annamk

1 minute ago, Sim said:

So interesting, the different perceptions of the same dancer/performance!  

 

So sorry I missed Kondaurova.  Yermakov was average at best in DonQ so am glad he got his mojo back after that.

I know Sim - it's unusual for us to disagree  

Re Yermakov I was reflecting that he, Shklyarov and Stepin all gave much better accounts of themselves in their second principal performances & I wondered whether it just takes a performance to get used to the non raked RoH stage ? 

I thought the matinee was the weakest of the four Bayadere performances I saw,  entirely down to Chebykina's Nikya. I really don't understand why she's the young dancer who's been singled out with all the important opportunities on this tour when her dancing is so unexceptional. I mean she's really not a young Smirnova, Zakharova etc. I find her upper body, arms and hands stiff, and she doesn't seem to have the same Vaganova way of holding her head. Askerov was a Solor in the more classical mould: more subdued and less spectacular, more "correct" if you like but I find less appealing. Bstoeva was lovely, I'd like to see her dance Nikya. 

The evening was on a different level altogether. Kondaurova was simply divine. The gulf between her and Chebykina was as wide as the gulf of Finland and it's not about age and experience. Kondaurova moves so beautifully, head, arms, hands her movement ripples through her whole body, she's such an emotional performer I couldn't take my eyes off her and couldn't fault her. Nor was there anything to complain about with her partner : Yermakov, tall and handsome with terrific dancing and generous partnering - why didn't he get promoted to principal on this tour (or indeed the fabulous Stepin, yesterday evening' Goldrn Idol.) my only picky little complaint with Yermakov is that in Solor's final variation he throws in two split jumps that look like something out of Don Q !

Matvienko's Gamzatti was excellent and the confrontation between Nikya and Gamzatti one of the finest I've seen. 

An enormous Bravi (?) to the mighty corps who must be absolutely exhausted. 

21 minutes ago, Bruce Wall said:

 

I don't know if it is Mariinsky house policy but tonight - in what was the best individual principal performance by some distance - Shklyarov did the same number - with even greater precision of placement than Kim exercised the night before - plus equal his speed and elevation - and that with the former's much more substantial legato line.  

 

But, then, who's counting?  (Erm .... guess I was  )

 

It's not just Shklyarov's dancing though - which was better than I've seen from him for a while - it's his total commitment on stage. It elevates the entire performance and the Mariinsky without him (which looked a distinct possibility when he announced his move to Munich a year ago) would have been much diminished. 

40 minutes ago, capybara said:

 

But, for all Kim's thrilling technical display, I didn't receive much characterisation from him and, without Solor's story and some chemistry between him and Nikiya, La Bayadere falls a bit flat. Last night's performance failed to involve me despite some beautiful dancing from the corps throughout and I agree that the RB's narrative line works rather better.

 

 

I agree with this. Kim is technically incredible but last night it was an emotionally empty performance. Not for want of trying, but he's not a natural and personally I think he hasn't yet made it out of the method school of acting. It probably didn't help to be paired with Tereshkina who great technician that she is, can be on the chilly side emotionally. 

The corps were wonderful and considerably less robotic than in some of their Swan Lake performances. I enjoyed the shades trio and whilst I think Nagahisa is impressive for her 17 years I don't quite understand why she has been favoured with a soloist role so early. 

In some ways it was a pity to see a dancer of Zverev's ability cast as The Slave although of course his partnering was exemplary which brings me to another issue .... The rep that the company have brought this time has so few meaningful male soloist or corps roles. I wish they would acquire something like Ratmansky's Shostakovich Trilogy and bring it here so we could have the opportunity to appreciate the men as much as we have the women. 

I skipped Carmen last night although everyone I spoke to said the ballet was vastly improved with Kondaurova's cast. 

Infra again I enjoyed very much. One thing that has bothered me, and I'm sure one of the critics mentioned too, it is that there's too much splayed leg.  It's funny but in the comparatively few years since it's been made I have the distinct feeling that's become less acceptable or is it just me ? 

