Newspaper “24 chasa”, 12.10.2017, page 24

HRISTO NIKOLOV

The soloist of Bolshoi Theatre Svetlana Zaharova arrives with his partner Denis Rodkin

The Russian ballerina Svetlana Zaharova, recognized as one of the five greatest stars in classical ballet in the world in the moment, will dance on Monday on the stage of Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture. She arrives with his permanent partner in Bolshoi Theatre Denis Rodkin and with the theatre’s conductor Pavel Klinichev.

In contrast to many other guest-performances of Russian ballet dancers and ballet companies recently, which were most-often to recorded musical accompaniment, this time the guest stars will inscribe themselves in a spectacle of ours – “Giselle” of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, which will be performed under the theatre’s accompaniment with conductor Pavel Klinichev.

Zaharova and Rodkin arrive in Sofia on Saturday and in practice they will rehearse the whole spectacle only two days. This is an often met practice by stars of such importance, especially when they come with their partner. Besides, the Sofia production of “Giselle”, directed by Prof. Petar Lukanov more than two decades ago, is absolutely classical, made under the editorship of the Russian choreographer Leonid Lavrovsky.

Zaharava is maybe the only ballerina in the world, after whom was named a diamond. The 58 carat gem, extracted in Yakutia last year, was named “Ballerina Svetlana Zaharova” by a special commission, which gives names to all diamonds above 50 carat.

She has danced practically all over the world, at that for long years she was prima ballerina of La scala in Milan. In these years, she gained a wide media popularity, dancing during most of the time in partnership with the superstar Roberto Bolle. Moreover, she made tours with him all over the world, taking part mainly in big classical ballets. Although her crown role is Giselle, when she makes individual guest-performances, most often she dances modern choreography.

In Russia she is well-known also for her charity activity, directed to support young talents in the field of ballet. Her husband is the violinist Vadim Repin and they have a daughter.