New YouTube videos: a starry Bayadère with Zakharova, Allash, Tsiskaridze, Ivata, Krysanova, Osipova and Nikulina from 2008

ByGramilano 12 October 201212 October 2012 Reading Time: 1 minute

This was an inspired performance of Nikiya from Svetlana Zakharova. There are many videos of her in what is arguably her best role, but this is certainly one her finest performances. A magical evening in February of 2008.

With her are Maria Allash as Gamzatti and Nikolai Tsiskaridze as Solor, both in splendid form. The Bronze Idol is danced by Morikhiro Ivata, and it would be hard to better the three “Shadows”: Ekaterina Krysanova, Natalia Osipova and Anna Nikulina.

Nikiya’s Death – Svetlana Zakharova:

Shadow Variation – Natalia Osipova:

Final Pas de deux & Variations – Svetlana Zakharova & Nikolai Tsiskaridze:

Gramilano

Graham Spicer, aka 'Gramilano', is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.