Word: gamzatti
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Dates: during 1980-1980
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...story is a boggler. Nikiya (Makarova), a bayadére, or temple dancer, and the imperious Rajah's daughter Gamzatti (Cynthia Harvey) are rivals for the love of the great warrior Solor (Anthony Dowell), who pledges himself to Nikiya over a sacred fire. Later the Rajah chooses Solor to marry his daughter. If this sounds like Aida, it is. In the ballet, both women are murderous. Gamzatti, who plants a deadly snake among flowers given to the dancer, is the successful killer, but Nikiya has ectoplasmic revenge. Her spirit appears first in a lyrical vision to Solor, and again...
...opening night the production glowed. The corps de ballet - more the heroine than either Nikiya or Gamzatti- danced the "Kingdom of the Shades" scene with technical purity and a moving, almost votive, concentration...
Dowell flew over Solor's ambiguous emotions, relying mostly on his light leaps and exquisite musical phrasing. Harvey, who is only 23, lacked the authority to make Gamzatti believable. She seemed relieved when she could forget acting and just dance. Helped by Dowell's impeccable partnering, she was convincing as a ballerina of the future. Playing Nikiya, Makarova mastered all the problems set by La Bayadére: drama, poetry, virtuosity...
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