Tarasov's son-in-law is Freundlich. Anastasia Kolegova: “It was I who destroyed the marriage of Alisa Freundlich’s daughter! Recognition and numerous awards

During this time, Nastya’s chosen one managed to change his position, becoming a member of the Federation Council and divorce ex-wife- Varvara, the daughter of actress Alisa Freindlich and director Igor Vladimirov, writes Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Only in mid-September did the lovers apply to register their marriage. But, apparently, they forgot to look at the calendar: the wedding was scheduled for October 10 - the day when all Russian fans were worried about the football team, which met in the decisive match with the Germans. And Tarasov is just one of the fans. The mistake was discovered when it was too late to change the date. Yes, and it’s not necessary - it’s Bad sign.

“Nothing can be done, there will be a TV in the next room in the restaurant, and I will let Seryozha go to it,” the bride promised.

“I’ll organize a men’s room,” the groom threatened. — At seven in the evening we lock ourselves in it and don’t let anyone in until the match is over. Let the women celebrate.

The wedding palace on the Promenade des Anglais was not crowded: Tarasov and Kolegova invited only their closest ones. There were 23 such people. There were no officials from Smolny, where Sergei worked for many years, no cultural figures whom he supervised as vice-governor, no colleagues from Nastya at the Mariinsky Ballet - only friends and relatives.

“We wanted a family holiday,” explained a satisfied Tarasov. Mikhail Piotrovsky, Anastasia Kolegova and Sergey Tarasov. Photo hermitage.ru

However, it was clear from the groom’s face that although this was not his first marriage, he was pretty worried.

“It’s impossible to get used to this,” he groaned, straightening the handkerchief in his tuxedo pocket.

Nastya was wearing an elegant White dress and a lace cape.

“I ordered the outfit from the salon,” said the bride. — I didn’t want it with a crinoline - I’m tall, it doesn’t suit me. Everything that's on me - Russian production. I didn’t chase brands, everything is ours. And it turned out better than the imported one.

Anastasia Kolegova.Photo: kolegova.ru

During the marriage registration, Sergei showed with all his appearance that the procedure was familiar to him. As soon as he and Nastya signed the civil status act, the groom jumped up and headed to the center of the hall, only waving his hand to the bride: they say, follow me. She instantly ran up and stood next to her. But Tarasov missed the timing of the kiss: he pressed the ballerina’s lips after exchanging rings.

- Too early! - relatives whispered from the back rows.

Only the host of the ceremony was unperturbed:

- I pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulate each other.

And Sergei kissed Nastya again - now on legally. By the way, wedding ring also turned out to be Russian. True, not from the store - this is the author's work.

Sergey Tarasov. Photo rtr.spb.ru

“Here are Yakut diamonds,” Kolegova showed the symbol of marriage. — I don’t know how many carats, but it’s very beautiful, isn’t it?

In a year, Anastasia and Sergei are going to think hard about having a child. Moreover, the ballerina is not at all afraid of harming her theater career:

- Now it’s simple - two months after giving birth, everyone is already dancing. We want a boy.

From the wedding palace, the newlyweds went to the Peter and Paul Fortress to shoot from a cannon - this was the gift the groom gave Nastya.

“Oh, I’ve never shot,” the bride was frightened. - Is it very loud? I hope they will instruct me what to do.

Of course, the ballerina was instructed. Noon in St. Petersburg arrived in strict accordance with tradition.

“The charge is blank, and I’m married,” Tarasov joked, waving away the gunpowder smoke.

At the restaurant, the groom fulfilled his promise - he ran away from the bride to watch the TV. Apparently, so that from the first day she understands: football is sacred.

REFERENCE: Sergey Borisovich Tarasov born in Kyrgyzstan in the city of Bishkek in 1959. He came to Leningrad to study at the Shipbuilding Institute, majoring in shipbuilding and ship repair. He graduated from the institute in 1982, and 18 years later continued his education at the state university at the faculty of international relations.

It was during his years of study at the Shipbuilding Institute that Tarasov became the head of a department of the Oktyabrsky District Committee of the Komsomol. However, the party career of the future official was interrupted with the beginning of perestroika, but new opportunities appeared.

In 1998, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly, whose chairman he served for the entire second convocation. Tarasov did not become a deputy of the third convocation of the city parliament. After, as a result of complex political vicissitudes, Vadim Tyulpanov became the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Tarasov lost interest in the parliamentary struggle.

