Stevie
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Posts posted by Stevie
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Perm Opera Ballet are currently streaming 'La Petite Fadette' on youtube.
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The Bolshoi are streaming the complete production, 'A Hero of out Time', on their youtube channel, on 25th April at 17:00 hrs. You can set a reminder up now.
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The Bolshoi loaded their full Spartacus production today on youtube.
Svetlana Zakharova as Aegina.
Mikhail Lobukhin as Spartacus
Anna Nikulina as Phrygia
Svetlana Zakharova as Aegina.
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I just hope they are all alright at the Bolshoi, with no further spread and no serious symptoms. Hope it's just a case of Daily Mail distortion, to make bad news more dramatic than it already is.
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Since this is the CVS thread, someone left 4 pints of milk, some bread and a dozen eggs on my doorstep yesterday. Turned out to be the local community support group distributing free supplies provided by Tesco, to those in enforced isolation.
I thought it was a nice gesture.
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The full version of the recent production of Mariinsky, 'The Four Seasons', from Mariinsky TV is available on youtube channel. This starring the amazing Ekaterina Kondaurova and the Vivaldi score re orchestrated by Max Richter.
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The Durante version of Sleeping beauty is excellent, however I prefer the Alina Cojocaru version, for performance and also because it is also on Blu-ray. You cant go wrong with any or all of them.
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19 hours ago, JNC said:
Copying and pasting from another thread as it's more appropriate here - looking for thoughts on DVDs and recommendations to watch. I have scanned the thread and don't think any of the below have been answered.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Durante version of Sleeping Beauty? I would be interested to see Durante but I have to admit I have some reservations about the Dowell production, I've not ever seen it but I quite like the current version so I'm thinking of going for the 2010 Cojocaru performance or the more recent Nunez/Muntagirov DVD unless people think it's worth seeing the Dowell production? Wondering what the main differences were between Dowell's and the current one?
Similarly, I'm intrigued by the Dowell Swan Lake (there's a Nunez/Soares or Osipova/Golding recording) to see how that compares to Scarlett but will I just be disappointed? I have to admit I'm not overly keen on the swans wearing Giselle style longer dresses as opposed to tutus but wondering how radical the choreography etc differences may be, costumes/sets aside?
Also does anyone have any 'vintage' recommendations - thinking Fonteyn (considering her Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella DVD, and would be interested to hear thoughts if anyone has seen these). I'm presuming the Sleeping Beauty is the Messel production?
Finally La Bayadere - the 'older' DVD with Rojo/Acosta, any thoughts on that versus the most recent Nunez/Muntagirov/Osipova would be interesting to hear (I was lucky enough to see the Nunez/Muntagirov production live so I'm not sure whether to get that as a solid bet, or try seeing someone different as I've already seen Nunez/Muntagirov). I'm aware the production is the same so I guess this is more of a subjective one based on performances etc.
Also interested to hear thoughts on the Giselle DVDs currently available - I think I'm right in saying the choreography/productions from the RB offerings (Cojocaru/Kobborg, Acosta/Osipova, Nunez/Muntagirov) are the same? Does anyone have a particular preference or recommendation?
Appreciate a lot of the above is subjective re specific dancers/productions so there are no 'right' performances/DVD to buy but would be interested to hear some thoughts if people have any!
And also open to more DVD recommendations whether past/present. Especially from Paris Opera/Bolshoi/Mariinsky/NYC etc as I know very little about these productions/DVDs available! Thanks all.
I have all of these productions and have just watched the blu-rays of La Bayadere back to back, firstly the Nunez/Montagirov and then the Rojo/Acosta version, which also has Nunez as Gamzetti. Although both are exceptional, I did conclude that I preferred the Rojo/Acosta, mainly because the lighting and camera work was so much better engineered. Also that version is worth buying for the extras alone, particularly the interview with Tamara Rojo. In defence of the recent addition, the Corps de Ballet are exceptional, boosted by soloists and the soloists boosted by principles. So why not buy them both.
