penelopesimpson

Everybody on this site is so wonderfully knowlegeable and I learn so much from you all.  However, I am going to stick to my point of view that from the perspective of a layman (albeit one who sees a lot of ballet) nothing moved me last night.  Yes, there was some good work and most of it was precise I am sure, but where was the passion, the emotion, the spark?  It was as empty as my wine glass at the end of the evening.  I went home feeling I had not supped well.

Okay, here's my take on the evening.  I am a regular at Covent Garden but by no means as ballet savvy as other commentators.

Sorry, guys, but I found it rather dull.  Emeralds never took off for me at all, and diamonds was not much different.  Rubies was in another class.  Forgive my ignorance as I don't know who the lead was in Rubies but whoever she was, to a layman like me, she was exquisite, exuding charisma and vitality.  Didn't even notice the male dancers, nobody was a standout for me.

I can tell from other comments already posted that my ignorance may be prejudicing my opinion but, gorged on too many Mayerlings, I found tonight limp, staid and not worth the money or the 8 hrs. travelling time.

Enjoyed your post, particulary the mention of the superlative Altynai.  I only saw her dance once in Bayadere and thought I had gone to heaven.  The only thing that compares for me is the opening night of Mayerling this year when Edward Watson gave the performance of his life - almost equalled by the last performance of Cojocaru and Kobborg which I was also privileged to see.

Reading the Bolshoi reviews it would seem things are not as they should be.  I have a ticket for Jewels next Tuesday - I hope it will be worth it.

I saw both Saturday Bayaderes but before commenting on them specifically I would like to make a few observations on the season and the production.

 

At the risk of repeating myself, for me this is the least attractive Bolshoi season since I first started seeing them in 1999 in terms of repertoire. I know many ballet enthusiasts like seeing different productions of the Tchaikovsky ballets but when I see the Russian companies I like seeing rep. I wouldn't normally see such as Raymonda, Spartacus, Don Q, Bright Stream or Pharoah's daugher. Previous Bolshoi seasons provided several of these wonderful ballets. Then there are ballets such as Esmerelda and Lost Illusions which we haven't seen at all here. I know the programme has to be balanced and provide a mix of well known and not so well known productions but I think this years season has an imbalance of too many Tchaikovsky performances (though as the season has sold out completely what do I know!!). I can understand them bringing Sleeping Beauty as it is a new production and seems very spectacular. But I do think there has been too many performances of Swan lake. it would have been great to have a couple less days of this and 2 days of any of the above. I am also surprised they started the season with Swan lake as their production was not popular with the critics last time it was shown and even though I think there have been revisions, reviews were still not very enthusiastic. I would have thought it better to start with Sleeping Beauty. I agree with the previous poster who says this years season has lacked some of the excitement of previous seasons and I think this is partly at least due to the unadventurous rep. but perhaps also due to the fact that a younger generation is coming through the ranks and it takes time to get to know them. I was in London all last week but only attended performances on Saturday. Living in Lancashire it was disappointing to be there and only attend a couple of performances. When Pharoah's Daughter and even more so, Bright Stream, were debuted here there was real excitement. I also well remember the excitement generated by Osipova's first performance in Don Q and, the following year, her debut in the ballet with Vasiliev. This was also the same year as Carlos' Spartacus and then there was Vasiliv's Spartacus; also exciting. Smirnova could be the dancer providing this year's excitement. I saw her Bayadere and thought she was terrific. it brought back memories of Altynai in the role. Rep. wise there is only Flames that has excited me as I have never seen it live; only the dvd. I'm pleased by the news that Osipova and Vasiliev are dancing both the Friday and Saturday evenings though I'm really sorry for the reason behind it and hope Alexandrova makes a full recovery. She will be sadly missed. Incidentally, what has happened to the wonderful Andre Merkuriv this season? I assume he has been pidgeon holed as a character dancer and as this year there are more classical ballets this is why he hasn't featured much yet. I hope he is in at least one of the Flames performances. I heard he may be in Rubies but I'm not attending Jewels.

 

To get back to Bayadere. I thought there were pros and cons with this production. I did like the early solos for Gamzatti as I felt it established her character more firmly. However, I was slightly puzzled by the alteration in time for the slave pas de deux. In other productions it is after the rajah had announced the 'betrothal' of Solor and Gamzattii and it is a sort of celebration with Solor usually trying to hide behind a pillar and pretend he's not there! Having it before the introduction of Solor and Gamzatti seemed to remove it's point but perhaps there is a reason for this I'm not aware of.

 

I am firmly with the previous posters who want the removal of blacked up children from the production. Keep the children if you must but remove the blacking though they are still an unnecessary distraction from the bronze idol dance. They danced beautifully and it must be a real thrill for them but I don't really think they are necessary.

 

I was disappointed that the procession in the betrothal act was done in front of the backcloth when they had such a wonderful set to process through. it was also disappointing not to have an elephant for Solor! I was puzzled as to why the Fakir and not Gamzatti's maid, gave the basket of flowers to Nikia. I thought he was meant to be on Solor's side or did he not realise what was in it?

