Sharon

It was strange watching WBD this year for all the obvious reasons. And although it was all rather subdued I was happy and grateful that this fantastic shared celebration of ballet was held. This year The Mariinsky  got my vote for the best class, Yuri Fateev is a great teacher. I found the RBs class a bit boring - I'd love to see Fateev take their class. I also loved watching the Nikiya rehearsal.  Anyway hopefully we will be in a more positive situation next year that will be reflected in WBD.

She was so chic and sophisticated.

Unforgettable in her signature ballet Carmen.

Very sad news. R.I.P 🙏🏽

Yet another brilliant performance by this my favourite American company. This company has definitely been the best during this lockdown, in my opinion, with the range and variety of performances they have posted on YouTube. From full length ballet's like Tomasson's Romeo and Juliet, to one act ballet's, I particularly enjoyed Tomasson's  Concerto Grosso, which I think would be a great piece for the young male dancers of RB or BRB. It was also fantastic to get another opportunity to see they're 2018 Bound festival works.

Of the gala I was amazed, again, by Yuan Yuan Tan. But the highlight of the show was the Swan Lake pdd by David Dawson, I love his choreography and this performance from his full length ballet that the Scottish Ballet premiered here in Liverpool in 2016, brought back good memories of that performance however this time we had the amazing Sofiane Sylve dancing the swan. Sofiane Sylve is a wonderful dancer and I enjoy her every performance. She was partnered by the talented Carlo Di Lanno and I look forward to seeing them perform - once Dresden is able. I'm so happy Sofiane is back on Europe!

I love this!

Yes it is slightly reminiscent of Bejart, but this is so much better because it is not so regimented the dancers are free and relaxed.

It was so great to see all the dancers together again - sort of. 

I enjoyed this so much - a lot more than than I did the MacGregor pdd from ROH the other night.

Well done Christopher Wheeldon and well done all the musicians and dancers who participated.

Just found this 1979 (I think) version on YouTube. Curiously introduced by Jim Dale, who interviews Mason & Collier between acts & later on Shaw & Rencher. Starring the wonderful Lesley Collier and Anthony Dowell. They are just gorgeous. It also stars lots of old favourites like Monica Mason, Merle Park, Vergie Derman, Wayne Sleep, and Shaw & Rencher as the ugly sisters. But I was particularly happy to see Jennifer Penney.

It's not the greatest quality, far from it, but I'm just really happy to see this performance again, I know I watched it on TV in 1979. 

Anyway thank you whoever put it on YouTube.

Hope it doesn't get taken down too soon.

Also sorry if this has already been discussed.

It's been many years since I saw this version - and I just didn't really enjoy it. The balcony pdd was such a let down. Not romantic at all. It's all really about Romeo isn't it? I had just finished a 12hr shift - so that didn't help I know, but I just couldn't get into it, and I thought the orchestra 

sounded terrible! 

I've just discovered this programme on BBC iPlayer. "Diaghilev" a 1968 Omnibus production with the wonderful Peter Ustinov. I loved it, so great to see Karsavina, Rambert, Massine Beaton, and so many more. I've never seen this before, so interesting.

Sorry if this has already been discussed.

I loved Edward Liang's ballet - specifically because it featured my favourite, Sofiane Sylve in a wonderful pdd with the strong reliable Tiits Helimets. She displayed yet again why she is so admired. It was a refreshing and light hearted piece - enjoyable in the fact that no deep thinking or analysis was necessary. You could just sit back and enjoy the beautiful dancing. I particularly loved the quirky ending with Yuan Yuan Tan. I will definitely watch this again.

This was going to be my highlight of the summer, maybe even the year. I was so looking forward to seeing them. But it's totally understandable why the tour has been cancelled. Hopefully we will see them perform here in the future.

Anima Animus:

It really is a fantastic ballet - I attended the premiere in San Francisco and it was so utterly beautiful I cried. But watching Sofiane Sylve live again and in a David Dawson ballet was not to be missed. She has always been one of my favourite ballerina's - and I'm so pleased she's returning to Europe, I plan on travelling to Germany - lots! Hopefully this brilliant ballet will encourage people to check out David Dawson's ballet's it future. One our most talented artists along with Cathy Marston, and I hope to see lots more of his amazing ballet's.

I've been informed that Sofiane will both dance and be ballet mistress. Phew!

3 hours ago, Angela said:

Dresden Semperoper Ballet has just announced the next season - I hope the link works. For the repertoire go here

Premieres:

"Peer Gynt" by Johan Inger

Triple Bill "Playlist" with "Serenade"/Balanchine, "Plot Point"/Crystal Pite and "Playlist (EP)"/Forsythe

 

new principal: Carlo Di Lanno

guest principals: Maria Kochetkova and Dmitry Semionov

David Dawson will be back als Associate Choreographer (without having a premiere?)

new balletmasters: Sofiane Sylve and Marcelo Gomes

Does that mean Sofiane Sylve is retiring, or will she both dance and teach? I can't imagine her not dancing.....well maybe I just don't want her to stop dancing 😭

On 08/01/2020 at 13:39, Angela said:

After half a year with the company, 19 year old Gabriel Figueredo of Prix de Lausanne fame is cast as Prince Desiré at Stuttgart Ballet at 26. and 31. January. He'll be dancing with Diana Ionescu, who was a Prix de Lausanne winner in 2017.

