WoodlandGladeFairy

Oh thats a tough question but for me my perfect ballets include MacMillian's 'Romeo and Juilet', 'Manon' and 'Mayerling'

Also Robbins' 'The Concert' and 'In The Night', ballets full of fun and charm plus fabulous use of Chopin's music

Ashton's 'The Dream' and 'La Fille Mal Gardee' - its funny when I was younger I found his ballets rather twee, much preferred the gutsy MacMillian ballets but now I really do appreciate what a wonderful choreographer he was 

And finally 'Giselle' and 'The Sleeping Beauty' 

Ok that's rather a lot in my perfect list but there you go, its tough to just have one or two.

I've always been interested in the House of Habsburg and their empire, so Mayerling is one of my favourite ballets, it certainly encouraged me to read more about them as well, a particular favourite is 'The Habsburgs: Embodying Empire' by Andrew Wheatcroft. I remember watching it on the BBC (I was young at the time) which starred Irek Mukamedov and Vivante Durante and totally blown away, never seen such dancing! 

Actually thats what brill about the internet, its so easy to google and go on wikpedia to brush up on the subject of the ballet.

I've just watched the ITV 1982 recording....Anthony Dowell and Natalia Makarova....Wow! ...terrific! .... ***** Five stars!

Yes I've watched that version many times on tape and later DVD, its just a wonderful performance and the choreography is in tune with the music, its just perfect for me.

I have in my blu-ray collection the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Balanchines' 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the POB in 'Jewels' and also performing 'En Sol' and 'In The Night' (Robbins), and the Mariinsky Ballet in 'Jewels'.

You know I hadn't watched any recordings of Balanchine Ballet's till I got the Mariisnky Ballet in 'Jewels', I grew up on a diet of Royal Ballet and Bolshoi on VHS. 

Rambling a bit, just got me thinking of what ballet we get exposed to at an early age and how its wonderful that the internet provides such a broader spectrum. 

I wonder if the reason why there aren't as many Balanchine blu-rays is because of copyright issues for filming, like there is no blu-ray of Cranko's 'Onegin'? Some foundations it seems are tighter than others when it comes to allowing what is filmed (like when at Glastonbury an artist like Leonard Cohen specifically asked that the BBC didn't film his set) at least that's what I've noticed. 

Like you can find a fair few clips of MacMillian ballets on YouTube but Balanchine less so, they get taken down really quickly.

The Russians love filming their ballets, no hang ups about the legalities of it, when my sister was out in Russia she went to see the Bolshoi and they all had their IPads filming the performance. 

I had a pleasant booking experience on the ROH website at 8am, booked 3 tickets (going with my sister & mum) for the 1st June for Afternoon of a Faun/In The Night/Song of the Earth, orchestral stalls seats as well, so very happy.

I went to see the Royal Ballet in Swan Lake on Saturday, seeing the production live was interesting as I'd only ever seen pics and well the blu-ray with Nunez/Soares and while the music and dancing was great I still didn't totally warm to this production, so praise be it will be replaced.

Don't get why it has to be grounded in 'reality' its a ballet about wizards and swan maidens, a medieval setting suites it perfectly. Why for instance are there crossbows in a 19th century setting? 

Oh and get rid of the maypole as well, too much like La Fille Mal Gardee and just out of place.

My wishlist - Bring back the swans in tutus (I think its more aesthetically pleasing), the Siegfried solo, and the Ashton choreography for Act IV 

Have to say I had a magical afternoon watching the Royal Ballet in 'Swan Lake', Iana Salenko was just stunning, Steven McRae was excellent, also loved Francesca Hayward, Claire Calvet, Yasmin Naghdi, Marcelino Sambé James Hay & Alexander Campbell in their pieces.

Also the ROH orchestra played Tchaikovsky's score so romantically

I still have issues with the production but I loved the dancing & music

Very pleased Salenko is the Obraztsova replacement someone I like very much. Thankfully no need to abort my trip.

I'll second that! Massive relief 

Hah I was only saying the other day to my sister that it would probably be Iana Salenko who would be the replacement 

I was also sad to learn that Obratzsova wouldn't be dancing on the 21st, I had booked my ticket for the matinee specifically because I wanted to see her, I'm not a fan of the current RB production (way too fussy) so that I confess was my main draw (and the music of course) saying that I am still committed to going, and I will be curious to know who they will replace her with. 

Totally agree it needs to be set somewhat vaguely mediaeval period, just suits the supernatural elements in it.

Hah couldn't they ask HBO whether they could lend their costume designer from 'Game of Thrones'? Lots of great mediaeval inspired clothes in that show.

Its a shame the Royal Ballet's production of 'Swan Lake' does show its age, I can't wait to see the dancing by Obraztsova (one doesn't get to see a Bolshoi star very often!) and McRae on the 21st March of course and to hear the music, so hoping that will ameliorate it.

I have to say I prefer swans in tutus, just seems more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. 