Soon deputy Tarasov moved to Smolny. Valentina Matvienko, who won the election for city governor, appointed him vice-governor. As vice-governor, Tarasov was responsible for issues of science, education, culture, media, youth policy, physical culture and sports, interaction with public organizations.

Kolegova Anastasia Valerievna born in Chelyabinsk. At the age of five, I went to the local Opera and Ballet Theater for the first time to see the play “Swan Lake.” The girl liked the stage performance so much that she subsequently had no problems choosing a profession. A year later, even her parents could not resist Nastya’s persistent request and sent her to a ballet studio. Teachers advised sending the talented girl to Leningrad, to the forge of star dancers - the Academy of Russian Ballet. A.Ya.Vaganova. Many famous teachers passed on their experience and skills here. And for the last three years, Nastya studied with People’s Artist of Russia Lyubov Kunakova. They still work together now, now at the Mariinsky Theater.

Anastasia, you told me that you made your choice of profession when you saw your first ballet in your life. What exactly shocked you then: the opportunity to dance or the image of a beautiful ballerina? (Ksenia Kislitsina)

Yes, indeed, at the age of five I first went to the ballet “Swan Lake” in Chelyabinsk, where I lived. I was probably struck by the feeling of a fairy tale, something beautiful, elegant, distant, something impossible to touch. After the performance, I began to firmly, not childishly, insist on choosing a profession.

My parents, of course, went to the theater, but did not really understand ballet. My mother is a teacher of Russian language and literature, my father was the chairman of the sports committee - he wanted me to study rhythmic gymnastics or tennis. I started going to classes, but I constantly said: “Dad, this is not it, you don’t understand anything, take me to ballet!”

And so you came to St. Petersburg to enter the Vaganova School. You are a little girl, a large and formidable jury is looking at you. Wasn't it scary?

Yes, in 1991, when I entered, there were 115 people per place. And, of course, for me it was very nervous, because they could find fault with anything: from the length of my toes to the length of my nose, ears... Everything mattered: appearance, health, professional data. Everything happened in three rounds, a week apart, and then the lists were posted. It was the most exciting moment when I arrived and saw my last name. And then the hard work began.

I had to live in a boarding school because my parents couldn’t afford to quit their jobs and move. At the age of 9, I was a very domestic child, and they left me on Pravda Street in a boarding school, where there was such a long corridor and a specific smell... I was very upset the first year, and there was even a moment when they wanted to take me away, because I cried every day. But then I calmed down, adapted, and everything became normal.

I think the years of study are the most difficult. It’s easier to work because there’s already a stage, some kind of feedback: applause, fans. I liked the performance so much: the tutus, the ballerinas, everything was airy, and when she arrived, we were at the barre from nine in the morning. There was no stage, no decorations, and it was only in the second year that we began to appear on the school stage.

- In general, they say that in your profession the learning process is quite tough, even cruel.

Most of this is an exaggeration. Apparently many have seen Feature Film(I don’t remember its name), which for some reason was filmed at the Perm School, although it was about Vaganovsky, when the ballerina was actually raised with a stick. In fact, all of our teachers are intelligent people and it never got to the point like in the film.

- Ballerinas often say that they would never send their children to a choreographic school. What do you think?

Everyone says no, and then they give it away (laughs). Of course, if you don’t have very good physical data, it’s not worth it.

“For all Vaganovsky’s students, the Mariinsky Theater was the standard”

In 2006 you joined the Mariinsky Theater troupe. It must be very responsible to work on the same stage with such stars? (Nikolai Petrovich)

At first it was difficult for me to cope with technical issues- with this everything was in order, - but with nervous system. In the theater, newcomers are always given close attention. Then, when in the process of work, you get to know everyone better, and everything falls into place. You take a closer look, learn something from the luminaries, develop your own style and transfer your understanding of the image to the stage.

- Was it your dream to get to the Mariinsky Theater? (Lena)

For all Vaganovsky students, the standard is the Mariinsky Theater. We didn't want to hear about any other troupes, so it was probably predestined.

