Sabine0308

Staatsballett just announced a change in cast for the premiere March 1st:

"The cast of the premiere of La Sylphide on Friday, March 1, 7.30 pm, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, has changed: Daniil Simkin, who was supposed to dance the role of James, has broken a rib. Unfortunately he can’t dance in the opening night. In his place Marian Walter will now take over the role of James. The cast of the Sylphide with Maria Kochetkova will remain."

So sorry, I hope Daniil Simkin recovers quickly. On Monday, he was so wonderful and full of wicked humor at the stage rehearsal.

On 09/02/2019 at 09:35, Angela said:

Casting for "La Sylphide" by Bournonville/Frank Andersen at Berlin State Ballet:

Maria Kochetkova and Daniil Simkin on Mar 1, 12, 22 + Apr 22

Polina Semionova and Alejandro Virelles on Mar 3, Apr 4 + May 26

Luciana Voltolini and Marian Walter on Apr 26 + May 31

I will be at the rehearsal today and have a ticket for March1st. Kotchetkova and Simkin...can't wait.

I agree @Coated , the staging of Julia's death scene was very moving. @squadron I cannot remember if the Romeo and Julia death scenes were too long as well, which says a lot...I think it didn't disturb me because it was better done (shorter?) and lacked funny moments of course.

What will always go straight to my heart is the music. A masterpiece of its own.

I cannot edit my own post so...autocorrection sucked again...of course I meant APG not APT.😀  

You can see her in an extraordinary piece, choreographed by Francesco Nappa in the Princess Grace Academie Gala 2018, from 47:40. It's Hungarian Dance No. 17 (I believe). Her partner is Shale Wagman. This school has another PdL winner, they must do something right 😉.   If you take your time to watch the entire gala, you can see how many fine young dancers learn their. So my congratulation goes not only to Mackenzie Brown, but also to the wonderful teachers and staff at APT.

I read positive online comments about Noah but haven't seen him yet, I missed several hours. Then, didn't notice her because she was often in the back during class or group rehearsal, but No. 126 was brought to my attention. McKenzie Brown, 16 years old,  from the US, studying at Academie Princesse Grace. She is amazing! And I have seen her last year at the APG gala where she blew me away. She danced a piece by Fancesco Nappa, partnering with Shale Wagman! 😀 So glad she is a finalist and I keep my fingers crossed for her. Also, the Brazilian Gabriel Figueredo, no. 416, catched my eye during the contemporary part. And of course I keep my fingers crossed for the German Carl Becker from Palucca School Dresden. 

Just have to add: WAKIZUKA Yu No. 408, wow he shines bright on Stage!

Watched 4 boys rehearsing "Chroma" today. So, so interesting to see this process, and great coaching by Antoine Vereecken, the principal re-stager of Wayne McGregor's repertory. I look forward to see how they improve and to see them on stage with their individual interpretation. The level was set high last year....😉❤

FB works fine for me as well. On a PC. Sometimes I have issues with my tablet during live feed. 

live streaming also works from PdL Facebook site, if anyone is interested in. I was surprised to see that the girls were again rehearsing "Chroma" (by W. McGregor), same contemporary piece as in 2018. ahhh the memories with incomparable Shale Wagman...

(Could a moderator please move this thread to "performances seen" please? Thank you!)

So I attended the performance on Friday, with Polina Semionova and Alejandro Virelles as the tragic lovers, Dinu Tamazlacaru as Mercutio and a radiant Murilo Gabriel as Carnival King. It's been quite a while since I saw R&J on stage, and I saw Cranko's version only on TV where it did not impress me much but now I enjoyed it very much. Also, the idea that Romeo was interested in another woman from the Capulet family before he met Juliet was new to me, but interesting. Polina was a wonderful elegant Juliet, and although she is far from being 15 years old, she was totally convincing in her transition from a silly goodhearted teenager to a young woman, overwhelmed by her first love. Then she struggles with the tragic events but is strong enough to refuse marriage and to make a -deadly- decision. I think aside from the technically challenging Pas de Deux and Solo parts, which Polina and Alejandro (for most part) mastered flawlessly, this role is even more about expressing strong changes in emotions, for both principal dancers. For me, "Romeo" was a bit cold, and I missed the chemistry between both dancers which is sooo important in this ballet. I didn't "meld", if you know what I mean.

Since R&J was the first ballet I ever saw on stage many moons ago, at age 20, and brought me to tears every time I watched it (6 times in a row, if memory serves), it holds a special place in my heart and I expect to be overwhelmed with emotions. That it did not happen this time made me sad. Maybe it was me, or the annoying couple in front of me, but...no I don't think so.

