The history of the Moscow City Ballet

Moscow City Ballet was formed in 1988 by the distinguished Russian Choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, himself a highly acclaimed ex soloist of the Bolshoi Ballet.

Considering classical ballet to be an important part of the national heritage of Russia, Victor Smirnov-Golovanov aims to bring it to as wide an audience as possible, especially the new generation of younger ballet attenders.

Victor Smirnov-Golovanov's own choreography, as well as original versions of the classical repertoire, all share a clearly defined style, ideas and choreographic integrity, setting the very highest of performance standards.

The Company is justly renowned for the astounding artistry of its soloists and for the perfection of its corps de ballet, in the best traditions of the Russian school of classical ballet.

They have given over 2,000 UK performances, accompanied by the Moscow Ballet Orchestra.

The Company's unique style is ensured by the unceasing efforts, both in production and rehearsal, by Victor Smirnov-Golovanov as Artistic Director and his wife, Ludmila Nerubashenko, as Chief Ballet Mistress and principal teacher.

The Company's first appearance outside Russia was in 1989, in Seoul, Korea. Since then, they have become one of Russia's most successful and extensively touring ballet companies. They are in constant demand worldwide and continue to maintain their annual performance commitments in Russia as well as a gruelling foreign schedule.

Since 1989 Moscow City Ballet have visited the USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Israel, Cyprus and Greece. In 2002 they toured China, Japan and Korea, and in 2003 returned to Taiwan.

The overwhelming success of the Company has meant that Victor Hochhauser has been able to present them, here in the UK, every year for the past seventeen years.