If you want any info on the other specifics, then ask about each one separately.
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6 hours ago, David said:
Hooray!
I am delighted to report that I've received the following from the ROH shop; "Good news! Three production are set for release at the moment. The Enigma triple should be out in August, Coppelia in October and The Cellist Triple some time next year."
Still no news of a release of "The Red Shoes" though with the cancellation of the cinema relay, hopefully that will be accelerated.
This is the only upcoming release on DVD and Blu-Ray currently adverised. Highly creditable that someone is still distributing the 10th April release, assuming it is not cancelled.
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On 01/03/2020 at 19:45, Shade said:
Thank you Helen for your posts. As the Uk situation evolves - precautionary measures will need to change. I can’t remember what happened in 2009 when we had the swine flu pandemic. I don’t know if venues closed etc.
Comparisons with previous epidemics may not be relevant. Although this is closer to SARS, it apparently has four amino acids present, which is rare or unheard of in nature and which make it easier to spread. But HEY, lets stop this thread and wait to see what the professionals say. If its best to close theatres and cinemas, then do it sooner rather than later.
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On 27/02/2020 at 19:52, Shade said:
Thanks but the filming itself can change the perspective of the performance - hard to explain what I mean exactly.
If it is hard for you to explain what you mean, it is even harder for us to understand what you mean, so let me try.
You refer to filming changing perspective, perspective being the representation of three dimensions on a two dimensional surface such as a screen.
Well I can say that having watched this release on several occasions, the height, width, depth and positions relating to each other look exactly as you would expect.
Some reviewers have commentated on dark background, however this is limited to the opening scenes outside the temple, including the introduction of Nikiya, where there is a marked contrast, quite deliberately, between foreground and background lighting. It does not effect perspective at all.
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5 hours ago, Bluebird said:
Full cast is now up:
And as someone rightly predicted earlier its Olga Smirnova, again, in the live streaming and the first night. She is certainly taking more than her fair share of the burden of performance. Don't know what to do now.
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1 hour ago, RMM1 said:
My guess is that is should be Srepanova but she pulled out of performances in late January and they are not certain if she will be ready in time.
That may explain the late announcement. If they are giving her maximum recovery time with a possible stand in lined up. If she's still recovering, then slim chance only for performing a week tomorrow. Two names required for 21/2 and 23/2 from following, unless any can be added or eliminated.
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Well that's one we can eliminate from the Bolshoi cast sheet. Brings it down to five contender remaining in my calculations.
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Reply received from Bolshoi press agent. "They don't know yet".
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Well certainly the first two live performances in the current season starred Olga Smirnova and she did look alike in both. Good as she is, I do like to see some variety in the selection of principles, so I would prefer to see one of the two listed for the middle two performances. It is strange that with only nine days until the live streaming, they have not named the principle ballerina far the first and last performances. My bet was on Krisanova, although not through any preference. I have emailed them twice, with no reply, maybe we will have to attend to find out.
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Does anyone know who is dancing the lead role for the Bolshoi Swan Lake live streaming on the 23rd Feb 2020. The cast sheet has been on their web page for some time, but it only shows the lead casting for the middle two performances. The first and last are missing.
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On 28/12/2019 at 19:56, Legseleven said:
I thought Ian McKellen - a masterclass in acting a song, Steven McRae - also great at putting across a song in just the right manner, embodying his character completely and of course absolutely fabulous dancing, and Laurie Davidson (the actor playing Mr Mistoffelees) were much the best things in the movie. Much as Francesca Hayward has an expressive (and very beautiful) face which the camera loves, I felt it would have been better for her to have done the bare minimum in terms of singing and certainly not to be given the new song - which is instead sung by Taylor Swift in the credits - and for the role to be more as in the stage version, ie for a dancer.
