World Ballet Stars Gala in St Petersburg


I'll be dancing In the New Year's ballet gala on December 29th at the Oktyabrsky Grand Concert Hall (BKZ) in St Petersburg with Gennadi Nedvigin in Pas de Deux from 'Giselle' and Yuri Possokhov's Pas de Deux 'Diving into the Lilacs'. Among the dancers also Svetlana Zakharova, Vladimir Malakhov, Igor Zelensky and Maria Alexandrova. Here are some links (sorry, it's in russian, but has a pretty photo): Review Review

San Francisco Chronicle's 'Best of Dance in 2008'

"HIGH: San Francisco Ballet's Maria Kochetkova in "Giselle" (Feb. 19): Tiny, delicate and irrepressibly sweet, the Russian-trained Kochetkova broke our hearts. Cutting through all the hype of San Francisco Ballet's forward-looking 75th season, the company's doll-like new principal gave a performance to remember for a lifetime."
The best of dance in 2008, Rachel Howard

Giselle: San Francisco Ballet in Washington DC

©Erik Tomasson I'll be dancing the opening night of Giselle with Joan Boada on the 28th November at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. I'm also dancing 'Within the Golden Hour' on the 25th November. Giselle reviews:
"During its Friday night opening, the young Miss Kochetkova had the ethereal grace, lovely line and strong technique for the part. She is an entrancing Giselle at the beginning of her career and undoubtedly will make her own distinctive mark as she grows in the role." The Washington Times
"The coveted opening night of "Giselle" is going to a relative newcomer to the company, Maria Kochetkova. "She's a very young Russian girl who's been with me over a year now," says Mr. Tomasson, 66. "She is absolutely beautiful in 'Giselle,' and I'm having her dance opening night because she hasn't been seen here before."" The Washington Times
"Maria Kochetkova's Giselle was all delicacy, with exquisitely formed positions and toes of steel." The Washington Post
Within the Golden Hour reviews:
"In the third duet, the amazing Maria Kochetkova and Joan Boada, illuminated by a subtle blue light, mirrored each other’s steps with carefree spontaneity in what looked like a game or contest." Ballet.co
The American Tour: Washington DC

San Francisco Ballet - Giselle

"Balletomanes in the ornate lobby of the San Francisco War Memorial seemed busy Saturday evening, discussing what will happen in a few days. Instead of focusing on the business at hand, the opening of the "Giselle" revival with the "A cast," talk was all about the coming role debut Tuesday of Bolshoi's/Royal Ballet's Maria Kochetkova, to be partnered by Joan Boada." The Examiner
"The buzz among serious ballet watchers is for Maria Kochetkova, who will make her company debut as Giselle on Tuesday." San Francisco Chronicle
"Maria Kochetkova did not disappoint in San Francisco Ballet’s “Giselle” last night. Yes, she is tiny, porcelain-skinned, and feather light, but the key to her interpretation was this: You could see how much trust she was putting in her Albrecht, and just how dangerous and exhilarating that trust was. When Albrecht sat on the bench next to her, when she counted out the “he-loves-me-he-loves-me-not” flower petals–none of this happened with a coy flutter of lashes, but instead with swallows of fear. Even little passages like the series of piques where she kisses her fingers and they touch hands became not mere flirtations, but tests–can I trust you?–followed by not just romantic elation, but relief. Her Albrecht Joan Boada nuzzled her like a kitten he’d taken in from the cold, while in his rakish excitement we saw the mounting danger, that he did not realize the magnitude of sin he was committing in toying with such a delicate soul. The first act was pure drama, and rightly so, Kochetkova’s technique unostentatious–even her fleet jumps seemed an expression of Giselle’s irrepressible joy in dancing, not feats for their own sake. Surprisingly, Kochetkova does not have a huge arabesque penchee to dazzle us with, but in the second act, she called on that buoyant jump again, a benevolent wisp in the air on that series of changements with one foot in coupe. Meanwhile, Boada was in good form with beautiful feet and a stretch that reaches well beyond his small proportions. He was an extravagantly penitent Albrecht, replacing the fluttering beaten jumps that so pierced the heart in Tiit Helimets’ interpretation with an odd run of frenzied brisees. The final moments were telling. In Yuan Yuan Tan’s performance, as Giselle sunk back into the grave, Tan lolled her head as though to protest leaving him, almost like Odette in the second act of “Swan Lake.” In Kochetkova’s final moments, she gazed upon Albrecht lovingly, but she did not shake in protest of their separation. She accepted it–and everything: his betrayal of her, his penitence. This was not a tragic final parting, but a bittersweet one. It seemed to me perfectly in character. And it made this performance of “Giselle” one I will never forget." Rachel Howard
"Maria Kochetkova, the company's new prima ballerina direct from Russia, turned in a company debut performance that was instantly legendary." SF Mike
Performances: Tuesday, Feb 19th, 8pm Saturday, Feb 23rd, 8pm

SFB work and other stuff...

We have started Giselle a few weeks ago and new Julia Adams ballet this week. Helgi has finished his new ballet last week and i really enjoyed working on it, it's really hard too ...:) Tomorrow night is MySpace opening party in MOMA and i am going to go but i need to find a company for MySelf