I did enjoy the vivid carnival scenes with the aforementioned carnival king on high jumps, and the majestic ball, and was impressed by the stage setting. We also saw another ridiculous Mercutio death scene, but it's not the first time that I was silently praying "please fall and be still already".  Even Cranko didn't have a better idea how to fill the music. 😀 Dinu did a good job, he was a bit dull in the first act but danced fiery and mischevious in act 2 and deserved and got lots of applause from the audience during curtain call, as well as both principal dancers and the corps de ballet of course too.

During the intermissions, I was delighted to meet another member of this forum, and we chatted about ENB and about the ballet in Berlin in general. It was nice to meet you, until next time.😀

Great news!!

I hope we meet some day soon Northstar, and then maybe in London. It is again on my to do list for this year☺. Haven't been in there for years.

I will go on Friday (Feb 1st) to this performance and will write a little review afterwards. Since I missed a balletco member last time, although we both were at the same "Nutcracker" 😉 I would like to know if another forum member is coming on Friday as well? Would be nice to say Hello. 

18 hours ago, Bruce Wall said:

I have seen several casts in this particular ENB run of Manon and the one that - by some considerable distance - stands out for me is that led by McWhinney and Frola.  They were mesmerising from the get go - and each gave vital individual detail to their inputs without ever over-guilding their lillies or - as can sometimes happen - make the ballet seem entirely episodic.  Their chapters were all very much of a whole much as their dancing - together and apart - was delivered in stellar fashion.  Frola is - for my money - up there with Dowell, Gomes and Muntagirov as DG.  His partnering - much as his dancing - was exemplary - and entirely rooted in the overall arc of his extraordinary dramatic performance.  McWhinney continues to astound in her development.  She was so entirely winning in her innocence on entrance - loved the wink to Coleman's endearing old man - and was still a vital spirit in the final PDD up until the ultimate stroke of fate was so harshly brandied.  I rarely find the emotion that so many expound about here - but this afternoon I did at the tail end of the this extraordinary performance.  I shared Forla's grief every bit as much as I did the audible sincerity of the audience's cheering rapture.  How lucky we are to have both of these extraordinary artists in our midst. 

 

A final shout out for Shale Wagman who on Friday afternoon - with the aforementioned leads again dazzling - was one of the finest Beggar Chiefs I have EVER seen.  The acute originality of his musicality continues to astound.  

 

Bruce, are you on Instagram? Asking for a reason. I cannot message you here. A certain dancer thanked you...😉. Want to make sure you don't miss it.

When I first heard and read about this programme, I was deeply touched. Music IS a healer, in so many ways. My Grandmother suffered from a stroke and couldn't talk anymore, but she was able to sing. My last vivid memory of her is singing Christmas songs with her, and she knew the lyrics better than I did! ❤ I guess this programme tricks the damaged brain as well, so kudos for ENB for the idea!!

Still, everything about this makes me sad. Such a talent does not come "around the corner" daily. It's just sad to see that he is so misguided. Maybe his upbringing and lonely life until a too early fame are reasons. If it is correct what I read about his childhood, then I think it's difficult to fix a shortcoming in love in your adult life. Somehow, this sticks with you forever and brings rather distance than connection to other people. Much room for a big ego.

Ahh love the appreciation, you are all welcome😀. The DonQ was great, but what really got me at PdLwas his contemporary piece "Chroma", so "just for completion" here's the link. 

At age 17 (now 18).... yeah well, check him out on his own YouTube channel for more on his choreography stuff and more  info on this beautiful soul, born to dance.

I hope to see him soon when the casting is not on such a short notice and I can grab a plane for a reasonable price. As far as  I know, only the principal cast is announced long before the actual performance (but still always subject to change). So nice that you are dancing, I used to do it when I was in my teens but didn't go further.😐 Ballet love still sticks with me of course.

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Sabine0308 from today I'm a new convert to Shale Wagman ....I've not seen him before but he is SO promising! 

You may be a bit jealous ....as I saw him in class so cannot comment too much ....but I picked him out immediately he is just a fabulous dancer from what I could see of him there and as they were taking it in turns couldn't wait for his group to do their bit again. He is excellent in all aspects of dance ....turning jumping and beautiful adage control with lovely height of legs and line etc!

I was actually doing a Swan Lake workshop on the Coli stage ....we learned the Hungarian Czardas dance and a bit of the entrance of the swans and then afterwards we were allowed to watch the class.....great stuff!! 

I haven't had time to do some research on Shale Wagman yet but in the back of my mind I have feeling he may have won the Prix de Lausanne this year....or nearly last year now! 

