SwissBalletFan

I agree that it could be the case, however in terms of suggesting a choreographer 'step up to the barre and show us' is a little bit too easy, especially when a whole forum can talk about whether the Gypsies in 2 Pigeons is racist, or of an 'older' time. In my view the OP is saying, why isn't it the case? and 'Does Ballet Need to get with the Times?' I think you only need to spend a very brief time on the pages of this forum to know that modern ballet is contentious enough for the watchers. In a world where people have been killed for a cartoon, comedians don't comment on Islam etc, I am lost to why a non-verbal art form should in anyway attempt to tackle such a complicated matter. I feel it is better that people read a newspaper, study the complex matters behind all of these issues before going to watch a person in a leotard (with tights....of course you can't subject the audience to a badly lit exposure of body parts) that is white (otherwise its clearly racist), to evoke feelings about terrorism. This is the key point, the art has to ADD something to the discussion, what can dance add to this?) I for the life of me wouldn't know, or listen to the fallout. My comment was not as flippant as I made out, I watch Young Choreographers t Ballet Zurich where the dancers themselves create choreography, and there were some very nice pieces by a young dancer about the practices of interrogation and observation in the modern world, and so I would think that if this is an idea the OP has, they can create it. A 'choreographer' is someone who creates art, and it can take all forms of expression. Come to think of it, I have just created a choreography in my head about today's modern society called 'Politcally Correct Ballet about Terrorism and Migration' Where a dancer stands in the middle of the stage dancing then 'undoing the moves' going back to the start, then trying some other mdances moves and then going back to the same spot. Because any movement, and intention, and action will be interpreted and be contentious, so sometimes its better to undo, or leave it unsaid. The choreography steps represent my keys on the keyboard about what I would like to say with my post, but even then words and questions about this subject, but they get deleted, because well....it just isn't politically correct. Now where do I collect my Benois de la dance award?

Why not give it a go yourself?

That could well be, but still, I am not sure a company's accounts would be severely dented by this amount if correct, especially as SN and PS are dancing multiples of each ballet.

I would say that ballet as an art form, has been responsible for many discussions and pushing topics further than before. Regarding the sexuality of dancers, the politics of the bolshoi, the recriminations of not being chosen, acid attacks, espionage, etc.. I think this could be why hollywood and film makers are generally more interested in what happens behind the curtain than in front of it. In Zürich Sleeping Beauty by Mats Ek is about a Junkie, which i guess was modern for its time and particularly a topic of discussion in Zurich at the time. You mention, I don't think we will see 'Kardashian the Ballet', well we have our Kim Kardashian of the Ballet in Misty Copeland, and by this its not a race thing...it is where the promotion, press, agents, marketing, and celebrity have meant that Misty Copeland is the name on the lips of all americans as the 'best ballet dancer', and her shows are sold out. New books, films, TV shows, and all that Jazz, just not much of quality in dancing. If anyone thinks that 'the Misty Effect' or Misty herself is promoting or helping ballet in general rather than herself, then I suggest they look a bit closer to the engines at work.

I would say argue that Matthew Bourne is providing ballet/dance that resonates with popular culture of today. His vampires for sleeping beauty being one example of taking what is popular in other areas of 'culture' and bringing them to the stage. If you mean the troubles or themes of today, then I think that the issues have always been the same since forever in general.

Well I don't think I'll attempt to add anymore light to such a gloomy situation! So I will will just reiterate there are great guests at Berlin for Giselle and other performances. I hope they can be enjoyed, and please buy tickets, money is tight.

If it is simply economics, I would offer that in the grand scheme of things a Guest Artist salary will not be a huge difference in a company's budget, what would you expect EUR 1-2k a performance? I would imagine that also Iano Salenko is not paid by Berlin when she is guesting at ROH. Considering too that guests will need less rehearsals and will probably sell more tickets, especially than a junior member of Berlin, and there is not much of alternative with Elisa CC out, and the need to gain some stability of performances. They still have some very talented dancers in Salenko who says she has refused a moved to RB, and Elisa CC, and also Dinu, Kaninskin, and Marian Walter are strong dancers, and very popular on the Gala circuits. I guess if there is a small shortfall in finances, the German State isn't doing too badly at the moment, so it could compensate Edit: Sorry I was wrong about Swan Lake, I stand corrected, thanks.

