Jamesrhblack

A shame indeed. I saw him as Bratfisch about ten years ago and that he was a captivating dancer and personality. Unfortunately, he seems always to have been injured on other occasions ...

i was thinking g that Nehemiah Kish might have worked as Des Grieux with her ...

Ah, yes, of course. Apologies. I did check before posting and even so managed to miss that. I'm very relieved too and just wish she were given wider opportunities. Her first Manon was so extraordinary and I've always been sorry that she wasn't cast in later seasons in this role.

I'd agree that the reporting was sloppy but the inference seemed clear. However, as Ian points out Boston and RB schedules don't coincide in any useful way. On the other hand, Zenaida Yanowsky doesn't seem to be cast at all in Period One. mind you. There have been announcements made regarding Benjamin and Galeazzi so it would seem odd that the RB wild let such information reach the public via an outside article.

Picked up a seat for £10 in Row D of the Upper Circle for today's matinee (the Balcony was closed) and was able to move to the front row as the theatre was half empty, although the audience was hugely enthusiastic. Perhaps there's a glut of dance this week but it is ominous for Rojo's ambitious programming policy. If audiences won't respond the board is bound to intervene. That would be a great pity. I don't really know much about ENB's current dancers to my shame and was hugely impressed by much of what I saw. Of course, Rojo and Le Riche danced up a thrilling storm in La Jeune Homme et la Mort but the ensemble, in particular, the men were outstanding in ensemble and panache in Petit Mort. It was astonishing how modern the Petit felt and I loved the contrast between the classical purity of Mozart's music and the angular formalities of Kylian's style. Etudes seemed rather long and fussy by comparison and the rather cacophonous orchestration of the Czerny was not to my taste. Nor did the dancers always look technically comfortable (I appreciate that some of the demands are fearsome). Nevertheless, there were some dazzling moments from Shori Kase and Guilherme Menezes (such foutées) and it was an excellent afternoon

A cause for concern that Takada still seems to be injured. What is the prognosis for Galeazzi actually returning?

I guess I'm just pleased Galeazzi is doing Vetsera (surely unsurpassed since Seymour). I'd agree it's odd that Choe is Gamzatti not Nikiya and although I can appreciate the logic of Chapman not doing Gamzatti am kicking myself I didn't see her do it last opportunity. I'll never the amazing impact she made the first time I saw her (as Mitzi Caspar) and hate to think of her just in character or quasi character roles. At least Yanowksy is cast in three consecutive programmes :-)

My first Neapoltan Dance in 1971 was Merle Park and Alexander Grant, both principals, and I still remember the expectation, and consquent delight, epxerienced by audiences in the later 1970's reading that the Neapolitan was to be danced by Lesley Collier and Wayne Sleep, both Principals. During the late 1970's / early 1980's, I do recall Laura Connor and Wendy Ellis as a Big Swan and Zulma (or was it Moyna), both of which would have involved them as Principals in Corps de Ballet work. It's probably also true to say, with no disrespect intended, that both ladies were rather like Laura Morera in that they had defnite qualities which deserved promotion but were not obvious principal material and that the sheer exigencies of keeping them on stage necssitated some sideways thinking casting wise. I'd also like to make it clear that I think Laura Morera a splendid dancer and whilst I'd be delighted to see her Neapolitan I would think it odd to see her now in a role that involved extensive corps de ballet work.