Mary

Helpful to have so many reviews in the links today - overall, not a very positive response it seems.

Puck is not named, for example.....

Just realised though the absence of James Hay, so my elation is a little dampened.

I was going to swap some tickets but...decided just to  add one instead: a season like this does not come along very often. Life will have to take second place in June! ( and who knows what changes might happen anyway.)

Very enticing casting,  and a banquet of superb choreography to look forward to.

I'm now envisaging the next bag search as I go into ROH with my bottle of wine, glasses, picnic basket  - and folding table and chair (I shall have to take my butler with me) - I am sure the nice people on the door won't bat an eyelid!

😄

Is it Dante Sonata?

I have never seen it so not sure.

Ashton can be very 'modern' !

13 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

here’s one long time visitor to the ROH who arrives with a bag full of food and wine purchased elsewhere that is brought out and enjoyed with their party of friends in plain sight of staff and other patrons both before a performance and in the intervals.

Is that the Tupperware gang?

Very odd I agree.....

I have seen very many people bringing in their own picnics and even cups of coffee from elsewhere to 'consume' in the ROH in all areas, and agree it is fair enough to keep tables for those who have bought food and drinks in house.

ROH seem to have been very tolerant especially compared to venues such as the Coliseum where possession of a sandwich can see you whisked off to the dungeons...

But -  on the other hand,  it would also be fair enough for ROH to let their paying audience have space to sit, stand, drink in the cafe, and especially on the terrace in the intervals. The terrace is now almost entirely taken over by casual visitors in intervals of performances as well as during the day.

Staff are also sitting around in the building working - which is of course absolutely fine - and I have overheard many an interesting conversation surely not meant for the public ear, - but, maybe not  at performance times. This is a trend that seems to be everywhere- in my local museum now  about half the cafe is taken up with staff with laptops and those endless cardboard coffees having 'meetings',  so that visitors have nowhere to sit.

Just read the Arts Desk review of ETO- what a shame. I have been going to them for 20 years and never seen a duff one before.  They were such a great company for bringing proper opera on a small scale to local theatres.

What brings this change on I wonder?  Are they trying to be - oh, 'relevant' or something?

I withdraw my over-hasty recommendation JennyTaylor!

10 minutes ago, Dawnstar said:

Have you read the reviews for ETO's new productions? Manon Lescaut sounds pretty terrible & The Rake's Progress not that great either so I don't think I'd recommend either to someone just starting to explore opera, and especially not someone who has just been watching the lovely RB Manon production. Unfortunately with their new AD ETO's production style seems to be changing significantly, and in a direction that I personally do not want to see. I've been seeing ETO since 2005 but not this season.

Oh no!

I really empathise with this, as someone who is not a musician or an expert in any way at all.....it is so much an investment of time and money and sometimes a bit of an effort - but I think worth pursuing. Just occasionally you have such a fabulous experience that it's life-changing and makes it all worthwhile, as I did once with the glorious old Tosca production,  and Nina Stemme in Tristan,  and also nights of complete enjoyment and fun- Jonathan Miller's Mikado,  -oh and a few more. And some that left me cold or fainting with boredom.

Worth trying the Met live screenings in cinema as well, at least they do large-scale grand productions still which can have a great impact in the cinema.

Also maybe try to catch English Touring Opera who are really good and starting a new tour about now I think.

Finally, try some Mozart! If the production is not attractive you can always shut your eyes, the music is pretty divine.

Dawnstar -  I remember the old Rosenkavalier too, that was so outstandingly  beautiful.  I once treated myself to a balcony ticket and so very glad I did.  Nowadays it's the slips.

Lots of varied reactions, yes, to individual pieces,  and very enjoyable to read,  thank you all, but I would suggest there is also a common theme  and that is - slight disappointment  - and the fact that noone seemed to like all of it....

Not really what one would expect from a NYCB visit, is it?

I think we have all taken Bruce's amply-made point that this is not their normal fare.