- Nastya, do you have idols in ballet that you look up to? (Reader)

These are, of course, masters of the last century. There are a lot of names, and everyone deserves worship, starting from Maya Plisetskaya, ending with our Galina Ulanova and Natalya Dudinskaya. If you look at the records of all our teachers who are teaching now - Evteeva, Moiseeva, Komleva - they are all so different, so great! A wonderful teacher, a brilliant lady, People’s Artist of Russia Elvira Tarasova, is working with me now. In general, I like that time, that school. Now everything has changed a little, after all, they are developing more technology, but the actor’s emotionality is at a premium today.

- You have been at the Mariinsky Theater for three years already. What roles did you love so much that you can say “mine”?

For three years I have danced most of the classical repertoire and now I am in the process of preparing for the next one - this is Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty”, the premiere will be in March. I like different tempers, I love to transform: either a lyrical dancer or a dramatic heroine. And I hope that I succeed. In any case, I try to reach the hearts of the audience in any role. Their applause is the main assessment of the work of any artist.

- You tour a lot. Which countries love Russian ballet the most?

I liked Japan the most because that's where they idolize ballet and understand it. While the European stages allow outright hack work, and low-quality private groups often come there, then only the Mariinsky, Bolshoi, Grand Opera and Mikhailovsky theaters are allowed into Japan. The Japanese don't just go there just for a specific name. Even if they see the production for the first time, they understand whether it is good or bad. They have many ballet schools and studios, which speaks volumes about their Great love to ballet. They even walk around the streets in tutus! They don’t have the most suitable physique, but they have such a desire to do ballet! With such an attitude you want to come there again and again.

What do you think comes first in training: artistry or technical side? How do you conduct rehearsals and what advice can you give to aspiring dancers? (Mondo007)

Of course, during rehearsals we first of all work on technique, because if something is wrong with your technique on stage, you will only think about it. But at the same time, dramatic art must be present in ballet. Athletes do things that we would never do, and we shouldn’t expect it. You have to think about creating an image, a role, so that a person believes that you were killed, or you are jealous, or you feel bad on stage. An empty trick makes a short-term impression, but does not leave any deep feeling in the viewer. A person can come to the circus and see simply unimaginable acrobatics. Therefore, our Russian soul should come first in ballet.

“I like to change my image”

Anastasia, do you currently have a dream related to ballet? Maybe a role, a master class with a certain teacher or your own school? (KK)

Well, it’s too early to think about my own school; I’m still a student myself. But I have a role - I dream of dancing Nikia in the play “La Bayadère”. I danced it with the Mikhailovsky Theater on tour in Japan, but not yet with the Mariinsky.

I also probably dream of getting some kind of contract in a foreign theater. I have already performed as a guest ballerina, but I would like something permanent.

You participated in a charity auction, where, together with many celebrities - Vladimir Putin, Valentina Matvienko, show business stars - you painted a picture based on Gogol’s plot. If I’m not mistaken, your painting “The Nose” was sold for 440 thousand rubles. Be honest, did someone help you or did you draw on your own?

Of course, the artist Nadezhda Anfalova helped us, because all this was on the street, on stage, and only 20 minutes were allotted for this. For so much a short time I wouldn't draw it myself.

- What was hers and what was yours in the picture?

The nose was mine (laughs)! Valentina Ivanovna’s painting was number 12, before me. When her painting was sold for 11.5 million, and I had to go on stage and introduce myself - compared to the other participants, I am not so famous - I was so worried that they wouldn’t buy it! But some man bought it for 440 thousand. Thank him very much; unfortunately, I didn’t even have time to find out his name.

In general, it was very interesting at the auction. I think I was lucky with the plot: the nose is a key character for Gogol. It’s great that charity is developing in Russia. Imagine, 70 million were raised, and all of it will go to children suffering cancer diseases. It gives me pleasure to participate in such events! It’s good for someone, but it’s even nicer for you that you were able to make at least a small contribution to the happiness of others.

I took custody of two swans at the zoo. I dedicated this to my childhood perception of ballet, because “Swan Lake” was the first ballet that I saw and then danced. And in general, I think swans are a symbol of Russian ballet, because the whole world knows Tchaikovsky’s great work. A Russian woman is often associated with a swan - everything is somehow interconnected with us. Thus, I paid tribute to this noble and graceful bird. Alas, I don’t come to the zoo often. But I know that Odette and Odile (as I called them) are carefully looked after.

