Youth America Grand Prix Presents Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova, 4/28

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Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presents "Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova" on Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 PM at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This evening of dance will illustrate Natalia Makarova's contribution to the art of ballet by presenting some of her most iconic roles performed by today's leading dancers. Performers include Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Osipova (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg), Sergei Polunin (formally of The Royal Ballet), Tamara Rojo (The Royal Ballet), Yuan Yuan Tan (San Francisco Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg) and Diana Vishneva (American Ballet Theatre/Mariinsky Ballet). Ms. Makarova will narrate the program, reflecting on her experiences as a dancer. In addition, rare photos and archival footage will be shared. Tickets for the performance are $20, $37, $45, $75, $100, $150.

Natalia Makarova entered Leningrad's Vaganova School at 13. After graduating, she joined the Kirov Ballet, rising to international prominence when she danced Giselle in London. This became one of her signature roles. On September 4, 1970, while on tour in London with the Kirov, Makarova requested asylum in Britain. She began her new career by joining the American Ballet Theatre. Her long association with The Royal Ballet began in 1972. She has appeared as a guest artist with major ballet companies throughout the world. In 1980, Makarova staged and directed the full-length production of La Bayadere, making American Ballet Theatre the first Western company to acquire this work. She has staged her production of La Bayadere for numerous companies around the world as well as productions of Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and a one-act version of Paquita.

The sponsors of the evening are NTV, Pushkin Brasseries and Russian Standard Vodka.

For more information, visit www.YAGP.org.

Youth America Grand Prix

"Ballerina Assoluta: Tribute to Natalia Makarova"

ACT I

Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker
Choreography: John Neumeier
Performed by: Hélène Bouchet and Thiago Bordin (The Hamburg Ballet)

White Swan Pas de Deux from Swan Lake
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Music: Peter Tchaikovsky
Performed by: Yuan Yuan Tan and DamIan Smith (San Francisco Ballet)

Solo TBA
Performed by: Sergei Polunin (YAGP alum, The Royal Ballet)

Pas de Deux from Month in the Country
Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton
Music: Frederic Chopin
Performed by: Tamara Rojo and Federico Bonelli (The Royal Ballet)

Serenata
Choreography: Mauro Bigonzetti
Music: Amerigo Chiervo
Performed by: Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg)

BLACK SWAN Pas de Deux from Swan Lake
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Performed by: Ekaterina Kondaurova (Mariinsky Ballet) and Matthew Golding (Dutch National Ballet, YAGP alum)