capybara

So what is the difference? Canada is in the Commonwealth too, I believe.

I think that they can. DAME Nellie Melba, DAME Joan Sutherland, DAME Anjelina Jolie etc

Well said! I think that we try to show our appreciation on here as well. However, pushiness does seem to carry weight in terms of opportunities in the ballet world and Directors' favourites for particular roles and advancement do not always align with those of fans.

The first male leads in Jeune Homme for ENB were Yonah Acosta (amazing), Anton Lukovkin and guest Ivan Vasiliev (dancing to honour Roland Petit who had just died). Under Rojo, the guests were Nicholas Le Riche and Ivan Putrov (replacing an injured Acosta) alongside company member Fabian Remair. Those playing the women have been Jia Zhang, Anais Chalendard and Tamara Rojo. Now we have Vasiliev, Zhang and Rojo back and Corrales , Hernandez, Caley and Cao in the mix. It should be terrific.

I seem to remember someone saying a couple of years ago that Sir Peter Wright had decided that he didn't want the gold hair any more. I rather liked it as it lent an other worldly glow to Hans Peter.

I HAVE seen Jeune Homme and would thoroughly recommend it, especially with the eye-watering prospect of seeing Cesar Corrales in the leading role. But Song of the Earth is very special too. La Sylphide is the one I'd miss if the combinations gave me that choice.

Unfortunately, Fumi Kaneko was off through injury again after Two Pigeons. She is a glorious dancer and I can't wait to see her in more leading roles.

I would like to reinforce the suggestion that those would like to see David Bintley knighted should get organised. I believe that 'ordinary folk' did quite a bit to promote Monica Mason's cause. Maybe the way forward could be by securing the cooperation of OneDanceUK?

Someone has admonished me for leaving Alison McWhinney off my list of the ENB personnel speaking about The Nutcracker. Apologies to her.

I don't think there will be two dancers. There are pictures of Nunez in print and online wearing both white and black costumes.

Scarlett describes the music as being "bittersweet and tragic" so I think he's offered a major clue!

This topic has already been touched on in "TimesWatch" but the Royal Opera House magazine has an article about the new production. A few key points: Odette "and her black swan nemesis Odile" are "magical beings.......two distinct entities, creations of von Rothbart and controlled by him" von Rothbart will be built up into a "true dramatic villain"......" who dances, not just a character figure" Siegfried is on stage throughout: "We follow him and see his point of view", says Scarlett the role of Benno will be "more substantial" and the two dancers with whom he will perform the Act pas de trois "will be Siegfried's sisters" many company dances and divertissements will be re-choreographed (but not Ashton's Neopolitan Dance) there will be an entirely new Act IV the ending has been decided but remains undisclosed Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov will lead the first night cast there will be 6 different casts initially (as yet not announced) with opportunities in due course "for some of the up-and-coming company dancers to take the principal roles" There is, of course, much more in the article about the background to the new production and the approach that Scarlett and Macfarlane (designer) are taking. Can't wait!

I do understand your point of view, cavycapers. Interestingly, the combination of an experienced ballerina (Fernanda Oliviera) with Aitor Arrieta (Man) and Ken Saruhashi (Messenger) produced, for me, the best performances of Song of the Earth which ENB has given to date. Erina Takahashi has also danced regularly with more junior partners.

It is the case that Tamara Rojo is cast with Ivan Vasiliev in Jeune Homme and that she usually dances with experienced partners. However, it is worth noting that, in the period since September, she has been partnered as follows: with James Streeter in Khan's Giselle with Joseph Caley (and Jeffrey Cirio (guest) or Aaron Robison as The Messenger) in Song of the Earth; and with Isaac Hernandez in The Nutcracker (with Aitor Arrieta (a young dancer) as her Nutcracker) She has not cast herself in La Sylphide and she did not dance in Romeo and Juliet.

For those unable to listen to this, the topics I heard which Tamara Rojo had chosen were: the Children's Orchestra in Glasgow (along the lines of El Sistema in Venezuela) the dancers' career development charity and its help for dancers in transitioning with their careers the ENB's Nutcracker (with Jennie Harrington, James Streeter and Gavin Sutherland) ethnic minority participation in ballet, focusing on dancer Sarah Kundi, with input from her parents and with Isaac hernandez talking about opportunities in Mexico. Tamara herself interviewed George Osborne (at length), with some references to arts funding and people's attitude to the arts and, at the end of the programme, she was interviewed on similar subjects, although the conversation turned to the political situation in Venezuela. No doubt someone will say if I missed anything - after all, it was very early in the morning! It was good to hear items related to dance. However, I felt that Tamara was not well-served by Today's hosts (Nick Robinson and Justin Webb) as they didn't seem to have enough knowledge to ask the kind of questions which would have opened up each subject more fully. Early on in the proceedings, Nick Robinson referred to the English Royal Ballet. Whoops!

