Ballet Evening — Denis Rodkin and Friends! Gala Concert of Ballet Stars

On March 27, the unique ballet gala Denis Rodkin and Friends was held for the first time at DK Neftche. The audience enjoyed a true celebration of ballet, bringing together the great classical tradition and contemporary choreography.

Renowned dancers of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia — Denis Rodkin, Mikhail Lobukhin and Semyon Chudin — performed virtuoso choreographic pieces that have captivated audiences around the world. They were joined by Bolshoi Theatre soloists Ana Turazashvili, Eleonora Sevenard and Anastasia Vinokur, as well as stars of the Musa Jalil Tatar Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Manchester-born Alessandro Caggegi and Osaka-born ballerina Mana Kuwabara.

Winners of prestigious international competitions and internationally acclaimed ballet stars prepared a two-act program, with each act showcasing different facets of classical dance. The finest choreographic miniatures from the world’s ballet heritage were interwoven with bold and dynamic contemporary pieces, offering a fresh perspective on the art form.

The Denis Rodkin and Friends project has existed since 2020. Its premiere was a great success in Greece, taking place at a 2nd-century AD ancient theatre at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens and attracting several thousand spectators.

“Finally, we have our prince,” Denis Rodkin’s teacher Nikolai Tsiskaridze once said of him. Denis is distinguished not only by his striking appearance and impressive height, but also by his exceptional talent, dedication and discipline.

His repertoire includes the roles of Siegfried and the Evil Genius in Swan Lake, Basilio in Don Quixote, Solor in La Bayadère, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Count Albert in Giselle, Prince Kurbsky in Ivan the Terrible, as well as Spartacus and the Nutcracker Prince.

Despite widespread acclaim and international demand, Denis continues to perfect his craft, guided by the motto of his idol Mikhail Baryshnikov: “I don't try to dance better than anyone else; I always try to dance better than myself.”