It is a famous work by Boris Eifman, the company's leader and the most acclaimed Russian choreographer today. The spectacular two-act ballet, lasting two hours and set to an assortment of music by Tchaikovsky and others, is by far the most original and absorbing dramatic ballet seen in Hong Kong so far this year.

The story is based on the tragic life of the legendary Russian ballerina Olga Spessivtseva, who had to compromise her artistry to please the communist regime and later fled to the west before finally suffering from a mental breakdown.

Eifman is ingenious in storytelling. His choreography concentrates on the ballerina's relationship with the three men dominant in her life: the teacher who handpicked her to be a star; the secret police agent who was her admirer and let her leave for the west; and her Parisian dancing partner.

Eifman has an eye for theatrical effects. Act One is full of powerful symbolism, while in Act Two, Eifman brilliantly parodies the 19th century classic ballet Giselle.

What a wonderful troupe. Vera Arbuzova was sublime in the title role. Yuri Smekalov as her dancing partner had a radiant star quality. Oleg Markov impressed as the suffering ballet teacher and Yuri Ananyan was most convincing as the menacing police agent.

The Eifman Ballet performs Tchaikovsky tonight, 8pm, at the Cultural Centre. Red Giselle will be staged on September 8-9, 8pm, Macau Cultural Centre.