Vishneva bows here in ‘Giselle’
Chicago audiences are getting a rare glimpse of ballerina Diana Vishneva this weekend as she dances at the Auditorium Theatre in the Kirov Ballet’s “Giselle” — the story of a village girl who goes mad when she realizes she has been duped by a caddish aristocrat.
Vishneva, 32, who was born and trained in St. Petersburg, Russia, and who now divides her time between the Kirov Ballet and American Ballet Theater, recently chatted with me by phone, through an interpreter.
Q. How has your interpretation of Giselle evolved?
A. My first performance as Giselle was in 1999, and my interpretation changes as often as I myself do — depending on the coach I am working with, who my partner is, what company I am dancing with. Each performance is unique, and I continually try to put all my talent and effort into making it better. “Giselle” is like two different ballets. In the first act you must be a very good dramatic actress, be very honest, and draw on all your life experience. Then in the second act you must appear absolutely out of this world — so airy and light, an unearthly spiritual thing.
Q. You live in St. Petersburg but travel on a regular basis. What is important to you when traveling?
A. Well, in New York, ABT rents a beautiful townhouse with a backyard for me, and it is so warm and cozy. And I bring my mother with me, and she does everything to make me happy.
Q. What is your routine on a performance day?
A. The most important thing is to have a nap and time to concentrate. I don’t like to spend energy on conversations with anyone but my partner or fellow dancers. I need 24 hours of mental and physical rest. And depending on how I feel I will do a warmup or have a massage.
Q. Are you working on something new?
A. Yes, in November I will dance a solo by [avant-garde German choreographer] Pina Bausch as part of a festival in Dusseldorf.
NOTE: Vishneva dances Sunday at 2 p.m. Also performing the title role in “Giselle” will be Irma Nioradze (tonight at 7:30 and Sat. at 8 p.m.) and Olesia Novikova (Sat. at 2 p.m.). Phone: (312) 902-1500.