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penelopesimpson

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Everything posted by penelopesimpson

  1. penelopesimpson
    What a lovely story. Lucky you. I can't help it but I am really disappointed about tomorrow. I blew a big slice of my ROH budget on the ticket and it was a big thing for me.
  2. penelopesimpson
    I don't really think so. I think I voiced wonder that she was unable to dance throughout the autumn season for the RB, but was available to fulfil guest appearances. I can understand the thinking behind it, but that doesn't necessarily preclude me thinking its a bit off!
  3. penelopesimpson
    You make a good point. Of course I am disappointed about Kauffman because I would like to hear him sing just once before I die(!) but all the reports are that the understudy is tremendous. We will give him a huge response tomorrow to help him give of his best.
  4. penelopesimpson
    I find it worrying to see the phrase 'this has to stop' on a discussion forum. I am open-minded in my viewpoint although I admit to being a little perplexed. Why can't we discuss this? Are we to have censorship like some kind of Stalinist fan-site?
  5. penelopesimpson
    Great and very informative post, Swiss Balletfan. Yes, I have always felt that there is more than we are being told about the Osipova situation. And yes, the cult of Twitter etc has to bear a lot of the blame but the Russians especially seem to believe that everything they want known about their lives should be publicised. I hate all the social media stuff but its an artistes choice whether to participate or not. I guess RB are in a bind. If they come down heavy-handed then Natalia will do a Polunin and we will all be the poorer. I don't know the answer but I do feel a tad used.
  6. penelopesimpson
    Difficult times at ROH. Having lost Osipova for the autumn ballet season, ROH has now had to announce that Jonas Kauffman is ill and will not be singing tomorrow or Monday which were the only two performances he had at the Opera House this year. Lot of uproar on the ROH website. It is such a difficult one. Clearly this wonderful singer is unwell but many people, including myself have paid enormous amounts of money for this very special tenor and now we have an understudy. I have been cursed this year - lost two Osipova performances and now Kauffman. Many people are calling for the right to a refund or a credit note for future performances but I cannot support this. Yes, it is disappointing and in my case I'm forking out for trains, hotel, etc., but this is what can happen when you are booking especially for individual performers. Artists are human and subject to the same stresses and strains and minor illnesses as the rest of us. I have to say, though, that the Osipova situation still rankles. She has just danced Manon and has further performances booked, yet could not be in London to dance with the ballet company who employs her as a Principal. I know we have had this topic up before but I think it got shut down because one poster would not discuss it objectively. I feel ambivalent about her performing with the Bolshoi in the summer. On the plus side it means we will be able to see this wonderful dancer at a time when otherwise she would not be in London. On the other hand, I can't stand the Bolshoi audiences and their prices are mega inflated. Any views, anyone?
  7. penelopesimpson
    So, let me get this straight. To see Osipova dance, I now have to wait until a foreign ballet company visits ROH where this Royal Ballet Principal will perform at super-inflated prices? Sorry, but it seems rum to me.
  8. penelopesimpson
    I hadn't seen that she was listed as a Chief Guest Principal which, to me, throws a different complexion on things.
  9. penelopesimpson
    Well, I shall give them a miss this year. Last time the prices were outrageous, I didn't enjoy the performances as much as I enjoy RB and the audiences spend their time taking pics and videos and rustling sweets. Bit shocked to see the Announcement lists Osipova as Principal Guest Artist. Doesn't this convey regular slots with the Bolshoi? I wonder how she can do this and still fulfil her commitments to RB, more especially given her injury history. Once again, I make a plea for Mr. O'Hare to push Naghdi and Hayward onwards and upwards and to find a suitable partner for Francesca. Of course, what I would really like is for Alina Cojocaru to return. I didn't get to see Hayward and Golding's R&B but looking at the short film on Reuters, the height difference for me seemed ridiculous and would have somewhat marred my enjoyment. With Acosta gone and the wonderful Ed Watson not getting any younger, surely RB needs also to review its male Principals?
  10. penelopesimpson
    Well said, Aileen. It is irritating and offputting. This is a discussion website. Reminds me of Liaison Dangereuse 'It's beyond my control!'
