Extract from Act I, Entrance of Espada. Andrey Merkuriev as the passionate Espada, Anna Tikhomirova as the Street Dancer, with artists of The Bolshoi Ballet. Choreography - Petipa/Gorsky, Music - Minkus. (Apologies for the few blank seconds between the two short extracts!) A superb performance by Merkuriev - fiery, energetic, beautiful lines, wonderful cloak work. Catch his meaningful glance at 1:20 towards the Street Dancer as he begins a solo designed to impress, and how the cloak hits the floor in exact time with the end of the music at 3:47! With thanks to Ekaterina Vladimirova (BEK) for the thumbnail image.
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nj8neZHoOW0/maxresdefault.jpg)