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Riva

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  1. Riva
    Looking for a stalls circle standing ticket for Kaneko/Bracewell (formerly Kaneko/Corrales) on Wednesday 27th February. Please contact me if you have a spare to sell, I would be very grateful!
  2. Riva
    I’m late to writing my thoughts... but this was one of the best days of ballet I’ve had in a long time. Took the day off work to see the friends rehearsal in the morning, followed by first night in the evening. Appreciate that it’s not appropriate to discuss a rehearsal, but I hope mods won’t mind me adding my praise for Vadim Muntagirov’s Vershinin - if that was his ‘rehearsal’ I cannot imagine what a ‘full’ performance would be... Vadream indeed! I do think Winter Dreams greatly benefitted being seen closer to the stage however - I splashed out for stalls seats in the evening and found this a marked improvement from sitting further back in the rehearsal. As soon as the curtains drew back on the set for Les Patineurs I let out a sigh of deep appreciation - it looks so romantic and wintry and flipping wonderful. It set (!) high expectation for the performance ahead, and I was not disappointed. Great dancing all round, but my particular highlights were Yuhui Choe and Marcelino Sambe who made undoubtedly tricky choreography look effortless and kept up the energy and enthusiasm. This felt like the perfect Christmas ballet; festive, fun, gorgeous and also easy to watch for any ballet newcomers. I quite liked Winter Dreams - a story ostensibly about sisters is always going to appeal to a woman close to her sisters! William Bracewell gave the nuanced, soulful, lyrical performance that I have come to expect of him - he consistently stands out and clearly deserves the opportunities he has coming up in Two Pigeons and Romeo & Juliet (which I’m looking forward to!). Also lovely to see Gary Avis with a bit more to do - he is such an asset to the company. Rounding off with The Concert - ok it’s a fairly basic humour, but perhaps I’m a fairly basic kind of girl? I had a big grin on my face the whole way through. I love that ballet can be romantic and hopeful, can be dark and twisty, but it can also be laugh out loud funny. Lauren Cuthbertson is deservedly the star of the show, but also loved seeing Nehemiah Kish in a lighthearted role again following an enjoyable run in Elite Syncopations. A short, sweet treat, I’d happily see this annually, and it was a great way to finish the evening and leave Covent Garden with unbridled joy. Happy Christmas indeed!
  3. Riva
    I’ve been keeping an eye on the new adventures twitter feed - regular ‘due to injury, the role of the swan/stranger will be performed by x’ updates, so it looks like Matthew Ball is not back yet unfortunately.
  4. Riva
    Typed that far too quickly as I was being nagged at by family! I’ll need to substitute one of mine to make way for Matthew Ball as Rudolf in Mayerling - a performance which will stay with me for a long time. The development of this terrific dancer over the last few years has been a joy to behold. I do hope his injury is not too serious and he is back dancing again soon.
  5. Riva
    I’m afraid I’m rather RB-centric, but for what it’s worth, my top 5 of the year, in no other order but chronological... 1. Giselle - I think 2018 is when Giselle really ‘clicked’ for me. Loved the Nunez/Bonelli and Osipova/Ball performances, very different but both exceptionally moving 2. Lauren Cuthbertson and Matthew Ball in Marguerite and Armand - I’m afraid I’ve never seen the original cast, but I’ve seen a lot of modern ones and this pairing has blew me away. They are both terrific actors and I’m really enjoying seeing their partnership develop. I’m excited to see their Romeo & Juliet (and Naghdi/Ball too, naturally!) 3. Francesca Hayward in Manon 4. The Christmas mixed bill - so much joy in Les Patineurs and The Concert 5. Seeing Carlos Acosta rehearse Luca Acri and Marcelino Sambe as part of th Frederick Ashton foundation - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this deviation from the normal ‘rediscovered’ sessions. Quick note - the act 3 set in swan lake deserves an honourable mention!
  6. Riva
    Yes unfortunately when I politely asked if there were any cast changes I was given a very firm ‘no’ but clearly the news hadn’t made it that far. Bennett Gartside was replaced by Gary Avis in Winter Dreams, and Nehemiah Kish in The Concert. I do hope Mr Gartside recovers from his injury quickly.
  7. Riva
    Whilst I wait for my friend to arrive... First night casting (as advertised - no changes according to programme seller) if useful for fellow ballet co’ers: Les Patineurs Pas des Patineurs Annette Buvoli, Leticia Dias, Julia Roscoe, Gina Storm-Jensen, David Donnelly, Teo Dubreuil, Kevin Emerson, Joseph Sissens Entree Yuhui Choe, Anna Rose O’Sullivan Variation Marcelino Sambe Pas de deux Fumi Kaneko, William Bracewell Pas de deux filles Mayara Magri, Beatriz Stix-Brunell Winter Dreams Olga - Itziar Mendizabal Masha - Marianela Nunez Irina - Yasmine Naghdi Andrey Prozorov - Valentino Zuchetti Natasha - Lara Turk Kulygin - Bennet Gartside Lt Col Vershinin - Thiago Soares Lt Baron Tusenbach - William Bracewell Captain Solyony - Nicol Edmonds Dr Chebutykin - Christopher Saunders Anfisa - Kristen McNally Maid - Hannah Grennell Soldiers - Leo Dixon, David Donnelly, Kevin Emerton, Erico Montes The Concert Lauren Cuthbertson, Bennet Gartside, Laura Morera, Tristan Dyer, Nicol Edmonds, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hingis, Beatriz Stix-Brunel, Mica Bradbury, Ashley Dean, Leticia Dias, Isabella Gasparini, Romany Padjak, Leo Dixon, David Donnelly, Teo Deubreuil, Kevin Emerton, Tomas Mock, Erico Montes, Giacomo Rovero, Joseph Sissens
  8. Riva
    Although from memory I don’t think we had an email to confirm replacement of Hayward and McRae with Naghdi and Hirano for last week’s Nutcracker. However I echo thoughts above - really pleased for the additional opportunity for William Bracewell, who is a beautiful dancer.
