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Good!! I think there are still some Tickets available at the evening Box Office or online on the day of performance (that'show I got mine), but actually it's too risky to rely on that. ENJOY!!

Staatsballett Berlin encounters Stravinsky Staatsballett Berlin’s designated new Artistic Director Christian Spuck headlines his foreword to the new season 2023/24 with the words: Rethinking Ballet and dance The focus for next season is clearly on less classical, more neoclasssical and contemporary dance. As a bridge between the past and this promising new chapter for the company, Staatsballett Berlin (SBB) presented the long awaited production of a „Stravinsky“-Ballet evening. I was lucky to catch a ticket for the sold-out Premiere. First piece of the evening was Petrushka by Marco Goecke, created in 2016 for Ballet Zurich. Ballet lovers surely know the story behind, and Goecke certainly leans on the original story. However, his focus is more on the mental state of Petrushka alone, rather than on the fight between Petrushka and the „Rival“ (as this role was called here) over the Ballerina. Goecke’s focus is on Petrushka’s outsider status. Marco Goecke’s unique dance language is a „love-it –or -hate-it“ art, in my opinion. I am always fascinated by his work, where „the story behind“ is something that should not be forgotten, but put aside. How to translate intense feelings? Via intense, weird, rapid, vibrating movements maybe, that is his way to work. Here in Petrushka, the fluttering movements play around the stage as a symbol for Petrushka’s happysad character. Alexandre Cagnat did an impressive job in the title role. At times, I even saw a kind of Charlie Chaplin moves. Maybe Goecke also had in mind that the original Petrushka in the Ballet Russe version, Vaslav Nijinsky, also had mental troubles and that his intention to develop a modern dance language was often misunderstood. The dancers impersonating other people on the vanity fair, like couples, the charlatan, rival and the ballerina, didn’t make a big impact on me. Of course they were neccessary for the story. We saw a precise dancing by David Soares as the Rival, Alizee Sicre as the doll-like Ballerina and Federico Spallita as a very convincing charlatan. In the end, how I see it, Petrushka looses his soul and returns to the stage as a ghost puppet, no longer able to communicate with feelings as a „person“. As a symbol, he rapidly opens and closes a wooden mouth. It was heartbreaking. During the intermission, it was very interesting to see how the stage was prepared for Pina Bausch’s „Rite of Spring“. The floor was covered with fresh turf from the North of Germany. Then, the lights went down and – the Rite of Spring began. I mus admit I have difficulties to describe with words what I saw. The story is well-known, so I spare the details here. But HOW Pina Bausch brought this ancient rite on stage, is literally breathtaking, for dancers AND for the audience. It leaves you speechless. A belief in the rite of spring, so deeply routed in the group that they follow this rite with all brutality, violence and ultimative dedication til death. I can just share the most impressive moments: The group of women, trembling with fear to be the Chosen One. The melting of bodies with the soil and thus with the spirit of earth. The merciless dragging of the Chosen One (Clotilde Tran) across the stage. Her giving-in, her dance, half concious half unconcious, til death. It was disturbing, heartbreaking. Especially because this topic of violence against women is still so up-to-date (on several levels across the globe, of course) although the piece is almost 50 years old. A standing ovation from first curtain call is rare in Berlin. But there was no question, the audience jumped from their seats. A BIG HEARTFELT BRAVO TO ALL DANCERS. Side note: this is an ensemble piece. The Chosen One has the final solo, sure, but I cannot say less about the other dancers. Among them Polina Semionova (Principal), or Alexei Orlenco, Arshak Galumyan (First Soloists). It really didn’t matter. I left the theatre unable to speak or collect my thoughts, and walked a bit aimless, not in direct route, back home. A MASTERPIECE. Christiane Theobald, the leaving interim AD, had worked for a long time to get the rights from the Pina Bausch foundation for this piece for StaatsballettBerlin. I am beyond grateful that finally, she was successful. Sadly, and that’s really a very sad fact, both pieces are not part of the new season 2023/24. All performances are sold out.

Thank you for your impressions.❤️

David Hallberg took the chance to do so interview with Sylvie Guillem when she was recently coaching The Australian Ballet for DonQ. Very interesting, and at some point they agree that she does not coach technique!👌

Just got lucky and got a ticket for the (sold out) Premiere of the "Stravinsky" evening tomorrow. -Petruschka by Marco Goecke and -Sacre du Printemps by Pina Bausch So far, all following performances are sold out but I guess they still have some spare tix a day before. Can't wait!!

At Théâtre du Léman, Geneva I posted this event in the calendar last month, but now the final program is out, I copied it from the website: Part 1 THE TALISMAN Stars: Inès Mcintosh and António Casalinho Choreography by Marius Petipa Music by Cesare Pugni SWAN LAKE Stars: Elisabeth Tonev and Arthur Shesterikov Choreography by Marius Petipa Music by Piotr Ilych Tchaikovsky VENETIAN CARNIVAL Stars: Tatiana Melnik and Dinu Tamazlacaru Choreography by Marius Petipa Music by Cesare Pugni, after a theme by Niccolo Paganini MANON Stars: Dorothée Gilbert and Hugo Marchand Choreography by Kenneth MacMillan Music by Jules Massene Intermission Part 2 FLAMES OF PARIS Stars: Inès Mcintosh and Shale Wagman Choreography by Vasily Vaynonen Music by Boris Asafiev DON QUIXOTE Stars: Evelina Godunova and Daniil Simkin Choreography by Marius Petipa Music by Leon Minkus GRAND PAS Stars: Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov Choreography by Victor Gsovsky Music by Daniel-François E. Auber FINAL With all the Stars Is anyone going? Then I would be grateful for a little report🙏 Link: https://starsballet.ch/

Haha that was fun to watch, and so many well-known melodies!! Choreo by Igor Moiseyev, the famous Moiseyev ballet performed!! Thanks for sharing Mandy, I had no idea they do such dances as well.

