Lilian88

I agree with you, Lilian: most of the time are loose cannons to make art history!

 

And I always think of my first love, Rudolph Nureyev: he actually was a troublemaker! But when I met Polunin after a peformance...well I was really surprised: a boy so polite, shy, always kind and even gallant! (Without malice, I'm an old lady, so I can say it! ) In my day bad boys were definitely different! In any case, it's important what he does on stage, so I think, as Angela well said, that the possibility of seeing him dance beats every objection!

I think in the case of why Pounin chose Zelensky as his role model was that Polunin never had a father figure. I would say therefore (without personally knowing him) he is probably more misguided than bad in anyway,

  

 

Absolutely yes; he was just very young and journalists have massacred him, exaggerating every trifle he tweeted...If I think of the nonsense that I wrote when I was nineteen on facebook and myspace, I shudder! Imagine if someone slammed those in the newspaper...he simply reacted to this and to the pressure as best he believed; moreover is true that often ballet dancers are almost propriety of theaters and outside of them, they have few protections: managers and agents are not typical figures for this category, as they are for actors, singers and athletes for example; he has experienced this firsthand and is now attempting to change the system, and I find this remarkable, the attempt, especially because this doesn't makes his life easier ...

Or his uncertainty that Polunin might decide otherwise in the meantime? Concerning his artistic choices and opinions in the last few years, I can't take Polunin for a serious artist, as good as he may be as a dancer. But I see that the prospect of having him dance at Munich seems to beat all my objections. So we'll see in December!

Well, especially considering the affection that his pupil has for him, Zelensky could easily exploit his name, a trend that lately have many theaters, leaving to the artists the problem of giving explanations. Personally I am convinced of Polunin's artistic seriousness; for me nothing of what he done or said can compromise this, not only because I admire those who say what they think (not counting the manipulations of the journalists, who with the history of the "bad boy", can write such beautiful headlines) but simply because when he is on the stage always offers his audience high-level performance; also I find it very important his commitment to greater recognition of the dancers artistic freedom and their opinions; after all some of the greatest artists in history, also in ballet, were nonconformist, rebels, considered troublesome characters if not to say troublemaker, then I dare say that he is in good company from this point of view! We'll see how it goes, certainly I will come very gladly to Münich in any case!

With half of the posts here on the topic of the name of the thread, Can the Mods (quickly) please change the name of this thread to 'Discussions on Sergei Polunin -news and discussions'

 

I am, of course kidding. Lets hope Sergei does something newsworthy soon

I am sure yes, there is Dancer that I hope arrive very soon, and talking about something completely new I think at the work of David LaChapelle inspired by Madame Butterfly announced by Zelensky: names haven't been announced yet, but it's hard not to see the hand of "the Prince" I'm really curious!

I understand your point Angela, but I agree with SwissBalletFan; moreover, though this are only speculations, given the excellent relationship between Zelensky and Polunin, he could immediately announce his presence, but he didn't and I think this demonstrates his seriousness; in my opinion it's also a good impulse for reflection on Polunin's choice to work as a freelance: this system not only guarantees the artistic freedom of the dancer but it also allows for some variety, cultural exchange, without " threatening" the official corps de ballet because it would only be a few dates; a bit like in the Opera...

Yes, now is perfect, thanks a lot!

It was directly open a new topic:http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/12038-polunin-news/

maybe you can rewrite your post there, Amelia, it would be a nice way to inaugurate it!

Forget it, the title was eventually changed !

You are so right, Lilian 88. I also entered my post into this topic reluctantly but had to resort to it because the existing topic “Sergei Polunin - News” had been locked on Christmas Eve last year after a rather heated discussion:

http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/1539-sergei-polunin-news/page-8

In fact, there were several Polunin topics here. In my view, there was not need to start new topics after the dancer’s (any dancer’s) new interview, new performance or a new hair-do. All this can perfectly fit into “Polunin News” or “Sergei Polunin News”.

It was directly open a new topic:

http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/12038-polunin-news/

maybe you can rewrite your post there, Amelia, it would be a nice way to inaugurate it!

If Zelensky will bring "the prince" in Monaco, to interpret Spartacus and Mayerling, he will have all my gratitude!I would go to Russia to see Polunin dance in this ballets and probably I will do it anyway, but go to Germany is a bit easier and I find very interesting the Bayerische ballet

I agree! For me now go to Russia is almost impossible, and also I already appreciate the Bayerische Staatsballett, but if there was also Polunin and in roles such as those, it would be a real joy! So waiting for the prince ????

