Bluebird

Sorry. I've deleted a post which I made by mistake. Can an administrator please remove this. Thanks.

I'd been under the impression that Rudolf's first solo (in the ballroom) was created on Dowell. Is that not the case? Edited to say that I just did a search and came up with the following from Jann Parry's biography of MacMillan: "Anthony Dowell, his initial choice as Rudolf, had been injured during early rehearsals for Mayerling." Maybe, therefore, if Dowell was present during early rehearsals, some of the ballet might have been choreographed on him? Also in this extract was the following: " After recovering, he [Dowell] had taken stock of his career and requested leave of absence in order to dance elsewhere. He joined American Ballet Theatre as principal guest artist during 1978–80, returning to dance with the Royal Ballet in between. He spent the rest of his career with the Royal Ballet (eventually as Artistic Director) but never danced the role of Rudolf. David Wall replaced him in the preparatory rehearsals in April 1977, so most of the ballet was created with Wall as the central character." (the highlighting is mine)

Yes, promotion is most certainly overdue for a number of ENB Artists. I sincerely hope it won't be long before some sort of recognition comes to those Artists who have been dancing, not only soloist, but also principal roles during this and previous seasons.

Yes, Event tickets are most often sold out even at the opening of Supporting Friends' booking. I have, however, often been able to get tickets for these 'sold out' events once public booking has opened.

I remember seeing Viviana Durante and Wayne Eagling in Die Fledermaus (Voices of Spring) but that was a long time ago - probably around 1989.

Sadly, it was announced yesterday that the "Four Seasons" ballet is no longer to be included in the production. "It has been necessary to rethink the inclusion of the Four Seasons ballet, in its entirety, from Act III of The Royal Opera’s new production of Les Vêpres siciliennes which opens in October. As a result of artistically differing approaches to the project between Johan Kobborg and director Stefan Herheim, Johan Kobborg and The Royal Ballet will no longer be working on this production. Andre de Jong, who has previously worked with director Stefan Herheim on his production of Eugene Onegin in Amsterdam, is now the choreographer. There will still be a strong element of dance in the production, however it will no longer feature Artists from The Royal Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet and students from The Royal Ballet School." (NB the highlighting is mine) http://www.roh.org.uk/news/choreographer-change-for-les-vepres-siciliennes

I don't think the review is behind a paywall. I think you just need to register 'for free' with the FT website and you can then read a limited number of articles every month. If I remember correctly, you're allowed to read about 8 articles a month. http://help.ft.com/registering-and-subscribing/#axzz2VcHThAFF

Just noticed that a number of amphi seats and balcony standing places have been put online for tonight's performance. The dayseat queue can't have taken them all.

The seats at the very sides of the balcony are only £5. The view is only slightly restricted. You can't, however, buy these seats online. You either have to get them on the phone or in person.

Yes, Sim. She is scheduled to dance with last night's cast on June 13

In all this, thoroughly deserved, praise for Frankie Hayward, there has been no mention of the fact that this was her debut as Princess Stephanie. Given this fact, her complete command of all aspects of the role was utterly amazing. What an achievement in what is only her second full season since joining the company from the RBS! Edited for clarity

Just found the following on the Evening Standard website. It's clear that Sergei Polunin intends to dance in Coppelia but we don't yet know which performances he'll do. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/celebritynews/ballets-vanishing-star-sergei-polunin-says-i-wont-let-fans-down-this-time-8634366.html

Here's the link: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/473-british-ballet-students-training-abroad/

Re the Evening Standard article, the ROH tweeted yesterday "It's an error. Corrected in online version but not in print. Zenaida isn't retiring. ^C"

Yes, it has happened but in unusual circumstances. No RBS graduates were taken into the company in 2006 but Demelza Parish, Gemma Pitchley-Gale and Sabina Westcombe, who were originally in that year, were taken into the company in 2005 (at the end of their second year in the RBS Upper School) i.e. the graduate year of 2006 is represented in the company by dancers who were taken in alongside the 2005 graduates.

Blood, Sweat and Tears is available on line. Here's the link: http://rt.com/shows/documentary/ballet-sweat-tears-mariinsky-628/

Where did you get the information about a matinée on the Sunday? It's not available online and the Sadler's Wells booking office don't seem to know about it. Have they slipped up?

She had certainly danced Juliet, Aurora and Odette/Odile before her promotion. Other readers might be able to add other principal roles.

There may well have been a review but a search on The Times website doesn't bring it up.

