MAB

The conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky, was probably best known in Britain for his work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Formerly married to ballerina Nina Timofeyeva, he began his career conducting ballet at the Bolshoi. He has died at the age of eighty seven. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44505749

The handing out of honours to dancers has in many cases seemed to me rather arbitrary, could the current dearth have something to do with fewer principals being British? I think Doreen Wells, the current dowager Marchioness of Londonderry holds the loftiest title for a dancer, but of course John Gilpin married a princess, albeit a foreign one. Another male dancer used to be in a long term relationship with a baroness, but sadly they never made it to the altar. I can't think of a dancer holding any sort of hereditary title other than through marriage though.

I think the problem with Harlequinade is that it hasn't any real performance history in Britain even though John Gilpin used to dance it decades ago, The piece works best when it goes beyond archness into outright camp, anyone who ever saw the Panovs dance it will know what I mean. In some ways, like the William Tell pas de deux, it is a good choice as it isn't standard gala fare and gives the audience something a bit different, but sadly so difficult for younger dancers to pull off. Although Precious Adams wasn't ideal in it, I loved her modern solo and thought it one of the highlights of the evening. I also loved Giorgio Garrett, what a personality, a very unique asset to the company in my view,

Whoever nominated Lantratov wasn't in a relationship with him.

Occasionally jurors on ballet competitions do spill the beans. The late Alexander Grant once gave a talk where he touched on his own experience as a juror, on that occasion all nominees were Russians with links to all other jurors, Mr Grant was less than impressed and put forward a video of a French dancer that had particularly impressed him. So superior was his choice, that she won. So? Alexandrova wasn't a juror, what is the relevance of mentioning her relationship with Lantratov? Can we deduce from the joint award that Lantratov was the true winner and the other a sop to the juror who clearly nominated him?

I've taken stacks of pics over the years, but only of Russians, I've simply asked and so far never been refused, only a slight problem at the Opera Garnier when photographing the Bolshoi in '91. Of course, you need some basic Russian to ask in the fist place, but their friendliness always trumps rules (if any actually exist).

That was a crash pad, his home was in East Sheen.

Worth mentioning that Nureyev was actually resident in London for many years, at the very least he should have a blue plaque.

According to one od those 'royal correspondents' religious addresses must be a minimum of two minutes and no more than seven. Personally I enjoy a good sermon, but church pews are hard on the bum so perhaps a maximum time isn't a bad idea.

You're quite right, since the paper became a freebie, arts coverage in the standard has shrunk, but particularly under the present editor. I don't know how far back you go, but I remember Sydney Edwards, possible the best arts editor any newspaper ever had, he loved the ballet and actually embedded himself with the Royal Ballet on one of the tours to the US, actually reporting from their plane mid air on the flight over. Happy days.

Details of the gala in Vienna next month https://viennaoperatickets.com/ballet-all-performances/nureyev-gala-vienna-state-opera/?p=53&l=2&id=1090 Legris also staged a gala in Nureyev's honour in Tokyo earlier this month.

Lyndsey Winship is first rate when writing about contemporary dance, but ballet?

You're right Alison, there is actually a seven minute maximum rule, he broke it by six minutes.

Hello Djaamila, thanks for sharing your thoughts and your dilemma, I think I can understand your friends reactions to seeing a dance discipline so different from hip hop. I know from talking to non dance colleagues about classical ballet that the tutu is a strong disincentive to even watching ballet. Professional ballet takes many forms and some of the most impressive ballets don't conform to girlie pinkness in appearance, I recommend going on line and take a look at as many examples of the art you can find. I caught the ballet bug at a similar age to you, though of course back then I was in full time employment at fifteen so never considered classes. Even if you decide ballet isn't something you would be comfortable doing, it might be something you will get a lot out of watching. Best wishes Mary B.

Black is traditionally the colour of mourning, though originally it signified innocence (think of black-clad nuns), perhaps red would better signify her new attitude to life.

Petipa, no. However a few have stated they don't care for Ashton at all and I remember some scathing comments when Two Pigeons was revived.

I can't think of an exact synonym for gush, but the best way to deal with the more inane posts is simply to move onto the next.

Front row Orchestra stalls is awful, you can't see the feet. I hope these seats are sold as restricted view, if they aren't it's a disgrace. On the other hand the view from the front row of the grand tier is perfection.

Oscar already has a fan following in London since dancing in Fairy Doll with the Vaganova students at last year's Russian Icons. I happen to know his former teacher in St Pete's and he rated Oscar very highly indeed.

Rameau? Any chance of Christie conducting?

I'm afraid I'm less than enthusiastic, primarily because I don't care much for those dancers currently in favour. Alexandrova and Kaptsova have both been demoted, of the female principals only Krysanova and Obraztsova are real ballerinas, though there are better dancers further down the rankings. Pointless to create a wish list of ballets, the Hochhausers choose what sells the best, there are no other considerations. Personally I'm disappointed we're not getting the Mariinsky next year.

Amazing!! You were denigrating Matthew Golding and Salenko from day one.

These events occurred decades ago and I don't think there's much point in raking over history, however Jennifer Penney rarely did interviews at all but when she did she was always brutally frank and was very atypical of dancers of her generation. The Ballet Association makes transcripts of interviews now but I don't know when they started that practice. Some people tell it like it is, but aren't always admired for doing so. I had a great deal of respect for Ms Penney's honesty.

I've a hunch that Corrales may become Osipova's main partner.

Although people disagreed with me when I mentioned this before, in a Ballet Association talk many years past. Ms Penney claimed the role was largely created on her after Sibley backed out in the early stages of creation only changing her mind much later when the final form of the ballet was apparent. Everyone will have a favourite Manon and both Seymour and especially Markarova seemed to live the role on stage, but I think Penney gave us more of the choreographer's intentions than anyone else.