This performance of the George Balanchine choreographed ballet Jewels by the Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra was recorded in April of 2006, and features performances by such renowned dancers as Ulyana Lopatkina, Igor Zelensky, Irina Golub, Zhanna Ayupova, and others. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

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Before emigrating to the West, George Balanchine studied in St Petersburg and was a member of The State Academic Theatre, now known as the Mariinsky. Jewels dates from late in his career as a choreographer and was premiered at the New York City Ballet in 1967 and since 1999 has been a core part of the Mariinsky Ballet s repertoire. Regarded as the world s first abstract ballet, Jewels features music by Faur, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. There is a stark contrast in composition and style for each of the three acts, linked only by the dancers dazzling costumes encrusted with colored gems. The Mariinsky Ballet (also known as the Kirov) is probably the world s greatest ballet company. They are supported here by the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by Tugan Sokhiev. The performance was filmed by Brian Large at the Mariinsky Theatre and the both the DVD and Blu-ray discs include a bonus interview with the Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev.