[Lermontov] is, as far as the love between Julian and Victoria is concerned, the villain. But, if he's villain then he's victim too. For, his great love, mistress and companion, is the ballet. And Victoria and Julian's romance threatens the success of the ballet, or, at least, in Lermontov's besotted mind it does. Their love stands in the way of his love.
Veronika Ferdman
August 6, 2010