Alexander Godunov: An exihbition

An exhibition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the birth of the ballet troupe soloist (1971-1979), Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Alexander Godunov, has opened on the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

The list of his roles proves that the so-called danseur noble only benefits when he demonstrates a distinctly masculine essence, which can be pushed to the limit and beyond in heroic, grotesque, or brutal interpretations.

"He seemed made for royal appearances to the sound of fanfares and trumpets, for knightly tournaments, for ceremonial ascents up the throne steps" (director and critic Boris Lvov-Anokhin on Godunov's debut as Prince Siegfried). Rare facial beauty, sculptural body shape, masculine charisma with a clear aura of otherworldliness — such a "gentlemanly" set could and did ensure a career on screen both in the USSR and Hollywood. But he also possessed unique physical attributes combined with a powerful artistic temperament, which allowed him to shine briefly but very brightly on the ballet stage. "Alexander Godunov was mighty, proud, tall. A sheaf of straw-colored hair, making him look like a Scandinavian, blazed in the wind of Godunov's unique pirouette" (Maya Plisetskaya).

The exhibition, which will run until December 24, features photographs of scenes from the ballets "Swan Lake," "Giselle," "Spartacus," "Ivan the Terrible," "Love for Love," "Anna Karenina," "Carmen Suite," and others.