The Moscow stars come out to dance

When I was a young-un I started ballet imagining that I would be leaping gracefully around in a tutu, the reality was a lot of point and flex and point and flex foot exercises and seemingly going through first and second position over and over again. Lacking the dedication I didn't stick it out very long. The stars of the ballet Moscow certainly don't lack any dedication and the amazing way they captured the emotion and gracefulness of the different dances is testament to that.

Stars of the Ballet Moscow directed by Yutri Vetrov pays tribute to ballet master Rudolf Nureyev, 2008 marks the 70th anniversary of his birth. The beginning of the performance included a documentary on the life of Rudolf Nureyev, considered one of the world's greatest dancers. This was followed by performances by world renowned dancers from ballet companies such as Moscow State Classical Ballet, Russian National Ballet and Kremlin Ballet.

The first part of the programme included scenes from La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Les Sylphides and The Dying Swan. The second half of the programme was the Suite of the Ballet Raymonda. Prima ballerina Marina Rzhannikova from the Moscow State Classical Ballet for me stole the show, her dance of the dying swan was truly beautiful, and the subtlety and delicacy of her movements really captured the sadness and pathos of the dance. Seeing her performance I can understand why Swan Lake is one of the better known and loved ballets.

Even if not a great ballet fan one has to marvel at the great choreography and maneuvres these dancers pull of so seemingly effortlessly. This was more of what I had in mind when I started ballet; I think I will leave it up to the professionals though.