Tribute to Sergei Upkin

International Dance Day Gala

Conductors: Arvo Volmer, Lauri Sirp
Choreographers: Sergei Upkin, Triinu Upkin
Estonian National Ballet and Estonian National Opera Orchestra 

This year’s International Dance Day Gala is dedicated to one of the most outstanding principal dancers of the Estonian National Ballet, Sergei Upkin for whom this season will be the last of his career. Within 25 years, Upkin has created more than 30 roles in Estonia and abroad that have brought him much acknowledgement.

“Sergei Upkin is an amazing prince whose dance lines and jumps are magnificent”, (Auli Räsänen, Nutcracker from Tallinn, Helsingin Sanomat, 19. XII 2004)

“Sergei Upkin’s intense dancing keeps the audience constantly attentive, just like the dancer himself is taut like a bowstring.” (Jürgen Rooste, How to dance Raskolnikov?, Eesti Päevaleht, 12. XII 2011)

“Sergei Upkin dances with a self-explanatory fluidity and grace.” (Heili Einasto, Snow White with fireworks, Postimees, 4. II 2008)

“Sergei Upkin earned an incontestable 1st Prize with his superb technical showing in Grand Pas Classique”. (Dance Europe, august/september 2003).

The first half of the gala features Sergei Upkin’s staging of Stravinsky’s short ballet “Jeu de cartes” that brings to life a game of poker, where the Joker has a few tricks up his sleeve to turn the tables. But is he himself unbeatable? In addition, you will see Triinu Upkin’s version of the story of Romeo and Juliet to the music of Tchaikovsky’s eponymous orchestral work. The second part of the gala gives an insight to Sergei Upkin’s dashing career, featuring the favourite dance numbers of Sergei, performed by the dancers of the Estonian National Ballet, guest performers and Sergei himself.