#petukhova

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Maria Petukhova as Giannina in “The Naiad and the Fisherman”. 2018 Vaganova Ballet Academy graduation performance at the Mariinsky Theatre. June 12, 2018.

I am so impressed with her...

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I see MARIA PETUKHOVA is now listed on the ballet dancer roster in Tallinn.

Yep, the rumours have been confirmed :)

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Vaganova Ballet Academy student Maria Petukhova has debuted as the Fairy Doll, opposite Rasmus Ahlgren and Jorge Palacios as the pair of Pierrots, at the Orchard Ballet Gala at Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Tokyo. The students performed at the gala as part of their tour of Europe and Asia. 

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Vaganova Ballet Academy student Maria Petukhova as the Spanish Doll in "The Fairy Doll". Hermitage Theatre. Oct 2017.

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Hello Melmoth! Thank you so much for your quality posts <3 I wanted to ask if the girl in the centre spot at the bar in this video watch?v=7qxbXrbvrZc is Alexsandra Khiteeva? Or is it someone else? Thank you!

I think that’s Maria Petukhova.

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Ask Responses - Graduation Shows

A compilation of responses to the questions about the VBA graduation performances that came through Ask recently. As always, thank you for asking.

You said a few posts ago that Tsiskaridze and VBA were really showing off to Moscow their skills and how well Nikolai was doing, would they make minor changes to casts, like soloists, etc to have the better dancer performing in Moscow to make the students look even better?

I doubt it. The whole point is that the cast is already very impressive and good enough to show off to the Moscow public and critics. I think “The Fairy Doll” is an exception, but I cover that point in another response further down.

I saw a photo on Instagram from about a day ago, and it was an after performance picture with someone I guess saw the final graduation performance, with Elya as the Fairy Doll and Maria Petukhova as Spanish... but isn't that typically Vlada's role? Other then Elya doing a run or two of it when Fairy Doll first premiered, it's been Vlada's role. Why would they cast Petukhova in it for the last show of the year, with Vlada graduating and Petukhova still (presumably) having another year to go?

I’m not sure why the changeover happened, but I’m not surprised by it. I’ve mentioned before that “The Fairy Doll” is VBA’s new calling card (courtesy of Tsiskaridze). It’s been officially reinstated in the Mariinsky repertoire, and VBA periodically take the ballet on tour. The academy prepares a new cast every year. It looks like Petukhova will be taking over the Spanish Doll, and it makes sense that VBA would want to show off the new cast. 

There two reasons (I’m guessing) why Elya performed the part of the Fairy Doll: 

The role originally belonged to Kschessinska and was re-created on Elya. It made sense that Elya would be the one to perform it at the Kremlin Palace.

There isn’t another student at VBA who’s as good at performing this role as Elya. 

Do you know anything about Maria Petukhova? She just kinda seemed to come from out of the blue this year, doing a solo in Paquita and the lead in Conservatoire, and then Spanish in a recent run of Fairy Doll. She just came from no where, it seems and is landing all these roles.

She really did come out of nowhere (hence, I don’t know anything about her). But, then again, that is our perception. If she received so many solos, it means that both the coaches and Tsiskaridze have had her on their radar for a long time. I’m glad to see that new talents are emerging at VBA, and that the gifted students are getting the opportunities they deserve.

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Vaganova Ballet Academy graduation performance. June 12. Mariinsky Theatre.

Maria Petukhova.

“Paquita” (Act III)

Choreography: Marius Petipa Music: Ludwig Minkus Re-staged by: Yuri Burlaka and Nikolai Tsiskaridze

For all 2017 graduation performance and rehearsal updates click here.

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Ask Responses - Vaganova

A compilation of questions relating to the Vaganova Ballet Academy graduation performances and general Vaganova questions.

Is it just me or does it seem as though Nikolai has brought back a lot of focus on petit allegro in the graduation performances? All of the pieces seemed to be quicker and with more of the little jumps and fast footwork. Or is that just me?

I’m not sure if that was his focus, though the choreography does seem to be a bit more advanced than usual. Every year Tsiskaridze bases the graduation program around the particular group of students graduating, to better show off their strengths and mask their weaknesses. He had a strong cast to work with this year. I guess he figured he could throw them a few curveballs.

For the answer to the question about Lada, when you say "make the grade" do you mean students have to get a certain grade in their exams to take part in the graduation performance?

Sorry, I mean “make the cut”, “pass the audition”, etc.

I have never really heard of or seen Maria Petukhova, but she is brilliant!! She seems to be one of VBA's top students!

I haven’t really heard of her before either. What a gem!

Do all the same students perform all 5 performances? I saw Sofia from second grade wasn't in the one on the 12th but she seems to be doing her makeup so she might be in today's?

Unfortunately, I only have the program for one of the performances, so I can’t check the casts. Usually the students alternate between roles every performance. Some of them get nights off.

How will the cast go to Moscow? Will all of them go by train?

I think they travel by train. It’s the cheapest way to transport such a massive cast and crew.

I'm sorry if this comes off as rude, but what makes Sevenard such a star pupal?

For the past two years, Elya has been the only student in her year capable of carrying VBA’s entire repertoire. I believe she currently holds the record for the most “Nutcarckers” (Princess Masha) performed by a student (10). She’s VBA’s designated workhorse and has performed under serious physical and emotional pressure. 

But don’t take my word for it. There are plenty of videos of Elya online, and you can follow her academic career from way back to the present day. I think you’ll be able to see why she’s earned the title of the start pupil.

Is Maria Petukhova an understudy for Aleksandra Korshunova? In photos from rehearsals at the Hermitage, Korshunova is opposite Borodulina, but in performance videos, Petukhova is in Korshunova's place. Did Aleksandra get injured?

I’m not sure. The soloists alternate between performances, which is why you get different casts every night. I hope Aleksandra isn’t injured.

Is the tuition for Vaganova expensive? Are there merit-based scholarships?

Apparently it is, yes. A foreign trainee I interviewed last year cited the cost of tuition as one of the reasons she decided to leave Vaganova for a different ballet school. I believe some scholarships are available for local students, but I think those are mainly for the kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Do you know if Polina Konogray will be returning to Vaganova?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I read somewhere that you can only tour the Vaganova Academy and its museum if you are a professional in the ballet world. Is that correct? I am going to visit St. Petersburg soon and I would love to try and visit the school's museum or take a look in a studio.

That’s about right. The Academy doesn’t let civilians (even the students’ parents) in. They occasionally run seminars and lectures, which take place in the museum, which outsiders can attend, but otherwise it’s almost impossible to get in. Good luck though!