The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet concert will take place on the stage of the Kremlin Palace

On June 18 and 19, pupils of the 284th edition of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Russia's oldest ballet school, will traditionally take to the stage of the State Kremlin Palace.

The school of Premiers of the Bolshoi Theater is headed by Nikolai Tsiskaridze, People's Artist of Russia, winner of State Prizes, and a student of the great choreographers Peter Pestov, Marina Semenova, and Galina Ulanova. The first vice–rector and artistic director of the Academy is the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre, People's Artist of Russia Zhanna Ayupova, a pupil of the outstanding ballerina Ninel Kurgapkina, one of Vaganova's favorite students.

The Academy will present a unique choreographic program in two departments, each dedicated to an important event in the history of the ballet school. Turning to the masterpieces of classical heritage is an absolute priority in educating professionals at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. The program of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet's graduation concert, "Vaganova's Legacy through the Ages and Styles," is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Ludwig Minkus, the 110th anniversary of Sofia Golovkina, and the 140th anniversary of Fyodor Lopukhov.

The first section of the concert will be opened by the one-act ballet "Ballads" to the music of F. Chopin, staged by Sofia Gaidukova and Konstantin Matulevsky. Devoid of a storyline and focused on images, the ballet is characterized by an emotional structure that strives to reflect inner feelings and romantic images. The costumes are made according to the sketches of the famous Russian fashion designer, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Igor Chapurin.

The miniature "Children's Pas de deux" to the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky (Choreography by Marat Gaziev and Nikolai Tsiskaridze) was created in 2014 for young pupils "as a light prank for gifted children who will become the pride of the Russian ballet in the future," says Nikolai Tsiskaridze.

The musical and choreographic masterpiece "Classical Symphony" to the music of Sergei Prokofiev (choreography by Leonid Lavrovsky, edited by Mikhail Lavrovsky, 2017), demonstrating the purity of classical ballet technique, lightness and cheerfulness, will complete the first section of the concert.

The second movement features a Suite from the ballet Don Quixote to the music of Ludwig Minkus, edited by Nikolai Tsiskaridze (2026). The suite harmoniously combines cheerful music, intricate choreography, bright costumes, colorful decorations and lighting effects. The audience will see sparkling, fascinating, virtuoso dances filled with vivid emotions of Spanish flavor, brilliance and humor.

The concert is attended by the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Ovsyanikov (Mariinsky Theatre). The scenery is provided by the Mariinsky Theatre.