- What else is Nastya interested in, besides ballet? Do you have a hobby? (Pauline)

There are no hobbies because there is no time. Learning English is more of a necessity. IN free time I read, I am attracted, as in dance, more by the classics, but I also try not to miss the latest in modern literature.

Appearance plays a big role in your profession. Tell me, how do you manage to maintain this shape? Any diets? (Svetlana Anatolyevna)

I don't follow any special diets. When I feel like I’m starting to get better, I try to limit myself or simply not eat at night. IN Lately My taste has changed. If before I really loved flour and sweets, I could eat 200 grams of chocolate, and everything was fine (laughs), but today I don’t eat sweets. Do not want. I really like vegetables, seafood, I can eat meat, but not often, because it’s still a heavy product. That is, I have developed a diet that for some is a diet, but I always eat like this. And in general, when you are preparing for the next performance, everything burns out during the preparation process. And you get so tired that you don’t even want to eat in the evening.

- Do you like to change your image?

Yes. I was blonde last season, but since I have a very dark pigment, it was problematic to maintain that hair color. I had to sit in the salon for two hours every two weeks, the agony was terrible - I dyed my hair black. Now many people won’t recognize it (laughs).

- So the problem of overpowering fans is apparently not worth it?

Yes, they just don’t recognize me (laughs).

A year after the tragedy, ballerina Anastasia Kolegova remembers deceased husband Sergei Tarasov

They were unusual couple. Fifty-year-old St. Petersburg senator Sergei Tarasov married the young ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater Anastasia Kolegova on October 10 last year. And on November 27, Anastasia became a widow. Sergei died in the crash of the Nevsky Express, the newlyweds never had time to realize their plans: to have a child, to build common Home, travel the world. A year has passed since the tragedy, Anastasia can already talk about what happened. But her eyes betray that somewhere in the depths of her soul there remains a timid hope: suddenly all this is not true.

“He was a kind child”

Their beautiful love story looks like an unopened flower: it is difficult to understand what aroma it would smell like, what fancy petals it would delight the eye with. But one thing is obvious: it was a real feeling, which Anastasia speaks about with both pride and great pain.

-...I often thought: why me? At that age? But it seems to me that a person is not given more than what he can endure. I don’t understand, I still don’t understand, what I did to deserve this! But I believe in fate. And I think the general picture of a person’s life is already written down somewhere up there. And we subconsciously feel it. Before meeting Sergei, I knew that something good was going to happen.

They met by chance, in the company of mutual friends. This was four years before the wedding. Future spouse Then I had a hard time imagining who Sergei was. It was not his regalia that captivated her (Tarasov was a deputy of the Legislative Assembly, later - vice-governor of St. Petersburg. - Ed.), but sociability and sincerity.

“Seryozha was very cheerful,” recalls Anastasia, “everyone loved him for that.” And despite our age difference, I felt that deep down he was a child. Kind. He couldn’t even rest peacefully—the situation changed every hour. It seems to me that he lived not one life, but several.

Their romance didn't burst out like Christmas fireworks. It’s hard to believe, but the ballerina and the politician... were friends for a long time. It was not easy for both of them to take the plunge. Nastya - closed person, not trusting men. Sergei at that time was married to the daughter of actress Alisa Freindlich, Varvara Vladimirova. And yet they were inevitably attracted to each other. At first the couple just dated, then they began to live together.

Their wedding was not loud. Unless they fired from a cannon in Petropavlovka. And at the Wedding Palace they finished it in just half an hour. But on the steep stairs, Sergei repeatedly lifted Nastya in his arms. The couple was beaming with happiness. Mutual understanding reigned in their family. Despite the fact that Senator Tarasov, soon after the wedding, was appointed head of the board of Rosavtodor, was torn between Moscow and St. Petersburg, and Anastasia was actively touring.

A vague premonition of trouble

— How did you manage to survive this pain?

— I took antidepressants, they clouded my consciousness a little. Special trainings did not help, because I am generally a closed person. Work helped out: after a month and a half I was busy with a performance, and I performed almost every week. And any performance is a purification. You live a completely different life, and your personal tragedy is erased a little. But the longer you live, the more you realize what happened. At first, I was still waiting for Seryozha, and it seemed to me that everything happened not to me, but to someone else. The final realization, I think, will come to me in a year and a half. Now I seem to have a fairly full-fledged existence: work, friends. But I don't enjoy life one hundred percent.