  9. Riva
    Are we now led to believe that cast changes won’t be announced full stop then? When there were changes for Mayerling, there was no web post as we’ve seen in previous years pre- open up, but those who had booked for affected performances were emailed (can’t remember if it was also posted on social media?). But no such email for Nutcracker, Les Patineurs or Two Pigeons. Should we therefore conclude that if we want to be kept updated on cast changes the onus is on us to be checking the website regularly?
  10. Riva
    BBC4 will be showing Swan Lake ‘from the Royal Opera House’ during their festive scheduling although can’t see a specific date yet, or which production. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46346051
  11. Riva
    Loved last night. Knockout performances from Lauren Cuthbertson and Matthew Ball who I felt demonstrated great chemistry - their acting skills really take it up an extra notch for me. I can’t wait to see their Romeo & Juliet. I felt Matthew Ball’s Solor obliged to continue with his betrothal and marriage to Gamzatti out of duty, but his heart remained with Nikiya throughout. The role seemed to suit Matthew very well, strong solos and attentive partnering. He plays ‘tortured noble in love’ so movingly! First time I’ve seen Mayara Magri in a principal role and thought her dancing was fantastic. Her expression looked a little tense up close, and I didn’t quite feel the same depth of characterisation coming across, but clearly a huge talent with a brilliant future ahead. Can see her excelling in Don Q. The corps’ entrance in the kingdom of the shades was sublime, absolutely exquisite. I was completely transported. The extended applause was thoroughly deserved. Anna Rose O Sullivan a delightful first shade. Feeling a bit despondent that it’s all over now. How quickly can that DVD be released?!
  12. Riva
    I’ve not had an email to confirm, but website is also showing Naghdi/Hirano replacing Hayward/McRae in Nutcracker.
  13. Riva
    Casting for the full Sadlers Wells run has now been confirmed https://new-adventures.net/news/casting-announcement-the-swan-prince-at-sadlers-wells Over the moon to have booked to see Matthew Ball for my birthday-eve (it’s definitely a thing!) treat.
  14. Riva
    I stumbled across this when trying to work out when ‘RB in class on stage’ was going on sale. I don’t recall having seen any information about it previously, have you been before, any idea on what to expect?
  15. Riva
    Darcey Bussell is on this week’s radio 4 woman’s hour podcast ostensibly promoting the book but also having a chat for those who are interested.
  16. Riva
    The three shades at the La Bayadere rehearsal are Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Naghdi and Akane Takada so your expectation of a ‘starry’ DVD seems spot on, Floss.
  17. Riva
    The website seems to be all over the place but clicking into particular dates on the calendar gives the clearest casting I think. 12th feb eve Hayward/Bracewell https://www.roh.org.uk/events/k4xp7 2nd feb eve Takada/Hay https://www.roh.org.uk/events/m99rz
  18. Riva
    I do hope that Matthew Ball is given scheduled performances for the next Mayerling run, whenever that may be. I’m excited to see how he could build on the two performances of this season. In my view at least, he’s certainly earned it.
  19. Riva
    Thank you!
  20. Riva
    There weren’t any cast change slips when I picked up my cast sheet and programme - can you please confirm so I can amend? Thought it looked like Tristan Dyer but didn’t have my binoculars with me to be certain! Delighted to see such a warm reception for Matthew Ball - I thought he was superb.
  21. Riva
    I asked the box office a few weeks back (when switching tickets to book for Matthew Ball’s performance tonight) and asked then - the gentleman I spoke with said he expected casting ‘imminently’ late October/ early November.
  22. Riva
    Joonyhuk Jun also posted a photo on social media about rehearsing with Carlos Acosta for bronze idol.
  23. Riva
    Managed to swap my tickets for 19th to 20th so looking forward to hearing thoughts from Capybara and others from today’s matinee in anticipation for next week!
  24. Riva
    I emailed the friends team earlier this week to passionately express my disappointment in the comments made by Lucy Sinclair. I received a response within 24 hours but it was almost entirely identical to the message that Timmie posted, and the comment made by ROH ok the original webpage. I feel for the friends team who will be the ones on the receiving end of members’ concerns, but all the same a ‘copy and paste’ email is unlikely to warrant a sense of loyalty.
  25. Riva
    Thank you Thalia!
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