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art_enthusiast

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  1. art_enthusiast
    I agree about more variety needed in each season. However, bear in mind that some people haven’t seen either of those two ballets before. Some of us haven’t been alive for the last 50 or so years getting to see all the greats of ballet perform. This year was my first time seeing Manon by the RB, and I do think it’s an absolute work of art that I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing many times (if time/cost allowed).
  2. art_enthusiast
    I noticed there were a lot more available in the previous seasons. This season there’s been a lot less young ROH availability, unless as you said the tickets aren’t selling well and need to be got rid of last minute. I’m guessing a portion of unsold seats are also given for free to charities/students/NHS etc.
  3. art_enthusiast
    I was really tempted to go, I've never been to the Stage Door before. Also doing it for a matinee would be convenient as it isn't too dark yet! After seeing the crowd, I thought there wouldn't be much point though.
  4. art_enthusiast
    A stunningly emotional performance from Osipova and Clarke. Sometimes I haven’t always felt a connection between them emotionally, but I definitely did here. I do really enjoy thinking about the contrast between the Manon interpretations - for example in the Act 2 solo. With Hayward (the Manon I saw first) she seems more pained and trapped/not wanting to be there at that point, whereas Osipova was more in the seductress mode. I think this is a real tour de force for the whole company, they all deserve Oscars for acting as well as superb dancing!
  5. art_enthusiast
    I honestly have no clue who they are so I probably won't be going, I am in hope that a ballet company will be visiting in August. It was amazing to see the Australian Ballet last season.
  6. art_enthusiast
    I really hope it get streamed, as I probably won't be able to go. I recall watching the first one on Marquee TV, I think it was on for quite a limited time though
  7. art_enthusiast
    I can’t wait to see Fille live for the first time! Does anyone know when Sadler’s Wells tickets go on sale? Shame it’s only 3 days there
  8. art_enthusiast
    The media certainly are shallow. Also AI is hardly a new concept anymore, it’s probably the most ubiquitous term out there nowadays, means a lot of different things in different contexts, and it’s consequently boring to see the same theme explored repetitively. (I say that as someone who did like the Scottish Ballet’s Coppelia)
  9. art_enthusiast
    Does this mean no ballet in August then?
  10. art_enthusiast
    It's interesting that the gaoler scene wasn't in the original but included in the ballet (from what I understand in the comments here) - I understand that it adds some depth to the story/understanding of Des Grieux's reaction but it also seems quite gratuitous.
  11. art_enthusiast
    Yep, good points. I’ll rephrase my observation a little: the female character is often the one that gets punished regardless of who is more morally bankrupt. Manon dies, Giselle dies, Odette dies (depending on the version I guess), Hermione dies then comes back to life I think (haven’t seen the full ballet yet) and Nikiya dies (I also haven’t seen Bayadere in full so can’t remember if Solor dies or not). Either way, there’s a bit of an imbalance there. But this is just a general observation that isn’t really unique to this topic. It’s just a storytelling facet I guess - and one that you still see in modern media, unfortunately.
  12. art_enthusiast
    Exactly. The RB obviously benefits from the recognition of Osipova and Nunez, which Osipova definitely achieved before joining - guaranteed selling out on their performances for example. I agree that the RB is making an effort to hand cinema relays over to other dancers, for example Magri getting the Don Quixote one and didn’t Naghdi get the Sleeping Beauty one last year? And she’s doing the Swan Lake one this year. I agree that star power is very hard to recreate. Especially as the RB has so many top principals, it’s hard to think about who would be the next star after Nunez. I think that Muntagirov/Kaneko look like the next big pairing though, given their frequent international guesting and Muntagirov’s existing star status. But I see all the principals as reaching that level, particularly the ones that guest often, increasing their reputation.
  13. art_enthusiast
    Interesting. One thing that’s confused me - had Des Grieux not been arrested alongside Manon and if not, how was he able to accompany her to Louisiana if he wasn’t a prisoner? I haven’t read the book, but I’m very interested in the representation of real female characters in literature, film, ballet etc. Getting away from the Madonna/whore trope, women are way too complex to fit into either box. It’s way more interesting to see a character composed of shades of grey instead of black and white. Likewise, it’s more interesting to see a male character who isn’t the perfect prince in ballet - which is why Rudolf in Mayerling is so interesting. I’m still so annoyed I missed Muntagirov, as it would have been so interesting to see him cast against type. Thanks Covid for that! Still, looking forward to his DG interpretation with Kaneko. I just dislike the concept of DG bring this perfect man who forgives/absolves the amoral female character as these situations are rarely black and white.
  14. art_enthusiast
    That certainly is a brilliant idea. I had no idea this was a thing. Need to get to Munich at some point soon!
  15. art_enthusiast
    What happened at Edward Scissorhands? I didn't end up going unfortunately
  16. art_enthusiast
    Are they the ones always in front of the ROH too? It’s so annoying when they thrust things in your face. I’ve also never been to their shows and don’t intend to go.
  17. art_enthusiast
    I agree that parts of it are a bit disturbing to watch (this is my first year seeing the RB perform it). I also didn’t like the prostitute scenes in Mayerling. Though I guess humour is the only option for such disturbing subject matter, and it certainly provides more parts for more company members to be involved.
  18. art_enthusiast
    Seeing the ballet has made me want to see the opera as well, although I believe the music is different? I adore the arrangement of Massenet’s music in the ballet. Perfectly done. I have to say, I really don’t see Manon as a villainous character. She’s 16 apparently, only 2 years older than Juliet is supposed to be… I haven’t read the official story, but not sure if she has left a convent or about to go in one? I had the impression she had just left. Being fearful of poverty and having to do whatever you can to avoid it is hardly a radical concept, you have people forced into doing similar things today, unfortunately.
  19. art_enthusiast
    Yep. That’s why I’m only going to 1 performance of Swan Lake for the Sissens/Sasaki debut - I may book for more depending on whether Akane Takada does SL in the June run. SL also feels very fresh in my mind as I went a lot in the 2022 run.
  20. art_enthusiast
    I actually really did like Cuthbertson’s Juliet - I wasn’t sure what to expect, and was very pleasantly surprised by her and Ball together. The final scene in particular. It’s a shame she didn’t also do Mary Vetsera in 2022 as I would have liked to see her interpretation. If funds and timings allowed I would probably have booked for all the Manon casts, as this is my first time seeing the Royal Ballet perform it and I do find it superb. The music is fast becoming my favourite score! (Alongside R + J of course.) Unfortunately it’s not possible to see everyone! I would also have liked to book for Sarah Lamb, but luckily her performance with Vadim from a few years ago is on ROH Stream.
  21. art_enthusiast
    Yep, Sophie Allnatt was great in this role on Wednesday evening. She referred to the role in one of the Instagram hashtags as "boy w****" (not sure if this word should be censored or not). Is that who the character is? I've only seen Manon once before this week (Swedish ballet in September 2023) so I'm not sure about exactly who they are and why they're wearing trousers when the other women are not. When does the Nutcracker guiding fairy turn up? I'm trying to think back to when I saw it a few weeks ago but not sure when they appear.
  22. art_enthusiast
    Any ideas of what might be performed? Presumably the Don Q/Corsaire PDDs and the like?
  23. art_enthusiast
    Yep, it’s so annoying when you see that there are seats available for a performance and none show up… I always thought that was just a recurring error, not because of access.
  24. art_enthusiast
    Agree - stunning performances tonight! I’m still processing. Great debut from Marcelino. Francesca of course nails this role. I have to say though, Alexander Campbell and Mayara Magri were simply superb. I think Act 2 was my favourite. I think Magri shines so much in MacMillan - as indeed the whole company does. I feel like I haven’t seen Campbell on stage for ages, so it was incredible to see him.
  25. art_enthusiast
    Delighted to hear this, as I’ve never seen it live.
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