Don Quixote Tickets

The Imperial Russian Ballet's production of Don Quixote will be a night to remember.

Hailed by theatregoers in New Zealand as "one of the best ballets they have seen" this full production of one of the repertoire's timeless classics sees more than 40 dancers at the height of their powers perform a story backed with romance, derring-do and high comedy.

Don Quixote was written by Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes and published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615. It is considered one of the most influential work of literature, and its impact is still felt today: many of us use the word "Quixotic" or the phrase "tilting at windmills", based on a wildly funny scene in the book, even if we don't know their source.

The ballet tells the story of Alonso Quijano, an ageing Spanish nobleman who reads so many novels on chivalry, romance, princesses and knights, that he starts to lose touch with reality. He takes it upon himself to revive chivalry under the name Don Quixote, so chosen because it rhymes with Lanzarote (Lancelot), one of the more famous Knights from history. As Don Quixote, Alonso imagines himself as a brave Knight in search of the lady of his dreams, Dulcinea, a local farm girl he had once loved.

Accompanied by a simple peasant farmer - his faithful squire Sancho Panza - Don Quixote sets off on their adventures. Along the way he leads a charge against imaginary enemies, he fights castles thinking they are giants, he pays homage to gypsy kings and takes part in castle festivities.

The Moscow-based Imperial Russian Ballet Company is highly regarded world-wide for its interpretations of classic masterpieces. Its version of Don Quixote proudly follows in this tradition, and is a must-see event for lovers of dance, theatre and spectacle.

The Imperial Russian Ballet was formed in 1994 by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist, Gediminas Taranda. They have staged classic masterpieces in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Mossovet Theatre. The home venue for the troupe when they perform in Moscow is now the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre.

Ballet Virtuosity stuns audience

"An astounding and exhilarating three-hour programme brought most ballet fans to their feet last night. Perhaps the few who remained seated were simply stunned by excess, as this touring ballet treasure trove heaped pleasure upon delight, capping virtuosity with even more outstanding steps, leaps and turns. This was a superlative exhibition from the principals and corps of a highly accomplished company that managed to balance formidable athleticism with traditional grace and comportment." Richard May, The Evening Standard


PRINCIPALS & SOLOISTS

Nariman Bekzhanov

Nariman was born in the Russian Federation in 1983. In 2000 he joined the Jung Classical Ballet Company under the direction of Bulat Ayuhupov and studied there until 2002. He then attended the Alma-Ata Ballet Academy graduating as the Top Student of the School. Since 2005, he has been Principal Soloist for all of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company's presentations, his dance technique has been compared to the great Rudolf Nureyev.

In 2008, he was awarded the "Knight of the Third Class of Diaghilev Medal" for his contribution to the development of Russian Culture.

Lina Seveliova

Lina was born in Moldova in 1990. She trained for nine years at the National Choreography College in Chi?inau, the capital of Moldova. There she received honours in competitions including the International Youth Classical Dance Competition.

Lina then went on to train at the Academy of Music Theatre and Fine Arts, where she received a Municipal Youth Award in the Arts. She has worked as a soloist at the Moldovian National Opera & Ballet, before joining the Imperial Russian Ballet Company in 2010.

Radamaria Nazarenco-Duminica

Radamaria was born in the Republic Of Moldova in 1983 and she was educated at the State Ballet School of Moldova which she attended from 1991 - 2000. She then joined the Academy of Arts in Moldova and graduated in 2004. Radamaria has danced in many festivals including the Estonian Birgitta Festival and the Croatian Istria Festival in 2010. She has been with the Imperial Russian Ballet Company since 2009 and has danced as the following principal roles:

Giselle - Giselle, Peasant Pas de deux
The Nutcracker - Clara, Columbine
Swan Lake - Odette-Odile, Pas de Trois, Four Swans, Brides, Hungarian Dance
Sleeping Beauty - Princess Florine, Audacity
Cinderella - Cinderella

Anna Pashkova

Anna was born in 1983 in Kuybishev, Russia. She attended the Perm State Ballet School and graduated with a First Class Degree in 2001. Her graduation performance was as Swanilda in "Coppelia". Anna's dance style is notably charismatic with a dramatic nature and a bright, explosive stage presence. She successfully handles classic and modern style repertoires.

Anna has been a principal soloist with the Imperial Russian Ballet Company since 2002 and has starred in a number of the company's performances including the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and as Kitri in Don Quixote.

Alexandru Balan

Alexandru was born in the Republic of Moldova in 1983. He studied at the State Ballet School of Moldova between 1997 and 2002 then left to study at the Academy of Music Theatre and Arts until 2006.

Alexandru has worked at the Chisinau National Ballet Theatre of Opera and Ballet and joined the Russian Imperial Ballet Company in 2009.

CAST

Don Quixote - Daniil Kolmin

Kitri - Lina Seveliova/Radamaria Nazarecno-Duminica

Basilio - Nariman Bezkhanov/Alexandru Balan

Sancho Panza - Denys Simon

Lorenzo - Vitautas Taranda

Gamache - Nikita Nechaev

Toredor Espada - Alexandru Balan/Nariman Bekzhanov

Street Dancer - Anna Pashkova/Alisa Porturaeva

Hostess Amurchik - Radamaria Duminica/Nasiiat Begalieva

Chief of Gypsies - Dinu Blmaga