Where this is something to ask for as a newbie, if you ask me. Visa difficulties can always be solved. Munich did so for Shale Wagman who joined them in pandemic times.

Yes to Darrion as well! I think it must be mortifying to be cast in such roles without any dancing. Marco is not a Newbie. I felt for him.

So I saw the livestream yesterday in a little town here in Germany, surprisingly they do show the ROH streamings although usually, it doesn't sell well. We counted 20 people yesterday 🙈. My parents live for these screenings as they are too old to travel long distances. And I overheard some people talking about how sad it is that there is not more interest in these awesome productions (opera and ballet). Anyway. I loved the production, wonderful costumes, music, dancing. My Highlights were Matthew Ball as the light- footed Prince, Joseph Sissons as Bluebird and Annette Buvoli (totally new name for me) who catched my Mom's eye before I could gasp. Her joy and total in character dancing was a delight to watch. Yasmine Naghdi did a wonderful Aurora, technically very good. It was my impression (and I might be wrong here), that she was/felt especially safe onstage as soon as M. Ball was partnering her. They were the perfect team. I also liked the Wolf and the Puss-in-boot (I had to Google the translation and then I was like "doh, of course!"😀). I had expected to see Marco Masciari as one of these characters, but no such luck for him. As already pointed out in my previous post, his talent was terribly wasted as a servant. Well but what can you do about such casting as a dancer in his position... Since I have seen Marcia Haydee's production here in Berlin, I was prepared for the Fairytale characters joining the Wedding Party, but my parents had a big question mark on their faces. However, all of them had a little or not so little solo dance in Berlin, so they were not just "decoration". If I remember correctly, we didn't have a Cinderella. But had a Snow White with 7 little dwarfs (from the ballet school), and an Ali Baba (with 2 female companions. Thank you ROH for these screenings, keep them coming!

Thank you so much!!❤️

Has anyone a cast sheet from this afternoon? Naghdi, Ball, Magri was the main cast. But there were other dancers who catched my eye and I want to check them out. Side note: I recognized Marco Masciari as one of the "servants" for the Prince during his first entry (on the hunt). AndI was surprised that he didn't have a decent role. I mean...serving a drink could be done by an extra. I felt sorry for this wonderful dancer.

Yes, hopefully soon.❤️❤️

Thank you for the report Mandy. So glad you made it in time. 😍 Must have been a beautiful show.

It totally hit me. I am very sad, another Star of my Youth is gone...but I'm glad that there are so many Videos of this amazing powerhouse out there. May she rest in peace, she had a long life.💔💔

For Mother's Day, you can watch a 30 minutes documentary for free here: https://www.dance-masterclass.com/?fbclid=PAAaZIbri8IEVFgSXhzsvg1S_gOFrZIlZhMFwDxYr8Lz5sWa8Ss3jWFPm9ulc Featuring: Leonore Baulac (POB) Polina Semionova, Iana Salenko (Staatsballett Berlin) Anna Ol (Dutch National) Mathilde Froustey (SFB)

She's a very good jumper, to begin with !

I saw his biopic a couple years ago at Berlinale Film Festival. He came for the premiere, you could see his age in every movement but his eyes and his spirit were YOUNG. Sweet memories. He was a strong fighter for peace and justice. May he rest in peace.

This will be interesting to see. Sam Riley also played Ian Curtis, the charismatic lead singer of British Band Joy Division, in the movie "Control". It was a great movie and I think he and his future wife Alexandra Maria Lara, met on Set.

Ha @Ondine let's not talk about who was/wasn't invited.🙃 It's always unfair, imo. See special 50 years PdL gala this year with lots of dancers who never participated in Prix.🙄 I liked the YAGP gala review too.🙂

The gala was obviously a hit, but was a bit "overshadowed" by yellow press reports about the following gala dinner, mentioning with pictures all the YAGP board members and celebrities who attended the event. It's not fair that only very few dancers were barely mentioned and pictured. Ah well. Here is a Fjord review, making up for this: Starry Night

Thanks @Emeralds for the insights on Dust. It was briefly described in the Programm book, but since these were sold out quickly, I bet some people were at a loss a bit about the story. As for Iana and Marian doing Le Parc, it's always additionally moving when you know that the dancers are partners in private life. And these 2 are special to Berlin.

@Zara I was about to post, it's in Berlin! Ksenia Ovsyanik is a great principal dancer from Staatsballett Berlin, so it definitely has good quality. Here is the website: https://www.youngstarsballet.com/?fbclid=PAAaZ9zovL_uXJlZ0zdUHTfHklpYG7B5SWLwr5EmCksce2G_5kGntZ3f1IrT8

Intermission