#nadezdha batoeva

[tikitania]

just looked at the mariinsky staff webpage and i'm amazed at how old some of the people there are! they have a coach who graduated from the class of agrippina vaganova herself in 1948 which would make her roughly 93 years old?? her page says she coached ludmila kovaleva who is now an elderly woman herself. that's crazy. I can't comprehend having so much passion for one thing to work to the age of 93 and beyond.

I can only imagine the reverence they have for a coach of her experience and wisdom. She is likely one of the last living links to Vaganova. I believe that Tsikaridze has created an ongoing oral history of interviews with these legendary dancers and coaches, getting their stories recorded before they die.

A while ago, I came across this video of Kekisheva, whom I believe you are referring, as she coaches Batoeva as in the DQ PDD. I so wish it were subtitled! But I loved watching it regardless.

[ballet-symphonie]

Who do you think is going to carry the Mariinsky's name after Tereshkina retires? I honestly think is going to be Skorik and Shakirova. Mainly because Kondaurova, Vishneva, Novikova and Somova are almost the same age and will probably retire soon. Leaving the more younger ones to the next years. I know Skorik had a rough start but oh boy she is a prima!! She is definitely the prima they talk about when they say one is only born in every generation. (I'm gonna continue this in another ask lol)

Also, there is Nagahisa, Batoeva, Evseva, Shirinkina and Shapran, but I don't see them becoming the Mariinsky. There's Osmolkina and Matvienko that will probably retire as well. Among the second soloists I think the good ones will retire, but Bulanova, Iliushkina and maybe Lukina will shine through, but only time can tell. I really like Guseinova and Ionova, but among the coryphees and corps, I keep my hopes high for Chernyvskaya, Mazzi and Smirnova (even though Im not seeing much ofher lately).

It should be Skorik IMO, she has blossomed into a truly complete artist, yet there are roles that mgmt doesn't like to give her. Namely Aurora, DQ, and even sometimes Medora. She went 5 years without dancing Aurora until earlier last year (the performance was fab of course). But I mention that because as fabulous as she is, I don't think is going to be completely 'carrying' the MT because her rep that she is 'comfortably' dancing is smaller. She's not the direct replacement for Tereshkina, it's going to be a combination of people.

I'm a big fan of Batoeva, she's stable and charming in classical AND contemporary and I think she just might end up being in the right place at the right time if she keeps going. I like Shakirova too, but mgmt isn't quite as supportive of her as I think they should be. Where is her Paquita? Medora? Gamzatti? I think she has plenty of capabilities in dramatic roles as well, but mgmt seems unwilling to even give her other soubrette-type roles...I'm hoping she will eventually get promoted but I'm less sure.

Bulanova could end up taking over a lot of Kondaurova's rep, they both excel at the dramatics. And while Iliushkina isn't at Lopatkina's level, I think she could develop quite a name for herself in more lyrical roles. I'm still shaking from her Nikiya. I'm waiting for Nagahisa's full Aurora, I think that will be very telling. I'm also hoping for Khiteeva to have a somewhat Obraztsova-like career.

Smirnova I know was pretty ill, missed a lot of performances but is now back! I have high hopes for her too, someone with that kind of jump doesn't come around all the time. Also she was kicking butt in her very first season at Mik with 3 or 4 principal roles, the girl thrives under pressure.

While Evseva, Shirinkina and Shapran are all gifted artists, I don't see any of them moving up at this stage. I agree that Osmolkina and Mativenko will retire soon as well. The rest of the names you mentioned are too green to make any sort of judgement.

Of ourse, there's a name missing from your question, we all know who MT is pushing to lead the theatre right now.

[enchanted-keys]

Nadezdha Batoeva in Giselle’s mad scene (Mariinsky Ballet)