Jeannette

Three that I like a lot: 1. It’s hard to beat Sir Peter Wright’s Nutcracker for the RB, particularly the initial London version in the ‘80s. I’m sorry that Wright has fiddled with it so much, in an effort to give Clara & the Nutcracker more participation in the A2 divertissements. A lot of the inputs by historian RJ Wiley have been removed but, still, it remains my favorite version. 2. The NYCB version by Balanchine is a close second. There’s maybe too much “kid participation” but they’re so well rehearsed. I also love seeing Balanchine’s remembrance of the original 1892 Russian Dance (hoops). 3. The current Berlin version by Burlaka & Medvedeva recreates the original Russian Imperial designs but, alas, with mostly new choreography, not in keeping with the Tsarist aesthetic (such as the Arabian Dance). Yet, it recreates substantial portions of the 1892 choreography, such as Snowflakes, the Buffoon (Russian hoop dance), and the main pdd (retaining Sugarplum’s slide on the silk scarf...which London has lost).

Greetings from the USA! Five favorite ballet performances seen in 2018 - either in cinemas/online or live in NY, Berlin and San Juan (Puerto Rico, where my family resides): * RB in cinemas - Bernstein 100 triple bill...such innovative steps and designs! Especially loved Wheeldon’s CORYBANTIC GAMES...Mayara Magri & Marcelino Sambe short but fiery PDD! * NYCB live in NY - I made several trips to experience rarities by Robbins, in honor of his 100th b’day. I particularly loved LES NOCES (those four grand pianos at the back of the stage!) and MOVES, performed in silence. Among many fantastic up-and-coming dancers, I particularly admired Ashley Laracey and very young Roman Mejia in everything they did. * ABT live in NY - Ratmansky’s HARLEQUINADE reconstruction. Absolute delight, particularly as performed by the 2nd cast of Lane, Cirio, Abrera & Hallberg. Among younger corps dancers, I’m keeping my eyes on Aran Bell and Catherine Hurlin. * Berlin Staatsballett- My big overseas trip was to experience the opening of Ratmansky’s BAYADERE recon, with glorious designs by J. Kaplan. Polina Semionova, Alejandro Virelles and Yolanda Correa did not disappoint, although the latter two mostly mimed. Last but not least, an unusual experience: * Ballets de San Juan (Pto Rico) at Centro Bellas Artes, presenting a difficult triple bill in April - headlined by David Keener’s CARMEN, set in a Puerto Rican coffee plantation - just seven months after the devastating hurricane Maria. Truly uplifting. I wish all balletcoforum readers a blessed 2019! I’m particularly looking forward to my upcoming visit to Sarasota Ballet for the long-awaited revival of Ashton’s APPARITIONS. 🤞

I’m a long-time Vishneva fan but I’m glad that I didn’t waste any money on this one.

Thank you, Jan!

Resurrecting this topic to point out that Sarasota Ballet has cast guest artist Marcelo Gomes as The Poet in Apparitions. If anybody could pull it off among today’s dancers it is he. https://www.sarasotaballet.org/marcelo-gomes-joins-guest-artist