PHOTOfact: The Mari Theater's tour to the Bolshoi began with the ballet "War and Peace"

The ballet "War and Peace" is a unique performance, performed on only two stages in Russia. And the Belarusian audience was able to see it on July 9. Thus, the role of Natasha Rostova was performed by the prima ballerina of the Mari State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater Kristina Mikhailova. She said that this part was difficult for her duets. “The duet at the ball is especially difficult, both for Natasha and Andrey,” said the ballerina. However, she added that she worked a lot on the performance and is sure that it turned out to surprise.

The role of Andrei Bolkonsky was played by the premier of the Mari Theater Artem Vedenkin. “My Andrey is the same as in the novel. But, of course, each artist brings something of his own to the role. I think every viewer will be able to compare and decide whether my image is similar,” shared Artem Vedenkin.

Another familiar character - Pierre Bezukhov - was played by the leading soloist of the Mari Theater Artem Vasiliev. This is his second trip to Belarus on tour, and the stage of the Bolshoi Theater is familiar to him.

He said that in preparation for the performance, he did serious work on creating the image. “We all read “War and Peace” at school. But, preparing for the play, I read all the references to Pierre in the work and how other characters speak about him. The first production of “War and Peace” was also an example. Partially the basis of the image I took it from there, and also put a lot of myself in. Therefore, it was not difficult to get used to the role,” said Artem Vasiliev.

You can see “War and Peace” on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater on July 10. Then, during the tour, the Mari Theater will present two more performances - “Romeo and Juliet” and “Russian Hamlet”.