See Raymonda Ballet on Seoul Scene.

Staged by infamous Russia Bolshoy ballet and Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC).

Dates: Sept. 25-30
... Tickets inquiries: http://theater.ticketlink. co.kr/detail/ ... d=B0053902

-------
related article:

Bolshoi Ballet bridges Seoul-Moscow art scenes

By Lee Hyo-won

Art can be at once fluid and constant — and transcend boundaries while retaining local peculiarities and roots. Given the increasing number of cross-cultural projects, there seems to be more reason to catch the best of Russia not in Moscow but in Seoul. Local ballet fans can relish “Raymonda,” which finally premieres at Seoul Arts Center, Saturday.

This particular rendition by famed master choreographer Yuri Grigorovich will feature a mixed cast of dancers from the Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC) and Russia’s famed Bolshoi Ballet. The exchange will continue next month in Moscow, where the Korean dancers will appear at the Bolshoi Theater for the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“It’s wonderful for Korea and Russia to maintain a good relationship. It’s a joint production and will not only be a cultural event but also affect the overall dynamics between the two countries, because it’s a sign that we are interested in each other’s cultures,” Grigorovich told reporters in Seoul last Thursday.

“As much as Korean fans are looking forward to seeing Russian dancers perform, there is great anticipation back home for the Korean dancers. In addition to political exchange between the two countries, the cultural dialogue among artists from the two countries will help enable people to better understand one another,” he said.

“Raymonda” features original choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Alexander Glazunov, the two giants of the turn-of-the-20th-century Russian arts scene. Set in medieval Europe, it is a classic “Chunhyang”-style love story in which Raymonda, the beautiful fiancee of chivalrous knight Jean de Brienne, is able to withstand the seduction and threat of Lord Abderame before marrying her true love.

The production will feature KNBC’s principal dancers Kim Joo-won and Kim Ji-young as Raymonda and Kim Hyun-woong and Lee Dong-hoon as Jean de Brienne. The Bolshoi Ballet’s principal dancers Maria Allash and Alexander Volchkov, first soloist Anna Nikulina and soloist Artyom Ovcharenko will alternate roles.

While “Raymonda” is staged all over the world, Grigorovich’s authoritative 1984 reinterpretation of the piece can only be seen in certain countries.

“This is our fifth time collaborating with Mr. Grigorovich during the past 10 years, and it’s an honor (for KNBC) particularly since he hasn’t granted Japan or China the license to stage his work yet. We are indebted to him for his support, which has enabled the KNBC to grow and I can confidently say we are part of the G20 in the ballet world,” said Choi Tae-ji, artistic director of KNBC.

“It’s also a historical event for our KNBC dancers to appear in Russia as guest dancers.”

The KNBC’s four dancers will perform in the Bolshoi Ballet’s “Romeo and Juliet” in Moscow on October 7 and 8. It is the first time that members of a local troupe have been invited to appear in lead roles in the ballet capital.

“I have been working with the KNBC for years now, and I was greatly satisfied each time. These Korean dancers are top notch talent who can shine at any world-class ballet company,” said Grigorovich.

“Raymonda” will be staged from Saturday through Sept. 30 at Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost from 5,000 to 120,000 won. Call (02) 587-6181.
[email protected]