Not a lot of words are needed for this performance. Novikova either way, is one of my favourite dancers, but here she really shows her strengths. This variation is part of the so called dream scene (which this being a 19th-century ballet, of course, is present) and her variation reflects the dreaminess of the whole scene.
I have always said that lyrical roles are a lot of the times much more difficult than dynamic, because when a dancer moves slowly they need much more control in their body, for it to look smooth and seamless. And Novikova being, well Novikova, does an incredible job here. Her arms are just to die for; she's not flapping them around like they were dead chicken wings and she is not just placing them in pretty positions (which she ends up making either way). If you look at it closely she actually never stops moving them, but in a slow, controlled manner, so they really get that dreamy look to them. Legs I am not even going to mention a lot because they don't need a lot of words. They are high, but they are still controlled (she is not just throwing them around), and most of all, it is really noticeable how much she works with her muscles, to remain en-dehors.
The expression is actually quite nice also. She has a serene, pleasant expression, which seems a bit like she is dreaming/sleeping even when she is dancing, which is actually very appropriate for this scene. So either way: 10/10 for this variation.
Alexander Glazunov
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Reconstruction: Sergei Vikharev
Raymonda
The Dream Scene Variation
Raymonda.....................Olesya Novikova
Mariinsky Ballet
Scala Ballet
Scala Theatre
Milan, Italy
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