Lenore

Well, I'd guess Giselle might be more popular for people worldwide to buy, whereas Manon maybe wouldn't be as popular? I also remember there seemingly being more people online asking for a Giselle DVD (might have just seemed that way to me?). At the same time though, I don't recall many people asking for the upcoming mixed bill to be released on DVD, but it is, so probably not down to people online asking. Maybe Acosta's name sold a lot of DVDs? Quite a few of the RB DVDs in recent years have him in one of the lead roles. I have to actually admit, I'm not actually fussed about there being another Giselle DVD so soon (sorry!) ???? Maybe if it was a different production I'd be more interested? (Edited to add some words)

That's what I was hoping. Surely they'd know by now if she couldn't perform?

I was at the evening show last night (Nunez/Muntagirov) as well as the matinee (Cuthbertson/Bonelli). Both stood out in different ways. Speaking to Vadim at the stage door it transpired they'd only been told the night before that they'd be dancing, after having had a full rehearsal in the morning. So they must have all been exhausted. I pretty much agree with what other have said, although I personally did not enjoy the first act as much as I have previously. I'm not sure why; I just didn't really connect. I'll hopefully be seeing their cinema showing & will feel differently. The 2nd act was beautiful. Marianela's transformation from the first act was something else, she went from a child to a grown woman. Yasmine stood out in the matinee pas de six as others have said. She has a way of drawing your eye. Marcelino was also very impressive. I have to say I also preferred Giselles mother in the matinee (cannot for the life of me remember who played her ). I could literally feel her stare go right through me. I enjoyed Lauren & Federico as well. They have a lovely partnership & danced beautifully. Am currently travelling so can't really add much, but overall it was 2 amazing performances.

That's actually a very good point, and something that didn't even cross my mind. Must be quite nerve wracking? Especially knowing it'll be the one the world sees, so to speak. It would be very interesting to see how she improves with time. I'm seeing the encore on Sunday. Quite excited. Does anyone know whether it'll be exactly the same as the live broadcast? Or do they edit out interviews/slips etc? Also, the shoes! Always a hot topic. Anyone know why Natalia has them so beaten up & almost dead looking?

I don't think the post numbers show up on mobile? Unless I'm missing it somewhere (always probable) :-) But I think I know what post you're referring too. I just want to start planning. I'll have to be patient! ???? Also my magazine seems to always turn up so much later than others? Still haven't got it... So didn't realise friends booking opened as early as March. Hoping to see Lantratov & Alexandrova in particular. Any ideas whether taming of the shrew is worth watching? I won't be able to see the upcoming broadcast. No idea what it's like at all, not really familiar with the choreographer. Interesting to see that Polunin is also guesting! Wasn't going to see don q but now I might have to rethink.

Any ideas when casting might be released?

I've just looked at the tickets & it says prices are between £19.40 - £47.40 for the evening shows & £15.40 - £37.40 for the one matinee (albeit with a £4 transaction fee on top...). I don't know if that good or bad but certainly wouldn't fork out. Also I was able to buy an under 26 ticket for ENB, but I've never been able to find that option since? I actually think more people are going due to the time of the year, & the fact that there are only 4 shows of 3 different ballets probably helps (how many were there for ENB's R&J? I know the 1st night was full but couldn't attend any more). Also most of my (non balletomane) work friends neither know nor care whether the dancers are top professionals. Most are going because they have younger siblings & have never attended a ballet before (some decided to skip the pantomime & see something different). Maybe I'll ask to see what their opinions are afterwards?

You can also buy single issues of Dance Europe online (free shipping as well). I've brought a few older issues out of curiosity in the past. Useful if you can't find it in a w h smith. It is my favourite, having tried out most magazines. From past experience dancing times isn't that content heavy & pointe is aimed more at actual dancers. Looks like they (dance Europe) have a feature on Tierney Heap/the new Carmen this month, amongst other things (Edited for clarity)

Perhaps Baryshnikov? Although no longer dancing classical I believe he still does contemporary pieces? And quite a few non ballet fans I know recognise his name (although not sure it's because of ballet)... But it'll be good to see present day dancers as well. I'm sure I'll watch it either way I enjoyed those ENB documentaries actually. Would love to see something similar done with another company. Mainly because I'm nosy... Will sky arts be showing anything interesting ballet wise? I have to say though, since sky arts merged into 1 channel I've barely been able to see any ballet on it :/

