La Bayadère - Second Variation (Yasmine Naghdi, The Royal Ballet)

Yasmine Naghdi performs the Second Variation in The Royal Ballet's production of La Bayadere.

An iconic 19th-century Russian ballet, La Bayadère was originally performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in St Petersburg in 1877, and was regularly performed within the former Soviet Union throughout the 20th century. It remained unknown in the West until the Kirov Ballet toured with the Kingdom of the Shades scene in 1961. Natalia Makarova saw La Bayadère as a child in Leningrad and created this production in 1980. It was first performed by The Royal Ballet in 1989.

The Kingdom of the Shades scene in Act II is one of the ballet's highlights, in which a series of arabesques across the moonlit stage demonstrates the strength of the corps de ballet and the beauty of Marius Petipa's choreography. The ballet also contains roles of very different styles for two ballerinas in Nikiya and Gamzatti, a spectacular virtuoso solo for the Bronze Idol, and stunning pas de deux for Solor with both Nikiya and Gamzatti.

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[alassante]

Yasmine has quickly become one of my favorite ballerinas. Most versions I've seen of the second shade, the ballerina has the same facial expression throughout the whole variation, and they just go through the steps. Yasmine starts off serious just as the music is controlled and tense, and you can see her change in demeanor as the pace picks up. She smiles more, and genuinely looks like she's starting to have fun along with the music. She's just a gem. Please more videos of her ROH! <3

[mphilia]

Her 2nd variation is super controlled, so stabilized.

[kathleendoodles]

This has got to be one of the trickiest variations in all of classical ballet!

[treenelson]

I am stunned by the exact control, thank you for slowing the music so we could see where each movement landed on what note. Amazing control.

[tamei]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it’s done.

[RockyScience]

Looking forward to watching Yu Hang dancing this variation one day on RB stage. She won Prix with this one and it will be very special. Yasmine is one of my favourites nowadays. Proudly British and British trained!

[guardianoflight]

That was some crazy control and yet she makes it look so effortless. 😍 Wow!

[CheezItsILove]

I hope in the upcoming season we see more of Yasmine!!!! She is a sight to see and is definitely on her way to the top of the ballet world!!!!

[AnnDrogyne]

I'm a big fan of Yasmine. She has the perfect classical physique. I'd love to see her preform Swan Lake.

[silena]

what is with this graveyard tempo?? brava to yasmine naghdi for her amazing control despite the slowww music

[fionaperry]

Such beautiful control and precision, technically brilliant in my opinion. Thank you for sharing.

[tristoffsquabit]

I love to watch her dance! She’s amazing!

[amandafrazier]

Watching a dancer just radiate joy while they work is wonderful.

[antonellapavone]

Grande tecnica e meravigliosa interpretazione!❤

[Witchyelfpeach]

Beautiful! It is amazing how they can do hard steps such is a talented dancer

[florenciagg]

so much talent, so genuine. You deserve that role completely 🥺🤍

[evelyntheidiot]

The control, the artistry, everything was excellent! Love seeing this variation done well.

[cynthiafletcher]

Stunning!! She tackled the difficult variation with great technique as well as artistry. C❤❤❤

[jackiedaniel]

Really exceptional ability phenomenal romeo and juliet good variation sylvia coda7 too