but what I have found most interesting is the way that Yuri has been able to simplify one of the most nuanced and complicated novels to fit a ballet setting without losing the essence of the story or the message that I think was originally intended by Tolstoy. The clarity that comes with having to simplify a story as nuanced as Tolstoy’s for the sake of something that works on screen or on a stage is that it makes it easier to draw the parallels and, in a way, draw a more profound correlation between the message of the story and life. The beauty of a masterpiece like Anna Karenina is that someone like Tolstoy spent most of his life writing this to articulate his thoughts and social commentary on the world around him. Having read the book, and seen a few of the movies I think specifically for us as dancers there may be more to learn from this story than initially meets the eye.

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Last Bows And New Beginnings

July 29, 2016 by Rachel Hellwig

By Rachel Hellwig

Gennadi Nedvigin in Cranko's Onegin. (© Erik Tomasson) — Gennadi Nedvigin in Cranko’s Onegin. (© Erik Tomasson)

The final performances of a career can be a difficult time in a dancer’s life, but Atlanta Ballet’s incoming artistic director, Gennadi Nedvigin, is looking toward the future.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said of his retirement in a phone interview. “But, I’m not saying goodbye. My new job is a continuation of the creational process. I’ll still be at home in the studio and part of making what happens on stage.”

Nedvigin, who completed 19 seasons with San Francisco Ballet in the spring, will perform for the last time on July 30 at DESPERTARES in Guadalajara, Mexico, an event showcasing renowned dancers including The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson, English National Ballet’s Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s Maria Kochetkova, Dutch National Ballet’s Michaela DePrince, and New York City Ballet’s Joaquin De Luz, among others.

Atlanta Ballet’s 11-year veteran Nadia Mara will join Nedvigin as his dance partner. “I wanted Atlanta Ballet to be represented at the gala,” he said. “It’s wonderful to work with Nadia and get to know her better.”

At DESPERTARES, Nedvigin will perform a piece he didn’t get the chance to dance during his career–the Nighthawk pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s contemporary ballet Swimmer. “It’s a dream come true,” said Nedvigin, who appeared in other passages of Swimmer during its premiere at San Francisco Ballet in 2015 and encore earlier this year. “It’s emotional and challenging,” he explained. “Yuri is an intuitive choreographer and this pas de deux is a story within a story.”

In an intimate preview rehearsal at Atlanta Ballet’s studios on Monday, Nedvigin and Mara performed Nighthawk, set to Tom Waits’ smoky song of longing If I Have to Go. Dressed in costumes suggesting mid-century America–a dark suit and hat for him, a vintage-style red dress for her–Nedvigin and Mara portrayed a couple struggling through an undesired goodbye. Nedvigin also shared a lighthearted solo from the other piece he and Mara will perform in, Les Lutins by Johan Kobburg. The works highlighted Nedvigin’s refinement and diaphanous jumps and Mara’s strength and sense of drama.

In a post-performance Q&A, Mara said that Nedvigin already felt like part of the company’s family. Nedvigin is likewise looking forward to the start of the season next month. “I can’t wait to begin working with these dancers,” he said. “I’m excited about the future of Atlanta Ballet.”

Gennadi Nedvigin and Nadia Mara in Nighthawk pas de deux from Nighthawks pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s Swimmer. Photo by Charlie McCullers, courtesy of Atlanta Ballet. — Gennadi Nedvigin and Nadia Mara in *Nighthawk* pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s *Swimmer*. Photo by Charlie McCullers, courtesy of Atlanta Ballet.

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Atlanta Ballet to Finish Season with “MAYhem: Kissed”

May 19, 2016 by Rachel Hellwig

Atlanta Ballet in "Classical Symphony." Photo by Kim Kenney. — Atlanta Ballet in “Classical Symphony.” Photo by Kim Kenney.

By Rachel Hellwig

Atlanta Ballet wraps up its 2015-2016 season this weekend with MAYhem: Kissed at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre from May 20-22. The mixed-repertory program will feature the world premiere of Andrea Miller‘s Push, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s El Beso, and Yuri Possokhov‘s Classical Symphony.

MAYhem: Kissed is Atlanta Ballet’s final performance under John McFall, who has led the company as artistic director since 1994. “As far as my heart, my soul, my mind, I’m always going to have a connection to Atlanta Ballet,” he told The Atlanta Journal Constitution last September.

Push by Andrea Miller “takes the different facets of human relationships and fits them in to a tapestry of movement,” says Atlanta Ballet dancer Devon Joslin.

“Andrea had us all go through these different improv exercises in order to develop each specific emotion in our dancing,” she explains. “It was a simple task, but she has this way of digging things out of you that you didn’t think you had to offer. I have a solo that’s about the shame you feel when you open yourself up to someone wholeheartedly and they don’t reciprocate. I’m not the most confident person in the world so those feelings of shame and embarrassment came more naturally. Push is emotional. It’s human. It conveys things that every person in the audience has felt or will feel at some point in his or her life.”

Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s El Beso, set to Spanish Zarzuela music, was created in 2014 for New York City’s Ballet Hispanico.“This work explores the various kinds of kisses you can have in your life: friendship, family, passion, and social kisses,” says Atlanta Ballet’s Rachel Van Buskirk. “It’s extremely fast and detailed. The movement is so musical that it makes dancing it instinctual. My favorite part is the friendship trio I dance with fellow company members Jackie Nash and Heath Gill. It’s a blast to share this with your close friends. No acting required!”

“El Beso is, in large part, an autobiographical account of the choreographer’s early life and family–and I love that aspect of it,” adds John Welker, who’s danced with Atlanta Ballet for the past 21 seasons. “There’s also a playfulness in the music and movement that’s easy to feel. I enjoy the challenge of making this quick and dense choreography appear easy and articulate. Not an easy task.”

Classical Symphony, an encore performance from last year, was created for San Francisco Ballet in 2010 by the company’s choreographer in residence, Yuri Possokhov. The work received praise from Alastair Macaulay of The New York Times for the “sheer exuberance of its often unorthodox ballet virtuosity.”

Accompanied live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Classical Symphony is performed to Sergei Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony No. 1, which debuted in 1918. “It seemed to me that if Haydn had lived into this era, he would have kept his own style while absorbing things from what was new in music,” the composer wrote.”That’s the kind of symphony I wanted to write: a symphony in the Classical style.” (He also later reused the symphony’s third movement in his iconic ballet score for Romeo and Juliet.)

“Classical Symphony is the challenge of the technique, classicism, and stamina of a traditional full-length ballet condensed into roughly a 16-minute piece,” says Jackie Nash. “It also incorporates fun modern flourishes and playful dynamics.”

In Classical Symphony, Nash will revisit a role she danced last May. “In 2015, this was the first principal part I performed, so there were some nerves that came along with the process,” she explains. “But this time around I have really liked getting to relax into the role a bit more. I also love getting to dance with Christian Clark. His skills as a partner are so refined and effortless and it allows me to really indulge in the steps. I feel I am in such good hands–literally.”

Classical Symphony is also notable in that it first brought Gennadi Nedvigin, Atlanta Ballet’s incoming artistic director, to the company when he staged the work on them in 2014. “I was drawn to the sense of community among Atlanta Ballet’s dancers,” he said in April. “And I was proud of their performance.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJcfDaSgLC8

Tickets start at $25. Purchase here or call call 404-892-3303.

“Runtime is approximately 2 hours, including 2 intermissions.

*Please note that one of the pieces on this program uses strobe lighting.” (from Atlanta Ballet’s website)

Atlanta Ballet Welcomes Gennadi Nedvigin, Announces 2016-2017 Season

April 21, 2016 by Rachel Hellwig

Yuan Yuan Tan in Yuri Possokhov’s "Firebird". Photo by Erik Tomasson, courtesy of San Francisco Ballet. — Yuan Yuan Tan in Yuri Possokhov’s “Firebird”. Photo by Erik Tomasson, courtesy of San Francisco Ballet.

By Rachel Hellwig

“I’ve wondered…what I will do after I stop dancing? Be a florist?” joked San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Gennadi Nedvigin in a media Q&A on Wednesday. “I could have performed for two or three more years,” said the soon-to-retire 39-year-old who will become Atlanta Ballet’s next artistic director in August. “But being offered this position took priority. I wanted to focus on one thing.”

“My aesthetic has been formed by the diverse range of choreographers and dancers I’ve worked with and by the diverse range of pieces I’ve performed in my career. Different styles of dance and choreography are like different languages,” he said. “The more languages you know, the better.” Drawing further upon the language parallel, the Bolshoi-trained Nedvigin related that he’s experienced the challenge of being immersed in new language environments before—first when he moved from his native Russia to dance with Le Jeune Ballet de France in France, and then again when he came to the United States to join San Francisco Ballet in 1997. “It’s like being dipped in water and forced to swim—twice,” he said.

Nedvigin will be “dipped in water” again as he transitions from dancer to director. Though this will be his debut in such a role, he has worked with Atlanta Ballet before when he staged Yuri Possokhov’s Classical Symphony on the company in 2014. “I was drawn to the sense of community among Atlanta Ballet’s dancers,” he said. “And I was proud of their performance.”

Gennadi Nedvigin (center). "Classical Symphony" rehearsal with Atlanta Ballet. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Ballet. — Gennadi Nedvigin (center). “Classical Symphony” rehearsal with Atlanta Ballet. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Ballet.

