Balletfanp
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As the Information Specialist for Humanities and Performing Arts in the University of Plymouth library, I have a special interest in this and have of course done my part. I know what problems this is likely to cause for the staff and students I liaise with and I fully expect it will be taking centre stage at the next round of Departmental meetings!
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So very tragic, whatever he may or may not have done. A waste of a life and a talent.
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THE ROYAL BALLET 2021/22 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
Balletfanp replied to a topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
Also bearing in mind that all those ballets sell well, and that has to be a factor if they want to start recouping their losses. -
THE ROYAL BALLET: 2021/22 season wishlist?
Balletfanp replied to capybara's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I canāt really add anything to this! My one choice would have been Month in the country but would be very happy with most of these suggestions. -
Congratulations to Alex Campbell & Claire Calvert!
Balletfanp replied to Sim's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
Itās lovely, and the photos on Instagram were adorable! -
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.....
Balletfanp replied to Richard LH's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Ditto! Merry Christmas to you all! -
RB Nutcracker Winter 2020/21
Balletfanp replied to Silke H's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Beautiful! -
RB Nutcracker Winter 2020/21
Balletfanp replied to Silke H's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
Yes, and they were well-deserved, she was a delight. -
RB Nutcracker Winter 2020/21
Balletfanp replied to Silke H's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
I think so - I made a point of thanking the front of house manager as I was leaving and trying to explain that I wasnāt usually that clueless (well, not most of the time!), and he did say that they couldnāt do so at the moment - I couldnāt question him further as I was blocking the exit and I didnāt want to blot my copybook any more than I had already! I think there is one more performance tonight. -
RB Nutcracker Winter 2020/21
Balletfanp replied to Silke H's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
It already feels rather poignant to be talking about Sundayās performance given the developments today, but I feel extremely lucky and privileged to have seen it, having missed out on the previous galas because of lockdown - just got to see this in the nick of time. It felt wonderful just to be back in the building, not that I saw much of it. But the production itself didnāt really feel lacking in any way - the revamped battle scene was effective, the party scene felt more like an intimate family gathering rather than a big event, but no worse for that. The children who were there performed beautifully (I donāt know who the red haired lad is but he stood out for me as a lovely little dancer with a real presence and personality). Fewer snowflakes didnāt detract from the effect. And of course, the glorious music still sounded wonderful with a smaller orchestra. I have to say I spent most of Act 1 in tears (Gary Avisās first chuck of glitter set me off!), the wonderful transformation scene (as impressive as ever), and that gorgeous Clara/Hans Peter pas de deux, followed by the snowflakes..... bliss, I had thought it would be much longer before I could watch a ballet in the ROH again and it was just wonderful to be there and immersed in it. Managed to pull myself together for Act 2, until Nunez and Muntagirov set me off again! Act 2 was just as lovely as ever although it was a shame the Spanish and Arabian danced were taken out, but what remained was superb. Actually, I very nearly missed Act 2 - I hadnāt realised that there was no warning announcement or bell when the interval was due to end, and was talking to a friend when the orchestra started retuning. I had to sprint back to the stalls but some doors were no entry so - panic! An usher showed me the way but by the time I got back to the stalls entrance the music had started! God bless the lovely front of house manager who took pity on my consternation and let me in! But I then had to run right down to the front only to find I couldnāt get into my row because two blind girls with guide dogs were at the end and I couldnāt in all conscience ask them to move. So I had to duck and sprint along the empty row behind and clamber over the people at the other end to reach my seat, with the whole audience glaring at me..... š³. If you were there and I momentarily blocked your view, I can only apologise....Yes, I became the sort of person I normally tut at - I will be more tolerant in future! Finally slunk in shame into my seat at the exact moment the curtains opened! Embarrassment aside (Iām still squirming!), the performances were all fantastic. Standouts for me were of course Anna Rose OāSullivan and James Hay (he makes a lovely Hans Peter). Iāve seen a good few Rose Fairies now but I think so far Claire Calvert is my favourite. She may have missed out on the Sugar Plum Fairy role this year but she really made her Rose Fairy count. Giacomo Rovero danced the Russian and I found him a very engaging performer. And of course NuƱez and Muntagirov were just sublime. A reviewer recently suggested that they are always so good that there is almost no point saying any more about them. I disagree - if a performer is as good as they invariably are, then they deserve the praise as much as anyone else. We are privileged to have two such consummate artists here in the UK to enjoy and we shouldnāt begin to take them for granted. I think the look on James Hayās face as he watched them from the edge of the stage said it all! It looked like love! Now back down to earth earth with a considerable bump, and wondering when another visit is likely to be possible....š- 139 replies
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can anyone recognize these dancers
Balletfanp replied to steve downes's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
Red scarf and bobble hat definitely Anthony Dowell. -
I havenāt got Zoom open at the moment so stating this from memory, but if she logs into her Zoom account and clicks on the recording, there are different download options that give different views, e.g. speaker view only, speaker plus gallery (which is everyone else on the screen so perhaps that is the one she needs to download).