— Did you have any premonitions when Sergei was leaving?

— I was on tour in Japan. She left five days before the tragedy. Japan is my favorite country. But for some reason I wanted to stay at home that time. We are already getting ready for the airport, and I understand that I really don’t want to fly anywhere. She was glued to the chair like a magnet - she could barely get up. There is no cell phone reception there. I called home from the card every day. And for the last three days I couldn’t find Seryozha. He was either at a meeting or somewhere else, in general, his assistant was in charge. And every time she answered the phone, my heart broke. Why doesn't he come on his own? Maybe they don’t tell me and something happened to him? Then I finally talked to him. He was very calm and asked what date I was dancing which part. But I was still nervous. There was something cloudy, incomprehensible in my chest, a premonition.

- Do you dream about him?

- I dream, we are talking, I feel him very sensitively. On the one hand, it seems to me that there is something on the other side of life, and on the other hand, that this is the imagination of the brain. Now it’s easier for me to see these dreams than at first. In a dream, he instructs me and advises me.

— Is it difficult at home alone?

- Not anymore. People are afraid of loneliness because at this moment they begin to think intensely and get to know themselves - and they don’t like it. And I am very comfortable alone with myself, despite the abundance of communication and work. I like to communicate with myself.

— Has the attitude of your friends and his colleagues towards you changed somehow after the death of Sergei?

— Despite the enormous amount of work, Sergei knew how to make friends. And surrounded himself interesting people. This was our common circle of acquaintances, with whom it was pleasant to communicate. And no benefit, no relationship “you - to me, I - to you.” Those friends with whom we communicated under Seryozha all stayed with me. And the rest... I don't know what they say about me. Deep down, they probably hoped that I would break. And when she didn’t break, they decided: “Well, there probably wasn’t any love.” But I don’t care who thinks what. I loved Seryozha. And we were equal halves of a whole.

— Did you have love at first sight?

- No, I realized this only six months later. At first we just talked. I can’t do this right away - I’m in a deep headspace. I need to look at a man for a few months. I have a very hard time making contact. And if I go, then I’ve already decided everything. Of course, he loved me very much. But I am no less than him.

- Which ones did you have? global plans for life?

— The immediate plan was to have a child. They wanted to improve their health, and in a year, in the summer, they could become parents. Of course, Seryozha understood that I was a ballet soloist, that I was making progress, that I was worried, that I went to performances. But he really wanted a child - it was his obsession.

Alone with myself

...Sergei was buried at the Nikolskoye cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. He found his final peace next to Mikhail Stolypin, the brother of the Tsar’s Prime Minister. There are always fresh flowers on his grave. St. Petersburg bikers, with whom the politician often communicated, are going to visit their friend on the anniversary of the tragedy. Anastasia did not answer the question of how often she visits her husband’s grave. It was clear that it was still difficult for her to talk about it.

But she didn't break. The ballerina does not have a creative crisis. He dances 3-4 parts a month, goes on tour and says that he is fully realized in his creativity. The plans are to prepare the classic “La Sylphide” at the Mariinsky Theater.

She never made any close friends in the ballet world. Continues to communicate with Sergei's friends. The only friend Oksana, with whom Anastasia can talk about very personal things, lives in Japan. She's Russian. The girls once lived together in a dormitory and have known each other since they were nine years old.

Anastasia rarely has fun. Now the big screen has become an outlet for the ballerina.

“I’m an absolute film buff,” admits Kolegova, “I watch all the films that come out.” More American, of course. I prefer to watch movies at home. Alone with myself.

When asked if she had dreams, Anastasia answered without hesitation:

“I hope my condition ends.” I am 28 years old, I really want children. And I was ready for this before the tragedy. It’s just that when Sergei left, everything in my life turned upside down. But probably, time will pass- and I will have a husband, family, children. This is still the main thing in life. And no career can compare with family.

Mariinsky ballerina for the first time - about how she stole rich St. Petersburg senator Sergei Tarasov from her family

Soloist of the Mariinsky Theater ballet Anastasia KOLEGOVA in this year celebrated its 35th anniversary. The general public started talking about her in the fall of 2009, after the young ballerina became the wife of 50-year-old Sergei TARASOV, senator of St. Petersburg and former son-in-law of People's Artist Alisa FREINDLICH. The couple got married on October 10, and on November 27, Sergei Borisovich died in the crash of the Nevsky Express train, which was blown up by terrorists.

