CCL

On my way home from tonight’s performance. My first ever Onegin. I feel drained! Such beautiful dancing and intense emotion. I’ll try to articulate properly tomorrow 

I would like to echo Janet’s comments, it really was a wonderful night, my first time at the Evening of Music and Dance. I arrived feeling quite stressed as I got a bit lost between my hotel and the Symphony Hall, but I very quickly recovered my equilibrium as Nick Owen brought out BRB’s ‘newest recruit’, Carlos Acosta. I was really inspired by his enthusiasm and pleased that he made a point of emphasising that there is world class ballet right here in Birmingham. This got a big cheer, and rightly so.

The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, expertly conducted by Paul Murphy, sounded glorious throughout the whole evening, and of the pieces that they played without dancers I particularly enjoyed the Intermezzo from Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut’, and the waltz from Lehar’s ‘The Merry Widow’ - I felt really caught up in the gorgeous sweep of this piece, which I hadn’t expected to do. Oh, and the Waltz and Midnight from ‘Cinderella’, which I adore (see below).

I truly loved every piece of dancing, and would find it hard to pick a favourite. Samara Downs was a most exquisite Odette, beautifully partnered by Yasuo Atsuji in the White Act pdd from ‘Swan Lake’. I completely agree with Janet that it must be so difficult to dance pieces like this out of context and yet bring out the emotion, but they succeeded so well. Although I was disappointed not to see the duet from ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ and Delia Matthews (and wish her a speedy recovery), I felt most fortunate to see the pdd from Cinderella - absolutely one of my favourites and one of my favourite pieces of ballet music - there is such a sense of yearning in it that it never fails to make me tear up, and this was no exception. We were told that Tyrone Singleton and Miki Mizutani had only had two days to rehearse it, which I thought extraordinary given the absolute security with which they danced witheach other - that incredible lift! I was deeply moved by them both. I have never before seen ‘Two Pigeons’ - this is something I need to rectify, clearly! The music, the beautiful bird-like choreography, Maureya Lebowitz and Max Maslen’s dancing, the two pigeons themselves- all so swooningly romantic. A few more tears!

In the second half of the programme, Kit Holder’s new piece The Breath We Took was a delight. Danced to Greig’s lyrical adagio from the Piano Concerto, it had a lovely, stately feel to it. There was a real emotional intensity in the dancing of Céline Gittens and Brandon Lawrence, and this was beautifully reflected by the two other pairs of dancers, Alys Shee and Rosanna Ely, with Alexander Yap and Haoliang Feng. I would definitely like to see this piece again. The balcony scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet’, another of my favourites, was full of passion and longing. Cesar Morales was a boyish, fervent Romeo and Yaoquian Shang a ravishing Juliet. They absolutely epitomised the heady, giddy rush of first love, and I was once again very moved. The finale, the grand pdd from ‘Don Quixote’ was a tour de force from Momoko Hirata and Matthias Dingman, full of charisma, fireworks and high spirits. A fabulous end to the evening.

It was lovely to meet Janet and have a quick chat on the way out. I have already made a note of next year’s Evening of Music and Dance, it’s not something I want to miss again. 

I absolutely loved this evening- it was just about perfect. I’ll write more tomorrow, I’m a bit overwhelmed!

I’m on my way to Birmingham for this. I haven’t been to one of these special evenings before, and I’m very much looking forward to it. I’d love to say hello to any other Forum members who might be there. 

Oh I hope Cinderella will be coming to London! 

I’m sure there will be a separate thread in due course but is anyone going to BRB’s evening of music and dance on the 14th?

Update from this afternoon: we loved it! There were so many highlights- Sergio Bernal, the joyous performance by ENBYouthCo, Precious Adams in Fascinatin Rhythm, Broken Wings, the power and beauty in the Carmen duet...I could go on. But Etudes absolutely blew me away - it was utterly thrilling- and could not have better showcased the depth of talent and versatility of the company. Outstanding performances all round - huge thanks and congratulations to all at the wonderful ENB. 

Bruce, thank you as ever for your beautiful, poetic words - I was very moved by your final sentences. ENB hold a very special place in my heart, being the first ballet company (as LFB) I ever saw, aged 15, and I have followed them through various stages of my life since. I am so excited for this afternoon, and have even persuaded my husband, not usually a ballet-goer, to come with me. I’ll comment again later.

I am going to this afternoon’s performance and I’m especially looking forward to Swansong, which I’ve seen a couple of times in the past, a long time ago now; Etudes, which I’ve never seen before and Playlist, which I saw last year. I’d like to see all of those revived, plus Apollo, Nureyev’s R and J (the first ballet I ever saw)and Three Preludes.