The RB version I most like was the one which is on DVD (and before VHS) from 1982 with Natalia Makarova & Anthony Dowell, some really nice choreography especially the Princes solo at the end of the first act, its a shame isn't in the current production. Also the orchestra's playing of the Swan Lake score is just fantastic for an old recording.  

Really excited to seeing Steve McRae & Evgenia Obraztsova on the 21st March in Swan Lake! I just love the music as well, so romantic.

Lovely photos from Onegin, costumes are gorgeous!

I saw Onegin a few years back with Johan Kobborg & Mara Galezzi (who was a replacement for Alina Cojocaru due to injury) & it was my first time I saw the RB live, it did bring tears to my eyes because it was so beautiful. The music, dancing, music were just brilliant.

It is a shame the ballet is not on blu-ray.

I was quite pleased to be able to watch 'The Winter's Tale' on BBC Four on Christmas Day. I thought the 1st act was very heavy, the 2nd act was fun and the 3rd a catharsis.

Found it quite a palate cleanser as well, not 100% sure on the music score though.

Some really nice choreography but the ballet could do with some editing.

I've only ever seen the BRB's Nutcracker on VHS & later on DVD with Irek Mukhamedov & Miyako Yoshida (the perfect Sugarplum Fairy & Prince), its a really lovely production which I would love to see live eventually.

Wish they could film it for blu-ray as well.

My 2014 dance highlights are:

1. Seeing The Royal Ballet's Melissa Hamilton in MacMillian's 'Gloria' in February, she is one of my favourite dancers and I have always wanted to see the piece live, so that was a dream fulfilled

2. Seeing the Royal Ballet in Robbin's 'The Concert', a real treat and another ballet I have wanted to see for ages!

3. Seeing Vadim Muntagirov in 'Manon' in October, just simply magical watching a fantastic dancer in one of my favourite ballets 

I don't get to see live ballet as often as I like so when I go up to London I usually go see The Royal Ballet.

When I was waiting outside the ROH stage door on 5th October I did see Kevin O'Hare and Lesley Collier which was pretty cool

I had my first experience standing outside the ROH stage door after Manon on the 5th October, not something I usually do as I haven't the time but my sister and I were fortunate to of planned so well and so we waited. It was very exciting to see the RB stars esp Vadim M, Gary Avis and Melissa Hamilton, we did hang on hoping Sarah Lamb would appear but by then my legs were aching from all that standing and we had to make our way back to Victoria Coach Station. Rhey did look like glamazons with their very high heels! Also so very tall.

A nice memory and a signed programme to keep.

Its such a wonderful book,  when I was visiting London in early October (went to see the 5th October matinee performance of RB in Manon) I brought a copy from the ROH shop, its such a happy book and so many gorgeous photos and illustrations! 

When I feel a bit meh and the weather is just uninspiring it is just the tonic.

So glad to hear that Vadim had a brilliant second performance, the Royal Ballet are so lucky to have him!

A pic I took of him skillfully holding lots of flowers while singing ballet programmes after Sunday's performance, such a nice chap too. 

I agree on Yuhui Choe as Lescaut's mistresses, she was a bit too nice I thought, I always thought Lescaut's mistress was a lot more savvy, a proper tart. 

nevsky- such eloquent words, which I agree with x100 felt really special to see Muntagirov, he dances from his fingers to his toes, I too just had to give my full attention and in the final PDD in the swamp was so emotional and just amazing I think I nearly cried! Just felt really lucky to see such a fine debut.

Wow is all I can say for the Royal Ballet in 'Manon'.

Vadim Muntagirov is such a beautiful dancer, amazing lines, a dreamy Des Grieux, just couldn't take my eyes him, so magnetic! Sarah Lamb was brilliant as Manon, Valentino Zucchetti made for an excellent untrustworthy Lescaut and Gary Avis makes for a wonderfully sleazy Monsieur G.M. 

Music was sublime, costumes gorgeous.

Stood outside the stage door and got Vadim Muntagirov, Gary Avis, Yuhui Choe and Melissa Hamilton to sign my ballet programme, which was so cool!

Wish I could watch it all again 

Loving the live streaming of the Bolshoi, National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Ballet and now the San Francisco Ballet. Missed the Australian ballet due to being asleep! Fascinating insight into a day in the life of ballet companies.

Real treat seeing Guillaume Côté, Sonia Rodriguez and the dances of the NBC rehearse 'Manon', also interesting for me as I will be seeing the Royal Ballet perform it on Sunday.

Just fabulous! 

I am really looking forward to seeing The Royal Ballet in Manon next Sunday, going to the matinee, was sad to hear that Lauren Cutherbertson has had to withdraw due to injury, but I look forward to seeing Sarah Lamb in the titular role, I did like her in Robbin's 'The Concert' and shall be great to see Vadim Muntagirov as well.

Another ballet I can tick off my list as 'I really want to see' as well, I like the music and costumes, so that will be cool also to see and hear live.