Polunin News?

It sounds great! ????

Sundance Selects acquires ‘Dancer'

 

http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/sundance-selects-acquires-dancer/5101172.article

Fantastic news, I really hope the movie comes out soon, I cannot wait!

 

 

I may suggest changing the title of the topic ? I confess that every time I read it I felt my heart skip a beat, even if things went differently thankfully!

Yes Angela or even in the role of Crassus! I also read that Polunin finds interesting the role of Crassus and would like to interpret it and I think it would be interesting to see in the same season an artist to play two different roles... Sure of course in this case the risk is that Crassus overshadow Spartacus and well, despite my origins I didn't ever cheer for the Romans against the poor slaves, but I guess there's a first time for everything! ????????

I personally find the program very interesting, Grigorovich's Spartacus is in Europe for the first time I think and the prospect that Polunin interpreters both this that Mayerling, makes the German scene even more interesting!

And talking about someting totally new, I'm also curious about David LaChapelle's project inspired by Madame Butterfly...

Hello everyone, on Sunday 13. the Bayerische Staatsoper will present the upcoming season:

https://www.facebook.com/events/175216166193964/

https://www.staatsoper.de/stueckinfo/spielzeitgespraech/2016-03-13-11-00-1.html

I'm really curious to hear the projects of the new director Zelensky!

"The new director of the Bayerisches Staatsballett, Igor Zelensky, has revealed his plans for the Munich company: Yuri Grigorovich's Spartacus continues the Munich penchant for presenting productions which have broken new ground throughout the history of ballet. Christopher Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland will open the 2017 Ballet Festival, during which the Staatsballett will also play host to the Stanislavsky Theatre Ballet, with their performance of Mayerling. A contemporary mixed bill evening, repertoire performances of Giselle, La Fille mal gardée, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Symphony in C / In the Night / Adam is and La Bayadère complete the programm"

 

Personally I'm particularly happy for Spartacus and Mayerling, especially because even if the cast has not yet been announced is reasonable to think that there will be Sergei Polunin; those who saw him play both Spartacus that Rudolph speaks of it as something exceptional and the few videos I've seen him quite confirm...

I can't wait!

I hope also to see Lucia Lacarra and Marlon Dino, I love them toghether!

Hello everyone, on Sunday 13. the Bayerische Staatsoper will present the upcoming season:

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/175216166193964/

https://www.staatsoper.de/stueckinfo/spielzeitgespraech/2016-03-13-11-00-1.html

 

I'm really curious to hear the projects of the new director Zelensky!

It's a really interesting news, but as for Polunin, isn't yet confirmed by his official media, I don't know about the others...

I hope that my answer isn'toff topic, but when I think about the future of ballet, as about the future of art in general, what worries me isn't the clash of the old and the new, which has always existed, but the risk that ballet becomes a product and the theaters become factories: risk in my opinion very current. Dancers no longer artists but products by intensive farming and packaged representations ready to eat ...Fortunately there are discordant voices; are not many but they make me hope!

I personally think that discuss about salary is really inappropriate, but since the issues was cited I find that twenty performances with titles very varied are not few, especially considering that with Polunin tickets literally evaporate; not to mention the incalculable gain in terms of publicity for the theater and for the city itself, because with all due respect, in general conception Novosibirsk is not Moscow or St. Petersburg or London...

As often it happens criticism and attention are all focused on the artists but not on theaters and on their interests

I think it would be a great charity exercise to create a Ballet Dancer Top Trumps card set as agreed by BalletcoForum

 

If you don't know the game, there is a ballet character Top Trump set by Scottish Ballet Here: http://www.scottishballet.co.uk/kids-section/trumps-game2.html

I like your idea!

I enjoy very much your descriptions of the dancers and each comes along as very polite and flattering. Ballet i think is very much a matter of taste, I can appreciate Polunin's technical abilities, but I prefer my dancers to make me believe the characters in both dance, appearance, and acting. I saw Polunin in Giselle with Zakharova, where his technical dancing was nice, but at no time, am I 'taken in' by the performance of his. In this performance it seemed like a 'upside down' Giselle, where Zakharova was the nobel princess and Polunin the farmer guy.

