On the 15th of November 2015 the Novosibirsk opera and ballet theatre (NOVAT) will celebrate the anniversary of People’s artist of Russia Aleksandr Balabanov. The “Spartacus” ballet will be performed in honor of the distinguished dancer.
Aleksandr Balabanov danced the role Spartacus for the first time in March 1967. Many theatres of the country were reaching after Aram Khachaturian’s famous ballet choreographed by Yury Grigorovich, but Maestro gave his permission to stage the production only to Novosibirsk. As it turned out, it was not for nothing. Aleksandr Balabanov, who danced in premiere performances, became one of the most remarkable Spartacuses of his generation and the ballet production itself grew into a jewel of the Novosibirsk theatre’s stage. Ivan Vasiliev, acknowledged Spartacus of the last decade, will dance the part of the people’s tribune at the anniversary evening.
Aleksandr Balabanov was born in Novosibirsk. He joined the ballet company of the Novosibirsk opera and ballet theatre in 1965 after finishing the Novosibirsk state choreographic school. Being a classical ballet dancer of the liryco-romantic nature, Aleksandr Balabanov also splendidly performed parts of the heroic type. Among his roles are Siegfried (“Swan Lake”), Albert (“Giselle”), Prince (“The Nutcracker”), Armen (“Gayane”), Frondoso (“Laurencia”), Ferhad (“Legend of Love”), Spartacus (“Spartacus”), Vronsky (“Anna Karenina”), Hose (“Carmen”) and others.
