FionaM

@Graham_Watts_2 thank you for the information on Ricardo Cue. I had tried to look him up online but the information popping up wasn’t that helpful. I’ve seen some of the hard work you personally do for the gala. And I’m sure what’s visible is only the tip of the iceberg. I had assumed you were remunerated for that. But it’s always good to be recognised like this too! As the lead organiser and presenter of the National Dance Awards you know how much pleasure it gives to recipients. The lead organiser of the Icons Gala, Olga Blakleets is rather endearing in her presentation skills which are quite different to ‘UK corporate norms’. Congratulations to you and all the awardees. By the way … Sunday 17 March was Nureyev’s birthday. I did wonder why this year’s gala on that date wasn’t dedicated to him as ‘Icons’ galas were in the past? That being the origin of the gala’s name.

@Amelia thank you for this hugely impressive performance. That double manège is very speedy and in awesome control. His double tours are impressive too. As is the final lift from a run! No holding an arabesque auto assist a careful supported plié to lift. yet it’s her alluring devotion and their connection that is the lasting impression.

There were plenty of fouettés over the evening. - Fumi’s in Grand Pas Classique were ok, but not her usual proficiency and control - Skylar as Odile came out of hers into a few pique turns and a nice grand jete en tournant to end with a flourish - Margarita Fernandes (Esmeralda) were the best in terms of less travelling than others. She did start with a complicated sequence which turned into singles. - I don’t remember Evelina Godunova’s fouettés … I think they were simple but complete. Maybe someone else remembers? - Osipova’s in DQ were the ugliest things I’ve seen. She started to full off balance early on requiring a double plie (which doesn’t sound bad when you write it) and then decided to crash on through them in any old fashion. I admire her will power. It was a gymnastic act. No finesse, no ballet technique. in previous years there have been strong and memorable performances of fouettés from Nicolette Manni, Maia Makhateli, Iana Salenko., Marianela Nunez.

All the seats around me were filled. In the Upper Circle. I could see about 10-15 in the VIP section of the stalls that were empty, and others in 2s and 3s dotted about that were also empty. A friend reminded me that we bought our tickets last summer … that is a long time ago, a lot can change in one’s life. Forgetting you’ve bought them is one reason! (I’ve friends who have done that.) And of course last minute sickness, transport, other home emergencies, etc. The Coliseum need to get more flexible., upgrade their system to allow online returns. Refunds can be on resale basis only.

I agree they were pretentious. As though they had to offer them in order to secure those dancers attending ??? (Bolle, Lacarra, Bernal, Abbagnato, Osipova, I can’t remember who else). I am wondering about awarding one to Graham Watts, who advises and writes for the gala. And Ricardo Cue (flamenco?) seemed an even more odd choice as he’d not choreographed anything at this gala. Maybe he supports the gala in other ways. I did like to see Aud Jebsen recognised for all she does to support ballet. Frankly without her money (sponsorship or donation might be more elegant words but let’s be real here), a lot of ballet organisations in the UK would be floundering much worse than they are. This effort rather lost meaning with the awards all being given in a rushed and perfunctory way. She should be recognised in a specialist one-off way IMO

thank for the correction. I was struggling with my lack of knowledge of the spelling, and autocorrect, and, lack of time to check my post!

oh to be in two places at once! Alina is the surprise star at the Daniele Cipriani marathon of Les ÉTOILES galas (4 shows) in Rome this weekend. She is performing the white pdd from Marguerite & Armand … and Liam Scarlett’s No man’s Land at today’s gala 17.3.2024. Both with Isaac Hernandez

And noting that Iana Salenko is not participating as she is performing Giselle tonight in Berlin … AND being awarded the prestigious title “kammerdanzerin” 👏👏👏

Surprised to see the Dutch principals Constantine Alien and Riho Sakamoto (she is phenomenal) are also participating

yes it’s a fan group on Facebook which is private.

Herman Cornejo and Skylar Brandt - Black Swan pdd

https://bachtrack.com/review-abt-la-bayadere-nyc-may-2014 Fascinating discussion of Smirnova and Muntagirov in Bayadere with ABT … 10 years ago!

dancersdiary reveals its Don Q. I’m sure it’ll be highly entertaining and have huge wow factor from both of them. As long as you don’t expect pure, clean or neat classical ballet technique from either. I can already see Osipova’s raised shoulders and bent knees in the video (!) Giorgi's training was initially Georgian folk dancing (family business), so he came late to ballet training.

Motomi Kiyota from Hungarian National Ballet has also arrived for the gala. It seems to me there are a large number of virtuoso male dancers! He appears to be with Evelina Godunova (previously Berlin State, now freelance?)

Sangeun Lee says in her Instagram story that she performs… In the middle, Somewhat Elevated with Gareth Haw and there is also a clip of them performing it. Extraordinary

It’s unusual to have anyone performing twice at the Icons gala. I assume it’s Vadim to the rescue here … Diamonds with Smirnova, and, Grand Pas Classique with Kaneko. Bravo, and lucky us in the audience. My concerns about galas in general is that there is often very limited rehearsal time of these last minute pairings, and it often shows. Though I suspect Vadim and Olga are such proficient dancers that this may not be the case. As a related tangent, there was a gala in Japan in December last year where Alina Cojocaru volunteered to replace an injured colleague to perform this same Diamonds pdd. She had one night to remind herself of the choreo … last performed 12 years prior … and one rehearsal with a new partner, Jakob Feyferlik. Sometimes the organisers and dancers have to take risks!

@PeterS that would be a surprise. I think his insta story about that ballet is related to Angel Corella, not himself. (Angel’s company Philadelphia Ballet is performing it). Perhaps Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw will perform that pdd … as they did at Ballet Nights.

Roberto Bolle announces his participation. (but not what he is dancing) https://www.instagram.com/p/C4jG2OGI2tm/?igsh=MWttdDM0NWhwd2YzZg==

Esmeralda pdd by Antonio Caslinho and Margarita Fernandes (on her Instagram story) These young soloists (only 20 and 18 respectively) have recently performed the lead roles of Alice and Jack in Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice in Munich. I should think they were fabulous in that full length ballet. They previously performed the Esmeralda pdd at a Roberto Bolle show.

Her debut was astounding. And this video shows amazing improvements. My nomination for SWAN QUEEN of the RB

Oh boy … I’d forgotten. Thank for the reminder! I’m completely swamped with other things at the moment. I will get around to it.

and that was the same day! Superstar 🌟

Thank you.

I see Vadim rehearsing the solo from Grand Pas Classique on his Instagram story. This lovely pdd is not often seen in the UK. I’m now hoping that he and Fumi Kaneko are performing it at this year’s Icons gala, as they have done it together elsewhere. https://youtu.be/YUZvVFs9DOY?si=-QbTfQrACY6w0HDy

he’s probably got his sights on the romantic lead roles first.