I don't think it will be long before he starts getting parts...so am very pleased to hear you say he is in the Pas de Trois in Swan Lake as I think he only joined the Company in the summer.

 

Ha! Nice to see another convert 😀. I watched the PdL on YouTube last year, wasn't impressed in the beginning when suddenly this young Canadian appeared on stage, and immediately, I was glued to the screen. He is just a beautiful, dedicated, determined, intelligent and indeed very promising young dancer. Everything you said! Yes he did win the 2018 PdL,  Gold medal plus the artistic prize donated by the Nureyev foundation. If you search for him on Instagram, you will find lots of video snippets (from class and PdL) plus he has a YouTube channel.  It's also worth to check the Galas of Princess Grace Academy where he graduated from in 2018 and he performed at least at 2 galas. All on YouTube. In Swanlake, Shale danced already in the PdT and in the Asian Dance (sorry forgot the correct title).  That is so nice that you could do a workshop with ENB...wow. Is this your hobby, or are you a professional dancer? Thanks for your post, makes me so happy.

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Just learned on another thread that today....not sure whether evening or matinee Shale Wagman is dancing in the Pas de Trois. If anyone does catch him either today or further on in the run what did they think of his dancing?

He posted some days ago that he would dance in the PdT on Sunday (Jan 6). I would also like to know how good he was.😉

On 03/01/2019 at 14:58, RuthE said:

Alison, I was just about to post the exact same thing, having successfully nabbed a (pricey) ticket for Sunday's matinee about 20 minutes ago! At least when it shows as "sold out" it doesn't automatically deactivate the link, so this is possible.

Oh no! I checked tickets for this particular performance last week and it was sold out so I skipped my plans for grabbing a plane from Berlin...now it's too late. Would be grateful to read a review, please check out Shale Wagman in the Pas de Trois and let me know. Since last year's PdL I'm so "in love" with this so very young dancer!

From ENB's Twitter account: If you noticed one of our dancers in #ENBNutcracker, do vote for them in our Emerging Dancer People's Choice Award! Just go to https://t.co/GG7rlUS158 https://t.co/RrO5sPL6x4

Aww Northstar no embarrassment here...😀 Happy to help. And re the internet: I couldn't say it better. There are always ways to find the positive things and connections and  "lock out" the nasty stuff. And making unexpected connections is indeed an enriching avenue. Wishing all of you here a Happy and healthy New Year.

Sending Merry Christmas to all over the channel...I am happy that I discovered this forum recently and will dive more into it during the holidays💖

Hello northstar, thank you for the warm welcome and oh what a pity…I realized we’ve been to the same performance! Seems  I joined a bit too late here ;-).

I am so happy that you loved this Nutcracker. When I realized that they would bring back this particular production, I booked my ticket immediately and will do so next year again. As you wrote, it is remarkable how much love and effort was put into the details. Especially the costumes. Tatjana Noginova spent weeks in archives to find out as much information as possible on the original production from 1892. The program tells a lot about this process. I assume it is custom in the UK to have “just” the cast sheets available for the audience? Here, you’ve got to buy a program (brochure) which holds of course the cast sheet of the actual performance.

I think the stage settings looked like pages of a book of fairytales, so it was perfect for this ballet and the time of the year – time for the sugarplum fairy 🙂

There is also a close cooperation between Staatsballett and the State Ballet School, so many young students participate in this production and is always so nice to see their excitement and commitment in the pretty costumes which almost outshines the professional dancers.

Gregor Glocke, who was the male dancer in the Oriental Dance, graduated from this school 2 years ago.

I went to this performance to see my favorite dancer, Daniil Simkin (Nutcracker). I am so glad that he joined Staatsballett this year, coming from ABT in New York. His beautiful turns are so controlled it’s “unreal”. Clara was performed by Yuria Isaka, she’s only 18 years old and graduated this year from Academie Princess Grace in Monaco. Which brings me to her partner as students and the reason why my love for ballet has been brought back to life so strongly this year: by accident I stumbled across the live broadcasting of the Prix de Lausanne competition, saw some young dancers and was unimpressed, when suddenly a young Canadian stepped onto stage and I was floored: Shale Wagman, who later won the Gold Medal and Nureyev Prize. He also graduated from APG this year and is now with the ENB and I am happy with every soloist part he already gets to dance, having joined in September only. He was already mentioned here and so I found out about the forum, and I am sure he will go far with his career.

I try to post the sheets now, cross your fingers.

Also, I will later post something about Ratmansky’s “La Bayadere” and the contemporary pieces we recently saw.

https://ibb.co/T8wwPn3

https://ibb.co/fV3zg6H