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Royal Ballet - The Nutcracker, 2020
Balletfanp replied to SPD444's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
I think thatās just the group tickets. It still says 100+ tickets left in singles and pairs. -
Lockdown and General Streaming Thread
Balletfanp replied to alison's topic in Ballet / Dance news & information
I was getting very irritated by the camera angles - why would we want to see a view from the side, for heavenās sake?? And the sound was completely out of synch with the dancers in the pas de Deux part of the the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. Thankfully they had sorted it by the time they did their solos and coda. But Muntagirov had to cut off the end of his manage because there was no room on the stage for him to finish it. All that said, Iāll take what I can get at the moment!- 1,212 replies
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Darn, if Iād known Iād have been tempted to back it! š
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Forgot to say - Monotones I found rather tedious (and Iām usually an Ashton fan!) on first viewing but it grew on me slightly second time around - I just think it goes on for too long. No criticism of the performances, though - Melissa Hamilton was perfect for this (and what beautiful feet). And Yasmine Naghdi is perfect for that Concerto movement. I must also say a word about Nicol Edmondsā excellent partnering in both Concerto and Monotones - unobtrusive, but solid, secure and sensitive. Iām sure his partners appreciated it. Clarke too.
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I rewatched the livestream last night as these days I feel I need a bit more time to digest performances to crystallise my thoughts before writing about it. Things fell into place in my mind a bit more on a second viewing! My thoughts in no particular order.... I really liked Scherzo and I think Valentino Zucchetti should feel justly proud of his creation. It was lovely to see dancers who rarely get much of a showcase dancing so beautifully and I loved the fact that all the dancers involved had a chance to shine. A stayer in the repertoire, I hope. I wonāt write at length, but other highlights for me were Takadaās delicacy and musicality in Rhapsody (and that music slays me every time, anyway!), Morera and Bonelliās accomplished and moving Manon, Pajdak brittle and emotional with Calvin Richardson (I agree that she would make a wonderful Juliet - too much to hope that she may get her chance when things eventually go back to normal?), Bracewellās grace in Dance of the Blessed Spirits, and of course, Nunez and Muntagirov - how lucky we are to have two such brilliant and world class international stars here in the UK. Muntagirovās stage presence seems to grow with every performance and he seemed to garner the biggest cheer of the evening for his variation, which says a lot considering it came from his fellow dancers and colleagues. Iām going to make myself unpopular now by saying that I found the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux slightly disappointing! I had looked forward to seeing OāSullivan and Sambe, and it was danced well - but somehow lacked that full-on sparkle and exuberance that this piece demands and I didnāt think the fish dives gelled (in fact I felt a bit worried by them!). I think it suits Anna-Rose OāSullivan, but Iām not convinced that itās Sambeās role.... Given that I had tickets for that night š© this wasnāt what I had wanted but Iām so glad they streamed it - at least I didnāt miss out entirely! Well worth a tenner.
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Ballet and Alzheimerās
Balletfanp replied to Sim's topic in Performances seen & general discussions
This is all over the internet now and rightly so. Brought me to tears.