 

I thought the Satuday matinee performance was ok but still not very exciting. For me it was the evening performance which was really inspiring.The dancing seemed to me to be of a very high standard, especially Smirnova. I enjoyed Chudin's performance but would like to see him again before committing myself to definately seeing his performances.  I was thrilled we had 32 shades and nor 24; Markarova take note! if the Bolshoi can get 32 shades on the ROH stage why can't the Royal Ballet? I liked the 4 levels on the processing ramp though it looked difficult to negotiate. All principals were excellent and special mention to Denis Medvedov, one of my favourite dancers, who gave an inspired Indian dance, throwing and catching his drum as if he does nothing else. After a week the excitement has arrived!!             Joan

Was lucky enough to be there again last night - second time round to see Watson.  I definitely think he is now the definitive Rudolf, having taken over from Johan Kobborg whom, up till now, I didn't think anyone could touch.  It was wonderful night although quite why Alan Titchmarsh was needed to introduce it to the big screen audiences is beyond me.  Is he meant to the acceptable face of ballet for the masses?

What an audience, what an ovation. One tiny thing - think Emma Maguire is the top Princess Stephanie. 

I feel glutted after three Mayerling's all of them deeply emotional.  And to the idiot bloke in the white T-shirt in the Stalls who sat there playing with his mobile phone until an attendant crawled down the aisle to stop him - get a life or go somewhere else.  We don't want you at ROH.

Oh my god what a night last night.  Flowers everywhere and the audience wouldn't let them go.  Marvellous, marvellous evening but why are we losing the top couple at ROH?  Devastated.

I seem to be on a weird role with this production of Mayerling.  The opening night with Edward Watson was sublime and I have just got home from watching Kobborg and Cojoharu, only to discover that it is, apparently, their last performance on the stage of the ROH.  Tragic.  Totally and utterly tragic.  How can we lose this wonderful pair?  The management announcment is about as low key as it can be 'I have enjoyed their perfromances' says Kevin O' Hare.

Well, Mr. Hare, I have never seen a reception like the one these two unique dancers received tonight.   The stage was covered in flowers, the shouting and the clapping and stamping would't stop and whole house was on its feet.

What the hell has caused this rupture - not a hint of guest appearances - nothing except goodbye.  Anyone know anything.

No, I had no idea it was going on the big screen.  I live in the depths of Dorset so it may still be a problem but thanks for the info.

Yes, indeed.  Words were failing me last night, or I'd have posted directly after coming home.

 

 

So, so true.  Things like that really do take time to build up, and I shall be hugely sorry to see it disappear (as I shall the Watson/Benjamin partnership, too). 

 

 

I don't think it was her debut - didn't she dance the role in the last run (although not in the Watson cast)?

 

 

I thought Yanowsky and Watson were really very effective together.  I think it's the first time they've been in the same cast, isn't it?  Was Yanowsky still on maternity leave for the last run?

 

Yes, I thought she really set the whole third act up very well: I had tears in my eyes from just about her entry in the second scene right through to the end.

 

 

I don't think I've ever heard a reaction like that at the ROH before - it was tumultuous.  And well-deserved.  And just think, this is only the first performance of the run.  What's it going to be like by mid-June?

 

 

Penelope, welcome to the forum.  I too am still on something of a high.  You say you're five hours away - did you realise this is the cast that's scheduled to be beamed to big screens around the country on June 13th?  (I assume - I haven't yet looked to see how many towns are covered).

 

As for the line-up, I'd expect it to be more or less the same for the other two performances, barring injuries.  Francesca Heyward was supposed to be dancing Stephanie in the earlier casting, but I understand she's been injured - they may keep the casting the same for the other two performances regardless, now, especially if time is short to rehearse alternatives.

 

And Janet - I'm so sorry.  I completely forgot you were coming to this!

Thank you for the welcome. Have only just discovered this forum.  I am something of an amateur but managed to get to ROH 4/5 times a year.  When I saw Cojocaru and Kobborg two years ago I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, so booked for them twice this season.  But Cojocaru is injured so Bennet Garside is taking over next week - any thoughts?

I spent this afternoon booking another ticket for Edward Watson.  This is my total budget for ballet for the year, but how better to spend it?  I have been on a high all day, almost as if I went through some sort of divine experience last night.  Weird, eh?

The line-up last night was also, surely, exceptional?  Will it be repeated?  Princess Stephanie may, I feel be a star for the future.

SIM - just read your post.  I had to travel five hours home and I had tears running down my face.  Have only just managed to stagger out of bed, I was overcome.  One of the truly great experiences of my life, I have no words to describe it  Lovely to read your review.

Saw Mayerling last night.  Edward Watson and Mara Galezzi.

One of the sublime experiences of my life.  Had previously seen Kobborg/Cojoharu and thought they couldn't be beaten but this was in the same league.  Absolutely totally wonderful.