Hi Angela, I think Swan Lake will not have a principal guest dancing it. I think that there is some explanation for the number of female guests, the main one being that Elisa CC is not performing as she is pregnant, so I would put that to good news. The other I guess is the ever increasing popularity/presence of Ms Salenko in London, as she will still quite a few of the ballets in Berlin still. All principals are dancing at some parts this season, I wonder if its a combination of too many performances and showing the accompany that anyone can be replaced if needed, and that headline story ballets will not be cancelled, due to the saga that was (hopefully) the strikes due to Verdi.

Interesting guest news for Berlin. My favourite dancer and really fantastic Giselle Viktorina Kapitonova will dance Giselle on 3 March on the first night of the return of Patrice Bart's choreography from last season. She will be partnered by Denis Vieira also Principal at Zürich Ballet. Polina Semionova will dance with Alex Jones who joined Zurich from Stuttgart this season on the 4th of March, and Mariah Eichwald (freelance) will dance with Michael Kaninskin on the 5th March. Tickets here: http://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/de/spielplan/giselle/03-03-2016/199 Also Friedemann Vogel will guest in Zürich to dance with Viktorina Kapitonova as Giselle on 17th December and 2 January. Polina Semionova will dance Giselle with Alex Jones in Zürich on January 22nd. Tickets here: http://www.opernhaus.ch/vorstellung/detail/giselle-17-12-2015-17381/

Great photos indeed, and with the talk of wigs, for me they look great and change Mcrae and Salenko from Weasleys Ron and Ginny to Lannisters Cersei and Joffrey Lannister

Thank you for your comment Jane. As an FYI, you can pause videos on youtube etc. so that the video loads. You can leave it for a few minutes and then you should be able to watch it for some time.

Well you 'can' I am guessing from your rather terse reply you have some objection to my friendly offer. You may choose not to watch it, but you always 'can'. I can understand people having some objections, and that it may be a social event for some, and that is great, but I would maybe expect a staff member of the forum to display some modicum of politeness to an offer, or at least detail their objections, or difficulties to said offer.

You know, you can watch it at home as the Bolshoi shows it in HD on their russian youtube channel....see my thread about it. No need for Tfl permitting

I have to say, I found that I found this to be the most emotional I have seen Zakharova perform, if however technically very 'Zakharova-esque' for better and worse.

All very welcome, I am very happy to help especially those that forgot or missed it. Also should make for a lovely Nutcracker too btw I noticed I use hola! extension in chrome rather than hulu. These extensions also help if you have netflix or want to watch region specific tv or websites as you can just choose where you are. Especially good for US netflix

As an FYI RuthE, you can pause and go watch from the beginning at any point on the Youtube feed up to what is happening live now. (I just paused for a cup of tea)

I think EO is second cast, it was announced as SZ as the star in Switzerland as far as I remember. Sorry, not sure.

They have so far.... So its looking like a nice Nutcracker at home too I am glad you are enjoying it and thanks for the appreciation

Ok, for those of you, who feel to have missed this or who cannot watch it. Step by Step... 1) Download Google Chrome browser 2) Go to the the Google Chrome extensions store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions 3) Download a VPN extension for free, such as Hulu 4) Choose Russia in the extension next to the address bar in Chrome 5) Goto Bolshoi Youtube channel, click on ?Lady of the Camelias live (or the stream after it is finished) 6) Make a cup of tea, or glass wine and crunchy snacks and enjoy! (Tip) The experience is enhanced by Apple TV so you can watch directly on your tv, or even by plugging a connection between computer and speakers with a headphones chord, or a connection between TV and computer or laptop, Any questions I am happy to answer

ok, well, I think that its great that the announcement was made it seems ) I hope it was ok with Mrs BBB that it was posted here. Happy Sunday

So its a big thank you to Mr and Mrs BBB (I think?) to let those know, who can attend the performance and give him a big farewell. Is there a reason he doesn't get an announced farewell from the crowd or management?

It hasn't even been announced officially, only sourced from a very well connected fan it seems.

So its a choice of cinema, or watch it at home, but as always, no thanks for the help or information..... The link or the use is not illegal, doesn't benefit me, and is only meant to serve ballet fans.

Hi Colman,the feed on the Bolshoi Youtube will be live for at least 24 hours so I you could watch at your leisure.

The Bolshoi Theatre will be streaming tonights performance of the Lady of the Camelias with Svetlana Zakharova on their Youtube Channel in Russia. So if you are in Russia, or have an extension in your (Very easy to find in the Chrome Store) Chrome Browser to change your location to Russia then you can watch it from your home anywhere in the world. It is at 6pm Russian Time which I think is 3pm UK time. Enjoy!