Ballet Star David Makhateli Steps into GISELLE at Spoleto Festival USA, 6/12 & 6/13

In a last-minute substitution, David Makhateli, a principal dancer with London's Royal Ballet, will step into the role of Albrecht in the National Ballet of Georgia's upcoming production of GISELLE at Spoleto Festival USA. Makhateli replaces Irakli Bakhtadze and Davit Karapetyan, both of whom recently sustained injuries while dancing. Makhateli will dance the demanding role in the matinee performances on June 12 and 13 at Charleston's Gaillard Auditorium. 

Makhateli brings significant Albrecht experience, having portrayed Giselle's love interest to great acclaim on many international stages. As scheduled, Vasil Akhmeteli will portray Albrecht opposite Nina Ananiashvili in the two evening performances.

Makhateli was born in Georgia, and trained at the Tbilisi State Choreographic Institute and the Royal Ballet School. He has won awards at the Prix de Lausanne (1992) and the International Diaghilev Ballet Competition (1992), and received a diploma at the Concours International de Danse de Paris. Before joining London's Royal Ballet in 2003, he danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and throughout Europe, Japan, China, Central America, and the United States. Besides Albrecht, his repertory includes leading roles in The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Etudes, Solitaire, Gloria, Concerto, Theme and Variations, Symphony in C, The Four Temperaments, Sinfonietta, Without Words, In the middle, somewhat elevated and La Sylphide.

The epitome of Romantic ballet, GISELLE is a poignant tale of love, remorse, and forgiveness. The Tbilisi-based National Ballet of Georgia returns to Spoleto Festival USA in a sumptuous staging of GISELLE, accompanied by the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra. Performances are on June 11 at 7:00pm, June 12 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm, and June 13 at 2:00pm.

For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston's historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with over 140 performances by world-renowned artists and emerging performers in opera, theater, music theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. Spoleto Festival USA 2010 will take place May 28 through June 13 and information and tickets can be found online at spoletousa.org, by phone at 843.579.3100, and in person at the Spoleto Festival USA box office at Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street.

 

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