1 hour ago, Sim said:

If I had one, I would be doing the same. 

Very interested to hear your thoughts!

8 hours ago, JNC said:

My small quibble would be I feel parts of Act 2 and 4 felt to be played at a slower tempo than I’d personally like (I’m thinking Nunez’s solo and parts of the swans coming on after that - not sure if this is the dancers’ preference or Kessel’s conducting or the decision or someone like O’Hare). 
 

Completely agree- Was it this slow last night?

8 hours ago, JNC said:

I didn’t love the bows after the Act 2 pas de deux - they were incredibly well deserved but it broke the flow and spell of the plot for me. Hypocritically though I had no issue with them in Act 3 but I feel it’s perhaps because it’s a showier piece and in the plot they’re dancing to a crowd anyway. (I know I’m being super picky here though.) 

Completely agree again:  fine in Black Swan for reasons you say- would wish Act 2 could be kept under a spell, but it rarely is these days.

Looking forward to hearing  about last night...

Of course it matters that ballet sells well in the ROH, and in live venues generally.

Don't we all want to see ballet thriving as a live art in this country?

My impression is everyone on the forum  feels quite passionately - which is partly why we argue about  company marketing etc  sometimes.

I doubt  they are really checking for food, judging by the number of picnics I have seen recently going on, on the terrace in particular. I have been known to eat a sandwich there myself, with a drink from the bar, -but I was very taken aback to see one couple spreading out the contents of tupperware boxes and M&S deli selections in a sort of smorgasbord on the ledge right by the cloakroom- some very smelly things too, charcuterie I think.

A little bit off I thought!

I know they keep and cherish costumes for a long time but is it possible that sometimes they have to make a new one? There is so much lifting while she is wearing that dress, perhaps it gets more wear and tear than usual??

I once went on a backstage tour and the costumes dept. was the best bit- must do that again as you learn so much.

3 hours ago, Missfrankiecat said:

Yes that was unfortunate - I was in extreme right SC so my view was slightly obscured but I thought she was having a cosy chat with Gary Avis pending curtain calls!!  

I always enjoy having a quick look at the preparations for the first night party on my way out but did not see any such last night....( was there one?)

...maybe with all the budget constraints these days Odette was just arranging to meet up with von Rothbart in The Coach and Horses for a swift half..

I think actually this  might have all started only because Dawnstar suggested it would be good if critics saw and wrote about several casts and I certainly agree with that.

I completely agree that last night was a masterclass, it just doesn't get better.

I can also understand how people can get to like, to favour, dancers, for other reasons, - I always have a couple of favourites I love to see, though realising fully they are not the best in the world.

...if that makes any sense.

I took my nephew when he was aged 10 and he loved it. A good view is really essential though....as was food in the intervals....

He is now grown up and taking his girlfriend! 

Oh very bad luck with that. At least they left but a shame for everyone concerned. 

I found sitting further back side amphi for rehearsal the curtain pelmet obscured the lovely moon. That's a real shame ..it's an important part of the scene.

I would love to walk around the palace set and see that ceiling.

Oh dear my post sounds rude- I meant to write  'Nunez  and Muntagirov'..or 'Marianela and Vadim' - sorry. 

My brain is in a strange state after 3 great ballets in a row..the last of which was positively , yes: transcendent.

I agree with all of the above. I usually post when I leave but was a bit lost for words last night- still am.

Both Nunez and Vadim made it look so completely natural and effortless to be dancing on cloud nine form, they danced as one together and with the music.

A performance I will never forget..haven't been in the midst of such a cheering foot stamping audience for a while. The way Nunez and Vadim applauded the corps - turning and clapping, not just gesturing- was so touching. 

I feel these two are really on our stage so few times a year! We should be seeing them  every possible opportunity. 

Seeing both in one day was more like going down Niagra Falls in a barrel emotionally speaking!

I would love to see them in The Dream.