Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre

According to the Oxford Ballet Dictionary, Yuri Grigorovich was ‘An excellent choreographer and producer’. The Dictionary writes that Volshoey Ballet was revived under the Grigorovich’s leadership.

Since the establishment of Eifman Ballet Theatre in 1977, Boris Eifman has created many masterpieces, by fusing the expressiveness of modern dance with the techniques of classical ballet. It is amazing to find the philosophical and dramatic motifs of literature in his masterpieces.

Kim Hae-Shik, dance principle of the Korean National University of Art, said, ``It is very fortunate for us to have an opportunity to watch two great choreographers’ masterpieces at the same time in Seoul.`` ``Grigorovich symbolizes the past and the present of classical ballet, whereas Eifman symbolizes the future,`` said Kim.

The Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre will come to Seoul with his most powerful and passionate masterpieces ‘Tchaikovsky’ (6pm 27th, 8pm 28th), ‘Red Giselle’ (8pm 29-30th) and ‘Karamazovs’ (8pm June 1st, 3pm & 7pm 2nd). This is the first production of ‘Karamazovs’ in Korea.

‘Red Giselle’

’Red Giselle’ is based on the tragic life of the legendary Russian ballerina Olga Spessivtseva. She was appraised as the most beautiful ‘Giselle’ in the early 20th century.

She went from being the toast of revolutionary Petrograd and was incarcerated in a mental hospital for 20 years in the U.S., until she ended her tragic life. Eifman entitled the work ‘Giselle’ after seeing Spessivtseva’s picture wearing the red veil, red shoes with white Giselle gown. Ballerina’s inner conflict and pain expressed in Giselle’s two-party dance will make audience shiver.

‘Karamazovs’

‘Karamazovs’, based on Dostoevsky`s magnificent last novel, is praised as it expresses the philosophical depth in dance. Especially in Act II, conflicts between philosophy and religion, and human instinct are expressed through dance. Total 40 ballet dancers will participate in Karamazovs. Tickets range from 15,000 won ~ 60,000 won. Ticket Link: 02-2005-0114.

‘Swan Lake’ of Korea National Ballet is popular among Korean audience. Grigorovich’s version of Swan Lake has happy ending. Knight Rothbart has a bigger role in this version. Grigorovichian style of dynamic dance scenes in Act II are also impressive. Three couples (Lee Won-Kuk & Kim Joo-Won, Jang Un-Kyu & Kim Ji-Young, Shin Moo-Sup & Kim Ji-Young) will play the role of prince Odette and Siegfried. Tickets range from 20,000 won ~ 60,000 won. Ticket Link: 02-580-1300.

Kim Gab-Sik gskim@donga.com