#makhmud esambayev

[fenixe-wolfe]

[fromsiberia]

Indian dance “The Gold God” by Makhmud Esambayev. First few minutes is his interview, he’s telling how he’d started with indian dances, about his first performance of “The Gold God”, the dance itself starts at 7:10.

It’s incredible. He is incredible.  

[melmothblog]

May I ask you for some help? Can you please do something like a top 5 of best Rothbart's (the evil magician from Swan Lake) or recommend some good portrayals of the character, besides Nikolay Tsiskaridze?

I’d love to! But if I’m completely honest, there are only three Von Rothbarts I love: Tsiskaridze, Gomes and Esambayev (in no particular order; all very different portrayals). I’ll try to flash out that list, but please keep in mind that these are my personal preferences, very subjective, and others may not agree with my opinions. 

Marcelo Gomes (ABT production of “Swan Lake”)

I really like the (unconventional) approach ABT took to Von Rothbart and I love Marcelo’s seductive portrayal of this character. I also adore the fact that in the ABT production, Von Rothbart gets to dance to the Russian Song, one of my favourite pieces of music.

Makhmud Esambayev (Mariinsky production of “Swan Lake”, 1968)

Esambaev is a brilliant actor. I can’t stress that enough. He is charismatic and terrifying - a perfect Von Rothbart. He also acted in “The Land of Sannikov”, a movie I loved as a kid, and made a huge impression on me. I think he may actually be my favourite Von Rothbart (sorry Nikolai).

Other good portrayals (in my opinion) include:

Boris Efimov

Andrei Yermakov

Vladimir Levashev (I don’t love the portrayal, but I find it visually fascinating)

d i s c l a i m e r 

[vatnick]

[russian-style]

Makhmud Esambayev, famous Soviet dancer

[jacquemard]

Makhmud Esambayev, famous soviet dancer. The dance of automat. 

[fenixe-wolfe]

[fenixe-wolfe]

[fenixe-wolfe]