"Национальный интерес: балет", Россия 1, автор и ведущая Екатерина Кузнецова, 2014 г.

Борис Мездрич, директор Новосибирского театра оперы и балета
Сергей Полунин, постоянный приглашенный солист Новосибирского театра оперы и балета
Анна Жарова, народная артистка РФ, солистка Новосибирского театра оперы и балета
в программе о новосибирском балете.
Смотрите интервью и фрагменты из балетов "Спартак" и "Щелкунчик"

[@oldoperafan_in_London]

Sergei looks superb in these excerpts. I would so like to see the whole performance with him.

[@MrQbenDanny]

Gracias OldOperaFan for sharing!!!! You know how happy seeing this made me!!! Who is the tremendous ballerina!!! I love her!!! A great Phrygia!!!!

[@oldoperafan_in_London]

MrQbenDanny She is Anna Zharova. Later today I shall put up a short synopsis of what the two soloists are saying.

[@oldoperafan_in_London]

MrQbenDanny Sergei had apparently always longed to dance the role, says the commentator, and so although he had announced he would leave ballet for good, he has made an exception for Novosibirsk.. He then says that prior to filming a series, he decided to temporarily return to ballet for three months, and particularly in the last month he was burning with desire to dance again. He says there were some roles he had not yet danced (unfinished business), and he wanted to perform them or else he would regret not having done so. Spartacus is his most favourite ballet, When he was little, he watched a Mosfilm recording with Vasiliev *every day*, and actually was learning to dance from it. So he considers it an honour to dance this ballet in Novosibirsk. Asked if his performance would resemble Vasiliev's, he replies that a lot would be similar, because he wanted to pay homage to Vasiliev, but a lot would be his own interpretation. He says he usually dances from the soul, according to his mood at the time, and so will perform on stage what he feels at the moment, And so it will be Grigorovich's choreography, part Vasiliev's rendition, and some of his own. He had recently taken part in a documentary aiming to show multifaceted life in Russia "in good light", and is particularly happy they filmed him here, in Novosibirsk, where he dances not for the money or whatever; but because he likes it there. He had agreed with the director he would be helping to coach students. He would be doing this in Russia during the three months. [NB Meantime I read on Facebook that sadly, his two performances in Swan Lake in Saratov in early December had to be cancelled due to injury.] National artist Anna Zharova is dancing the role just four months after the birth of her second daughter. Against the predictions of doctors. When interviewed, this would be her first performance. She compares her elation to the time when after graduating from ballet academy, she appeared on stage for the first time in a real performance, which was the first big event in her life, then two more events when the two daughters were born, and now she is returning to her favourite ballet role. Dancing for her is a vital necessity. She is happy to continue with her life's work, as is her destiny, and one she is good at. .

[@MrQbenDanny]

oldoperafan Thank you for this detailed synopsis!!! All I have to say is that this Spartakus is my favorite, it is titanic in its dramatic intensity, so rich and nuanced. Of course it will always belong to Vladimir the way Dying Swan belongs to Pavlova. I appreciate them all including the majestic power of Mukhanedov and Semenyaka.. I have a message for Sergei, You better film Le Spectre de la Rose!!!! Thanks OOFan for all your work, it is appreciated.

[@oldoperafan_in_London]

MrQbenDanny I too have a message for Sergei: Do not leave ballet, please.