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 ?"

Oh yes it really was ! 

12 minutes ago, FionaM said:

I think the Balcony might not be open for sales … rather than being sold out.

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. 

According to ENB website Frola is dancing this evening with Khaniukova ......

Ticket spoken for.

Message me if interested. 

16 minutes ago, Dawnstar said:

Having just watched episode 4 of The Magic Of Dance, my wish for ENB to do La Sylphide again has been increased. I've never seen the piece & it seems more likely that ENB might revive it than that the RB might. (The extract shown from Les Sylphides, on the other hand, I found much less interesting.)

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 ! 

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. 

I have 2 tickets I can’t use if anyone can get there at short notice DM me. 

Has anyone seen confirmation of casting today yet ? Does no confirmation mean it’s the scheduled cast ?

9 hours ago, capybara said:

Laura Morera tonight as the coach. Simply wonderful.

She could dance the whole ballet, every role.

Very much looking forward as well to the three upcoming debuts.

On reflection, it’s surprising that Joseph Sissens is the only new Lescaut (I think).

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. 

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. 

There are quite a few encore showings on February 1st.

6 minutes ago, MAX said:

It seems that it will be impossible for this series of performances to match the quality of the cast with Alina Cojocaru a few years ago (with Cesar Corrales in the Peasant pas de deux). A great ENB era.

IMO there are plenty of fabulous dancers (and casts) this time so I don't think it's impossible at all but quite likely ! 

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. 

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.

It premiered in Canada in November 2022 - reviews (mixed) can be found online. 

@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. 

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. 

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

10 hours ago, jmhopton said:

Well, I really enjoyed the Annette Buvoli/Nicol Edmonds streamed rehearsal by Darcey Bussell care of the Daily Telegraph. A great treat and it went on for quite a long time; at least half an hour longer than the hour we were promised. (if anyone is a subscriber and signed up to it and has missed it its still there). There was a joint rehearsal then questions by the interviewer whose name I didn't catch and then questions sent in by subscribers. This was about the time it was meant to finish but after that the rehearsal continued with Darcey coaching just Annette in the dance of the SPF. Darcey seems to be a great coach (both Annette and Nicole thought so) and like most of the ROH coaches does a great mix of praise and suggestions for improvements. So different from what  Vadim experienced in Russia according to his book. Annette said Darcey was especially good for her because as they are both tall dancers she could give Annette specific height related  tips that were especially useful. I must admit Nicol was quite a revelation to me as I hadn't really seen much of him and wasn't really a dancer I would choose to see (I was slightly disappointed he was Annette's cavalier) but having seen more of him in the rehearsal I'm now looking forward to seeing him on Jan 1st. There was also an offer of 2 weeks free streaming and a month where you only pay £1 so I signed up for it. May not persevere after the 6 weeks but that depends what gets added. Still, a very pleasant evening and the ballet itself to look forward to soon. The rehearsals really make you realise how hard the dancers have to work to make it all look so seamless and effortless. Nicol especially mentioned the constant pain that has to be managed and they were both very enthusiastic about the ROH fitness help everyone receives. Annette said she was amazed to be given the role of the SPF as she thought she was too tall and never expected to rise beyond the role of Rose fairy. She said her early interest was sport and the first job she wanted was a Park Ranger and only took up dance because her best friend went. To start with it was jazz which she enjoyed but didn't feel urged to take it further. It was only when she stated ballet that she realised she'd found her vocation as she loved the discipline and precision and Nicol agreed with her about this. I hope the DT do more similar evenings as I'll definitely sign up for them.

It seems to be available on Youtube for anyone to watch. Highly recommend. I really enjoyed listening to them and watching the rehearsal. 

7 hours ago, Ian Macmillan said:

There's quite a hefty review of this Coppelia for the New York Times in today's Links.  You might want to compare what you see with what Ros Sulcas reckons she saw. 

PAYWALL misery for me  

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.

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. 

1 hour ago, LinMM said:

Cinderella I think!! 

I hope so, I was worried it would be Alice.