Theatre

We talk to Irina Kolesnikova from St Petersburg Ballet Theatre

There is something very special about seeing some of the world’s most beautiful ballets performed by some of the most talented performers on the planet. That is exactly what you will get when you see the St Petersburg Ballet Company perform The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

In December, the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre will perform two of Tchaikovsky’s most popular and enduring ballets at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – Plenary and Sydney Lyric. Click here to buy tickets.

Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are classic ballets that all live event lovers should see in their lifetime.

But don’t take our word for it. Take the word of one of the stars of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Irina Kolesnikova. We were lucky enough to interview the renowned ballerina ahead of her appearance in the two upcoming ballets.

Ticketmaster: Thanks for talking to us, Irina. We are so excited to have the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre returning to Australia. Are you excited to head back down under?

Irina Kolesnikova: Of course I’m excited. I first came here as a soloist in 2006 and immediately fell in love with this happy, vibrant country; such beautiful theatres, such warm audiences and such a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Who wouldn’t be happy to return?

Ticketmaster: You will be in town just before Christmas and you will be performing The Nutcracker – one of my favourite ballets. Can you explain the ballet to anyone who is not familiar with it?

Irina Kolesnikova: Plenty of tutus and point shoes and the magnificent music of Tchaikovsky! It’s a gorgeous ballet with a warm and happy Christmas theme. Every little girl’s fantasy ballet; the adventures of little Clara and the toy nutcracker who turns into a handsome Prince. And it’s a ballet full of wonderful dancing.

Ticketmaster: As well as The Nutcracker, audiences can see the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake. Do you still love performing Swan Lake?

Irina Kolesnikova: it’s my first love. No matter how many times I dance the dual role of Odette/Odile I can always find something new to add to my interpretation. It’s a very emotionally and physically exhausting ballet for me but one I enjoy immensely.

Ticketmaster: Both ballets feature famous classical music by Tchaikovsky. Do you think the music plays an important role in the productions?

Irina Kolesnikova: Well Tchaikovsky’s ballet scores are part of the language of ballet. Probably Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are the most famous of all his scores. Oh, but then I forgot Sleeping Beauty! Tchaikovsky’s music is so perfect for the dancers; it is romantic, dramatic and melodic. Overall music is important to any ballet but to us Russians it’s the soul of ballet.

Ticketmaster: Can you explain your journey to the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre? How did you get into ballet and how long have you been performing with the company?

Irina Kolesnikova: I was training as a gymnast and at quite a young age my coach saw something more than sport in me. I was urged to audition for the Vaganova School in St. Petersburg. I was accepted and so began my deep love for ballet. The Vaganova Choreographic Institute is probably the world’s most famous and respected ballet school and it was a great privilege to be part of its awesome system for 10 years of my life. After graduation I joined the St Petersburg ballet theatre and was quite soon dancing principal roles. Our theatre specialises in full length works; this suits my temperament as I really enjoy developing characters as well as facing technical challenges of our historic choreographers.

Ticketmaster: What are some of your favourite ballets and characters to perform?

Irina Kolesnikova: Odette/Odile in Swan Lake for sure; such emotional and physical challenges are rarely available to a ballerina. I also enjoy dancing Giselle; such a tragic and dramatic story. But honestly , it’s hard to pick an absolute favourite. All the classics have their own individual plusses and some even have minuses, such as the toll a role can take on the body.

Ticketmaster: Imagine you weren’t a dancer. What do you think you would be doing?

Irina Kolesnikova: Frankly, I couldn’t imagine another life. Dance has been my life since I was a child. Ok, let me try to imagine! Um, ah, no… I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. One thing I did always imagine was that I’d be a mother and three years ago that dream came true. I have the most perfect daughter; her name is Vasilisa. My husband and I named her after a Russian fairy tale character. My life is now complete; a wonderful career dancing the classic repertoire all over the world and my very own precious wonderful little family.

Ticketmaster: What is the best thing about your job?

Irina Kolesnikova: There are so many! Dancing, travel, the atmosphere of the theatre, the challenges of dance and acting. And yes, the applause… it’s very seductive.

Ticketmaster: Both Swan Lake and The Nutcracker remain popular today, yet they are both well over 100 years old. In your opinion, what is it about the ballets that make them as loved today as the day they were first performed?

Irina Kolesnikova: Story choreography, music, scenery, costumes… two ballets that have it all. Two ballets that grow in popularity year in year out.

Ticketmaster: Thank you for joining us. We can’t wait to see the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

The St Petersburg Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker and Swan Lake at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – Plenary and Sydney Lyric throughout December. Click here for performance dates and ticketing information.