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annamk

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  1. annamk
    I thought last night Katja Khaniukova (so lyrical, so fragile and so poetic) and Francesco Gabriele Frola (what an elegant dancer, what a perfect partner) gave one of the best performances of Giselle I've ever seen. Myrtha, her attendants, the corps were all sublime, with notably beautiful port de bras. As I said earlier in the thread, I love the authenticity of this production and the many many little details that make so much sense of the story. In particular watching Khaniukova's interpretation yesterday I felt almost for the first time that I was watching Giselle in the 19th century rather than a 20th century "prima" ballerina giving a technically perfect performance of a peasant girl. Every time I watch this production I notice more marvellous details: the dramatic impact of the moment Giselle realises that Albrecht has deceived her when everyone else on stage is frozen in time; in Act 2 towards the end of the first pdd Giselle leaves the stage and Albrecht runs to her grave and gestures "where are you ?"
  2. annamk
    Oh yes it really was !
  3. annamk
    I think the Balcony has sold out for this evening - I was speaking to someone this morning who is going this evening and is in the front row of the balcony. She said the balcony looked sold out online but she rang the BO and bought 2 very cheap restricted view Balcony tickets over the phone.
  4. annamk
    According to ENB website Frola is dancing this evening with Khaniukova ......
  5. annamk
    Ticket spoken for.
  6. annamk
    Message me if interested.
  7. annamk
    I absolutely LOVE La Sylphide and ENB have a great version. It was the first time I really sat up and noticed Aitor Arrieta. ENB could field some fabulous casts - just imagine Frola as James !
  8. annamk
    Having missed seeing Frola on Friday evening I just couldn't resist a late ticket to the Sunday matinee once it was confirmed that he would be dancing and it was absolutely worth it. IMO he is one of the best dancers in the world at the moment and we are lucky to have the opportunity to see him in London. There is nothing he can't do to perfection in terms of steps AND he can act. His performance on Sunday was immaculate in all respects Fernanda Oliviera was a superb Giselle; everything perfectly judged, nothing fudged or hurried - she seemed to create so much time. It was sad that she was unable to finish the performance but Erina Takahashi was a terrific replacement who delivered a superlative performance at impossibly short notice. Alison McWhinney was a formidable Myrtha. As far as the production is concerned: I love the additional pdd for Giselle and Albrecht, it makes their relationship so much more meaningful. I find the changes in lighting level incredibly atmospheric; I love how the low level lighting creates an eerie medieval atmosphere in the forest and mimics moonlight. I know that the entrechats are a bit of a trick but I do miss the sense they give of Albrecht truly dancing himself to death, somehow the chorepgraphy here just doesn't quite get there but that is a small gripe in what is a truly marvellous production. Last but absolutely not least huge thanks to @Irmgard for all the helpful information.
  9. annamk
    I have 2 tickets I can’t use if anyone can get there at short notice DM me.
  10. annamk
    Has anyone seen confirmation of casting today yet ? Does no confirmation mean it’s the scheduled cast ?
  11. annamk
    I’m surprised and disappointed that the opportunity to dance Lescaut has not been given to one or two of the soloists rather than dancers doubling up and dancing Lescaut and Des Grieux. There are few enough meaty roles in the rep for up and coming dancers.
  12. annamk
    As others have said this production is stunning and indeed I’d forgotten just how incredibly beautiful the second act is. It really is an absolute treasure and the best production I’ve seen. I think Aitor Arrieta and Katja Khaniukova are naturally understated actors/dancers so nothing is performed with big gestures and showmanship but in their quiet way they draw you in so you care very much for them and their story. Arrieta is a beautifully elegant dancer and a considerate partner perfectly suited to Khaniukova’s fragile Giselle. Bravi to them for stepping in last night and giving such excellent performances. The supporting cast was strong; in particular Emily Suzuki’s Myrtha was terrific as were Ivana Burno and Zulma, Francesca Velicu as Moyna and Adriana Lizardi in the Peasant Pdd. Looking forward to other casts.
  13. annamk
    There are quite a few encore showings on February 1st.
  14. annamk
    IMO there are plenty of fabulous dancers (and casts) this time so I don't think it's impossible at all but quite likely !
  15. annamk
    I really really enjoyed watching this; very grateful to Munich Staatsballett for making it available. I need to rewatch to make any considered comment but I agree with posters above about the dancing of Shale Wagman, Antonio Casalinho and Osiel Gouneo. For me the costumes, lighting and staging could perhaps have been more attractive/striking/interesting but I found the choreography incredibly appealing - rather the opposite of Wayne McGregor.
  16. annamk
    Some of the reviews of MaddAddam make it sound as though it has the same shortcomings that I find in other McGregor work, namely (to paraphrase), the choreography is outclassed by the staging and the score. But what really depressed me most which I mentioned some time ago on another thread was this comment in The Globe and Mail that the ballet "features one of the more horrific scenes you will ever see onstage, and it defies a call for choreographers (most of whom are men) to stop staging gang rape in ballet." On the basis of what has come to light so far for the 24/25 season I may as well cancel my Friends membership.
  17. annamk
    It premiered in Canada in November 2022 - reviews (mixed) can be found online.
  18. annamk
    @Richard C If you manage to fit Stuttgart into your trip and you fancy something different from an opera house tour I highly recommend the Mercedes Benz museum. I’m not in any way interested in cars but I thought it was really brilliant. Please report back and tell us about the performances you see.
  19. annamk
    Hello, have you looked at whether Stuttgart could fit your schedule ? There’s an interesting looking triple bill “Shades of Blue and White” various dates. The company has some marvellous world class dancers.
  20. annamk
    I know I'm getting ahead of myself here while Nutcracker is still in full swing but I'm looking for a ticket for this if anyone has one they can't use. Anna
  21. annamk
    It seems to be available on Youtube for anyone to watch. Highly recommend. I really enjoyed listening to them and watching the rehearsal.
  22. annamk
    PAYWALL misery for me
  23. annamk
    Not the right place for this news perhaps but the phenomenal Giorgi Potskhishvili was promoted to principal last night after Raymonda. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1B7hHtIfAC/?hl=en&img_index=1 We can catch him here as Hilarion in the DNB cinema relay of Giselle in January 2024.
  24. annamk
    I'd love to watch this and I thought Medici used to offer a monthly subscription but at the moment it's only an annual one at 50% off which is £64.50.
  25. annamk
    I hope so, I was worried it would be Alice.
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