University of Virginia Library

From Russia, With Soul

One of the most colorful and lively
spectacles ever to be seen in Charlottesville
will be at Univ Hall on Monday,
November 20 at 8m. Coming directly
from Moscow for thy North American
tour, the one hund dancers, singers and
instrumentalists of the Beryozka Dance
Company will create the kind of theatrical
excitement that has made them
internationally famous. Under the artistic
direction of Nadezhdina S. Nadexhdina,
Beryozka takes the audience on a grand tour
of Russia.

Nadexhdina's artistic sensibilities have led
her to a profound understanding and
appreciation of her country and its people.
She knows the Russian "soul" and finds
beauty in it.

In terms of dance and song the company
offers glimpses of city life, and country life.

There are narrative works as well as dances
created for the theater and based on folklore
and history. The program will feature not
only some beautiful lyrical dancing by the
girls, but also the wild leaps, turns in air and
"close-to-the-floor" patterns for which
Russian male dancers are justifiably famous.

Striking, though, is the extraordinary
conformity of the elements which comprise
this dance presentation. The orchestra is
comprised of Russian Folk instruments, while
the inventive stage lighting, and flawless
singing, blend in to create a performance of
uncommon artistic merit.

For Russians, the birch tree is a symbol of
the beauty of their native land. That is why
when Nadexhdina founded her first company,
she decided to call it "Beryozka"–birch tree.

Admission charge for this performance is
$5 for those without Season Artist Series tickets.