Nastya, have you always wanted to become a ballerina?

I was born in Chelyabinsk into a simple family: my father is an athlete, my mother is a teacher of Russian language and literature. And I fell in love with ballet thanks to my aunt. It was she who brought me to Swan Lake at the age of five. Since then I began to dream about the stage. In the third grade I went with her to St. Petersburg and entered the Vaganova School. Lived in a boarding school.

- Was it difficult?

Stuff happened. struggled with overweight, because at home I was used to eating buns and pasta, but competition with other girls spurred me to change, become better, and study even more. After graduating from college, I was not immediately hired at the desired Mariinsky Theater. Six long years had passed before that, and I didn’t really want to dance in the corps de ballet. I worked in different theaters and came to the Mariinsky Theater as a soloist. I was 24 years old then.

Immediately after registering their marriage, Nastya and Sergei Borisovich went to the Peter and Paul Fortress. The midday cannon salvo that day sounded in their honor. Photo: ITAR-TASS

You have been serving in this leading theater of the country for eleven years, but have not received an honorary title: you remain the first soloist, and not a prima ballerina, like, say, Oksana Skorik, who is seven years younger. Does the lack of a patron bother you? After all, your husband Sergei Tarasov tragically passed away.

For five years now, my documents for the title have been lying with the administration, but my status still will not be increased. Why? Question for the theater management. I understand perfectly well that I am already overripe, and a little more - and it will be ridiculous to give me a title. These are probably behind-the-scenes games. On the other hand, each person has his own destiny. I have to be honest and admit that if my husband were alive, I would have had everything long ago. But most importantly, I would be loved and happy, I would give birth to a child... Alas, God gave Seryozha and I only six years together.

The public learned about Anastasia Volochkova thanks to her active PR. The world started talking about Diana Vishneva after there was talk that Roman Abramovich himself was patronizing her. And if you look into history, it becomes clear that it is unlikely, for example, that we would now remember the ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya if she had not had an affair with Emperor Nicholas II.

- Kshesinskaya she was a pretty, well-built dancer, nothing more. She looked great on stage only at the beginning of her career, and then everything went away. I completely agree with you: if not for her affair with Nicholas II, no one would even remember her today. About Volochkov everything is clear too. As for Vishneva, then even before meeting Abramovich she was known and loved all over the world. And when he began to sponsor Diana, he didn’t go to her better side attitudes in society have changed. The name of the oligarch cast a shadow on her reputation, however, nothing can spoil Diana. And if you go back to me, I was happy on a personal level for too short a time.

Top officials, lawyers, and businessmen loved to ride the Nevsky Express, which was blown up by terrorists on November 27, 2009. Photo: ITAR-TASS

Loving but decent

You met your future husband at 21. As I understand it, at that time he was married to Alisa Freundlich’s daughter and raised two children with her.

Yes, Seryozha and I met in 2003, in the same company. He was then responsible for culture in St. Petersburg. In addition, my mother-in-law and wife are actresses, so I have always been close to creative circles. 23 years older than me. But I didn’t notice this difference at all. She fell in love with him very quickly and strongly and, like a woman, began to open up for the first time. Of course, I had affairs before him, but very short ones, no more than a month. When she realized that this was not serious, she broke off the relationship herself. And with Seryozha, everything coincided with us: common interests to art and incredible personal feelings. Yes, he had a family with two children. Plus there is a daughter Olya from her first marriage. I know exactly what Varvara Vladimirova(daughter Freundlich and second wife Tarasova. - Ya. G.) filed for divorce from Seryozha after learning about our relationship with him. I, sad as it may sound, became a homewrecker, playing a fatal role in the destruction of their marriage.

Alisa Brunovna with her daughter and grandchildren. Photo by Evgenia GUSEVA/Komsomolskaya Pravda

- Why were you satisfied with the status of your mistress for a long time?

I was just very happy. In addition, Sergei gave me an apartment before our marriage. He helped financially, although I, of course, didn’t ask for anything. Probably, subconsciously, he considered this fair: they say, I’m young, and he seems to be taking advantage of my youth. But that's not true! For me, he became an incredible man: he could always listen, give good advice... Immediately after Sergei’s death, a struggle began for two years for this apartment of mine. Varvara believed that everything should belong only to her. Thanks to fate, I still have a place to live. I will say more, the division of property and Sergei’s scandals with his second wife greatly darkened our short, but such a bright time with him.

