The Bolshoi Theatre hosted tonight a Ballet Benois annual award gala

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon of the Netherlands Ballet won the choreography nomination, a total seven top-notch ballet masters contesting. The Covent Garden's Alina Cogeocaru was named the best ballerina. Two male dancers shared the prize-Lloyd Riggins of the Baden-Baden theatre and Laurent Hilaire of the Opera de Paris. In his opening address, Yuri Grigorovich, pillar of Bolshoi choreography, paid tribute to the memory of the late lamented Sir Peter Ustinov, renowned British actor, stage director, playwright and community activist of Russian descent. Sir Peter was among those at the cradle of the Ballet Benois. Known as the Oscar of the dancing world, the Ballet Benois goes to the year's best choreographer and male and female dancer. The International Choreographers' Union established the prize in Moscow, 1991. The Benois was first awarded the next year. World-renowned Yuri Grigorovich, Ballet Benois president, traditionally leads the jury. The prize was named after Alexandre Benois (1870-1960), celebrated Russian artist and art historian. One of the foremost activists of the famous 1907-14 Saisons russes in Paris and London, his trailblazing ideas had a tremendous impact on the world ballet.

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