Dara

On 23/03/2024 at 00:44, Melz said:

Yeah he looks about 165-170 cm tall maybe, in addition to having narrow shoulders, which is quite small for a male ballet dancer, even for the average modern jumper/turner. Luckily his partner is even shorter, she looks about 155-158 cm tall. But even so it’s pretty impressive that he can partner her so well considering he doesn‘t have the optimal build for partnering. 

Casalinho has a truly extraordinary stage presence, combined with immaculate technique and an elegance that makes him a joy to watch.  He lights up the stage, he is always true to the character, it is never about him. 

I have spoken to him a few times at the stage door in Munich and he is about 172/3cm. I am 165cm and he is taller than me in my heels. Which makes him taller than Baryshnikov and about Nureyev’s height. He has a photo on his instagram page with Baryshnikov. 
Aside from Fernandes, I have seen him partner Bianca Teixeira and Carolina Bastos in Munich. He is an excellent partner. From his Instagram posts, he has performed in numerous Bolle galas with various partners- the ones I remember are Inês Macintosh (Paris Opera) and Madoka Sugai (Hamburg). I would love to go to Munich more often but the cast lists only go up a few weeks before the performances making it difficult for people who have to travel. I do wish they would adopt the same system as the ROH which gives me ample time to purchase tickets and plan a trip to London. 

On 05/02/2023 at 19:46, Sabine0308 said:

My favorite piece was Sambe/Hayward in "The dream". Also great was Steven McRea with his stunning Csardaz stepdance.

Artistically most impressive for me were Alina Cojocaru and Friedemann Vogel in Ladies of Camellias. A dream to watch!!

 

Also great was Antonio Casalinho, who is, among others at Bayerisches Staatsballett, way better than principal Julian McKay (where is all the fuss about him coming from?) Mckay was -again- mediocre,  partnering a beautiful, very convincing Madison Young in Giselle. She needs a better partner and already had/has him in Jinhao Zhang in Munich. 

 

Victor Caixeta and Mayara Magri in DonQ...well I have seen better Pdds, with more energy. Maybe Caixeta was saving energy for his Pdd with Olga (in Nutcracker), that was way better.

 

Very touching: Maria Kotchetkova in "Zero" (on music Ave Maria by Schubert). 

I missed some seconds/minutes because the livestream stuttered for me at times, which was very annoying! I hope to see the gala later again in full beauty.

 

It was so great to see the different pieces, we need to keep this artform alive!

 

Couldn’t agree more about Julian Mackay, so much hype and no substance, Madison needs a better partner. 
I also found Caixeta’s pas de deux with Magri lacking.

Antonio Casalinho was just sublime on every front and so clearly enjoying himself. It’s a pleasure to see.

On 05/02/2023 at 23:08, FionaE said:

yes he is a great asset to ballet.   I saw his Puck in Munich in mid-2022.   It was glorious, mischievous and amusing without going OTT like the mechanicals.  
 

I know he has performed Mercutio in R&J, Benjamin in Cinderella and also the lead in Coppélia, as well as other soloist roles in their rep.  All in his first 1-2 years in Munich.  Good decision to join there rather than RB which I believe had been talking to him for years.  

I saw his Puck in Munich and couldn’t take my eyes off him, he commands your attention even when he isn’t dancing. He had stunning reviews for his Ariel performance in Ratmansky’s new ballet, I would have liked to have seen that. Can’t wait to see him next week at the Coliseum. 
 

I agree  with the other posts that not joining the Royal Ballet as the Prix de Lausanne Dancer for the season was fortuitous. He would never have had the opportunities he has had in Munich, already a First Soloist. 

On 05/02/2023 at 23:29, Sabine0308 said:

Oh? I believe he and his girlfriend Margarita went to audition at RB (after some travelling to other cities, among them Moscow), but they didn't take them. Zelensky did.

It is thought that he was offered a Soloist contract by both the Bolshoi and Munich. He said in interviews at the time that his family and teachers were considering all aspects. With hindsight it was the right move. 

What a disappointing performance from Julian MacKay both technically and artistically. Even making allowances for the difficulty of some of the lifts, it all looked so laboured. Madison was lovely to watch as Cinderella. The standout performance for me was Maria Chiara Bono, her stepmother was wickedly funny, just perfect!