Stars of Bolshoi Theatre, State Ballet of Georgia set for ’Laurencia’ shows in Tbilisi

Star dancers from two companies will make their first and last stage appearances in the classical ballet Laurencia at Tbilisi's Opera and Ballet State Theatre this weekend.

Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow dancers Vladislav Lantratov and Maria Alexandrova will showcase their award-winning talents while partnering each other for the principal roles in the staging.

In the other date of the weekend bill, State Ballet of Georgia leading soloist Lali Kandelaki will make the character of Laurencia her own for the final time, concluding a decade of dancing the role.

Lantratov and Alexandrova will appear in the ballet — first staged by founder of Georgian professional ballet Vakhtang Chabukiani in 1939 — on Saturday.

Lantratov will make his debut as Frondoso, the other principal character, as the two perform in a 2017 redaction of the work by State Ballet of Georgia Artistic Director and famed dancer Nina Ananaishvili.

The two artists of the Bolshoi Theatre have received awards from Russian national and international ballet contests and danced in many of the classic ballets at the Moscow company.

Lantratov and Alexandrova study their roles during a rehearsal for 'Laurencia'. Photo: State Ballet of Georgia.

Laurencia was staged in Tbilisi by Chabukiani in 1948, but the work became absent from the Opera and Ballet State Theatre repertory until it was restored under the guidance of Ananiashvili over the last decade.

Kandelaki became one of the iconic performers of the title role in the restored ballet since 2007, with her most recent appearance coming at at the Tbilisi Ballet Festival earlier this year.

She will be partnered by State Ballet of Gerogia leading soloist Yonen Takano in the October 29 show.