I was also there on Friday evening,and thought Katja Khaniukova was outstanding.She is such a versatile dancer and actor, I really hope she is promoted to principal soon, it would be richly deserved. Shiori Kase was exquisite, and dazzled whenever she was on stage. I thought there was lovely chemistry between her and Brooklyn Mack, and, for me, his was a strong performance full of strength and charisma. Erik Woolhouse was a superb Ali in an overall wonderful evening of dancing, with the jardin anime scene another highlight for me. This was the first time I have seen Le Corsaire, and I was on a real high as I left the Coliseum - I am eagerly anticipating next week’s gala.

The latest episode of the podcast is a very interesting conversation with William Bracewell - - highly recommended 

https://www.brb.org.uk/post/tom-and-ty-talk

26 minutes ago, Richard LH said:

 

Just one is very difficult, witness the abject failure of most posters to respect this rule ! 

Oops! I had forgotten the just one, no cheating rule! I’d probably go for Francesca Hayward et al in ‘Manon’ then

I’ll nominate three: the Hayward/Campbell/Corrales/Magri ‘Manon’, which I felt truly fortunate to see; I also loved ENB’s ‘Manon’ with Alison McWhinney and Gabriele Frola - in fact, everything I’ve seen Frola in this year has been a highlight; BRB’s ‘Giselle’ at Sadlers with Momoko Hirata and Cesar Morales - sublimely beautiful.

Very pleased for Sir David!

Happy Christmas to all readers and contributors. Thank you to all of the moderators for everything that they do and to Jan and Ian for the links. The forum has kept me informed and entertained all year, and I am grateful. Caroline 

1 minute ago, Rob S said:

I actually laughed out loud (in a quiet forest) when it was stated the men didn’t want to get their suede outfits wet.  

I laughed at this too, Rob S - I was listening at the gym!

I know Janet referenced this the other day in the thread about ‘Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words’ but I wanted to say how much I’ve been enjoying BRB dancers Tyrone Singleton’s and Tom Rogers’ new podcast, Tom and Ty talk. Have any other forum readers been listening? There are three episodes available so far: a discussion about the R and J film with Michael Nunn and William Trevitt; an excellent discussion about diversity in dance with Cassa Pancho of Ballet Black and an interview with Glynn Purnell, a Birmingham chef. Tyrone and Tom have a warm, relaxed and engaging style, and ask interesting questions- it’s a great listen and I’m looking forward to further episodes.

Booked just now with a Cyber Monday (whatever that is!) offer. Very excited about seeing Brooklyn Mack

I really enjoyed seeing this vibrant and hugely talented young company on Wednesday evening. I thought ‘Satori’ was convincing- even though it was somewhat oblique in places, it had real power. Zeleidy Crespo was difficult to take my eyes off - she was absolutely dynamic and striking, with some fierce pointe work. ‘Paysage...’ was very different- a dance of joyful abandon, with a gorgeous backdrop of wheat fields. It made me smile. ‘Faun’ was very strong and sensual; Crespo and Carlos Luis Blanco were compelling in this. I adored ‘Rooster’, I have wanted to see it for ages - all the strutting and swaggering was done with such style, and all the dancers looked like they were having fun, including Carlos Acosta! His jumps are still a thing of wonder and beauty, and his charisma is as bright as it ever was - a fantastic end to the evening. Incidentally, the house was pretty full, which was good to see.

Thank you for the review Odyssey and for the link. I’ll be there this evening- really looking forward to it 

Just to add to last night’s brief post - I thought Mimoko Hirata was an absolutely exquisite Giselle -  her joyful radiance for most of Act 1 was so poignant, and she was heart-breakingly tender and protective in Act 2. Cesar Morales was a handsome, charming and sympathetic Albrecht, with the most incredible technique. The staging was superb in both acts: vibrant and colourful in Act 1, (the gorgeous harvest pdd!) and eerily beautiful in Act 2. Samara Downs was an imperious and chilling Myrtha - Act 2 had me in bits and that beautiful ending was just perfect. I’m so happy I got to see it, and I’m looking forward to seeing BRB again soon.

@maryrosesatonspin Totally agreed ! I’ll write more tomorrow 

Oh I wish I’d thought to ask if people were going to be there on Tuesday evening, I would have liked to say hello! Dawnstar, I hope you enjoy your evening and feel better once you are there 

I was there last night, and I loved it. Financial restrictions meant I could only book for one cast, and I knew I wanted to see Francesca Hayward - even though I had never seen her dance this role before, I felt that she would, as others have said here, ‘be’ Manon. She certainly was! I wished I was closer (I was row A, side amphi) so that I could see her face more clearly but her dancing said everything. Alexander Campbell was a revelation for me - dancing with such beauty and heartfelt emotion- and I thought his partnering was deeply sympathetic. They created magic together.  And what a superb performance from Cesar Corrales...Not only did he show all of Lescaut’s swagger and charisma, I felt there was pathos too, in Act 2. His interaction with Mayara Magri was wonderfully comic, they were dynamic together. Truly, this was a special performance which I felt very fortunate to see.

Sim, Dawnstar, I’m so happy to read your ecstatic reviews. I’m seeing this cast on the 29th and I just can’t wait!