Balletfanp

It’s available now. I haven’t tried playing it yet.

I watched it live earlier on but I guess there may be a delay before it appears on the site.

Whilst I agree that, given Hirano has, I think, five shows, and McRae four, they should have been able to give at least a couple of others a go at Rudolf, I feel it’s unfair to write off others who have been cast having not yet seen them in the role. It wouldn’t be the first time I have wondered about casting, then been very pleasantly surprised by how good a dancer has been in an unexpected role. And perhaps they have gone for fewer Rudolfs given the complications of rehearsing multiple new dancers in roles new to them - not just Rudolfs, there seem to be a number of debuts scattered around the other roles too.

I agree, I think Vadim with Laura Morera would have been a magnificent pairing. But having said that, I’m just very glad he has been cast, full stop! I think his Rudolf will be a different take on other interpretations and that is no bad thing - it should be interesting to see. I’m looking forward to seeing Hirano in the cinema as well.

Gosh, yes, I suppose so.

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post it, or if it has already been posted, but the gala is being live streamed on Saturday - details here:- https://oopperabaletti.fi/en/live/finnish-national-ballets-centenary-gala/ From the website:- “The centenary celebrations of the Finnish National Ballet will culminate at the end of May in the Centenary Gala, which puts dancers centre stage. The stars of the Finnish National Ballet will be joined onstage by dazzling guest artists. Maria Baranova from Bavarian State Opera Ballet, lead principal dancer at the Finnish National Ballet from 2011 to 2015, performs together with Vadim Muntagirov, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London. Atte Kilpinen, currently on loan from the Finnish National Ballet at Hamburg Ballet, will also visit his home company. In addition to this, the gala will feature the Chorus of the Finnish National Opera and all the students of the Ballet School of the Finnish National Ballet from the youngest beginners to recent graduates of vocational education. The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera will be conducted by Benjamin Pope. The gala repertoire takes a look at the past, present and future of the Finnish National Ballet, as well as revealing tantalising glimpses of the upcoming season. The event will be presented by Jorma Uotinen, Artistic Director of the Ballet from 1992 to 2001, and the current Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, who bids farewell to the company at the end of the spring season.”

I love Snag tights, I’m not plus size but they are very good quality, resilient, very stretchy, fit really well and are incredibly comfortable. A huge amount of choice as well. I would think they would be ideal dance tights for anyone of any size.

Excellent news (a surprise to anyone??) - congratulations to both!

Imagine how the dancers are feeling!! 😂

We can hope, but sadly I think it’s a forlorn one, more’s the pity….

I think Vadim has it in him to tackle Rudolf. He just needs the self-belief that he can do it.

I must also add a word in praise of Kate Shipway’s amazing playing of that wonderful music - a big part of this ballet for me, so evocative and so passionately played by Ms Shipway.

Completely agree @jmhopton - I was just totally absorbed in the performance and the emotions they created that I just never wanted it to end. Vadim and Laura WERE Beliaev and Natalia Petrovna. Vadim in particular was simply made for that role. Possibly the first time I’ve heard a Beliaev clapped on his first appearance….. their pas de Deux was sublime (despite the one person who decided to start applauding at an inappropriate point!) and you could hear a pin drop.

Yes, I think there were a number of them after that but I can’t remember who from. One must have been Sim’s because I tried (unsuccessfully!) to quote her post in mine!

I’ve noticed that several recent posts have vanished (including mine, but others too) from the Ashton thread.

I was at the general yesterday, and had a (for me) rare double performance day today, so have now seen all three casts. What a glorious triple bill, I came out of each performance on an absolute high. What a genius Ashton was - he absolutely nails the steps to the music so that the steps are a perfect reflection of what you are hearing. Superb. I’m not going to write about every cast, but my personal highlights. Vadim in Scenes de Ballet - regal, elegant, clean. I honestly can’t pick between Fumi, Sarah or Yasmine for the female lead - they were all absolutely wonderful, their musicality shone out when performing that fiendish choreography along with the complicated music and timings. I had never seen Scenes before and I am completely sold. Laura and Vadim, more than either of the other casts, nearly broke my heart in Month in the Country. They were fabulous together. Laura absolutely nailed Natalia Petrovna, plus she is such a beautiful Ashton dancer….. Vadim got every nuance of the character, his every expression perfect - and those solos! The pas de Deux between him and Laura was just sublime and incredibly moving. Also, I was struck by the duet with Vera. Usually the Beliaevs seem to be flirting with her and I can never understand why you would play it like that if you’re supposedly in love with Natalia Petrovna. Vadim got it right - very much the young man indulging the child whilst not really realising the harm he’s doing. And I think that Month in the Country might now be my favourite ballet, everything about it I love - the story, the characters and that music, wonderfully played by Kate Shipway. I must also mention all the Kolias - all great, my favourite being David Yudes this evening. Also fantastic debuts as Katia by both Leticia Dias and Mica Bradbury. I adore Rhapsody and Francesca Hayward and Anna Rose O’Sullivan were both glorious in it. I think Marcelino Sambe was the male who really resonated with me the most - fantastic. Steven McRae this evening might not have been on his top form but this was a new, gentler, more mellow McRae, and better for it, I think. Definitely we need more Ashton bills - a tonic for the soul!

Well, I doubt it will be Benno! 🙂

Sitting waiting for the matinee to start and it’s looking pretty full up from where I’m sitting.

And Vadim and Laura made a wonderful pairing in Fille.

It’s still speculation and is stirring the pot unnecessarily. To say nothing of how the dancers in question might feel were they to read this thread (especially having stated their support of Ukraine at a risk to themselves and their families). I think enough has been said.

No, they were at pains to point out that the Naghdi/Muntagirov pairing was a one-off just for rehearsal purposes.

I can’t see any problem. Osipova took part in Putrov’s gala (Muntagirov was in South Africa), and both have made their support for Ukraine clear. Moreover, Vadim is also British.

Missed this! But now donated. Hope it goes well.

I think I made up that word on the spot! 😂

OK, please ignore - I was lucky and snabbled a return (a bit more than I wanted to pay but it’s for a good cause!).