Bolshoi's Sugar Plum Fairies (Split Screen): Nikulina - Kaptsova 

Nina literally looks like she's walking on and just showing us a bit of what she does, it's natural. Even her facial expression is just as free as can be. It's incredible how terrific she is. ❤ This is why i love watching ever role she does.

Kaptsova owns the character and the choreography. She has them both mastered. Nikulina is still wrestling to get there.

Nikulina is beautiful, but nothing compares to Kapsova. She makes it look effortless, airy and playful. I doubt if this split screen would be favorable for anyone next to Nina. She just owns this dance.

I love how clean precise and relaxed Nina was. Anna on the other hand looked terrified the entire dance and for some reason her posture always looks hunched and her neck looks strained in turns

Капцова в разы лучше. Даже если не цепляться к технике, то: Никулиной огромные проблемы с мимикой она все время борется с танцем лицом, зажата шея и местами неудачные наклоны головы, не гнется корпус, китайские пальцы, футболит ногами и местами дерется еще и с музыкой. Капцова танцует абсолютно расслабленно. Она наслаждается танцем. Отличные певучие руки, абсолютно естественные. Живой корпус. Кокетливые наклоны головы. Танец яркий и эмоционально окрашенный. Смотреть одно удовольствие

От Капцовой глаз не оторвать. Точно как колокольчик в музыке. Каждый шажок - попадание. А какая легкость, какое изящество! Волшебно!

Kaptsova looks so comfortable and conveys such joy in her performance. I love it.

Даже сравнивать невозможно! Нина Капцова - точна, музыкальна! Ни одного рваного движения, каждый жест, каждый взгляд соответствует музыке!

Anna Nikulina’s performance is wonderful, and this comment thread has been distressing. The comments including personal abuse (“disgusting!”, “a fish thrown on shore”) must frighten young dancers who come here to learn something. They’ll wonder, “what will people write about me if one of my dances is posted?” For that matter, what audience of good taste and manners wants to spend a night at the ballet if it means being surrounded by this kind of scorn? [UPDATE: the most abusive comments have now been pushed lower in the thread by the RU-vid algorithm or deleted. I appreciate that after this comment originally ran, some fans of both artists engaged to raise the tone of discourse.] In art, as in debate, a person who throws a personal insult automatically forfeits. The group that rushed into this thread with invective did not come here to educate. They did not come here to build up ballet. They just came here to enjoy hurting a human being. Anyone who has been bullied recognizes the group dynamic of onlookers staying silent for fear of the mob turning their attack on them. Anna Nikulina is not just a great dancer; she is a heroic dancer. Every movement and gesture she makes in this piece is an artistic choice. At the beginning, for example, she gently taps her toes as if testing the waters. It looks like maybe she’s making a mistake; we are expecting the traditional music-box Tinkerbell implied by the celesta. One commenter complains she lacks the traditional crispness. But she is going out of her way to be NOT crisp. She is signaling that in this Russian version she is not a wind-up doll in a child’s candy land. Rather, she is Marie, an aristocratic girl on the verge of womanhood exploring in dream what she will be like when older. Anna decides to play it regal and bold, not girly. As she dances in ever-widening concentric circles at a quickening pace she alters her character to match the different accent notes of the celesta and strings. Altering for artistic expression the “right way” to perform a technique is not a sign of defect; it is what elevates ballet to a fine art, above a decorative art or a sport. To see another video of Nikulina performing at the edge of technical and artistic limits, search RU-vid for “Superb dancers nikulina”. Young dancers can learn much from her: she has been cast in over 50 solo and leading roles at the Bolshoi over the past 20 years. She has been cast and promoted by FOUR different artistic directors during that time, one of the steady workers through some epically tumultuous times. The choreographer of this very Nutcracker version - Yuri Grigorovich - is a supporter. And when a great choreographer trusts one of his defining works to a particular dancer, well, it’s time to ignore the comments and watch the show in awe. (Thank you DanceLine Ballet for creating this excellent video.)

Nina Kapsova has put the bar so damn high that other dancers can't even compare. Tbh , split screen just looks so cruel in comparison.

Team Kaptsova. Both dancers are very talented but, Kaptsova’s extra bit of personality gave her the edge.

