By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A RARE opportunity to witness a leading Russian ballet company perform a classic tale will come to Geelong next month.
The highly-acclaimed and respected Moscow Ballet La Classique will tour Australia for the first time with Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty.
The company, which artistic director Elik Melikov established in 1990, has earned a reputation for wonderful ballet skills, lavish costumes and magnificent stage sets.
The ballet’s production of Sleeping Beauty will take Australian audiences on a mystical journey to the fairytale world of Princess Aurora in a two-act performance aimed at thrilling ballet lovers of all ages.
Speaking to the Independent from Russia with the help of an interpreter, Melikov described the ageless story of Sleeping Beauty, first performed in 1892, as “eternal art”.
“We all know people enjoy the sculptures, monuments and canvasses produced by artists a long time ago.
“Sleeping Beauty is the same, enjoying popularity all over the world. Even after 300 or 500 years, classics such as this will still be popular.”
Melikov noted that Australian audiences were keen to experience the arts, with most towns, large or small, boasting a theatrical venue.
“It means people manifest an interest in the arts and theatre in particular and they will go to enjoy themselves and classical ballet has its own allure.”
Melikov trained as a ballet dancer in his childhood, performing leading roles in company productions.
A graduate of Moscow Art University, he instigated many works of monumental and decorative art in Moscow and other cities, including Russia’s Palace of Culture.
Melikov hoped t his ballet company would continue touring after visiting Australia.
“There is a great love of Australian audiences for the Russian ballet and we’re happy to have the opportunity to bring it to Australia.”
Moscow Ballet La Classique will perform Sleeping Beauty at Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s Playhouse theatre on 11 May.
