By Marie Gullard

Any ballerina whose vast repertoire includes more than 90 roles might very well be labeled "Queen of the Dance." That title has been accorded Nina Ananaishvili, universally hailed as one of the world's greatest of Prima Ballerinas.

At GW Lisner Auditorium on Sunday, International Concerts presents the superstar in a contemporary, three-part ballet by famed choreographer, Alexei Ratmansky. This performance marks her first Washington appearance since her stellar performance at the Kennedy Center over a year ago.

"I love now to show off my dancers," said Ananaishvili. "This is how it works [a way,] for so many people to see ballet."

Ananaishvili left the American stage two years ago to join the State Ballet of Georgia where, as the company's artistic director, she now tours internationally with her group.

The featured ballets include "Charms of Mannerism," an energetic piece presented in 16 movements, "Bizet Variations," a pas de six set to a piano composition by Georges Bizet and the award-winning "Dreams about Japan," a highly rhythmic, Kabuki-inspired work. The program debuted at New York's Lincoln Center, just days before this evening's Lisner performance

Ananaishvili brings an elite group of principal dancers and musicians from the State Ballet of Georgia. Four of them will dance the "Charms of Mannerism," a work she calls a "simmering sight," while three couples dance the miniature ballet based on the "Chromatic Variations" piece by Georges Bizet. Ananaishvili has decided to perform "a little surprise piece" for her fans immediately following the Bizet. "Dreams about Japan," which was awarded the Japanese prize for Best Ballet of the Year and the Golden Mask Award, the highest theatrical prize in Russia, closes the presentation.

The group will be accompanied by their ballet orchestra lead by Italian conductor, Gian Luca Marciano.

Thrilled to be back in the United States, Ananaishvili is looking forward to showing off her new crop of young dancers -- and the innovative work they are doing -- to American audiences.

"We are a very traditional company with 160 years in the Georgia Opera House," she noted. "I want to show off my very beautiful company more and more around the world."

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