I know NOTHING about ballet. But the lady on the right looks like she could have done this in her sleep. Effortless beauty💯💯 Bravo ladies 🥳🥳

I think they both dance beautifully :) Kaptsovas movement is crisp and precise and Nikulina's is wonderfully fluid and she never stops moving. Brava to both :)

Нина Капцова просто шикарна!!! Настолько изящные движения, легкость, просто профессионал! Браво!!!!

I vote for Nina. She is more fluid and has more charm. One of the best for this role.

It was the video of Kaptsova dancing this variation that revived my love for ballet, back in 2013. Every time I rewatch it I can’t help but thinking she woke up the day of this performance and thought: “today I’ll deliver something iconic”. She truly did! This remains my favorite choreography for this variation and Nina is still one of my favorite dancers ever.

I don't know these ladies' names, but the dancer on the right expresses her arms and neck beautifully. Her movements are so dainty.

Движения Капцовой - линия и правильность движения ног( это сразу заметно на фоне Никулиной) - безупречно!

Kaptsova moves WITH the music. She accentuates the music through her movements. She is more fairy like and spritely in her movements. Interesting juxtaposition.

Kaptsova comes across as much sweeter and more youthful in her interpretation of the role. The little looks and the way she is always crisp with her movements make her seem to really inhabit the role. I'm sure the other ballerina is excellent but she looks a bit messy when compared to Kaptsova.

Kaptsova always... She s the best in nutcracker and most of ballet she did..she is so more spontaneous and true than zakharova.. The true best prima of Bolshoi.. Thanks to exist nina.. Close to her i cannot see no-one..

Kaptsova's performance is just beautiful! When I teach the Nutcracker to my elementary music students, I only show her performance! It's just mesmerizing.

Kaptsova is just so captivating. Couldn't, just couldn't turn my eyes off her.

Kaptsova looks so much more confident and playful and I think her musicality is slightly better. Both are super light though she seems more bouncy imo

Nina Kaptsova - no competition!!

Both dancers are well trained and graceful with beautiful artistry. However, Nina is The Sugar Plum Fairy. Thanks for the video. 🍭❤💕💕❤🍭

Kaptsova actually hears the music and dances to it. Wow. The difference is striking.

Oh dear! Kaptsova in sublime in this role. Nikulina looks so nervous, like she's having a terrible time on stage. It brings to mind something a ballet teacher once told me. He said, you know dancers spend years working on their turnout, and extension, and the arch of their feet, and what does the audience look at... their face. So very true...

Definitely Nina!!! Very relaxed and enjoying her dancing 😘

Nina looks so comfortable in this role. It’s the dance that introduced me to her. Granted they are both sublime. It’s like choosing between 2 beautiful diamonds.

Nikulina looks terrified, like she is not feeling it at all and can't wait for it to end. I suspect it's one of her very first performances as the Sugar Plum Fairy. I would like to see a more updated version that does her justice.

Kaptsova is incredible

Nina Kaptsova is spot on, her movements are exactly upon every single note! Brilliant!

They were both elite and sublime. Any insults hurled at the three performers are a prominent display of their ignorance. I favored Kaptsova's performance. I believe her long legs have an advantage in showcasing this role beautifully.

Definitely Kapsova. Softer, more delicate, does not accentuate movements exactly on the note, which gives fluidity, rather than stiffness on the left.

Kaptsova, one of the greatest artists of our time

Kaptsova 100%Sooo delicate and flawless,see,without music the difference is notable

Both dancers are superb, and I can't choose between them. Each performs slightly differently, yet each is wonderfully light and precise. Bravo to them both!

Нина танцует каждую нотку. Изящно, чётко, классно.

I know absolutely nothing about dance but the one on the right was more enjoyable to watch for me, a complete layperson.

couldnt stop watching Kaptsova but yeah both are great

в данном сравнении Капцова выглядит гораздо лучше. она прекрасно вживается в роль, чувствует музыку, каждое её движение всегда к месту. А Никулина то опаздывает, то торопится, движения какие-то рваные, будто ей наклоны даются с трудом

I first saw Nina Kaptsova in Coppélia Swanilda Variation and since then I have admired ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ Kaptsova. She is quite graceful and has beautiful body lines. Of course I ❤️ love both these extraordinary dancers. But a tad more maybe - - I ❤️ am definitely showing preference for Kaptsova. Thanks much to @ DanceLine Ballet for sharing.

Poor Nikulina looks scared. Kaptsova seems to be dancing for her own enjoyment. More relaxation, epaulement and a great smile.

