Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
The husband and wife team of internationally renowned dancers Leonid and Adriana Kozlov again staged the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at the Cas di Cultura over the final weekend of 2012. Bringing this beloved tradition to Aruba just a few years ago, the part-time island residents staged a sumptuous production featuring guest stars Albert Davydov, principal performer of the New Jersey Ballet and rising young star Sophia Greenbaum. Over 40 Aruban dancers of all ages performed beautifully in the chorus.
Audiences were thrilled by the elegant production featuring costumes and sets specially commissioned by renowned Russian designers for the ballet. Tchaikovsky’s immortal music was matched with lively dance and stunning costumes. The beauty of dance was accompanied by the drama, comedy and fantasy of Leonid Kozlov’s choreography.
The Kozlov’s worked have contributed their time to work intensively with local young dancers at the Club di Movimiento in Bubali to excite interest and community involvement in the world of classic ballet. The appreciation for this rare treat was evident with a standing ovation from the audience.
A New Year’s Gala was performed at the Occidental Grand Resort in Palm Beach on Tuesday, January 1. Albert Davydov was featured in a show-stopping pas de deux with Sofia Greenbaum titled “Diana Acteon .” Mr. Davydov also treated the audience with an exciting Russian Gopak filled with high flying leaps and intricate jumps. The New Year program featured classic ballet, folkloric dance, tango and a new work by Leonid Kozlov titled “”Impulse,” an intricate jazz on pointe number.
The Kozlovs aspire to stimulate the Aruban community to appreciate these art forms, while establishing the popular holiday ballet as a standing tradition on Aruba, to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