Did you see either of his performances?

Loved this film. Thank you @meetmeatthebarre for bringing it to my attention. Call me sentimental but the scene with Nishu dancing for the patients in the hospital brought a tear to my eye. A lovely film and such a positive change from all the violent murder films we're saturated in. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have enjoyed watching the first day of Prix. So happy I'm off work for a few days.  Lovely to see Jaimie Persson (nee Tapper) & Zenaida Yanowsky on the jury - and also catching Christopher Powney & Daria Klimentova sitting on the side closely watching the dancers. No-one jumping out yet but a couple of Japanese girls have caught my eye. 🙄 This year I'm going to try and guess who will end up at either the RB or RBS.

20 hours ago, Richard LH said:

 

Although does this indicate a resurgence of interest? 

Dancers: The Royal Ballet - James Hay, Christina Katsura, Romany Pajdak Birmingham Royal Ballet - Ruth Brill, Laura Day, Brandon Lawrence, Lachlan Monaghan Artistic Director and Master Teacher - Diane van Schoor Introduced by Dame Darcey Bussell DBE Director and Producer Ross MacGibbon Catalogue numbers: OASP4102BD Release Date - November 2019 Opus Arte  DVD + Blu Ray

Loved this clip.

How fantastic is James Hay? Perfect!

Enjoyed seeing Romany Pajdak too.

I did wonder though why the men were wearing shorts & t.shirts, while the women were all in matching purple leotards and tutus? Is it like this throughout the dvd or just in this particular clip?

Thanks @Darlex - I admit I enjoyed my stroll down memory lane - even if it did remind me how old I am 🙄

My most enduring memory from LFB's rep in the 80's was L'Arlessienne with Mireille Bourgeois & Peter Schaufuss. Brilliant, moving performances from all but these two in particular. So I would love to see this ballet a lot more.

And I can never get enough of Etudes - especially when I was fortunate to see so many performances led by Patricia Ruanne/ Trinidad Sevillano and P.Dupond, P.Armand, Maurizio Bellezza, Matz Skoog. Unforgettable!

I also enjoyed Carmen - absolutely loving it when danced by Dominique Khalfouni & Denys Ganio - who were so much better (right?) than Alessandra Ferri & P. Schaufuss.

God the brilliant guests that would turn up with LFB in Liverpool.....

I'd love to see Graduation Ball again which I last saw live in 1980 🥴

I saw Petrouchka & Scheherazade live for the first time with this company and I was memorised by the drama, the music and the colours. I really wish these wonderful -& important, ballet's were performed and toured on a regular basis.

2 hours ago, bridiem said:

Agree with all the comments above! A magnificent, supremely authoritative performance from Nunez and Muntagirov and the most beautiful, luminous Lilac Fairy from Kaneko. The company as a whole on great form, and a hugely involved and responsive audience; I've never before heard such an audible gasp go round the auditorium when the King decreed that the women with the needles should lose their heads! So the audience became part of the drama - an essential element of a great performance.

Wish I'd been there......😭

Congratulations to Reece. He is always a pleasure to watch. Thrilled for him. 👍

1 hour ago, Rob S said:

 

I read this article from 2012 many months ago when I first tried to understand flower giving, a forum member appears to get a mention. It answered a couple of questions I had but not all

 

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/dec/18/ballet-flower-giving

Thanks for this Rob, so interesting! I didn't know S.Wicks & M.Welford were the owners of that often mentioned florist.

12 hours ago, Dora said:

I personally think the lDance Turkey of the Year” award should be given to ROH’s MEDUSA.

It was awful!

I totally agree! It was awful. Bad choreography, terrible costumes - a waste of the talent on the stage. Didn't know if to laugh or cry??? Best thing about was the music - to enjoy with your eyes closed!

For me the deepest impression was Yasmine Naghdi in The Sleeping Beauty. She was utterly beautiful. And although I will never forget it - I wish it had been filmed. 

As mentioned it was just a rehash of clips most of us have seen before. 😴 But, I was reminded of how much I dislike 'Alice'. That I still miss Ed Watson - (& didn't Mara Galeazzi have lovely feet).  And I will never get enough of Symphonic Variations.

It was an ok programme - but hardly "essential".

I was sitting on the benches at the side in the stalls circle last night - not only were I and the 2 people to the left of me squashed because someone was taking more room than they should, but the couple to the right of me kept leaning forward therefore blocking my view. I couldn't lean forward otherwise I'd of blocked my neighbour's view. In the end I just had to ask them to sit back. And they didn't like that, especially the female - if looks could kill.  Hated the seat and will definitely avoid in future. The ache between my shoulders isn't worth it - neither was being squashed for an expensive ticket!