“You’ll never confuse him with another dancer. He’s a dancer of great individuality – always clean, elegant … noble.” Marina Semyonova (the first Soviet trained Prima Ballerina, Bolshoi Ballet, on the late Maris Liepa)
Following the sensational success of the Diaghilev Festival in 2011, Saison Russes de XXIe Siècle presents yet another stunning performance at London’s Coliseum, this time a Gala in tribute to the legendary Bolshoi dancer Maris Liepa celebrating many of the legendary Liepa original commissions that have become a major part of the Bolshoi’s repertoire As a dancer Liepa was a great individualist, fusing drama and dance to dazzling effect. A highly intellectual performer, he went to great pains to achieve and portray depth in his interpretations. His work lives on through the passion of two of his children, Ilze and Andris, both of whom have danced with the Bolshoi and further their father’s fervour for historic Russian Ballet and teaching through their direction of the Maris Liepa Charitable Foundation. In this Gala they pay ultimate homage to their father’s life, and celebrate his talent and irrepressible spirit as Andris takes on the role of the Gala’s artistic director, and Ilze performs some of her father’s most celebrated work on stage. In a summer season that sees no full company visits to London by either the Bolshoi or Mariinsky Ballet companies, the Maris Liepa Gala presents the only opportunity to see some of their world-celebrated dancers perform in the capital, together with other international guest stars. Maris Liepa Gala – Sunday 29th July With international guests featuring, including the Bolshoi Ballet’s ILZE LIEPA l DMITRY GUDANOV l DENIS RODKIN the Mariinsky Theatre’s ANDREY BATALOV l VLADIMIR SHKLYAROV lEKATERINA OSMOLKINA
