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annamk

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  1. annamk
    I found Carmen almost unwatchable. For me it was an embarrassment to see such fine dancers in some dreadful costumes, doing their best to make something out of such ghastly choreography. Having said that, there was general agreement that we preferred it to Carlos Acosta's version ! Loved Infra, loved to see a different company style dancing it, not better, not worse just different and equally compelling. Everyone was stunning (Shakirova, Sergeyev, Stepin caught my eye) but head and shoulders above them all was the divine Kondaurova. Adored Paquita: adored the costumes, adored the choreography, adored the dancers. The variations, all tricky, were all well executed. Tereshkina dances so effortlessly and I especially enjoyed watching her again with the hugely charismatic Shklyarov. His stage presence elevates everything he performs in and last night he danced and partnered beautifully - in spite of being saddled with curly hair and a moustache As others said it's a pity the company didn't bring the full length.
  2. annamk
    Osmolkina/Stepin told a love story yesterday in a beautifully crafted performance to finish the run on a high. They danced in a soft lyrical style (no flashy extensions from her), just fine accurate dancing from both and careful generous partnering from Stepin, without calling attention to himself.
  3. annamk
    I can understand that press night is important at the beginning of the tour when reviews might impact ticket sales but by the end does it really matter ? Wouldn't it be more interesting for the press to see different dancers ? In any event the press seem to have some choice over their performances - Clement Crisp reviewed the second rather than opening night of Swan Lake and Louise Levene reviewed the second night of Don Q.
  4. annamk
    I was just composing something on the matinee when your post popped up and as I can't put it better (or even as well) I'll just say that I agree with every word. Today was not one of the better performances I've seen from Yermakov, his partnering was good but his solos unimpressive. Sofia Ivanova-Skoblikova danced a beautiful Act 3 variation. Maria Lebedeva's Mercedes has the most pliable back I've ever seen. Sergeyev was again a terrific Espada, but he has so much else in his repetoire that I'm surprised so little use is being made of him on this tour. By contrast, Chebykina seems to be cast in all the major soloist and principal roles and I just don't understand why. Yet again today she danced the Queen of the Dryads and although she's technically strong (no problem with the Italian fouettes) her upper body seems to lack the softness, grace and elegance (not the right words) that the women in the corps have.
  5. annamk
    I'm not sure that the number of female principals that the company has brought is important, in the Mariinsky most of the First Soloists have danced principal roles for many years. I'm not even sure that the title of principal dancer is reliable as a measure of quality to distinguish Principal dancer from First Soloist. There are many ballet watchers in St Petersburg who would argue that some of the First Soloists are more talented than the Principals, on both the male and female sides.
  6. annamk
    Sorry yes of course - my mistake !
  7. annamk
    Disappointing cast changes In my opinion, and others might have a different view, Kim is technically the best male dancer in the Mariinsky. He has astonishing elevation and the Bayadere variations will show off his dancing to fabulous effect. But, and it's a pretty big BUT for me: he's from the method school of acting, he lacks nuance and subtlety, little things maybe, but to me they make the difference between a good performance and one that is moving and memorable. If I could only see one Bayadere I'd still choose Shklyarov ..... I wonder why has Kim been cast first night of the three full lengths ? With the cast changes because of Skorik's injury (which has been obvious for weeks/months in St Petersburg) it means that Kim/Tereshkina have danced the first night of Don Q, Swan Lake, and Bayadere. Why not showcase other dancers on an important tour ? Although I suppose if you look at the list of current male principals it's hardly inspiring .......
  8. annamk
    I only discovered ballet when a friend suggested we take our then 5 year old daughters to the RB. For years after that I thought the RB must be the best company in the world and when I first saw the Russians (I think it was the Bolshoi at the Coliseum) I really wasn't impressed, in fact I left at the intervals of Corsaire, & Romeo & Juliet. But then something changed & I think possibly it was discovering that the style of dancer I enjoyed at the RB did exist in the Mariinsky & Bolshoi, you just have to identify them. As with the RB there are some dancers that can make the stage come alive for you and some who can't seem to - these may be different dancers for different people it depends what appeals to you personally. When you see a performance by the Russians with the dancers who have the qualities that move you, maybe then you can also begin to appreciate more that the general standard of the dancing is second to none. So I would say persevere with Bayadere - Kim is technically the best Solor but IMO the most complete all rounder (& my personal favourite) is Shklyarov who is ideally paired with the exceptional Tereshkina, so if you have a ticket for Friday 11th August I recommend you give it go. The Bayadere they danced a couple of years ago in St Petersburg was one of the most thrilling performances I've ever seen anywhere.
  9. annamk
    Returned to the BO
  10. annamk
    I think most likely Matvienko will dance Nikiya instead of Skorik because she danced it in St Petersburg with Kim just before the tour.
  11. annamk
    A much improved Swan Lake yesterday evening. At the start of week two the company seem to have settled into their London Season. Skhlyarov & Tereshkina have been a regular partnership for years, their familiarity with each other pays dividends in exemplary partnering. In some respects they are opposites who combine harmoniously to great effect. Tereshkina is remarkable. She has a simply astonishing, unrivalled technique and is in total command of the steps from her first entrance to her last fouette to curtain down. Shklyarov is no technical slouch either, although I feel his particular strength is his exceptional vitality and warmth. From his first entrance, he makes every small gesture count and his total commitment to telling the story breaths life into what can feel like a moribund classic when the dancers only go through the motions. It’s this warmth that works so well as a counter foil to Tereshkina’s naturally cooler stage persona. A nicely executed pd3 from Batoeva, Shakirova & Stepin and Batoeva also noticeable in Act III for her beautiful swan arms. Terrific corps. Huge cheers at the curtain calls, throughly deserved.
  12. annamk
    £15 message me if interested. Anna
  13. annamk
    Returned to the BO
  14. annamk
    i think it's reference to the fact that XP is not that well regarded in St Petersburg. On the Russian equivalent of these forums, ballet watchers don't consider him to be of a high enough standard for a Mariinsky principal dancer and others were thought more deserving of promotion: Yermakov, Stepin, Zverev .....
  15. annamk
    Central balcony standing place. £15. Message me if interested. I am there tonight and can leave at the BO. Anna
  16. annamk
    Yes absolutely worth it even though it's only 20 minutes and has a happy ending, it's sublime.
  17. annamk
    Love how you've summed up last night's performance. At the time I was slightly disappointed w the Grand pas because until then they hadn't really put a foot wrong. But you're right & a friend said the same thing this morning - they took a few risks which didn't always work out but the trade off was a far more exciting performance. Shklyarov can be a bit inconsistent technically but he has such wonderful natural charm it really doesn't matter. Shakirova is formidable. I remember the company brought her last time when she was still a student, to dance in DSCH and you could see she would be a star.
  18. annamk
    Ticket spoken for.
  19. annamk
    £15 message me if interested.
  20. annamk
    Both tx spoken for.
  21. annamk
    For sale SCS D19 and D35 £15 each. D19 is a physical ticket, D35 an eticket. Message me if interested.
  22. annamk
    Sorry yes Bluebird I should have said. She's been injured - I'm not sure what exactly but she hasn't danced in St Petersburg for a couple of months.
  23. annamk
    Casting change. No surprise that Skorik is replaced by Tereshkina in Swan Lake (w Parish) on 27/7. No change yet to Skorik's other performances.
  24. annamk
    26/7 spoken for
  25. annamk
    Selling 25/7 SCS D2 and 26/7 SCS D52 both £15, message me if interested. They are e tickets.
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