Hi there! In the MT, who would you like to see debut as Odile and Odette? Also, who would you like to see debut as Raymonda?
That is such a good question! The easy answer to both is Shakirova! But she's debuting O/O on June 6th, so maybe that disqualifies her from my list of possible candidates?! However, I wanted to think about it more deeply. Who has the temperament, technique, and acting ability for those roles. Who's ready and could perform these roles on (arguably) the greatest ballet stage in the world in front of the the most discerning audiences? Who would I like to see cast? So for O/O, Bulanova. She's already danced the Black Swan PPD in a few different divertissements. I'd love to see her spread her wings, so to speak, in the lyricism of Odette. Although I think it would be a long time before MT actually gives her this opportunity, my heart lobbies for it. My dark horse pick for this would be Chernavskaya. She's got the loveliest lines and dramatic flair. I suspect she's not quite ready but she could be in a few years, she's getting roles (Carmen soon!) and clearly management sees something in her. I think she's interesting. As for Raymonda, Lukina. She's danced both Aurora and Medora successfully. Raymonda feels like a natural next step - a princess role but with some Magyar exoticism thrown in. But I'm somewhat shocked to discover that Batoeva has not yet danced Raymonda. (What? How? Way overdue!) My dark horse: Khiteeva. She's got tremendous charisma. The clips I saw of her in Fille du Pharon really spotlighted her dramatic abilities, which were evident as Maria in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (sp?) and as Gamzatti. But I would love to see her in Romeo and Juliet first. I think her youth and lyricism would be well served in that role.