  11. penelopesimpson
    That was a weird post on the ROH website. I wonder what the poster's definition of fuddy-duddy is? Clearly it is meant to be an insult so if I can summon the enthusiasm I'll respond in similar vein. I am certainly not a teenager but I love new works. Adored the Hofesh Schechter, can't wait for the return of Woolf Works and Winter's Tale is a triumph. Raven Girl, though, should be written off as an expensive failure and not re-staged. However, I was bored to tears with Acosta's Quixote and the second time around didn't stay for the last act. It was colourful and full of folksy moments and if that's what people want then I guess the new Carmen has given it to them in spades and good for them. I have adored Acosta and RB will be the sadder for his departure but, just as for my money he is not at his best in Macmillan, I do not think choreography is his thing. Maybe time will prove me wrong but the reviews seem to indicate that Carmen is a mish-mash of everything amounting to not very much and I don't think we need more like that. If it had been anyone else other than Acosta, it would never have seen the light of day. Maybe RB felt they owed it to him and that's okay. But, please, no more puff pieces on the website telling us we're all a load of stick-in-the-muds. We just know good dance when we see it.
  12. penelopesimpson
  13. penelopesimpson
    Precisely.
  14. penelopesimpson
    That does seem eminently logical. I feel rather sorry for ROH re. this situation. Perhaps it would have been more tactful for her associates not to make so much use of Twitter.
  15. penelopesimpson
    I'm with you on this. Like many other posters, trips to ROH are an epic for me, both in terms of travel and expense. And yes, I do like to see particular casts. I can completely understand when a dancer is injured and it is good that RB has a big enough cast to provide replacements. However, either a dancer is injured and cannot dance or she is fit and can dance. Or are we saying that she isn't fit enough for London but somehow dancing in Milan is a different matter? R&J tickets have been ruinously expensive this season and I am not the only one to have used their budget on Osipova, only to find out that she is indisposed. And this is not the first time for me with this dancer. I think it is poor behaviour.
  16. penelopesimpson
    But, Acosta is NOT a choreographer and I think he has now demonstrated this twice. A pity for such a wonderful career to go out in this way but I blame RB. It should not have been allowed to happen.
  17. penelopesimpson
    Thought it was a pity they did this as it may put a lot of people off ballet cinema relays if they see this and are disappointed. I am puzzled why Carlos Acosta is 'indulged' re choreography. To my mind Don Quixote was not a great ballet and from what I read, his Carmen is disappointing. Acosta is one of the great dancers of our time but why does he think he is a choreographer and why is RB putting money behind his ambition? I wish him well and great happiness because he has provided joy for many balletgoers but I think it is unwise to pretend that right now he is a choreographer. The New York Times says exactly that. I notice that the same largesse was not extended to Johan Kobborg who arguable had better credentials.
  18. penelopesimpson
    I hope it is not sacrilege to say this but I worry about Acosta as a choreographer. I found Don Quixote very sameish and unremarkable with a lot of 'now we'll do some folk dancing' type moments in it. I didn't book for his Carmen for that reason and reading these reviews I'm glad I didn't.
  19. penelopesimpson
    Thanks for that. I couldn't read it either - now I can. TTP: Wonderful detailed review which made me so sad I missed it. Stupidly I spent my money on Macrae and Salenko and it was fine but no more. Your review said it all. I saw Hayward dance Manon with Edward Watson and she was magnificent. I so wish they had given Naghdi and Ball another go - just the one was disappointing for so many people who wanted tickets. Thank you again.
  20. penelopesimpson
    Deeply appreciative of you taking the time and trouble to post this.
  21. penelopesimpson
    May I just gently point out that innuendo is your word not mine? I want to learn more about ballet and appreciate what I have learnt on this board which is full of wonderful background. Discussion and debate is what I have asked for.
  22. penelopesimpson
    So enjoyed your informative review, Sim. I wasn't lucky enough to go but you have given me a wonderful picture. Yes, I too would like to see her with a young partner and Campbell would be perfect. That is not to detract from Matthew Golding, just that a Juliet with really young Principals would have a special dramatic piquancy.
  23. penelopesimpson
    Okay. Do tell.
  24. penelopesimpson
    Great posts and so envious that I did not see Francesca Hayward's debut. Big mistake in my ticket choice. Sounds fabulous and good to read such nice reviews of Matthew Golding.
  25. penelopesimpson
    But isn't that what the board is for? Discussion, information gathering, debate, etc....
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