Kaptsova feels the music and the rhythm better and moves more gracefully!🥰

*Nina Alexandrovna Kaptsova* embraces this role which suits her like a glove. She seems inhabited by this performance and really exudes all the magic, she is this fairy tale. Translation from French. What grace, precision, agility, pure beauty. An authentic presence Nina is very sure which also appeals to me. My time, I would not say the same for the performance of Nikuluna. Facial expressions, gestures, his whole body speaks to me, his whole being charms me. It is bewitching like a waltz of atoms magnetizing in symbiosis. I have a clear preference for this marvelous Prima Ballerina : )) Thank you very much for this sharing which becomes exhilarating enchantment or charming exhilaration, becoming totally bewitching. With gratefulness for sharing. From Switzerland

The dancer on the right is phantastic! 😍😍😍

Что бросается в глаза это завершающие жесты, у Капцовой они отточенны, если рука вверху то она четко зафиксирована в жесте на 2сек., а не размазана по воздуху. Если нога касается пола то точно в фигуре. Да это титанический труд.

Kaptsova looks like she really enjoy her performance. I love her arms movement.

Kaptsova ❤❤❤

Первая на все сто со всем усердием отрабатывает зарплату, вторая живет танцем, как дышит. Браво!

Капцова - это настоящая фея, отменившая всемирное тяготение, скользит как солнечный луч и порхает как пёрышко. Но какой это труд! Сколько боли, пота, бесконечных репетиций ради того, чтобы мы увидели эту красоту, это мастерство от улыбки до кончиков пальчиков . Никулина, возможно, ещё дорастёт до подлинного мастерства.

They were both fantastic. But, I do have a favorite between the two. Assuming it's Nikulina on the left and Kaptsova on the right, I preferred Kaptsova. These are not different interpretations, the choreography is meant to be the same between these two performances. That said, Kaptsova, I feel, was more accurate and precise. Her movements flowed smoother to the music, more on-que. Every move was sharp and accurate, with the speed to match the music while going across the stage. Nikulina was beautiful in her dance too, but she was slower in many parts, needed to improvise slightly in a couple areas, and seemed to struggle a bit in comparison. Also, Kaptsova's tutu looked better maintained.

I much preferred Nina Kaptsova.

Kaptsova, of course.

Is Anna filmed at the start of her season and Nina a little later when she has settled in the role more? Anna appears to be “ticking boxes” doing each move, like she’s thinking. Nina is simply flowing like there is no distinction between each segment. Beautiful ❤

The audience always claps when the dancer does quick turns as if that was her hardest move

Never having watched any of the two: Nikulina seemed completely terrified the whole performance. It actually made me feel nervous, she looked too much like she was in her own head, and you could see her flailing at points. Kaptsova, though, she just seemed so calm and poised! Very good!

The right was much more graceful and poised, her turns were really clean and her use of the arms was amazing

Both are gorgeous but my heart goes out to the dancer on the left. The control was amazing.

Their timing is different.Can it be that the orchestra played in a different tempo in each performance? Although in the video we hear one orchestra.

Kaptsova seems to have more precision in small movements and is much more connected with the music. Nikulina, although softer and more silky, next to Kaptsova look little bit sloppy.

Aside the technique differences Kaptsova's performance is better because she interprets the role. She's giving to her performance enough space to "breath" and she doesn't dance with the metronome, always on beat something that makes dancing mechanical. Her dancing has fluidity.

Капцова само изящество 💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨💖✨

Kaptsova❤ I just LOVE her that variation❤

Technically the dancer on the right is cleaner and stronger imho. Watch the pique turns & emboités and watch the feet. Also on the developé relevé battement/attitude ..... Stronger more solid and into the pirouette en dedans, the dancer on the right does a triple and the other does a double. She's just stronger technically from my perspective. But fun to watch them both.

I don’t know either of these ballerinas, but I could not take my eyes off the one on the right. Her performance was magnetic! The other one was dull by comparison, though technically quite fine.

Amazing discrepancies are apparent when viewed side by side. Thank you.

Танцуют безупречно обе. Но Нина Капцова будто бы сама фея и есть.

Красавицы! Но справа девушка очень музыкальна. Легко танцует, играючи )

Изумительно, как два разных исполнения могут быть так синхронно совмещены и показаны рядом. Огромное удовольствие посмотреть сразу двоих балерин, потому что они такие разные. Спасибо автору редакции.