London based readers may not be aware that the BRB 'South West' Tour includes performances in The Swan Theatre in High Wycombe. The casting has just been announced: Casting for South-West tour spring 2013 Swan Theatre - 21 - 22 May 2013 Unless otherwise noted, performances by Birmingham Royal Ballet are accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet; leader: Robert Gibbs. Casting given below is for principal roles; if casting changes are necessary, they will be reflected in the final castsheet which can be downloaded by clicking here. 21 May 2013 7:30 pm Lyric Pieces Four women: Yvette Knight, Jenna Roberts, Maureya Lebowitz,Yijing Zhang Four men: Mathias Dingman, William Bracewell, James Barton,Iain Mackay Solo piano: Jonathan Higgins Giselle: Harvest pas de deux Female peasant: Angela Paul Male peasant: William Bracewell Pavane pas de deux Woman: Delia Mathews Man: Brandon Lawrence Don Quixote: Pas de deux Kitri: Momoko Hirata Basilio: Tzu-Chao Chou Pineapple Poll Captain Belaye: César Morales Pineapple Poll: Maureya Lebowitz Jasper: James Barton Blanche: Laura Day Mrs Dimple: Yijing Zhang Conductor: Philip Ellis 22 May 2013 2:00 pm Lyric Pieces Four women: Delia Mathews, Momoko Hirata, Ambra Vallo,Angela Paul Four men: Oliver Till, Tzu-Chao Chou, Benjamin Soerel,Brandon Lawrence Solo piano: Jonathan Higgins Giselle: Harvest pas de deux Female peasant: Maureya Lebowitz Male peasant: Mathias Dingman Pavane pas de deux Woman: Jenna Roberts Man: Iain Mackay Don Quixote: Pas de deux Kitri: Ambra Vallo Basilio: César Morales Pineapple Poll Captain Belaye: Iain Mackay Pineapple Poll: Maureya Lebowitz Jasper: Mathias Dingman Blanche: Ana Albutashvili Mrs Dimple: Yvette Knight Conductor: Philip Ellis 22 May 2013 7:30 pm Lyric Pieces Four women: Yijing Zhang, Yvette Knight, Jenna Roberts,Maureya Lebowitz Four men: Brandon Lawrence, Mathias Dingman, James Barton,Iain Mackay Solo piano: Jonathan Higgins Giselle: Harvest pas de deux Female peasant: Momoko Hirata Male peasant: Tzu-Chao Chou Pavane pas de deux Woman: Ambra Vallo Man: William Bracewell Don Quixote: Pas de deux Kitri: Maureya Lebowitz Basilio: Mathias Dingman Pineapple Poll Captain Belaye: César Morales Pineapple Poll: Ambra Vallo Jasper: Tzu-Chao Chou Blanche: Ana Albutashvili Mrs Dimple: Yijing Zhang Conductor: Philip Ellis

Doesn't look like there was a first night review. The Pennefather/Hamilton review was online yesterday, but looks like it might be in today's paper (May 8).

A friend has given me access to the online edition. I'm pretty sure it's Friedemann Vogel and, if that's the case, his partner must be Sofiane Silve. The picture would appear to be from the 2007 run and this seems to be confirmed from the pictures on ballet.co.uk (review by Ian Palmer). Edit. Sorry forgot to add the link to the 2007 review: http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_07/jul07/ip_rev_enb_0607.htm

Indeed, it looks most unwell! May 1 was the last day to take advantage of it. It was fine when I checked it last night with 9 minutes to go. It must have expired at midnight.

I also thought it was her first time but, when I did a search I found that she'd done it in 2007. Here's the review my search turned up: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2007/oct/17/dance

While I completely agree with what you say about the excellent young men in the company, there has always been a tradition of having at least one guest for the opening night of the ENB RAH Summer Season. Polina Semionova has guested on more than one occasion. I also remember Zakharova appearing in the Swan Lake in the round 10 or 11 years ago and Friedemann Vogel and Alicia Amatriain in Romeo and Juliet in 2005. These are just the ones I remember. There are probably more. Having said all that, I am also extremely disappointed that Elena is absent from the casting. Like Marianela Nuñez in the Royal Ballet, she's a dancer who seems to get better every time one sees her. She will be sorely missed from this RAH season. Edited to add that, a few years ago, Tamara, herself, was a guest at the opening of the ENB Strictly Gershwin season at the RAH, partnered by another guest, Guillaume Côté