One Odette and One Odile: “Swan Lake” in February

Despite having seen the Mariinsky’s “Swan Lake” hundreds of times, it has been, surprisingly, quite some time since VaganovaToday has covered one. Covid and other life events have intervened, but on February 1st, a unique opportunity arose to watch some of the Mariinsky’s brightest stars in the leading roles of this Tchaikovsky classic.

Exquisite lines and proportions are the hallmarks of both Oksana Skorik, who danced Odette, and Nikita Korneev, who performed the role of Prince Siegfried. This onstage couple are frequently paired together and have achieved a flawless synastry in their respective roles. Skorik, with impeccable lines and meticulous placement, is perhaps the highest echelon of a ballet physique across the world today.Her legs etch lines that few can match, and she adjusts the issue of her steps to draw out certain phrases or accent others. Korneev, blessed with a handsome visage and soft princely demeanor, carries himself like royalty with a large heart. His longing for something beyond mere earthly love is palpable in all of the Act 1 gestures, but equally important, he carries out the attitude pirouettes in his first variation with smooth nonchalance. Together they set an incredible standard for other Odette/Sigfried duos. Following an irreproachable White Adagio, Skorik unfortunately became injured during Odette’s variation. Yet she completed Act 1 without wavering, and was replaced for the rest of the performance by Maria Iliushkina.

The sparks did not stop with this last minute change in plan. Iliushkina’s Odile — assured, cunning, and devilishly beautiful — entered with confidence, distracting Korneev’s Prince, luring him into both dance and love. Their Black Swan duet scintillated with energy. Blessed with a deep plié and gorgeous lines, Korneev attached his set of split jetés in the manege with strength and aplomb. Iliushkina completed the challenging Black Swan variation and 32 fouettés as if they were second nature.

And the two then went on to explore the soulful love of Act 3.

The supporting roles carried equal weight during this performance. A bouyant Vladislav Khodasevich performed a tireless Jester throughout the first 2 acts, his humor adding the necessary balance to the plot. Three powerhouses performed the Act 1 Pas de Trois: Anastasia Lukina, Elena Svinko, and Alexei Timofeyev, making this challenging section appear light and joyful. Evan Capitaine embodied the cold-hearted wizardry of Rothbart with the flighty movements of a dark bird — with plenty of ballon in his jumps — and the evil gaze of a crafty magician.

And the slender lines of both Vlada Borodulina and Svetalana Savelieva lent the Act 3 legato solos a melancholy beauty.

This last minute replacement did not deter from the highest level of professionalism from all involved. Special consideration should be extended to Nikita Korneev for retaining a princely demeanor while changing partnersseamlessly, and still managing to deliver an ideal performance.

We hope that Ms. Skorik’s injury is short lived and that we can see this heroine onstage again as Odette and Odile soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Photos by Natasha Razina (c) The Mariinsky Theatre