I really hope that both Hayward and McRae stay with the Royal Ballet and that he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.On 28/12/2019 at 19:56, Legseleven said:I thought Ian McKellen - a masterclass in acting a song, Steven McRae - also great at putting across a song in just the right manner, embodying his character completely and of course absolutely fabulous dancing, and Laurie Davidson (the actor playing Mr Mistoffelees) were much the best things in the movie. Much as Francesca Hayward has an expressive (and very beautiful) face which the camera loves, I felt it would have been better for her to have done the bare minimum in terms of singing and certainly not to be given the new song - which is instead sung by Taylor Swift in the credits - and for the role to be more as in the stage version, ie for a dancer.
I really hope that both Hayward and McRae stay with the Royal Ballet and that he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.It was written by Taylor Swift and Andrew L.W. Taylor has since released it on CD as a single, however Andrew L.W. insisted that Franky sing it in the film and I prefer her softer singing than the highly commercialised Taylor Swift released version, which tends to , 'bawl' it out to much.
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I watched it and loved every minute, despite watching people inexplicably walking out part way through. Words about it bombing at the box office abound, with one paper saying it has lost $90 million (despite it costing $70 million to produce), leads me to feel that the media were against it from the beginning.
I thought the CGI was minimal, being mainly used for cat ear and tail movements and so it didn't trouble me at all. It was certainly uplifting with some excellent character acting, singing and dancing.
It is now listed on Amazon, but no release date given for DVD or Blu-Ray, but I will probably chip in for a copy when it is released.
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I have just watched the newly released version of Swan Lake from The National Ballet of the Ukraine. It ranks very highly among the 14 versions of Swan Lake that I have on DVD and blu-ray, having dispensed with three other versions to create space. In both production quality, artistic merit and virtuosity of performance, this is up there with the best of the 'A' list companies. It is also one of the few happy ending versions that are available and we all love a happy ending. It is well filmed with very good vision and sound quality. All the principles are excellent and Natalya Matsak is very special, with the dynamics of her third act coda being worth the entry fee alone. The corps de ballet and soloists crisp and precise, orchestra perfect, costumes and sets very good. As noted elsewhere, there are differences between other productions, but other productions are also different with each other and there is nothing within this version to find fault. This is one to keep and to treasure. The second recent release in HD by this company and I am hoping for many more to come. A big, bold production from a top company.
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I feel that all the performers were heavily restricted by the lack of available dancing space on stage. This also appeared to be a factor with the original choreography. It was most evident in the Mazurka, where cross stage movement was severely limited. Removing a couple of the large buildings in the set would have helped. I couldn't help make comparison with the recent Bolshoi production , where the performers had much more available space. I attach the Bolshoi equivalent for comparison. Of course the Bolshoi stage is bigger anyway, but all the more reason to have a more appropriate set size.
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8 hours ago, Sim said:
Francesca Hayward has real star quality. She is beautiful, eloquent, confident and fun. All this aside from her artistic talent. Envious, moi? 😩
I don't think anyone can deny that. I have a friend who works in the offices. He says she regularly calls in and is extremely kind and friendly and tiny.
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9 hours ago, Lizbie1 said:
Off topic but I dread to think how an interview with Jonathan Ross and Hayward might have gone, given his creepy attitude on his show towards attractive young women. (I stopped watching him altogether because of it.)
I digress, but I have never watched Jonathon Ross since he was rightly sacked. I hope Franky is spared that indignity. No drive for publicity is worth putting an individual through that ordeal. In my reality world, when anyone is sacked, they stay sacked. Even in cases of wrongful dismissal, they may receive compensation, but never reinstated.
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2 minutes ago, capybara said:
She definitely has contractual obligations, hence her appearance in LA yesterday and the gap in her RB performances before and after the Cats premiere.
She may be lucky and get Graham Norton. She would be much more relaxed and even have fun with that.
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Mariinsky streamings
in Ballet / Dance news & information
Posted
Mariinsky - Anna Karenina - Complete, uploaded today on youtube.
https://youtu.be/ABnUHMNwoDg