The Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre’s principal dancers Elena Svinko and Marcello Pelizzoni produced excellent results at the 7th International Yuri Grigorovich’s Competition Young Ballet of the World. Elena has won the 1st prize and a gold medal, Marcello has won the 3rd prize and a bronze medal.

The competition was held for the 7th time on the stage of the Winter Theatre in Sochi between September 30 and October 6. 54 young performers from 12 countries took part in the competition. The contestants were divided into two age groups: the younger ones (up to 19 years old) and the older ones (up to 27 years old).

First, the applicants sent video recordings of their performances. The competition itself consisted of three rounds. Elena and Marcello performed the Venetian Carnival pas de deux from Le Diable Amoureux by Reber and Benoist in the 1st round. In the next round, they danced the pas de deux of Giselle and Albert from the Adam's ballet Giselle and the contemporary Amok piece staged by the choreographer Marina Akelkina to the music of Noto and Bizet. In the 3rd round, the Krasnoyarsk dancers impressed the jury with the performing of a pas de deux of the Don Quixote ballet by Ludwig Minkus.

“It was difficult to get prepared for the competition since I am extremely busy in the theatre. We simultaneously rehearsed the pieces for the competition and the Raymonda ballet. As soon as we get back to Krasnoyarsk, we’re going to take the stage in Raymonda: Marcello Pelizzoni as a friend of Jean de Brienne - on October 11, and I’ll perform the title part on October 13”, Elena said.

The founder, artistic director and the international jury chairman of the Young Ballet of the World competition is the legendary choreographer Yuri Grigorovich. The jury also included leading figures of the ballet world - directors of theatres and choreographic schools, teachers and choreographers. Among the organizers of the competition are the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the International Union of Choreographers, and other organizations.

Photos by Vitaly Pustovalov