As someone who grew up as a highland dancer, I can't get over the loose attachment between the coreography and the music. With highland, every single movement lands exactly on the beat.

Kaptsova,bravo!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I don't know which is which, but I really liked the one on the right. Very fluid.

Excenlecy in both dancers... but Nina is just magic in this role... she looks enjoying and confident in every movement...

Wonderful Dancing! Thank you for this video, Jeff

Nikulina doesn't strike me as somebody who should be a principal. I've watched other performances and she has issues with her arch and turnout. this performance she looks very tight and nervous too

This choreography is diabolical. I can't imagine someone dancing and enjoying it

Nina Kaptsova tem um algo a mais , além de graciosa, linda, musical, precisa, ágil, técnica perfeita, uma deusa bailarina de corpo e alma ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Nina Kaptsova is so captivating.

Нина Капцова делает всё очень воздушно, легко. Несмотря на то, что это тяжёлый труд, не возникает этого ощущения 👍👌

They both do a good job dancing and twirling in this song.

There are gazillion performances of the Sugar Plum Fairy... Kaptsova's is one for the ages... She throws in triple pirouettes on point like it is nothing all throughout this solo.... Incredible.... Unbelievable displays of technique that look simply effortless... A true Russian Prima Ballerina......There is simply no comparison with the other dancer at all...(I even wondered if Nikulina was one of the infamous dancers of the Bolshoi that progressed through the ranks by sleeping with the director!) Every aspect of Kaptova's performance is an absolute display of mastery of the classical technique...

Both are beautiful! Art is in the eye of the beholder and people will all have their preferences. Most of us couldn't do this to save our lives

Both dancers are phenomenal,yet Nikulina seems to be more “stiff technical” .Kaptsova is full of grace and is fully in the dance.❤️

I like Kaptsova better - more graceful, more expressive, more delicate, more attention to detail, better turns & timing to music.

У Капцовой и танец безупречен и артистизм, и сказочный образ создан на высшем уровне, а у Никулиной просто техническое исполнение и "работа"....

Honestly, I don't have the eye too compare these two dancers. What stood out most to me was the applause at the end, the well-earned appreciation for these two artists. Ballet requires so much of a person, and it is wonderful to hear an audience reward that dedication.

It seems to me that the side by side split does no favor for each dancer's artistic expression. They are both amazingly skilled and have honed their craft to perfection! Bravo!

Капцова настоящая фея, кокетливая, улыбчивая, легкая! Никулина как будто аршин проглотила, а на лице гримаса, а не улыбка.

NINA KAPTSOVA🌹🌹🌹 Obie są piękne.....KAPTSOVA ,GRACJA,ELEGANCJA....

Enjoyed them both. Beautiful dancers.

Слева принцесса, справа королева❤ Нина Капцова так точно попадает в мелодию, что живу даёшься

Yeah. I knew it. I knew Nina would put this poor girl to shame, and she did. Nothing against the other girl, but as you can see, Nina was just flawless. A VVS Diamond, with all its beauty, isn’t the same as a flawless Diamond. I think it’s unfair to do a side by side comparison to Nina’s sugarplum fairy. She was just perfection.

I think they are both wonderful. I have always love Bolshoi choreography.

I dont know who is who, but Left seems, a bit uneasy, or rushed as if they were trying to get rid of an assignement, Right is more slow and giving straight lines, I love their arms momvement they're very gracious. Left seams quite heavy, like they have hard time keeping their arms up, and their legs, for Right it looks effortless

Nina more elegant definitely is the best for me ❤

I like watching ballet, but I really don't know anything about the technical side of it. They both looked pretty darn good to me. But the ballerina on the right seems lighter and quicker on her feet and is more enjoyable to watch in my opinion.

As someone who is just a spectator, I find both danced absolutely beautiful - I wouldn't be able to tell the difference, they're both magnificent.

Я не знакома не с той ни с другой танцовщицей, но пересмотрев видео несколько раз выбрала ту, что от нас справа. Изящна, легка, грациозна, вместе с тем технична, создаётся впечатление, что девушка не играет, не исполняет, не выполняет очередность па, а просто это идёт из души из самого её естества, так органична и непосредственна она в этом образе. Точно, кажется, что фея просто вселилась в тело балерины и мы видим дущу облачённую а танец. Девочка, что слева от нас, разумеется, очень технична, более ни чего сказать не могу. Но кто я такая, немогущая запомнить даже последовательности их движений чтобы судить.