Meant to edit my post but completely forgot. O'Hare announced the cast change pre performance for Sleeping Beauty (because of a soft tissue injury to Natalias back after a fall during rehearsals - been doing some googling). Not sure if it was clear in the way I answered. Apologies. Out of interest, are ballet tickets priced similarly around the world as they are at the ROH? Or do other companies charge more for particular, higher profile dancers? I've just always taken it for granted that prices are the same no matter who is dancing.

If I remember rightly this wasn't the concussion - I believe it was a soft tissue injury? O'Hare announced it in person just before the performance, and the cast change was announced on their website for her following performances. So it was really only the first night where there hadn't been anything announced beforehand.

I was at the sleeping beauty performance where Yuhui replaced Natalia - I actually remember feeling quite shocked at the response from some members in the audience? Perhaps this is just inexperience on my part (it's the only time I've been present when a cast change has been announced with short notice)... I think, amongst other things, it doesn't come across well for the dancer being replaced (although obviously not their fault). Although I wasn't moved by the performance (I can only recall the dancing was technically good, but not much else), I still wouldn't boo a replacement, even if they were replacing someone I'd forked out specifically to see. However, I can still understand the frustration. I think I'd feel differently if the entire performance was cancelled due to strike, a few hours before it started(!) though. How awful for those who'd gone to La Scala specially. Out of interest, has Natalia actually performed in manon yet? I thought it wasn't until the end of the month. I agree with SBF. Looking forward to the new year! :-)

I went today with low(ish) expectations, but was still curious. I'll write up some thoughts here although I can't be sure they'll be as eloquent as others ????. I didn't particularly like Viscera. It seemed to me like a mish mash of other Balanchine-esque ballets (I like Balanchine ballets though, but didn't enjoy this). I didn't like the music and generally found that the whole thing dragged. I kept finding my eye drawn to Naghdi funnily enough (didn't even realise it was her at first). Don't have much to say about this ballet I'm afraid, just wasn't my cup of tea. The middle section was better. I do like Faun, but was not entirely convinced by this particular cast (Cuthbertson/Underwood). Maybe I just need to sleep on it? I love the music & the ambiguity of the whole thing. And mercifully it doesn't overstay it's welcome. I think I maybe compare casts to the original with Le Clercq, which I have on DVD, and don't really think anyone's interpretation has come close to that original. Tchaikovsky PDD is something I tend to think of as being a gala piece. I loved Marianela's dress, and the music of course (can't go wrong with Tchaikovsky really). Not much to say on this one I suppose, other than it was a sweet piece, beautifully danced by both Vadim & Marianela. I did keep wondering how they'd work as a couple next year in Giselle, but that's another topic (& I guess we'll wait and see!). I went with the lowest expectations for Carmen, but have to say I'm in the minority on here! I loved it. There were some parts that dragged of course, mainly towards the beginning if I'm remembering rightly, but I find that's always the potential issue when a full 60 minutes ballet has no break (I kept drawing comparisons to Song of the Earth, another ballet I love, which I also find has some sections that drag). I think never having seen the opera worked in my favour really. The music was beautiful & atmospheric in places & Laura Morera was wonderful, have to say I've definitely become a big fan of hers. However, I can't really see Carlos & Federco's roles reversed, & I'm a little disappointed they won't be using this exact cast for the screening. They seemed to 'fit' their characters very well today. I love Federico anyway but he was absolutely brilliant in this today (& Carlos had the perfect swagger for his scenes). I'm not the biggest opera fan if I'm 100% honest, but I really don't mind it in ballets, especially the chorus. Would have been nice to know exactly what was being sung in the cards scene, although I got the general gist of it (there wasn't a translation in the programme, was there?). So overall, very surprised I enjoyed it, as reading the reviews it didn't seem like my thing! Just my two cents. Would be interesting to know whether anyone's opinions have changed after a second viewing e.t.c? Definitely seems that the cast for today's matinee is preferred. (Edited to add names of those dancing)

However the Facebook linked to that Twitter account does specify it's fan run. I was under the impression her sites (i.e. Instagram/Facebook etc) are run by fans or management for her. They often refer to her in 3rd person. I did notice on the original article it said she'd be starting rehearsals by the end of the week (it was posted on the 20th). So I'm assuming she must be in Italy already??

