’The ballet gala has now become a tradition in London: first held in 2006, it gradually turned into one of the highlights of the performing season. Overall, it was another spectacular and celebrated event. The magical evening was then followed by the gala reception and dinner at Savoy.

RUSSIAN ART & CULTURE – RUSSIANART + CULTURE

Every year, the Russian Ballet Icons Gala reminds London audiences of these characteristics by combining classics of great ballet masters and new creations. The 12th edition of the event, entitled In the Steps of the Ballets Russes, pays tribute to Sergey Diaghilev’s legendary troupe, who depicted Russian culture to the rest of the world, and showcased ballet as the result of a collaborative work between composers, choreographers, painters and dancers.

TATIANA RATHELOT– BACHTRACK

Among the highlights were British-based dancers setting the Russians a challenge: Vadim Muntagirov near the start of the gala and Tamara Rojo at the end, with Sarah Lamb and Steve McRae providing a preview of Rubies in the first half of the evening.  Vaganova-trained dancers from St Petersburg glowed as richly as Bolshoi show-offs – among them Ivan Vassiliev and Maria Alexandrova.

JANN PARRY – DANCETABS

It’s hard to believe that the Russian Ballet Icons Gala (In the Steps of the Ballets Russes) is now in its 11th year but it is going from strength to strength. This year’s offering, kept closely under wraps, was a tribute to Diaghilev that looked backward, showcased the contemporary and offered something new. Like a box of exotic sweetmeats, old favourites mixed with new challenges, the dancers from major companies near and far all more than ably accompanied by the English National Ballet Philharmonic under the baton of Valery Ovsyanikov.

CHARLOTTE KASNER – SEEING DANCE

From the riches of Ballets Russes’s Imperial Theatre origins to its legacy and inspiration: a generous programme of sixteen party pieces over three and a half hours, an epicurean feast for the balletomane, an eye-opener for the novice.

VERA LIBER – BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

Photo Coverage: IN THE STEPS OF THE BALLETS RUSSES Gala Returns for One Night Only

ROY TAN – BROADWAY WORLD

16 номеров с участием мировых звезд из России, Великобритании, США и других стран составили уникальный гид по балетному прошлому, настоящему и даже будущему. Неискушенным зрителям выдался шанс за один вечер познакомиться с хореографией Петипа, Фокина, Баланчина, Арпино, Доусона и Майо, проникнуться психологизмом современного балета и добавить свое первое робкое bravo к овациям в адрес того или иного танцовщика.

KSENIA DIAKOVA-TINOKU – KOMMERSANT UK

Мария Александрова, которая до февраля этого года была примой-балериной Большого театра, в разговоре с корреспондентом ТАСС призналась, что лично для нее дягилевские балеты – эта та база, без которой современный танцовщик не в состоянии раскрыть полностью свой потенциал. “Для меня Дягилевские сезоны это, прежде всего, традиция. Не испробовав, не примерив их на себя, настоящий классический танцовщик теряет очень многое, ведь традиция для него – основа всех основ”, – сказала она.

ILYA DMITRYACHEV – TASS