Western and Soviet ballet through the eyes of Darcey Bussell

What makes Russian ballet a worldwide "brand"?
Although ballet originated in France and Italy, it was perfected in Russia. Russia’s contribution to ballet brought about huge changes in how the dance form was perceived, infusing it with a drama, intensity, and danger never before seen in the theatres of Europe.
It is Russia's national honor. Russian dancers are chosen from a young age, so their education is integral.
Watch the full documentary: • Darcey Bussell: A Ball...
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[@duben55]

It was Agrippina Vaganova who singlehandedly saved Russian Ballet for posterity by fearlessly walking to the government officials and presenting her vision of transforming Russian ballet into a Soviet ballet. They bought it. We all ow Vaganova a great deal.

[@joerogers415]

My god,she’s stunning!

[@kaythomas8521]

La Bayadare... Can't get enough of it. The magnificent. Music 🎵🎵🎵🎵 Is too gorgeous. Emotionally stirring and memorizing

[@oughtonoughton2634]

im so happy to say i have seen this darling very talented dancer several times , What a complete beauty xx Her dance talent is beyond compare im so happy shes British lol to all fans Jane xxx

[@erpollock]

See how the dancers are lined up in back immobile like wallpaper. This is the Russian style that must have been the style 100 years ago and more. Which Balanchine saw and learned and rejected. Balanchine is famous for using all the dancers, they all dance, including the corps de ballet. That was his revolution.

[@erpollock]

I agree with me!

[@bambamcello]

The music at 6:42😍Those cellos at 7:28 are so beautiful.

[@marymohagheghi4875]

I just when her coach catches her in the De hor turs❤❤

[@erpollock]

Very interesting to hear there is a clear difference between Soviet ballet and Russian ballet. The "Soviet" dancer who emigrated many years ago knew the Soviet style, which eliminated mime. I hope Russian ballet has restored mime to these ballets.

[@Roheryn100]

It clarified some puzzles I had ! I admit I know nothing about ballet, but I have been binge watching Sleeping Beauty excerpts on KZbin. I was puzzled why the Royal Ballet mime about Carabosse’s curse and Aurora’s parents’ reaction was so clear and their horror unmistakeable. But when I watched the Kirov and the Kiev versions, her parents seemed unmoved. So…it was because they didn’t do mime ! Similarly at Covent Garden the Lilac Fairy was QUITE clear that NO, Aurora would not die. In Russia, it was barely indicated. Very interesting about the aloofness of the Soviet ballerinas…

[@erpollock]

The Russian ballets have definitely restored mime! It is a crucial theatrical part of Russian ballet.

[@Ivan-ft1gg]

Beautiful documentary. I love it. Some ballet lover could tell me if he knows, in what year did Darcey and Zelenky dance La bayadere at the Mariinsky? Thank you so much

[@sallygardiner7150]

Joy Womack (American) trained at the Bolshoi Ballet. When she went into the company, she was told by the artistic director, that she would never advance unless she "put herself out". That was when the shocking news broke at how the dancers were abused; parties were given for the sponsors, and the dancers were expected to make themselves "available" Go with it, or lose your work, A culture that had been habitual for a very long time. Joy left and joined the Kremlin Ballet as a principal dancer. So maybe not surprising that Darcey, as a westerner, was made to feel uncomfortable: who knows how tough their careers are.

[@operaguy1]

Seriously? You are claiming that a dancer was told to have sex with whomever, or lose work? It is a major atrocity and crime to do that. You'd better have proof. {Don't say "I didn't say sex.")

[@purplestringsmariamichelac3391]

@@operaguy1 I saw an interview of the current director of Vaganova Academy (Nikolay Tsyskaridze) saying that. If I remember correctly, he was talking about the Bolshoy.

[@charm-eo3kx]

Sad to hear that she wasn't treated very well by the other Kirov dancers. You cannot help but like her. The Russians need to broaden their outlook, the attitude is disappointing, they dont own ballet.

[@erpollock]

The Russian male dancer is fantastic, very masculine and strong. What is his name? Igor? And he said he likes Darcey best as a partner! The other Russian ballerinas of course don't like her, it's jealousy that she is taking some of their performances. She is too good, although Western.

[@lorrainehamilton5051]

Igor Zelensky

[@Jeeate]

Now Putin's son in law.

[@kathrynmariani5825]

I love her Spirit❤

[@MCRice-el7os]

what so many do not realize - russian dancer of that time(I don't know now) were government emloyee- if someone defected they actually lost pension, healthcare insurance etc. not just Mama and Papa kind of like going AWOL in American armed force

[@TheMumsel]

Frankly i didn’t expect somebody will be seriously quoting angry immigrants opinions about “Russian and Soviet” ballet, it is so stupid! Soviet ballet was a direct descendant of Russian ballet just because all main ballet figures stayed at Russia and continued their work. And ballet was and is one of the most respected profession here. About dismissive looks towards Darcey - are British or any other ballerinas happy when they are substituted by guest stars, snatching their parts? Even within one theatre there always is rivalry between dancers. Is it inevitable for Brits to always diminish everything Russian and yet to use it?

[@frankiewally1891]

what a claptrap you blabbing ;they were state employees, do you understand the difference. You might not as I suppose you are an American ...?

[@Roheryn100]

⁠@@TheMumselRegarding guest artists as “ role snatchers” seems a rather xenophobic attitude anywhere. Isn’t cross pollination good ? Otherwise the art exists in a small, stuffy and airless vacuum. Little wonder Nureyev and Baryshnikov needed to defect….

[@galekelsey224]

Lovely...🥲🩰💗

[@erpollock]

Comparing a Russian performance of Flames of Paris pas de deux by principals of American Ballet Theater (Gillian Murphy and Ethan Stiefel) to the same pas by Russian stars (Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev) - immediately you see the Russian dancers are more extreme, dangerous, and thrilling. While the American principals are better behaved and perform beautifully - but they are not the athletes that the Russian dancers are. One wonders if there are injuries among Russian dancers after 20 years of such stress. Well, Russia KZbins wouldn't tell you!

[@nicolahodges8547]

Those mean Russians being dismissive to our lovely Darcey!

[@kathymyers7279]

Joy Womack has shared from same kind of experience there. As well as Christopher Wheeldon .

[@erpollock]

@@kathymyers7279 Yes, I have seen their training of young and child dancers, and the teachers are really brutal. There is no kindness. But being a ballet dancer in Russia, if you achieve that level, is a life's career.

[@MegaMesozoic]

It's really insecurity - they believe, and with reason, to think they're the world's best, then along comes someone like Darcey who can dance just as well!

[@sedekiman824]

@@MegaMesozoic If not better.

[@iskander21024]

The thing is that we have hundreds of Darceys.