 

I saw Bolle Zakharova partnership this season, and Roberto Bolle was amazing as the Nobel, learned, 'naive' and kind Des Grieux, taken in by Manon. I believe that my 'One Eye' would choose Coviello in this role rather Polunin.

 

Also, I saw 'Polunin replacement' Jacopo Tissi in Ratmansky's Sleeping Beauty with Zakharova who was personally chosen by Zakharova as the replacement who was on his first year after school. (I remember posting complaining I wanted to see Polunin, after originally booking for Hallberg) Tissi was amazing, tall and fantastic in the role.

 

Also there were some very strong rumours in the theatre on that night, that Polunin refused to dance in the role as Ratmanksy's prince as there was very little dancing for the Prince (which is correct in the choreography) and that the 'neck pain' was just an excuse that was understood by the house.  I remember thinking at the time that Polunin may regret that. (This part is separate in case it does not pass House rules)

Thank you! Well, de gustibus non est disputandum, off course! :)

I find Polunin wonderful as Louis/Albrecht, I loved his interpretation so intense and genuine, free of certain dusty mannerism and in general I find acting one of the highlights of Polunin and a weakness of Coviello (or anyway not his strong point); but wanting to talk for a moment only about the technique, I think that in a ballet like Manon any ballerina would like a strong and expert partner, and in technique and experience, Polunin beats Coviello!

About Sleeping Beauty also I have heard many rumors, but concerned more La Scala than Polunin, so I don't know...

I thought the diva-like behaviour was considered to be a result of Osipova asking for her boyfriend to partner her in a La Scala production rather than the La Scala dancer who had been cast to do so? Surely there was no 'choice' offered between Coviello and Polunin as you suggest, Lilian88?

 

If I am mistaken then I apologise, but I thought she had stated that she would like to dance Manon with La Scala, but not with her scheduled partner there who is part of the La Scala company. That is not the same as being offered a choice of partner.

Well, in another case, I would agree with you, but in this specific case, my point is that boyfriend or no boyfriend, prefer Polunin to Coviello, which again, is a very good dancer but young and not at same level, seems to me so understandable that I cannot fault her; she had to dance with Hallberg, another etoile, replace him with Coviello is not exactly the same thing, especially knowing that a dancer like Polunin, is available...

Bolle is an impeccable dancer in almost all aspects, but in fact from the point of view of the acting perhaps I find him a little ... How can I say? Maybe not quite intense, a little too "pretty doll", hoping not to be offensive. I like also Coviello, he has definitely talent and grace, and I don't like at all "diva behaviour", but this time I agree with Osipova: with all due respect to the young Coviello, given a choice between him and Sergei Polunin, who honestly wouldn't choose Polunin? There's really no comparison, come on, I don't think we should be ballet critics to understand it, you just need a pair of eyes (even only one!). At the risk of going against my compatriots, I believe that the aforementioned article of La Repubblica was written with a hint of nationalistic pride too and for no real reason, 'cause Polunin worked as a freelance and he certainly has neither the desire nor the need to steal the spotlight from anyone!

That said, I think Sarah Lamb was a fantastic choice, I find her a very good combination of technique and interpretation

She....

Oh I apologize, careless mistake, "she" of course!

"Her boyfriend", ie Sergei Polunin, has repeatedly expressed his intention to work as a freelance, because is that what fit better with his artistic needs, so apart from an obvious predilection for Stasik - seen his excellent relationship with Igor Zelensky, its implied his willingness to work anywhere. Also, for the record, he has already worked with Maliphant and in general, in projects of contemporary dance, saying that despite finding it very interesting, he prefers ballet and classical roles; moreover, as he very modestly and generously said during the press conference of Sadler, the pieces that they will dance in June were meant for her and he hopes to be just a "good add-on". All this to say that whatever is happening, it's much more likely depends on Osipova and not Polunin. I cannot express myself about his girlfriends, her past as "Vasipova" and her current intentions, but I know that, chivalry aside, Polunin's statements about dancing together are perfectly in line with what he has always said about the freedom of expression of the dancers and their right to having a say on issues that directly affect their art, as in fact, the choice of partners; so nothing to do with nonsense from tabloid but a topic far more worthy to be considered and discussed, in my humble opinion

What is "Team Polunin"?

Team Polunin are those who run his social pages, but I suppose Loveclassics only meant he isn't part of Polunin fanclub....

Yes!! Tickets goes on sale on Monday, I hope they soon provide more info about the dates!