- Did you introduce Tarasov to your parents immediately after meeting?

No, they found out about Sergei only when he proposed to me. I am a late child, so my dad and mom turned out to be older than him. And they saw perfectly how tenderly he treated me. Seryozha was a sincere person: in spite of everything, he invited both his first and second wife to his 50th birthday (the last celebration in his life). A loving and decent person - such qualities can also coexist in one person.

Anna and Alexey. Photo.

The famous "Paquita" by Marius Petipa, which balletomanes have been talking about so much, finally graces the Mariinsky Theater's poster. In fact, the theater management has repeatedly started talking about staging the legendary ballet. In order for the matter to move forward, Alexei Ratmansky had to restore Paquita (based on recordings of the Mariinsky performance of the 1900s stored in the United States) at the Bavarian Opera. The answer to Chamberlain suggested itself. True, there are rumors that they initially planned to transfer the Munich version to St. Petersburg. But there was a delay with the papers, and Yuri Smekalov received carte blanche. Be that as it may, the Mariinsky now has its own “Paquita” - with the grand pas restored with the help of Yuri Burlaki and two large acts by Yuri Smekalov.

Smekalov's choreography is very boring. Perhaps nowhere is this more noticeable than in the two acts of the big ballet - after which the third is Petipa's choreography. The Vaganova Academy taught Yuri Smekalov to dance, but did not teach him to think with dance movements at all. Why the artists raise their hands and why they make jumps, this choreographer has no idea. His only answer is that it should be. The further we go, the more we see not classical dance, but an imitation of classical dance. The movements are not just empty, they are formal and so monotonous that even the variation of the horse in the gypsy scene (an old circus act with two people covered with a horse costume) is just as monotonous as everything else, but in a completely different manner: it is not Petipa that is imitated here , and Yuri Nikulin is perceived as a stream of air and a break from pseudo-classics. Critics have said a lot about the solution to pantomime scenes, so I won’t say anything. And about certain legendary numbers of Petipa’s ballet, irreparably damaged. The dance with cloaks is given to men (in Petipa it was danced by travesty women; in Ratmansky’s version this moment is preserved, but Smekalov does not need it). The most boring pas de trois of the second act, even if restored by Burlaka, is completely in the style of Smekalov. I will never believe that Petipa was so laconic and straightforward. At first it seems that the Mariinsky Theater has taken the path of Mikhailovsky, simplifying Petipa to banalities and adapting classical dance to the capabilities of the troupe. But with each new picture, the imitative emptiness grows, devouring the brilliant discoveries of Petipa and his followers: the first act sucks the juices out of Don Quixote, the pas de trois eats the lamb from The Nutcracker with its bones, and the prison scenes (the most boring of the entire ballet) digest "Esmeralda".

Two hours of torment, like hell and purgatory, lead to authentic choreography. The grand pas rearranged by Burlaka (considerably complicated compared to the version that existed in the theater) is reminiscent of his “Live Garden” from “The Corsair” in quality and grandeur. Bolshoi Theater. Five complex variations preceding the dance of the main characters, big job corps de ballet, large children's dance- all this allows you to feel the delight that the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet once aroused.

Probably, the third performance of the premiere was not the most spectacular in terms of the selection of dancers. Anastasia Kolegova (Paquita), who replaced the planned Oksana Skorik, did what she knows how to do. Xander Parish (Andres) has the right pose of a noble don and a long stride. This is where its advantages end. Ekaterina Chebykina (Christina, Paquita’s friend) stood out very much -
she has long, exquisitely Spanish arms in the first act and a decent variation in the grand pas. I also liked Maria Ilyushkina in the first variation of the grand pas. The corps de ballet that evening was more interesting than the soloists and did a wonderful job. The choreographers and directors did a good job with the Vaganovka students. Usually children knock down lines and interfere with rows, but here they danced almost perfectly.

To be honest, I don’t know what the fate of this ballet will be. I do not rule out that the hall is doomed to remain half empty for the first two acts. Or maybe not - the majority of spectators who paid for a ticket would be quite satisfied with the imitation. I myself will probably go to the whole ballet again - to see Victoria Tereshkina. Suddenly something will strike you.