Summer is the time when most ballet companies go on holiday or on tour. Moscow, however, does offer dance lovers a special treat. “The Summer Ballet Festival” has just opened in the Russian capital and will run until the end of August.
As usual, the annual event will feature a number of performances on the stage of the Novaya Opera theatre. The classics of the genre – “Swan lake”, “Giselle” and “The Sleeping Beauty” – are on the programme. Four ballet troupes are taking part in the event this year: the “Russian Ballet” company, the “Classical Ballet Theatre”, as well as “Russian National Ballet”, and “Imperial Ballet”. None of these companies have their own theatre, hence they all travel the world on a permanent basis to seek an audience. Because of this, these ballet companies are better known abroad than in Russia. So the event provides a rare opportunity for Russian viewers to see their work. But the main highlight of the festival is likely to be a much anticipated performance by a young prodigy. Alex Prior is a 14- year-old composer and conductor. Since the age of eight, Alex has written over 40 pieces of music, including full symphonies, sonatas and two ballets. And he is going to premiere one of his ballets at this year’s festival.