Shade

For those who use SouthWestern Railways be aware that there may be strikes throughout December. 

Interesting post Helen. I too am disappointed that Osipova is not dancing Swanilda. I well recall her Bolshoi performance, albeit I only saw it in the cinema. I wonder if she didn’t want to dance it.

2 hours ago, Two Pigeons said:

Not what I would call a clap!

 I heard the claps clearly in the balcony.

reflecting further on last night - one advantage of mixed bills is the opportunity to see such a range of wonderful dancers at all levels. 

Wonderful evening at the ROH last night. The Shostakovich piece is one of my favourites and the ballet was terrific, especially Naghdi and Hirano.
 

i enjoyed the music and dancing/acting of Enigma but not the piece itself. I don’t like Two Pigeons or Month either. Hayward was delightful as Dora Bella, so light and quick.

I find with these mixed bills that the one piece I really want to see is at the end and so it was yesterday. 
 

Fabulous Raymonda - costumes, music, choreography and wow dancing. When Osipova and Muntagirov arrived on stage - you knew ballet royalty had arrived- no question. Great individually and together. What a high to end the evening on.

Well I have never seen Enigma Variations before so I have an open mind but I do love the music and thanks to all the reports here will have a much better understanding of the production. For me liking the music always helps. 
 

I find the modern works more challenging!

So enjoyed the matinee performance. First time I have seen this production. Great gothic feel to act 2 - also my favourite.

i was surprised by the horse in act 1 very well behaved , but no credit in cast list.

wish I could go this evening as well! Shame it wasn’t sold out. Thoroughly recommend.

Lovely video clip thanks. As far as I am concerned shklyarov  is always welcome in London. However, wasn’t he injured earlier in the year and he is much in demand.

After all these reports I am very much looking forward to 5 November performance at ROH

I see this made today’s Evening Standard

Thanks for the comprehensive review Nogoat

Goodness so many cast changes so early in the season - hope things settle and the dancers recover swiftly. 

So sorry to hear the news of McRae’s injury - and it seemed to have started so well. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

congratulations to Takada and Clarke for carrying the show - true professionals.

i do hope any more drama is limited to the production!

Thanks to all Manon commentators - I hoped to see Osipova/Hallberg last night but had work commitments. Nogoat really appreciated your report. I share the same apprehension as you re the lifts (having seen Hallberg struggle in R & J). Glad to hear no mishaps (phew), those ‘ice skating throws’ look very tricky.  But I do worry for the forthcoming performances!

I thought this worked in the intimate space of the Linbury. I enjoyed Monotones most - and I do love that music. I think the costumes looked silly with the sparkles - especially the caps (made me think of a Woody Allen film)!

I would have liked to have seen the complete ballet - particularly with Shklyarov in the lead role

Wow what a season that was!

How sad in the 21st century that people are still making such comments 

Thanks Assoluta - so is Esmeralda performed at Bolshoi theatre still?

21 hours ago, now voyager said:

DQF, if I recall correctly, the Esmeralda performed by the Staatsballett Berlin was an abridged, 2-act version of the Bolshoi's 3-act version.  Both productions were the work of Yuri Burlaka and Vasily Medvedev.

Esmeralda has been out of the Bolshoi rep since Burlaka's tenure, and I fear that it will not be performed there again in my lifetime.

That’s a shame Now Voyager - the art can ill afford to lose these productions.

I have admired Rachel’s photos for a long  time - fabulous

Yes - never seen Esmeralda live. Would love to see Obraztsova - she pulled out of the RB swan lake that I had tickets for sadly.

Well I have just booked for the Giselle matinee at the Wells - but it seems ages away.

I always thought that Cuthbertson was and is very popular with audiences and not just at ROH, she has guested internationally, including stepping in at the Mariinsky at short notice I believe. I wish her all success with the cinema performances 

I enjoyed the performances I saw very much but my goodness the ticket prices! It’s always a pleasure to see live performances and the orchestra was great.

I would love to see any of/all of The pharaoh’s daughter, coppelia, Giselle, Raymonda, Paquita, la bayadere, Corsaire. 

Agree Don Q fan those Osipova/Vasiliev Don Q were the be benchmark for me and I count myself very lucky to have seen them. I regard them as once in a lifetime events. Of course I can still enjoy other performances and perhaps it’s unfair to compare.