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Mariinsky
Ballet principal dancers Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim return for Ballet
Manila's La Bayadere
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Two
of the world’s most celebrated ballet artists will once again step onto the
Philippine stage to give Filipino audiences a glimpse of their extraordinary
and world-renowned artistry, passion and technical brilliance.
This
August, Ballet Manila brings back ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin
Kim, principal dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, to breathe new life into the
timeless classic, La Bayadère happening at the Aliw Theater on
August 14 at 8 PM, and on August 15 and 16 at 5PM.
Notably,
their return solidifies Ballet Manila’s long-standing mission of bringing
world-class ballet closer to the Filipino audiences, giving local theatergoers
a rare chance to witness internationally celebrated performers in the country.
“We
are very excited to welcome Renata and Kimin back to Ballet Manila,” exclaimed
Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s founder and artistic director. She
recalls with pride last year’s successful run of Don Quixote which
starred the formidable duo. “Their performances in Don Quixote were
truly unforgettable, and the response from Filipino audiences was overwhelming.
It was a delight to see our audiences embrace them so warmly, and I know many
have been looking forward to seeing them perform here again.”
Kim
and Shakirova bring exceptional credentials to the production. Shakirova, whose
extraordinary talent was recognized early on, is already a recipient of the
prestigious 2025 Benois de la Danse award – touted as the “Ballet Oscar.” The
Tashkent, Uzbekistan-native is highly regarded for her musicality, dramatic
depth, and commanding presence; thus, establishing herself as one of the
Mariinsky’s top prima ballerinas.
Conversely,
Kim started ballet relatively late – at around 10 years old – but made his mark
as the first foreign male principal dancer in the Mariinsky Ballet’s
history. He is also highly acclaimed worldwide for his remarkable
athleticism and precise technique. As a pair, they are just as impressive having
won the Russia-Kultura TV’s Grand Ballet competition in 2016.
The couple are no strangers to La Bayadère,
one of the celebrated masterpieces in ballet. Set in ancient India, the story
follows the tragic love story of the temple dancer (bayadère) Nikiya and the
warrior Solor. The High Brahmin (high priest), who is also in love with Nikiya,
learns of her relationship with Solor and asks the Rajah to kill Solor. But his
plan backfires when the Rajah orders Nikiya to be killed instead. The classic
melodramatic love triangle spans both the mortal world and afterlife.
At the Mariinsky Theatre, Kim regularly performs
the role of the noble warrior Solor, while Shakirova has portrayed both the
Nikya and the regal Gamzatti, highlighting her versatility that has earned her
international acclaim.
“Renata and Kim’s extensive experience with La
Bayadère promises Filipinos audiences a moving and authentic interpretation of
Marius Petipa’s enduring masterpiece. We hope that by the end of the show, the
audience will have a renewed love for ballet,” concluded Lisa Macuja Elizalde.
Stay
up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events
by visiting Ballet Manila’s website www.balletmanila.com.ph or
Ticketworld page www.ticketworld.com.ph
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