Igor Zapravdin & Stars des Balletts: St. Pölten, January 25th, 2025

One of my principles lies in the fact that I never write a critique about a Gala.

It could be wrongly understood as it resembles a „competition “ and tends to evoke a feeling of Olympic points.

I prefer to see it as a bundle of joy, a celebration. It is as simple as that.

In this particular case, the celebration is all about Maestro Igor Zapravdin, his knowledge, and his joy in celebrating Ballet—as it should be.

Nothing moves me as much as this special love and care in constructing a programme—this precise care in selecting not only the dancers, the music, and the numbers but also the „tone“ in which the whole evening is played.

We thank Maestro Zapravdin for all the love and care dedicated to this special evening.

During the evening, all of a sudden, the lyrics of an old Gershwin song came into my mind.

It couldn't be more appropriate when describing the programme with which we were being gorgeously spoiled. Let me share them with you:

“Love walked right in and drove the shadows away

Love walked right in and brought my sunniest day

One magic moment and my heart seemed to know that love said hello

Though not a word was spoken”

My sincerest Thanks to Mr Zapravdin for giving us such a beautifully composed evening that united not only good dancers and carefully chosen music but also LOVE and CARE, invested in one's creativity!