Principal dancers Polina Semionova, Shoko Nakamura, Vladimir Malakhov, Beatrice Knop and Nadja Saidakova (L-R) perform Maurice Bejart's "Serait-ce la mort" during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin October 24, 2008. Principal Valdimir Malakhov's upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" will premier on October 24, 2008, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Polina Semionova (L) and Vladimir Malakhov perform Maurice Bejart's "Serait-ce la mort" during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin October 24, 2008. Malakhov's upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" will premier on October 24, 2008, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Shoko Nakamura (L) and Vladimir Malakhov perform Maurice Bejart's "Serait-ce la mort" during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin October 24, 2008. Malakhov's upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" will premier on October 24, 2008, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Polina Semionova (bottom) and Vladimir Malakhov perform Maurice Bejart's "Serait-ce la mort" during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin October 24, 2008. Malakhov's upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" will premier on October 24, 2008, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Beatrice Knop, Nadja Saidakova, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) perform Maurice Bejart's "Serait-ce la mort" during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin October 24, 2008. Malakhov's upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" will premier on October 24, 2008, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Dancer Maia Plissetskaia is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancers Patrick Dupond (rear) and Maia Plissetskaia (front) are seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancers Patrick Dupond (R) and Maia Plissetskaia (L) are seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancers Patrick Dupond (R) and Maia Plissetskaia (L) are seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancers Patrick Dupond (L) and Maia Plissetskaia (L) are seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancer Patrick Dupond of the Paris Opera is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Dancer Patrick Dupond of the Paris Opera is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" by French choreographer, dancer and stage director Maurice Bejart in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director, listens to Paris Opera ballet star Patrick Dupond (R) during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

French choreographer Maurice Bejart (C) acknowledges the applause with Italian designer Gianni Versace (R) and British super model Naomi Campbell at the end of a ballet with costumes designed by Versace in Florence in this June 25, 1997 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. Picture taken June 25, 1997. REUTERS/Marco Bucco/Files (ITALY) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Red rose petals fall onto the stage as French choreographer Maurice Bejart smiles at a birthday gala in Lausanne in this December 20, 1996 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. REUTERS/Stringer/Files (SWITZERLAND) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director, is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from Bejart Ballet Lausanne said November 22, 2007. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Maurice Bejart (2nd R), French choreographer, dancer and stage director, speaks to members of his Lausanne Ballet troupe during a rehearsal in Paris, in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. Picture taken October 9, 1995. REUTERS/John Schultz/Files (FRANCE) 

French choreographer Maurice Bejart performs excerpts from his own ballet "The imaginary Moliere" at a birthday gala in Lausanne in this December 20, 1996 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from the ballet company in the Swiss city of Lausanne said November 22, 2007. REUTERS/Stringer (SWITZERLAND) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director, is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from Bejart Ballet Lausanne said November 22, 2007. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Maurice Bejart, French choreographer, dancer and stage director, is seen during rehearsal for "Kurozuka" in Paris in this October 9, 1995 file picture. Bejart died at the age of 80, a spokesperson from Bejart Ballet Lausanne said November 22, 2007. REUTERS/John Schults/Files (FRANCE) 

Artists from Bejart Ballet Lausanne perform a choreography by Maurice Bejart during a rehearsal at Ataturk Cultur Center in Istanbul June 13, 2007. Bejart Ballet Lausanne is visiting Istanbul for a three special performances dedicated to 2007 World Rumi Year on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the philosopher's birth celebrated through the world. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY) 

Artists from Bejart Ballet Lausanne perform a choreography by Maurice Bejart during a rehearsal at Ataturk Cultur Center in Istanbul June 13, 2007. Bejart Ballet Lausanne is visiting Istanbul for a three special performances dedicated to 2007 World Rumi Year on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the philosopher's birth celebrated through the world. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (R) and Beatrice Knop perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 a celebration of his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world.REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov reacts as the curtain is brought down after performing Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 a celebration of his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (R) and Beatrice Knop perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007, a celebration of his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (top) and Polina Semionova perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 a celebration of his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (L) and Polina Semionova (R) perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (top) and Polina Semionova perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (L) and Polina Semionova perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Beatrice Knop (L) and Vladimir Malakhov perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov performs Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Shoko Nakamura (R) and Vladimir Malakhov perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Shoko Nakamura, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov and Polina Semionova (L-R) perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov, Shoko Nakamura and Polina Semionova (L-R) perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 27, 2007. Principal Valdimir Malakhov is in training for an upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends" on January 28, 2007 to celebrate his 20 years of achievement in ballet, performing with the very best dancers from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Vladimir Malakhov and Beatrice Knop (L-R) of Berlin's Staatsballett perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) of Berlin's Staatsballett perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (R) and Beatrice Knop (L) of Berlin's Staatsballett perform Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov of Berlin's Staatsballett performs Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov of Berlin's Staatsballett performs Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (top) and Polina Semionova of Berlin's Staatsballett perform in Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (L) and Polina Semionova of Berlin's Staatsballett perform in Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) of Berlin's Staatsballett perform in Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is in training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Artistic director and principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov of Berlin's Staatsballett performs Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' during a dress rehearsal at the Deutsche Oper opera house in Berlin January 24, 2007. Malakhov is training for the upcoming gala show, "Malakhov and Friends", which will be a celebration on January 28, 2007 to mark his 20 years of achievements performing with the very best from around the world. Picture taken January 24, 2007. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble rehearse for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova (bottom) and Vladimir Malakhov of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Polina Semionova, Shoko Nakamura, Vladimir Malakhov and Beatrice Knop (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble rehearse for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov (top) and Polina Semionova of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancer Vladimir Malakhov of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble performs during training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Nadja Saidakova (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble rehearse for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Shoko Nakamura, Beatrice Knop and Vladimir Malakhov (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Pictures taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov, Shoko Nakamura and Polina Semionova (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble perform during a training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 3, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Picture taken January 3, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble perform during a training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 3, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Picture taken January 3, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Polina Semionova, Beatrice Knop, Vladimir Malakhov and Nadja Saidakova (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble watch a video playback during their training for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 3, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Picture taken January 3, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova (L) and Vladimir Malakhov of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble train for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Picture taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

Principal dancers Nadja Saidakova, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova and Shoko Nakamura (L-R) of the 'Staatsballett' ballet ensemble train for Maurice Bejart's 'Serait-ce la mort' at the Staatsoper (state opera house) in Berlin January 7, 2007. The 'Staatsballett' ensemble is Germany's largest and one of the top worldwide, compiled of 88 dancers from 29 nations and led by Ukrainian-born dancer Vladimir Malakhov. Picture taken January 7, 2007. **GERMANY OUT** **RUSSIA OUT** REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY) 

French ballet dancer and opera director Maurice Bejart holds a news conference to present his new work "Zarathoustra, the song of the dance" in Brussels May 9, 2006.