CCL

How lovely!

I was hoping to see Cesar or Tyrone at SW in April- I’m disappointed that neither of them is down to dance. I’ll probably book for the Wednesday evening at SW as there’s still plenty of good seats in the second tier (my preferred seating option).

Lovely pictures Dawnstar, many thanks for sharing. I’m glad you made it to the performance and hope you enjoyed it.

I hope so Candleque! I did wonder why the titters here - and the titters when Giselle’s veil is removed on her first appearance as a wili… Nicely put, Emeralds. I was really impressed with his Act 2 solo.

I did enjoy this evening’s show. Khaniukova was a lovely Giselle- she seemed so very young in Act One that my heart was breaking for her almost immediately. Arrieta was a completely smitten Albrecht who seemed to have completely forgotten the existence of any life away from Giselle in Act One. They had beautiful chemistry and I was moved by their performances.

Where are you sitting tonight Dawnstar? I’m in the upper circle, row B. I’m wearing a green and black dress and I look very tired. Please do say hello if you think you see me!!

I don’t normally comment on cast changes because they are what they are and cannot be helped, but there’s something about the casual tone of ENB’s cast change notice that has really annoyed me. Perhaps I’m just projecting, having had a very bad day at work. Dawnstar, I really feel your disappointment. I hope you decide it’s worth making the trip.

So have I!

There’s rather a nice piece in today’s links (thank you Jan) about this exhibition from the Craven Herald newspaper.

Thanks for your kind message Emeralds! Fortunately a friend of my younger daughter (they are all young adults) was able to use my ticket. I’ve more or less recovered now and am raring to see Giselle on Friday 12th - fortunately not from the balcony! I completely understand forum members’ reservations regarding the ENB Nut. There are bits that I really like but the bareness of the stage in Act 2 is something I really don’t like. I can’t persuade my daughters to try a different production though - it’s ‘what we do’ at Christmas and that’s that!

Emeralds, I was due to go on the 29th. I was keen to see Precious Adams as Clara and would definitely have fed back here. However, I caught the horrible virus that’s been doing the rounds and had to stay at home. My daughters went without me and reported back that they loved Precious. They did complain about the uncomfortable seats though!

Cescablue, I am with you on Les Sylphides! I can’t remember when I last saw it, but it must be more than 30 years! I think I saw it in a ENB mixed programme with Swansong and Scheherazade- something for everyone there!

I don’t think ENB’s Manon is a rubbish version of RB’s! I was completely swept up in it when I saw it 5 years ago

YES to Swansong!

Although I post infrequently, I read the forum frequently and I’m very grateful for the moderators’ hard work and commitment. Many thanks to the mods, the Links team and to all who keep the lively debate going! Happy New Year to all.

The event at Hockley Social Club looks like an absolute bargain. Lucky, lucky Birmingham folk!

Yes, I think the first ENB Nutcracker I saw in 2010 had Joseph Sissens as Freddie! I wish I could re-live that performance, as it also featured Vadim Muntagirov as lead in the waltz of the flowers… Sadly I can’t fit in any RB Nuts this year, but was hoping to make up for it next year. Disappointed to hear that won’t be the case, although I’m already excited about Cinderella.

I know this production isn’t to everyone’s taste but I’ve been attending almost every year since 2010 with my daughters, who have grown up with it, so I’m very fond of it. We will be seeing Precious Adams as Clara/SPF and I’m very much looking forward to her performance. Glad to hear you enjoyed the production Aklf!

I can’t manage multiple bookings for Manon; I’ve booked for Osipova and Clarke. I have a feeling that they will be wonderful!

Emeralds, I absolutely agree re being surprised about the breadth of the music- as I said upthread, I had no idea that BS had made music as purely lovely as Laguna Sunrise. It made for such a gorgeous pdd, and with my two favourite BRB dancers, too. I felt very fortunate to be there.

I thought last night’s performance was absolutely thrilling! There was so much to take in that I am sorry not to be seeing it a second time. The dancing and music combined were, at various times, menacing, joyful and lyrical - I had no idea that Sabbath had made a piece of music as beautiful as Laguna Sunrise- it made for a gorgeous pas de deux between Tyrone Singleton and Celine Gittens. As for the ending - pure euphoria! My husband couldn’t believe his eyes when Tony Iommi appeared! I loved seeing the dancers have a ball - what a fantastic evening!

I was delighted to see that they are dancing tonight!

On my way to Opening Night at Sadlers! Will report back- I’m very much looking forward to seeing it.

Fonty, I too was an opera newbie last year (I still am, really). I’d seen a couple of Carmens and Bohemes previously but didn’t really think it was my ‘thing’. Seeing La Traviata last year changed me completely- I thought it was thrilling and since then I’ve seen several more, namely: Madama Butterfly, Cav/Pag, Tosca, Tannhauser, Turandot, Aida, Le Nozze de Figaro and Das Rheingold (the latter was the live cine cast). I have genuinely loved every single one. I’d recommend Cav/Pag, which is at the ROH some time before Christmas. Do let us know if/when you go!

I attended last night’s performance. I sat in the middle of row C in the second tier, which I thought was an excellent seat for the price. I really enjoyed my evening- two out of the three pieces I thought beautiful. Themes and Variations was pure, joyful sunshine from the moment the curtain rose on the beautifully placed group of dancers and I loved the way the momentum built and built to that wonderful finale - my face hurt afterwards from my permanently beaming face! I did not enjoy Les Noces, I’m afraid. I really tried to get into it and I admired the attack and commitment of the dancers but I found the subject matter and the music really grim and after about fifteen minutes I had just had enough. That being said, there was clearly a sizeable section of the audience that enjoyed it, it was just not my bag. Four Last Songs was a revelation to me - I had thought I might be a bit on the fence about it, but I found it absolutely exquisite and so emotive. I liked the dreamlike, abstract nature of it and the feeling of yearning that came from the dancing and music combined. Madeleine Pierard’s singing was intoxicating and I was deeply moved by the way she connected with the dancers. I’m so glad to have seen it. Despite not enjoying Les Noces, I thought this was an excellent triple bill!