Jeannette

Bovt entered the Bolshoi school in the late 1930s.

Also Gabe Stone Shayer, ex-ABT soloist, around the time of Mario VL and Joy.

I have that book! 📕

Violetta Bovt was born in the USA, to Soviet (Russian) parents. As a child she returned to the USSR and graduated from the Bolshoi’s academy in 1944, becoming a top ballerina at the Stanislavsky. She didn’t dance with the Bolshoi but she graduated at the Bolshoi’s academy. She never gave up her US citizenship, which may be why she didn’t go into the Bolshoi troupe…but she was a muse to Bourmeister at the Stanislavsky! I met her when she was ballet mistress of BalletMet in Columbus, OH (89/90 season). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violetta_Bovt

January 14, 2025 is the new magical date. https://www.amazon.com/Petersburg-Noverre-Marius-Petipa-Russia/dp/1839984163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2XOWG7GAKW1F2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F10cFIBHL_Ghm-7h13y2RuQ8rKVvdeBpGDmE-_DaY2LGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.b-jgyszfbimdLfj-doKTdN7uwIcG35b_ek5Up624D5c&dib_tag=se&keywords=Petipa+Wiley&qid=1722990898&sprefix=petipa+wiley%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1 It’s been announced at two volumes since January 2024 (as per my 20/1/24 post above), at $250 per volume. In 2025 the book will be alive!

I meant to write Da Vinci…Last Supper in Milán.

I would’ve expected that at the opening of the next Winter Olympics in Milan, where the original fresco of Michelangelo’s Last Supper is found. I didn’t expect it on a bridge in Paris. I watched the entire thing to enjoy the overall Paris vibe. I may be Hispanic but am not Catholic, so I find that connection hilarious…I’m Russian Orthodox due to travel, meeting my husband, etc. I keep an open mind but don’t blab it at my church. If I had to complain about anything at the Paris Olympic opener, it was about Lady Gaga trying to be Zizi Jeanmaire (so different in look but at least she tried…I appreciated any true link to dance/ballet). I also didn’t care about the flame’s cauldron looking like a Chinese spy balloon…when the original Montgolfier balloon was colored (not all white). I now can’t wait to see what the same Director, Mr Jolly, serves up at the Closing Ceremony. He’s also doing the Paralympic ceremonies.

Again, I liked it, despite complaints by many viewers. Still, it’s good to see that the Paris 2024 organizers (incl show director M. Jolly) apologized today to those who were offended. They also apologized for misnaming the country that is South Korea. http://Paris 2024 organizers (incl director M. Jolly) apologized for the opening ceremony’s kitschy Last Supper episode and for the misnaming of South Korea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCiuqSMGeUE

Thank you for this very useful information! While unusual for an opening ceremony, it was a true testament to the beauty and history of the city! I loved it even more watching it a second time, when it all came together.

Hello. The Cojocaru/Fadeev/Pavlenko one begins about two minutes into the Prologue. All else is there.

Right, Fiona. I mentioned Midsummer Dream in yesterday’s 19:15 post. I have a POB version and the commercially available DVD. Good to hear that Glass Menagerie is on Arte and may come out as a DVD soon. The more the merrier. (And bless the German sponsors!) Maybe a more recent Nutcracker may be in the bag? I’m just grateful for the “Pavlova and Cecchetti” portion with Lopatkina, filmed first at Smolny Cathedral.

Thanks! I need to find it.

And the hits just keep on coming! One more that was streamed twice, that’s in my collection: Romeo & Juliet at the Royal Danish Ballet. 1982 (Kirk/I Andersen) and 2016 (Praetorius/Kaas). I also have a film/stream of Neumeier’s ca -2001 triple bill at the Mariinsky: Spring & Fall, Now & Then, and Sounds of Empty Pages (world premiere, starring Fadeev…the new AD of the Mariinsky). Lest we forget the “Pavlova and Cecchetti” pas de deux from his Nutcracker…Lopatkina/Onoshko and other partners! That’s 22 titles plus the short works for the 2006 Vienna New Year show (Pizzicato Polka and Fledermaus Waltz…with Anna Polikarpova!).

Looking at my Neumeier collection… How could I have forgotten the Orphee et Euridice opera-ballet, with the Joffrey? Jaiani and Sulavashvili as the leading pair - divine! Other ballets have streamed or published on tape earlier like Joseph’s Legend or Pavillon d’ Armide. No shortage of filmed works.

We’re so lucky that Neumeier agreed to commercially record so many of his last ballets, such as Nijinsky, Tatyana, Death in Venice, Beethoven, Ghost Light, and the choral works, Dona Nobis Pacem, Christmas Oratorio, St Matthew Passion. (We also have recordings of earlier works, such as Lady of the Camellias, Midsummer Dream, Sylvia, Little Mermaid, and Illusions - of Swan Lake.) What a way to ensure that many ballet lovers who live far from Hamburg can enjoy his art! May he enjoy his (busy) retirement! p.s. Will his full Nutcracker ever be recorded? That’s my secret wish.