UKRAINIAN BALLET DEBUT

       Kiev Modern Ballet Theatre will make its debut appearance in Thailand during the "Bangkok's 11th International Festival of Dance & Music",which will be running from Sept 7-Oct 17 at Thailand Cultural Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road.
       Coming fifth and sixth on the programme line-up of 16 productions from around the world are the only two performances by Ukrainian ballet dancers for this festival.Carmen TV is on Sun, Sept 13 and La Forza del Destino on Tue, Sept 15- both at 7:30pm.
       During the past 10 years in Europe,this company has revitalised the modern ballet scene under the direction of choreographer Radu Poklitaru,whose genius lies in his ability to deconstruct, interpret, reinterpret and elicit extraordinary communication between his dancers.
       Carmen TV is a two-act modern ballet interpretation of George Bizel's well-known classical opera, delivered in a dramatic, riveting performance.
       It will be accompanied by a live orchestra and opera vocalist Olga Kondakova in the role of Carmen.Olga won the Best Female award in the Zolotaya Piktoral Contest and is known for her riveting portrayals.
       La Forza del Destino , meanwhile,is a one-act modern opera-ballet featuring music by Guiseppe Verdi, Boito,Puccini, Saint-Saens and Katalini.
       Translated as "the force of destiny",the show is a genre rarely seen in Bangkok. Choreographer Radu gives another original and engrossing interpretation of a classical work this time, Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name - as a modern ballet.
       La Forza del Destino traces the path of an opera singer - from her first timid steps as a debutante on stage, to recognition and glory, then to disillusion and the loss of everything dear - with silent commentary from dancers sharing the stage.
       She is played by soprano Olena Grebeniuk, soloist of the Kiev Opera and Ballet Theatre and winner of numerous awards, including the gold medal at the Euro Video Grand-Prix 2006.
       Tickets for each show cost 600,1,200, 1,600, 2,000 and 2,500 baht and can be purchased from Thaiticketmajor booths (tel 02-262-3456).For more information about the festival, please visit w.bangkok festivals.com.