Nedvigin announced that Atlanta Ballet’s 2016-2017 season will include works the company has performed before, such as John McFall’s Nutcracker, David Bintley’s Carmina Burana, and Helen Pickett’s Camino Real, as well as mixed repertory performances he personally selected. “I’ve carefully chosen these programs. They will hint at the direction I will take the company,” he said. He also emphasized that the company will perform “classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works”– bringing to mind the “many languages” analogy again.

Among the mixed repertory programs, Gennadi’s Choice will feature his staging of selections from Paquita, the Atlanta premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Vespertine, and a world premiere by Gemma Bond. Firebird will include Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, and Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort.

What other changes might Nedvigin bring to Atlanta Ballet? He indicated that he’s open to the idea of a ranking system for the currently unranked company. “Ranking exists whether it’s announced or not,” he said. “Ranking helps give dancers recognition and it doesn’t prevent lower-ranked dancers from performing lead roles.” Another possibility he’s looking into is touring. However, he acknowledges that changes will take time and that it will be at least a few years before he begins to attain his vision for the company. One thing that won’t significantly change for the present is the roster of Atlanta Ballet’s dancers. All had their contracts renewed, though some have opted not to return in the fall.

Nedvigin will conclude his 19-year performing career with San Francisco Ballet in May as Lensky in John Cranko’s Onegin. He will succeed John McFall who retires in June after 23 years as artistic director of Atlanta Ballet. Nedvigin will be just the fourth artistic director in the history of the 87-year-old company. “It’s an honor to be joining Atlanta Ballet,” he said. “These are exciting times.”

Atlanta Ballet in Helen Pickett's "Camino Real". Photo by Charlie McCullers. — Atlanta Ballet in Helen Pickett’s “Camino Real”. Photo by Charlie McCullers.

Atlanta Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season

ATLANTA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER

December 9 – 24, 2016 | The Fox Theatre

Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Encore Presentation of David Bintley’s CARMINA BURANA

February 3 – 11, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

One Hour Family Ballet – TITLE TO BE ANNOUNCED

February 11 & 12, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Recommended for families and younger audiences.

GENNADI’s CHOICE (Mixed Repertory)

March 17 – 19, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Selections from Paquita choreographed by Marius Petipa and staged by Gennadi Nedvigin, the Atlanta premiere of Vespertine by Liam Scarlett, and a world premiere by Gemma Bond.

FIREBIRD (Mixed Repertory)

April 14 – 16, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Firebird by Yuri Possokhov, Allegro Brillante by George Balanchine, and Petite Mort by Jiří Kylián.

Encore Presentation of Helen Pickett’s Tennessee Williams-Inspired CAMINO REAL

May 12 – 14, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Choreography by Helen Pickett

Music & Sound Design by Peter Salem

Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Preview: The Joffrey Ballet: Bold Moves

February 9, 2016 by 4dancers

*The Joffrey Ballet in RAkU. Photo by Cheryl Mann*

by Catherine L. Tully

The Joffrey Ballet opens its Bold Moves program Wednesday, February 10th at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre with one world premiere and two audience favorites. The evening will feature live music from The Chicago Philharmonic, with Joffrey Music Director Scott Speck at the helm.

Joffrey Ballet in Forgotten Land — *Christine Rocas and Rory Hohenstein in Forgotten Land. Photo by Herbert Migdoll*

Jirí Kylián’s Forgotten Land is the opening piece, set for 12 dancers, with music by English composer Benjamin Britten. Last performed by the company in 2012, this well-received ballet was inspired by an Edvard Munch painting of women staring at the sea from the beach. The choreography does indeed evoke water, its many lifts and swirling motions resembling the ebb and flow of waves.

Preview of world premiere:

Another work for 12 dancers, Ashley Page’s world premiere, Tipping Point, is the next item on the program. This piece is centered around the music, Thomas Adès’ violin concerto Concentric Paths. An award-winning choreographer, Page has a strong background in ballet, but this abstract piece focuses on highlighting human behaviors that are illuminated by the shifting tensions of the score. Take a closer look at how Page came to work with Joffrey in this post on Art Intercepts.

Joffrey dances RAkU — Fabrice Calmels and Victoria Jaiani in RAkU. Photo by Cheryl Mann

RAkU is the final piece in the Bold Moves program, and it is a truly unique offering. First created for San Francisco Ballet in 2011, Yuri Possokhov’s contemporary story ballet is based on the burning of Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion. The choreographer commissioned a score by composer Shinji Eshima, and the music illuminates the love story beautifully. A stunning visual piece as well, RAkU fits nicely with the program’s theme, as it leaves quite an impression.

Bold Moves runs from February 10th through the 21st at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre.

Take a quick peek at the three program pieces here:

Atlanta Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season

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