HappyTurk

https://balletomanehk.com/2018/05/20/giselle-natalia-david/

Here is another beautifully-written review of Hallberg and Osipova by a "regular ballet-goer." Interesting how I often prefer reading commentary from audience members more so than "real critics." The reviews even on this forum are so much more detailed and substantial. 

27 minutes ago, Scheherezade said:

I find that my reactions to individual dancers can change as the dancers themselves develop and mature. For a long time, whilst I had nothing but admiration for Nunez' technique and sunny personality, her dramatic interpretation failed to touch me emotionally, then she seemed to move into another gear and I was totally converted. The same, I would say, is true of Takada. I still find Lamb emotionally detached but find her comic timing exceptional. I generally adore Muntagirov but this isn't, and couldn't be, true of every role. He left me cold in Two Pigeons, unlike Campbell, whose chemistry with Choe was so convincing. Campbell does, come to think of it, seem to have the uncanny ability to forge convincing chemistry with pretty much everyone he is partnered with. I won't get drawn into the Hayward/Naghdi debate, Both are utterly superb but whilst for me, at present, Naghdi appeals to the head, Hayward stirs the heart. She really does seem to have it all, which I find quite extraordinary at her tender age. I would add my vote to the 'Ball for principal' campaign as I find that he also has the ability to engage my emotions and I find that Magri draws and holds my eye every time I see her. Hay seldom fails to impress and I look forward to seeing more of Sissens and, from September, of the superb Corrales, who was mooted as a partner for Osipova on a different thread. I can see the logic here since there is something of the Vasiliev firecracker about him, whereas Ball, who is already partnered with Osipova, has that Hallberg danseur noble thing going on. I find the current RB quite exceptional - I haven't felt this kind of buzz since the early 70s - although I wouldn't say no to a Shklyarov or Lantratov.

Interestingly, I would love to see Ball and Osipova together in Don Quixote, too. I really think Ball would make a great Basilio. Their dynamic would be different from the Vasiliev partnership but more like that of Osipova and Leonid Sarafanov, another partnership I love. 

1 hour ago, Jane S said:

"a current rising star of the Royal Ballet, .... Natalia Osipova"

 

 

59 minutes ago, Sim said:

Nunez's Gamzatti almost made me feel sorry for her!

I agree! This is how I feel about Maria Alexandrova's, too. They are the only Gamzattis I have ever empathized with. 

4 hours ago, ballerinette said:

Of course. I was asking outside of those things. 

I've only seen Nela's Giselle on DVD. I love her interpretation so much.  

Here, I really wonder about the dynamic between the both of them. As anyone seen Marianela as Nikya yet? 

It'll be interesting to see which combo proves more satisfactory: Nunez as Nikiya and Osipova as Gamzatti or Osipova as Nikiya and Nunez as Gamzatti? I'm sure both will be great, though. 

Osipova's Nikiya at the Bolshoi is among my favorites and Nunez's Gamzatti as well. 

Just wondering, when does casting for the winter season usually come out? I'm really curious to see which cast will be shown in the cinemas for Don Quixote. I'm hoping I can see Corrales, but I don't know if they would broadcast a first soloist in the main lead? 

Just now, Jan McNulty said:

Who are Vadim and Natalia?  Not all of us are RB regulars?

Sorry! Vadim Muntagirov and Natalia Osipova. 

On a brighter note: Was just looking at videos of Vadim as Solor, and came across this gem of Natalia as Gamzatti. Wow. Can't wait to see them together in this, plus Nunez. (*Her solo is at 5:44). 

All classical roles are not the same. Even if one excels as Aurora (and fits the role), they may not be suited for Swan Lake or La Bayadere, for instance. I find that to be the case for Hayward. But I think all of the RB's principal dancers are beautiful (including Hayward!). They each have something to offer.

* Just in case my comments get misconstrued, I only mentioned Hayward because others brought her up. My intentions were not to disparage her or question her abilities, etc.   

When was the last time the ROH staged Paquita? (If ever?) 

12 minutes ago, Saodan said:

I stand corrected already! Thank you all for your knowledge, this is why this forum is so useful. I would go back and correct the errors if I could.

 

It is true that in some cases injury is the culprit. I think the point stands though: not everyone is destined to dance everything, for one reason or another.

 

I can answer with more accuracy (hopefully) on this year's Don Q: One less performance than last time (17 rather than 18) and we are down two Kitri's (Marquez and Salenko) and two Basilios (Golding and Acosta) with question marks over whether Soares will dance it. Vacancies there one would think... Hayward, Corrales, Naghdi, Sambé, Magri...

I was thinking the same. I feel like there will be quite a few debuts. Definitely Corrales, and given how he is paired with Osipova in Bayadere, it makes sense he would be paired with her again. I imagine Ball and Sambe will debut, as well. I'm hoping Magri will get a chance. She would make a perfect Kitri.  

I was hoping they would record a dvd of Osipova as Nikiya and Vadim as Solor but it doesn't look like it. Quite disappointed. But overall, great casts. 

I've always thought Laura Morera would be a great Kitri. I sincerely hope she gets her chance. I also agree that Hallberg will probably be back to dance Romeo and Juliet with Osipova 

I'm still trying to think of potential couples for Don Quixote that actually work. We already know Vadim and Nunez will most likely be paired. I hope Kevin doesn't just put random principals together.  I don't think casting worked all that well last time around. 

I also think I read somewhere that Carlos made changes to ACT II? 

4 minutes ago, Blossom said:

Could be a good one for Corrales?

It would be a mistake not to cast him. He has the bravado for it! In fact, I would like to see him with Takada. I feel like they would work together well. 

9 minutes ago, Sim said:

I agree, which is one of the reasons I would LOVE to see Shklyarov guest in this.....I think there are more possibilities in the lower ranks than in the principal one at the moment, but not sure how many are ready for this one next season.  

Actually, I totally forgot about Hirano. I think he would surprise us if he got the chance. I imagine if Shklyarov does guest, the other two would be Hirano and Vadim. But if not, then replace Shklyarov with Bonelli.  * That is if there are only three casts. 

Is it for certain that Shklyarov will be guesting next season? Other than Vadim, I really wouldn't know who to cast as Solor (among the principals). 

Corrales would be amazing, Bruce.

7 minutes ago, Sim said:

The Morera/Bonelli partnership in this ballet was astonishing, and just as worthy, IMHO, as Osipova/Watson for recording.....oh dear, choices, choices!!  I wish we could have them both!

True. I wouldn't mind seeing that either! I'm hoping they at least record Bayadere so I can buy it on dvd, too. But I think I'm just being greedy now. Would love to see Vadim and Natalia perform together for that.....

Just realized Don Quixote will have a quite long run. More debuts perhaps?

* Actually, it's not that long. So probably no debuts; just the usual: Nunez, Osipova, Takada, and Lamb. 

Hopefully Osipova and Watson perform again for Mayerling and they record it so I can buy a dvd! 

Bummer. But Shaklyarov and Osipova do have great chemistry. 

I'm hoping the run of Swan Lakes will be just as memorable as the run we just witnessed of Giselle. Maybe I should lower my expectations though... 

*Actually, never mind Swan Lake, I forgot about Manon. 

For those who saw both performances of Ball, in what ways did he improve the second time around? 

I believe they are dancing at ABT on the 18th of May, so at least they will still be able to reunite as Giselle and Albrecht.