Paquita was pretty flat.  I don't think Parish will have been happy with his performance on this last opportunity of the tour to show the audience why he was promoted to principal rank : sadly we got untidy solos, average partnering and damp stage presence. His partner didn't give him much to go on though, Matvienko rattled through the choreography with ease but she didn't smile once either at us or him. 

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. 

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. 

On 8/5/2017 at 13:55, Beryl H said:

So Viktoria Tereshkina dances the opening night again with Kimin Kim, although obviously pleased (I saw them in Don Q) I do feel very sorry for those who booked for Friday, not really surprised as press nights are so important, glad Kim is still dancing though, I think I passed him on Floral Street on opening night and hoped it was an omen!

 

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.  

Just now, Sim said:

I have just been to the matinee and Elena Yevseyeva was stunning.  One of the best Kitris I have ever seen.  Aside from her magnificent technique, her characterisation was beautiful, cheeky, flirtatious and fun. She sparkled throughout like the Mediterranean sunlight dancing on a Spanish sea.  Gorgeous!  

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. 

3 hours ago, penelopesimpson said:

That is really annoying.  I booked especially to see Tereshkina.  I have already seen Osmolkina.  Why on earth did they bring Skorik if they knew she was injured?  This tour is a disaster as far as I'm concerned.

 

Does this mean that The Marinsky only brought three female Principal dancers for this tour?

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. 

16 minutes ago, Johnpw said:

It was Tereshkina and Parish (not Kim) for the first night of Swan Lake. 

Sorry yes of course - my mistake ! 

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 .......

1 hour ago, penelopesimpson said:

I only saw Assylmuratova once - think it was Bayadere - and was spellbound.  What a dancer and somebody who has never been bettered for me.

 

I was so disappointed last night and at times, dare I say it, bored.  We had nice seats, the audience was quite well-behaved but the evening never caught fire.  It is almost as if the Marinsky interpretation is caught in a time-warp which is difficult for some of us nourished on a diet of RB.  It was just some dancing, interspersed with bows and applause; no dramatic drive or tension at all.  I shan't bother with the Russians again, I'm afraid.  Anyone want some tickets for Bayadere??!!

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. 

Returned to the BO

57 minutes ago, Beryl H said:

Oxana Skorik has been replaced by Ekaterina Osmolkina tomorrow night in Swan Lake, doesn't look as if Skorik will be dancing in London, wonder who will dance Nikiya next Thursday. I would be pleased to see Osmolkina.

I think most likely Matvienko will dance Nikiya instead of Skorik because she danced it in St Petersburg with Kim just before the tour. 

£15 message me if interested. Anna

Returned to the BO

41 minutes ago, Lizbie1 said:

 

How do you mean?

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 ..... 

Central balcony standing place. £15. Message me if interested. I am there tonight and can leave at the BO. Anna 

36 minutes ago, alison said:

Great Thanks for the warning.

 

Is Act IV worth staying for?

Yes absolutely worth it even though it's only 20 minutes and has a happy ending, it's sublime. 

52 minutes ago, Coated said:

Shklyarov can come back and guest with the RB anytime. Anytime at all. He is just so incredibly beautiful to watch, sometimes he's just standing on stage with such presence and poise that I nearly forget to watch other proceedings.

 

He made an adorable, bouncy Basilio. A bit more understated than the previous 2, which worked very nicely, and genuinely funny in his 'death' scene. When he rejected Kitri's advance after she had her hands kissed by his 'love rival', he mimed 'excessive hand kissing' in a wonderfully jealous and annoyed way. He then repeated a ghost of that gesture just before he lay down on his cape in such a droll way that most of the audience around me (self included) caught the giggles. 

 

I thought Shakirova was very impressive, even more so when someone told me she only graduated and joined the company in 2015. Her movement has a really light quality to it without appearing delicate or fragile and her Kitri had a proper zest for life. And I really didn't expect someone that young to throw out fouetté with such ease and grace.

 

Those two made a really nice stage couple with lovely chemistry and a bit of mischief thrown in. It felt like they were both taking risks at times to take it up yet another little notch and there were a few bits where the dancing became a little messy, but it was exciting throughout and at times even exhilarating.

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. 

Ticket spoken for. 

£15 message me if interested. 

Both tx spoken for.