There is a photo in today's Times (26th December) of Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov in their costumes for the new production of Swan Lake

I don't think that Steven McRae will be very happy with you Shya! He is only 31/32. According to posts on social media, his contemporary, Campbell, had his 31st birthday this week. Watson is 42, I think, and Soares and Bonelli are 36/38. Interestingly, Soares has so far only been cast in Winter's Tale next year. Kish and Hirano are both in their mid thirties. Muntagirov is 27. Of the 'up and comings' mentioned on this thread, Hay is 28/29, Ball and Sambe are 23/24, and Clarke is 22/23. Corrales is 21. ['Cut' must be Lauren Cuthbertson, Now Voyager. She is 33, isn't she? Morera is 40+, Lamb is 38, Nunez is 35/36, and Osipova is also over 30. Hayward, Naghdi and Takada are in their mid twenties.] Kevin O'Hare is doing a great job of bringing on (and now signing) young talent.

And special seasonal thanks to everyone who keeps BCF running so smoothly, especially the stalwarts who give up so much time to preparing the daily Links.

I agree. Muntagirov opening his arms to her Clara in ENB's Nutcracker was similarly affecting. And, since his more to the RB, there have been many similar moments when his gestures have touched the heart strings, not necessarily because the moment is emotional in itself but because his portrayal is so real and true.

Ism't it interesting how we all see things differently? Yes, Cesar has great technical facility but, for me, it is his ability to completely 'own' a character and dramatically dominate the stage which is so impressive and so rare. I wish that he was transferring to the RB sooner so that we could see him dance Lescaut in Manon (yes, I know that the role is already strongly cast and I am only thinking in terms of his being a 'cover' !).

I think that, if I understand correctly, Cesar posted something on Facebook for his Friends to see, so it was not strictly a 'public statement' until it was reproduced on this forum (and elsewhere). And, who knows, maybe the necessary liaison between ENB and the RB over Press Releases was held up because of the pressures on the two ADs at this time of year. It is certainly unusual to have notices published after 6.00pm as these were yesterday.

I've never heard dancers complaining about touring per se even though it is tiring. The only real complaint related to performing, and common to ENB, BRB and the RB, arises every year at Nutcracker time, mainly because of the 'double show' factor and the sheer number of shows.

I agree that some Royal Ballet men may well feel that their own chances will be limited by Cesar Corrales's arrival - and that is a pity because, with inevitable retirements at the top over the next few years, the effect on them is likely to be minimal. Cesar is a really unique performer and who can blame him for seeking a move where he can deploy and further develop his artistry? If I were Kevin, I would have 'seized the moment' too - as he did with Vadim Muntagirov (and, right from the moment of his transfer - as Principal - nearly 4 years ago, the spontaneous comments about him from other dancers were all ones of total admiration and pleasure that he was at the RB). Some years ago, also, we were welcoming the arrival of Alexander Campbell and, this year, of William Bracewell who has also moved from BRB. I don't know, of course, but I suspect that, as an ENB Principal, Cesar is currently earning considerably more than he will be paid as a First Soloist with the RB. I feel that the talents of this wonderful, young 'man of the stage' will make a fantastic fit with the RB. Yes, the announcements might have been better coordinated but I am rejoicing that he has chosen to remain UK-based and I can't wait for his first appearance at the ROH in the coming autumn.

I have been struck, this year in particular, by the incredibly long and slender legs of some of the mice. So I am surprised to read that they are all girls. I think that there are some Upper School students in the snowflakes. Last year's documentary implied that they are covers but they actually seem to get quite a few opportunities to be 'on'.

It has sold out in smaller venues (Queen Elizabeth Hall and Sadlers Wells). Not sure about the Lyceum and The London Palladium except that ticket sales seemed to move slower there. But the Coliseum is surely the biggest theatre to host this event to date so there must be a chance of getting tickets well into the New Year.