On October 3 and 4, 2025, the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre will host the major premiere of the 2025/26 season: the ballet La fille mal gardée revised by Oleg Vinogradov, People’s Artist of the USSR, and Vyacheslav Okunev, People’s Artist of Russia.
La fille mal gardée is the oldest ballet that has survived to the present day. Staged in 1789 in France, it continues to flourish on many stages throughout the world. Although the ballet was originally staged by Jean Dauberval in 1789, its modern version lives thanks to the music by Louis Hérold (1828). The airy, melodic, and witty score, rich in folk motifs, vividly portrays the characters and sets up an atmosphere of a heartfelt village celebration.
It is a comic story where a mother attempts to marry her daughter off profitably, but fails thoroughly, and true love takes the upper hand over self-interest. This triumph of love is brought to life through a brilliant choreographic solution. Legendary choreographer Oleg Vinogradov is working with the Primorsky Stage ballet company in Vladivostok.
“This is a festive ballet, filled with the joy of life, merriment, and a multitude of comic situations. In this performance, you can enjoy authentic French music and, of course, classical choreography performed by virtuoso dancers”, the choreographer noted.
The leading parts of the lovers, Lise and Colas, will be performed in the premiere days by leading soloists Irina Sapozhnikova and Shizuru Kato (October 3, 2025), Anna Samostrelova and Sergei Amanbaev (October 4, 2025), and Lada Sartakova and Denis Klepikov (October 4, 2025). The part of the couple’s main antagonist, Lise’s mother, Marcelina, will be performed by ballet company dancers Mikhail Shulaev (October 3, 2025), Kirill Trunin (October 4, 2025), and Alexei Kalinin (October 4, 2025).
An encounter within the framework of Scenic Introduction project taking place an hour before the performance on October 3, 2025, will come as a special treat for the audiences. There, ballet connoisseurs will have a chance to meet the production’s choreographer, Oleg Vinogradov, and the Ballet Artistic Director of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, Eldar Aliev.