Hmm. Well I sincerely hope she's not being brought back too soon (& perhaps dancing on a barely healed injury). Apparently she gave an interview in Russian to explain her foot issues & subsequent treatment... Does anybody actually know for certain what her injury was (assuming foot of course, but I was under the impression she needed surgery)? I guess we'll wait and see! As with others I wish her a full recovery.

Decided to start posting here again (I tend to just lurk!)... I saw the matinee last Saturday. It was my first time seeing Afternoon of a Faun & In the Night, but my second viewing of Song of the Earth. I actually preferred these mix of ballets compared to the last 2 that accompanied Song. I found this time it didn't drag at all; it seemed like a more logical mix, to me anyway. So I felt it was a great way to end the season even if it was bittersweet to think I'm not seeing anything until October (!). The last Song I saw looked a little under rehearsed; this time I was blown away. I think the overall performance flowed better. Ed Watson was truly amazing as the messenger of death. Really powerful & moving. It's definitely grown on me - on my first viewing I wasn't so sure. There's so much to take in & I wasn't even sure what to expect first time around. I still find it very long. There are a few sections towards the end where I start losing interest slightly, especially if I'm in an uncomfortable seat, but then that final section comes along & I'm fully absorbed again. I suppose I can't help but draw comparisons between the two casts I've seen in this ballet and I definitely favoured Marianela Nunez as the female lead. I still liked Laura Morera, & it was nice to finally see her perform, but I felt her portrayal wasn't as emotional. Also nice to finally see Nehemiah Kish dance, even if this particular role doesn't leave a lasting impression on me until the finale. In the Night was perfect for me, if only for the music. I liked the backdrop & costumes, but really the music was the main attraction, & I thought it was beautifully played (makes me want to start practising again). I agree that it was nice to see Hikaru Koboyashi back, but nobody really stood out in this for me. I wouldn't necessarily rush back again to see it. Afternoon of a Faun was entirely the reason I booked this ballet. Not that long ago there was a documentary about Tanaquil Le Clercq on TV (sky arts maybe?). It showed a good snippet of her performing this ballet with Jacques D'Amboise, & it was just so mesmerising. I have to say, perhaps it's just a case of sitting further away, but I didn't particularly like Melissa Hamilton, and perhaps to a lesser extent Vadim Muntagirov, in this. It was still very mysterious feeling but something just seemed off for me. I can't really put my finger on what I felt was lacking performance wise. Just the intensity in the recording I saw I suppose. Anyway I hope this wasn't all a rambling mess. I'm definitely rusty at writing up my thoughts on ballets.

^ edited to add that your memory is correct. According to the roh website he's dancing tuesday the 6th in the Sleeping Beauty with Zakharova (and Smirnova as the lilac fairy). Capybara: I see! I agree with you to a point, because I don't think it would have made much of a difference to other performances. I do remember being a bit surprised they were only scheduled to dance one performance though... Thank you!

So I joined this forum to keep up with this (not sure if I'm supposed to introduce myself or what, but hi anyway). I was at the Lantratov/Zakharova/Alexandrova performance on Friday, and actually loved it. Obviously Alexandrova's injury was very unfortunate, as she was by far the best dancer and actress in Act I (and to echo someone else's sentiments, I also did not see any collision, but I suppose that doesn't really matter any more. I hope she recovers quickly!). I must say the orchestra was absolutely amazing in dealing with this, and played perfectly throughout the entire ballet (and did anyone witness the conductors embarrassment in the final curtain call? When he kept trying to grab one of the shades hand? ). I also loved Lantratov, especially in act III. And although Svetlana brings in mixed reviews I found her Act II solo absolutely mesmerising (her act III was okay, but I didn't feel as much from her as I did from Lantratov). Aren't Osipova/Vasiliev performing in the flames of Paris though?? Towards the end of August? I seem to recall their tickets sold out very quickly...