joe blitz

Thanks for your interesting comments about Sylvia.

would be great if there were a new dvd of Sylvia. especially after all the rave reviews and comments.

thought of some ballets more dated than Merry Widow: Spectre of the Rose, Afternoon of a Faun. even Graduation Ball. And, one that I like, Kermesse in Bruge. Now that's what I'd call dated. and what about Fountains of Bakhchisara? What do you think?

I think I must have gotten mixed-up. I thought I saw a reply to something I had written.

I think you're right. sorry, Alison. .Just a pet peeve of mine

Sorry, but what's SW got to do with Giselle??

I know I mentioned this before but after seeing a Youtube clip of Osipova in Peasant pdd I've got to say it again, and ask what you-all think It seems to me that turning the pdd into pd6 it becomes defused. 'why was it changed? to give more dancers a chance? or to downplay a "gala" type bit.? see this yourselves.:

If there's such a lovely, even if flawed, Ashton Sylvia why spoil it with an updated, modern version!

Lucky you, Mab, that you saw Maximova live. I saw her and Vasiliev when 'Bolshoi first came to NY years ago. She was 19 and he 20 when they appeared in Stone Flower.

I didn't know that Vasiliev did a Romeo & Juliet. I know he did a Zorba the Greek. I like Anyuta a lot. Maximova really did (was) a tour de force in that. Especially in her Tarantella number. What a number of different dancing she did. Have you seen it? like it? I Mab, what did you think of Fountain? I found it rather boring. As for Flames of Paris, in many ways I prefer the Mikhail Messerer version; it seems closer to the one in Stars of the Russian Ballet. There's more drama here, you see the behavior of the aristocracy at the very beginning, as in the above mentioned film. You also see Louis XVI signing the abdication paper. It's some time since I saw the ballet so maybe I don[t remember it that well. Even though the music is by the same composer for Fountain, there's world of difference in the two scores. Flames is much more exciting.

Any thoughts on Bronze Horseman, Fountain of Bakhchisarai, Anyuta? (not you, JM, I already know what you think LOL) How about Ratmansky's work? (Little Humpebacked Horse, Flames, of Paris, Bright Stream, Bolt) I'm not sure where this belongs but I'd love to hear opinions

I've come to think that maybe it was just Bruhn! don't remember who was the Giselle but Myrthe was Lupe Serrano. She was WOW!

Hi Tony I remember seeing Bruhn jumping and catching the flowers in the air as Giselle threw them. Ever since I've been looking out for that.

to bangorballetboy might it be because we've been conditioned to thinking of Hilarion as the baddie?

Now he is very helpful to Berthe,brings her ( in some productions) a rabbit, offers to help her carry a pail of water. She likes him.

Have you noticed how in our life-time Hilarion has turned from red-bearded villain to a sympathetic character. He's become the unwitting catalyst of this tragedy. I read that at one time a red beard signified villainy.

thanks zxDave M

Hi Z. If I'm not mistaken the RB does have the Prince think for himself. I think that there was a time this was omitted, but years ago it was part of the mime and now it's back again. Maybe I'm wrong??

Yes I have. On TV. Mezzo. It was recorded in 2015. They eliminate the cats. Here Lilac Fairy instructs Prince what to do to wake Aurora. In RB she tells him to think and he suddenly gets the idea to kiss her, to which Lilac replies: you've got it! spot on.! Mariinsky as well as Australian company also has them greeting the guests. I believe also a German company does.

A few comments about SB: Some companies have Aurora and Desire come on in Act III to greet the guests. I like that. It makes a lot of sense. The Australian co. actually has the guests being greeted and bowing to Aurora and her Prince. Only then do they go off. Another nice detail in their production is that the Old Knitting Ladies are actually young and are shown how to knit by Carabosse. I miss the growing of ivy in Act I. I don't know why RB has changed it. A bit of magic is lost.

thanks zxDave M

Hi Sim. I believe according to the original synopsis she stabs herself. Most productions seem to 'fudge' exactly what happens. According to Wikipedia she dies of a broken heart. So also says ABT. What I saw in Peter Wright's RB on DVD is that she does stab herself because you see her look down at her hand. You don't actually get to see the blood but it's implied. I don't remember if I did see one version where red did appear on her dress. Maybe I'm just imagining it. BTW I also saw one production where there are other graves besides Giselle's. A diversion: what do you, (and others) think of Peasant pdd becoming pas de six in Wright's version? I saw one where Giselle presents them to the Squire & company as a couple either about to be married or already are. I liked that and this way the pdd does't stand out as a show piece, as some claim. Not that I think it. Personally, I do like it as a pas de deux. Maybe because that's what I'm used to.

Hi JohnS, I quite agree with you. And anyway, Albrecht dosn't have any time to notice, everything happens so fast. Not only that, but he hardly looks at her when she approaches him. I'd like to hear what people think of her death scene suicide or heart attack? I'll post some comments at another time and place.

never thought about it, never seen it. but I like Alison's remark.

By the way, Alison, I never found it comical but dramatic. That's just me. I love all those dramatic little bits.