ESTONIAN BALLET TODAY

Since 1918 Estonian Ballet aimed at professionalism in choreography. Ballet in the present day theatre is formed by those dancers, who were born in 60s and in the beginning of 70s. They could develop further the experiences and beliefs of previous generations - strong technical bases, plastic expression, the mastery of different styles. These principles were formed thanks to the sense of mission of Estonian main ballet leaders, such as Rahel Olbrei (1926-44), Anna Ekstoni (1944-51), Enn Suve (1967-73) and Mai Murdmaa (started as choreographer in 1963, the Artistic Director of the troupe from the year 1974). Originality of a choreographic handwriting has always been strived for.

Development of the ballet troupe has been gradual in achieving characteristics typical to present-day Estonian Ballet.

In the first place, the ballet aspires after originality in choreography (avoiding copying). It is based frequently on the music of Estonian composers (Part, Sink, Sumera, Tamberg, Tormis etc.), but also the 20th century composers (Bartok, Berio, Mahler, Orff, Penderecki, Prokofiev, Schnittke, Stravinski, Shchedrin).

Secondly - canonical/ traditional choreography has always been kept in the repertoire. Even today there are "Swan Lake" (the premiere was in 1981), "Don Quixote" (1986) and "Giselle" (1988) in the repertoire. These performances serve as an introduction to the century-old ballet art for the new generation of dancers and audience.

And in the third place - attention is paid to the creation of different choreographers of the 20th century. During the last decades we have seen the names of several outstanding choreographers on posters, such as Dolin, Balanchine, Bejart, Cullberg, North, Tshernyshov. The last three are also in the repertoire of the season 1994/95.

Estonian Ballet has given performances in many cities of the former Soviet Union (Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev etc.) and abroad (Poland, Hungary, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Latin-America, Syria).

In classical ballet the troupe has worked together with the following Russian masters as Burmeister, Grigorovtch, Dudinskaia, Sergeiev, Tihhonova, Dolgushin. Besides that, several famous dancers as Dudinskaia, Ulanova, Ossipenko, Komleva, Kolpakova, Semeniaka etc. have given their performances.

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