Alexei Ratmansky's ambitious revamp!
An ambitious reworking by star choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, A Grand Divertissement is originally based on the fairytale ballet from Edouard Lalo in the 19th century. Split up from the narrative story form, the work is divided into separate witty and animated vignettes, designed for a large company and its seven main dancers. Taking apart what Ratmansky described as the "Most cliched of ballets" and giving it a playful spin brings a more uplifting arc to proceedings, involving a young man searching for his love, Namouna.
Honored by the New York Times as the 'finest Russian choreographer since George Balanchine', Ratmansky has made a name for himself with his uniquely beautiful and refreshing re-stagings of well-known classics, alongside his exuberant original works, including his n exploration of the symphonic music from esteemed Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich,. After graduating from the Bolshoi Ballet School in 1986, Ratmansky went on to become a principal at the Ukrainian National Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet before returning as director to the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet.