Jump to content

Emeralds

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    3,380

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Emeralds

  1. Emeralds
    I think that sounds like a better experience than some ROH experiences I've had, Tango Dancer! That means there were more staff to serve you than there were customers to serve 😄 .....luxurious! You got the gist of the ballet there. Woyzeck is slaving away and putting himself through hell for Marie and their baby but she's already switched off from him - her interactions with him are just routine at best, cold at worst. The sashaying walk that Hayward did when she makes her entrance conveys how blasé she is with regard to Woyzeck. It's tragic for him and you can sense it's all going to end badly. Funnily enough I wasn't very fond of the ballet when I first saw it decades ago, but in today's society and perhaps with the passage of time, I realised what a brave thing it was for MacMillan to cover all these unpleasant and hard hitting topics that ballet hadn't really dealt with prior to 1984.
  2. Emeralds
    Here's why I think there is some overlap and Principal Dancer isn't exactly a clear cut equivalent of etoile and First Soloist isn’t definitely Premier danseur/premiere danseuse. In the UK system, Royal Ballet and English National Ballet are probably equivalent size wise to the Paris Opera. In the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet, first soloists do have to dance corps de ballet roles ie being part of the ensemble of wilis (not Zulme or Moyna but the rows of wilis), the Shades going down the ramp in La Bayadere, the rows of Dryads in Don Quixote. Likewise for the men, who could be cast as the unnamed rows of pirates in Le Corsaire, or the ensemble with no solos in Requiem, partners in the Act 1 waltz. The only ones who are exempt from corps de ballet duties are principal dancers. Some principal dancers have only ever danced Myrtha, Gamzatti and the Shades, but never Odette-Odile (or never Juliet), Giselle (or never Sugar Plum Fairy) or Aurora, though they may have danced the leads in many contemporary works. And likewise some male Principal Dancers have danced Lescaut, Mercutio. Hilarion but never Romeo, Des Grieux, or Siegfried. English National Ballet did create a title called Lead Principal which sounds like etoile- all female Lead Principals get to dance Juliet, Odette-Odile, Aurora, Giselle, Manon and all male Lead Principals dance Siegfried, Albrecht, Florimund etc. This could be why the Paris Opera didn't translate principal dancer ranking for Trusch and Sambe automatically to etoile. That said, I think Trusch and Sambe's seniority and level of experience in their companies (both dance Romeo, Albrecht, Siegfried etc) indicate that they have the same kinds of roles and skills as an etoile.
  3. Emeralds
    Not yet, but if all goes well she is likely to dance on the first night.
  4. Emeralds
    Sadly I can't go again tonight either to ROH or a cinema relay after all but for those who can, it will be great - even the bleak/harrowing story of Different Drummer notwithstanding! Besides Cuthbertson sitting out Requiem, it looks like James Hay will be sitting out Different Drummer again too. Aside from the main leads in Danses Concertantes, do look out for Zucchetti, Dean, and Maeda in the pas de trois in Danses Concertantes, Francisco Serrano as Drum.Major in DD, and Lukas B Brændsrød as Lamb's strong, gentle partner in Sanctus, and of course Lamb, Hamilton, Bracewell and Sissens... simply beautiful in Requiem. Hope the camera work takes in the subtle details of Hayward and Sambe's excellent solo dances. Enjoy, everyone!
  5. Emeralds
    I didn't say anything about parachuting someone in. I think we should probably let the thread get back to people who have actually joined RB, such as Darrion Sellman- making his debut as Siegfried tonight, woo hoo! Anyone who just happens to have tickets and is in Stockholm for his debut tonight or his second performance next Tuesday, please do start a new thread under Performances and tell us what you thought!
  6. Emeralds
    Marianela Nunez and Alina Cojocaru were both 15 and ready for dancing full time (as were lots of NYCB principals), but they couldn't be hired as full time dancers at that age and were enrolled as RBS students instead. Fernandes is closer to Nunez and Cojocaru in terms of ability than to an average 16 year old student starting out in Senior School dance training. But the question is irrelevant, as Fernandes wasn't setting out to get a job anyway (she actually insisted on completing high school studies when she began her demi soloist position in Munich). I was simply answering the question posed upthread about whether RB would offer a job to a phenomenally talented 16 year old. PS I don't think Fernandes and Casalinho have indicated publicly that they are life partners, just close friends and long time friends. They were only 16 and 18 when he auditioned! I think you might be confusing descriptions of both as being dance partners on stage with the term life partners. Having the petite Fernandes in the company was an advantage for the artistic director as Casalinho is mot tall and partnering women in the company significantly taller than Fernandes might have been challenging as a dancer starting out; yet they didn't want him just to do walk ons or be in the back row of the corps- with his virtuosity they wanted him in solo roles so he needed a partner.
  7. Emeralds
    Because fans who see more than one performance of the same show do exist (like you, me and most of us reading this page 😀 ) ....and it's very unlikely that the shows will be more than half full otherwise.....if even that. They can offer discounts to whatever category they like. Symphony orchestras do allow you use multibuy on a repeat performance of the same programme, and ENB's Nutcracker multibuys do allow you to use the discount on the same show, eg one Nutcracker and two Giselles, as long as you buy them at the same booking. The Coliseum doesn't generally do ballet this late in summer. Previous visits by Mariinsky/Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and other companies like Australian Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre etc were in July, capitalising on the tourists coming to London in the height of summer and many local residents not yet taking holidays. By late August, many tourists are back home (US and many other nations' school terms have begun), and many British audiences take holidays in that August Bank Holiday week because you only require 4 days" annual leave instead of 5 for a 9-day holiday. Even United Ukrainian Ballet, who charged lower prices for Giselle, and started a little later in mid September, found that it was difficult to sell out the auditorium every night for one week despite the star power of Alina Cojocaru (her dates had good sales) and guests from ABT & Hamburg, goodwill from many dance fans, and Ratmansky's interviews publicising it. The house was well attended on the nights I went but not conpletely full. The only ahow in an opera house that sells out in late August and early September is.....Wagner's Ring cycle. (And I'm not actually a Wagner or Ring fan.)
  8. Emeralds
    Cojocaru's Sleeping Beauty dates with BRB were April, the London City Ballet dates are September. She hasn't cancelled London City Ballet, so giving her the benefit of the doubt, I would say that for now I'd assume she can dance with them in Ballade. After all, dancers cancel all the time for various reasons- that's the nature of the art form. I actually booked my tickets before knowing she would be involved- I actually expected it to be a company of dancers I don't know at all. I am just thrilled that Christopher Marney is making a go of reviving the plucky and respected company that did such wonderful work.
  9. Emeralds
    Snap- we posted at the same time, @FionaM 😀....ah yes, demi soloist is what the position was called. We don't have that rank here in the UK. Either way, definitely above artist/corps de ballet and at least 2 ranks above apprentice. I too would take it above PDL apprenticeship at RB! You're already clear of artist at that stage and so many find it hard to break out of being artist just to go up to first artist.
  10. Emeralds
    We discussed their job offer/audition here on the forum and I think the website balletherald had interviewed them (can't find the link now) plus maybe a few other journalists and publications. In that interview Margarita says she wasn't looking for a job but they were both offered jobs- not only that but I believe they were either first artist or junior soloist (whatever they are called in Munich) so that's of course much better paid and prestigious than an apprentice position. Yes, 16 is too young for a ballet company job here- she would have had to register as a student and just get paid as a part time worker when dancjng and rehearsing (and her hours couldn't exceed part time work hours for students). But the main thing is that it was a much higher ranked position in Munich, so no brainer really.
  11. Emeralds
    Quirky coincidence for @Roberta, @bridiem, @Lucy M, @Pas de Quatre- the current NYCB Music Director presently conducting many of Balanchine's ballets (including, probably, the lovely Bourree Fantasque that my phone attempted to rename!) is Andrew Litton, who used to be Chief Condiuctor of the Symphony Orchestra in..... Bournemouth! (BSO). Small world! 🌎 Very sorry to hear about the Winter Gardens. Umm, OK, back to RB joiners and leavers. 😉
  12. Emeralds
    Well, whatever the motivation I think they'll need to take some action. What I would have done was offer multibuy discounts and concessions- eg 25% off if booking two or more performances, discounts for children, students and over 60s. Only 1 discount per ticket. That way you encourage patrons to buy more tickets (eg if children come they need accompanying adults so that's more tickets sold) or buy more performances. Since they haven't, they'll have to offer something that makes it worth the higher cost - an extra special treat. I have to admit I haven't bought any tickets yet because I'm not spending high prices and train, parking fares on an unknown entity. ENB prices at RAH might be higher in some areas but at least I know what I'm getting (even with cast changes I'll be happy with what is offered). It's also a tad worrying that so much of their publicity focuses on Ananiashvili- she was an incredible artist and dancer, but she's not dancing any more nor appearing in the production so perhaps there should be more focus on their current cohort of dancers and telling us about their strengths and talents.
  13. Emeralds
    Oh hahaha 😆 🤣 Do you know what, bridiem- am sure it's no excuse but I didn't spot the "Bournemouth" until you typed it on its own. Yes, my (newish) phone is totally uncultured and tries to autocorrect every single ballet, music and scientific term. Also names. (A total nightmare spelling the Polish, Norwegian, Japanese etc names in RB!) I thought I'd caught all the errors but obviously missed out that sneaky one it changed- thank you for your patience! 😊 Thanks @Roberta- saw that too.
  14. Emeralds
    Cira Robinson, Alejandro Virelles, Joseph Taylor and Alina Cojocaru all in the same company (albeit Alina as a guest in London only)?!! I'm blinking because it doesn't feel real- feels like Vail Festival or some gala! Ooh. I have already booked tickets but might go book an extra performance......
  15. Emeralds
    Hoping that she will come back and that it coincides nicely with Fille coming back also- since we're told not likely to be 2024-25 season sp hopefully 2025-26? Thank you RobS, I totally forgot (!!) Symphonic Variations had been filmed - saw it on TV ages ago and she is great in it. Would recommend that recording to @myrtle as well: Myrtle, it is on the DVD of The Dream, Symphonic Variations, Marguerite and Armand (Yanowsky and Bolle).
  16. Emeralds
    Are you referring to the number of lead roles or the programming of the four ballets, @bridiem- that's what they're dancing on 24 April in Lincoln Center. I haven't seen Bourree Fantasque live before but the company info assures me that all three couples are principal couples; neither is less important. Symphony in C we know of course- even if the most senior role is generally regarded to be the second movement female's role, technically all four couples are principal roles which makes it 8. I've seen RB fielding principals (including Lesley Collier and Fiona Chadwick) in all four movements so it doesn't look like any ones are less important than others. The lead roles in Tzigane (now renamed Errante at NYCB) are also full lead roles (created for Farrell and Martins), even though the ballet is not long. Mind you, 16 lead roles in 1 night is fairly unusual. 😄
  17. Emeralds
    His lead role created on him by Kyle Abraham in Optional Family; A Divertissement alongside Osipova and Sambe is bigger than either of Masciari's McGregor roles though 😀. He has done the Nutcracker ones (Clara's partner, Chinese, Spanish), Don Quixote etc - granted not as major as the Jester. But things do change all the time - we say "not many" now but we could turn around and find that he ends up doing a lot of soloist roles for the rest of the season if others get ill, injured or indisposed. Lovely expressive dancer who has a classical elegance in his dancing and a lovely stage manner and chemistry with his partners; would like to see him in more featured roles.
  18. Emeralds
    Yes, that's true that historically - from Suzanne Farrell and Darci Kistler days to now - NYCB has given opportunities to young dancers without making them "wait their turn"....but to be fair, NYCB's main repertoire doesn't have a lot of "spear carrier" roles, whereas RB could be 2 months of Manon/R&J/Don Q then 6 weeks of Nutcracker, then another full length like Swan Lake/Sleeping Beauty/Cinderella etc where there aren't a huge number of lead roles (2-3 per full length on average) you can "have a go" at. However if you had a mixed bill like NYCB's on the 24th: Bournemouth Fantasque, Steadfast Tin Soldier, Errante (Tzigane), Symphony in C, that's already at least 16 lead roles there so they could be shared out among principals, a few soloists and a handful of corps de ballet dancers who are exceptional and there would be enough leading parts to go round (mind you, this mixed bill does seem to be an exception!) But let's say at least 6 per evening (1 male and 1 female per ballet on average, 3 ballets in one evening), which is still more opportunities than a classical company whose main repertoire is full length classics eg Swan Lake, Giselle, Manon, etc (only 2-3 leads per show). By the way, the grouping of RB, NYCB, ABT and POB wasn't to say that NYCB doesn't offer opportunities but simply that these companies all have a lot of good dancers in every rank.
  19. Emeralds
    Possibly, @San Perregrino. Or maybe they only ever intended to do 5 days but were persuaded to stay longer since many people are away on holiday during that bank holiday week. The "due to demand" is their phrase and not mine. 🙂 I simply looked up the details and gave @alison the information she was missing, that's all. More crucially, I think they will have line up some big name guest stars who don't usually perform here to justify those high prices. I could tell in December that tickets in Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle would struggle to sell unless they had the equivalent of Nunez, Muntagirov and Osipova in the leads. Not sure who advised them- hope they weren't using ENB's Royal Albert Hall Swan Lake as a benchmark, because the Albert Hall has a different system and their own following, which Coliseum doesn't for dance. It is still early days and they haven't finalised casting but they would need to confirm guest artists soon, or risk performing to a two-thirds empty auditorium as people book trips away.
  20. Emeralds
    Yes, he's done at least 2 or 3. It's not just the costumes being vastly different but the RB version and his traditional production vary in other ways- eg the Peasant pas de deux is the traditional format, not the unconventional and more difficult pas de six in the RB version. The Act 2 choreography for Myrtha and the other wilis also have some differences. It's a beautiful production and while the current BRB & RB versions are nice, I do miss this one- it was outstanding and its only fault (if one can call it that) was that it had been danced for so many years.
  21. Emeralds
    Yes, Yuhui is absolutely regarded as an Ashton (and MacMillan) dancer. Also very versatile- she was incredible in McGregor's Infra. She was brilliant in the lead of Ashton's The Two Pigeons and as Lise in previous seasons, so I hope a revival of Fille will happen soon and she will be cast as Lise again. First Soloists are unlikely to be given the cinema relay performance (except as a substitute at short notice for illness/injury) so you might have to make the trip to London to see her in a lead role, @myrtle. 🙂
  22. Emeralds
    Marco Masciari, as Capybara said, would be an encouraging example to other competition winners - he was picked by McGregor to create a role in Dante Project at the end of his Prix de Lausanne apprentice year and another in Untitled 2023, has had featured roles as the Jester in Cinderella, Solo Echo, Nutcracker (Clara's partner, Drosselmeyer's assistant and Russian dance), Manon (Beggar Chief), and he's one of the two partners in orange in Danses Concertantes (the ballet has only 5 males so the role does stand out). He's already been promoted to First Artist amid a group of outstanding corps de ballet dancers Marco probably is a phenomenon and an exception- I reckon he'd have risen equally quickly in any company. I think the role is what they make of it: Akane Takada is one who went from PdL apprentice to principal dancer. Many dancers have said it's tough making the transition from student to corps de ballet member in terms of the exhaustion of dancing many times a week on top of rehearsals. I don't think it is meant to be a prize that guarantees you a meteoric rise even if you don't produce stellar performances, but RB's repertoire does offer chances to be cast in small roles to see if you are up to it. As jobs get tougher to obtain in this economic climate (being a PdL winner is no guarantee of a job), I think firstly a job is welcome news for any young dancer, but secondly, having RB in your cv and a chance to observe and work alongside big stars and eminent choreographers is a bonus even if you are only a spear carrier in the first year (but I have seen the apprentices dance in various roles so it's not just walk on parts). I think the only problem with accepting a job in a company like the Royal Ballet is that it's now a company with stars or rising stars in all ranks, so it's harder to stand out and get opportunities and promotions. But the same would be true in any renowned company like NYCB, Paris Opera, ABT etc.
  23. Emeralds
    I was really pleased that ENOO got this gig! They deserve the pay (hope they negotiated a favourable rate!) and SBG will have stunning playing from this incredible ensemble of musicians.
  24. Emeralds
    It was originally scheduled to end with the Sunday 1 September matinee but has now been extended by a week.
  25. Emeralds
    *typo: will be playing for the company in August and September. 🙂
×
×
  • Create New...