Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2009

With the Kiev and Leningrad Ballet companies also in town, fans of classical ballet have the opportunity to compare how three of the great companies of the former Soviet Union approach holiday season chestnuts Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. In addition to these Tchaikovsky standards, the St. Petersburg-based Mariinsky Ballet will also be presenting an all-star gala and leading Russian composer Shuchedrin’s The Little Humpbacked Horse, based on a popular fairytale. Principals making the trip include the provocatively athletic Alina Somova, as well as Vladimir Shklyarov, Ekaterina Kondaurova and Danila Korsuntsev.

Swan Lake
Tchaikovsky’s classic by the Mariinsky Ballet. Nov 22, 6pm; Nov 23, 2pm, ¥7,000 (D)/¥10,000 (C)/¥14,000 (B)/¥17,000 (A)/¥20,000 (S). Kanagawa Kenmin Hall, Yokohama. Tel: 045-662-8866.

Sleeping Beauty
Classic fairytale performance by the Mariinsky Ballet. Dec 3-5, various times, ¥8,000 (D)/¥11,000 (C)/¥14,000 (B)/¥17,000 (A)/¥20,000 (S). Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Ueno. Tel: 03-5685-0650.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
Mariinsky Ballet performance based on Russian folklore. Dec 8-9, 7pm, ¥5,000-¥22,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Ueno. Tel: 03-5237-7711.

All Star Gala
The Mariinsky Ballet performs Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and duets. Dec 10 & 11, 7pm, ¥5,000-¥20,000. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Ueno. Tel: 03-5237-7711.