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jmhopton

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Everything posted by jmhopton

  1. Happy 2024, everyone! Let's hope we all get at least something of what we'd love to see being performed somewhere this year. I know most if not all the new seasons programmes announced later this year will have been decided by now but it's still fun trying to second guess what might be planned and, you never know, might give some ADs future food (or dance) for thought. Top of my wish list (and I think Sim's as well) are Onegin and La Fille. Onegin because 2024 will be 4 years since it was performed (5 if it goes into the 2025 part of the season). I know the pandemic has played havoc with ballet planning like everything else but there is potential for so many great debuts. My real wish would be a RB cinema relay of it but that is unlikely, alas. Also (along with Fille) it is my favourite ballet. As has been discussed many times here, Fille is a firm favourite with most balletgoers and has been out of rep for far too long. Also the Ashton celebrations are the ideal opportunity to showcase his best-loved ballet. You can't celebrate Ashton without Fille! These are the main 2 on my wish list and if I can have just one performed I'll be happy. I'd also like a continuation of some of the excellent triple/mixed bills we've had recently. Another Ashton programme would be fabulous or Ashton mixed with other ballets such as Ballet Russes or Balanchine would be equally wonderful. My final wish is unlikely to be granted next year as it's the 'wrong' year and that's a cinema relay of Vadim as Prince Rudolf in Mayerling. I'll probably have to mention that this time next year (though I suppose it may be in the 2025 part of next ballet season). What would everyone else like?
  2. Mary Skeaping Giselle Several RB Manon casts (especially Fumi/Vadim) Northern ballet Romeo and Juliet (like Janet, my favourite production) Sarasota Ballet at the Linbury RB Ashton programmes at the ROH Possibly BRB small company in Cheltenham
  3. I know I say this most Christmas' but I still think back with dread to those terrible few weeks without any Balletforum. No reviews, opinions, information. The feeling of being cut off from the ballet community that I love. The sense of relief when I knew the Forum was back with us thanks to the generosity and hard work of the new moderators was indescribable. It was the best Christmas present ever and I can't thank you all enough. For me, it truly was a Christmas miracle and one that I never take for granted and for which I'm still really grateful. Let's hope 2024 is as great a ballet year as it promises to be; Mary Skeaping Giselle, Vadim and Fumi in Manon, all the amazing sounding Ashton and hopefully delights we don't even know about in the new ballet seasons still to be announced. Such balletic treats are magnified many times by the Forum ballet community whose knowledge, humour and wit adds so much to every performance, bringing new insights and ideas and bringing alive performances I can't hope to attend. Happy New Year everyone (especially all the mods!)
  4. For Daily Telegraph subscribers there is another free event coming up, an interview with Alina on Jan 17th. I think it's 6.30 again. Unfortunately that's a bad day for many ballet enthusiasts as quite a few (like me) will be heading to the ROH for the Friends Manon rehearsal in the afternoon and opening night in the evening. I have forwarded my ticket to a friend so this is just a reminder for subscribers to check their special offers, and others to check YouTube in the hope it will appear there eventually like the Annette Buvoli rehearsal did.
  5. Thanks again to all the mods. We wouldn't be a ballet community without all your hard work. We all really appreciate it! Hope everyone is having a great Christmas with perhaps some ballets or dvds to keep them going until 2024. I've watched most of the David Bintley Christmas Carol and while I'm quite enjoying it I don't think it's nearly as good as Northern Ballets which was just perfect in every way. Re 2024 I'm looking forward to seeing RB Manon, especially Hayward/Sambe and Kaneko/Muntagirov. Also the Skeaping Giselle which I haven't seen. Also keep thinking about all the Ashton in June which won't seem so far away after the new year. Happy new year everyone!
  6. Being 5' 1" I can sympathize. I have SCS D2 for Melissa Hamilton's Manon and keeping everything crossed I have smaller people in the tall seats or a sympathetic usher!
  7. I'd love to see more happy ballets choreographed or performed today. I LOVE THe Merry Widow and its so disappointing never to have seen it live. The lockdown Argentinian version with Marianela Nuñez is my favourite version but I also love the Canadian and Australian versions. Keep fantasising about RB casts though I know it will never happen. I was thinking of watching Northern Ballets Christmas Carol this weekend along with Alistair Sims Scrooge. Jeremy Kerridge is so like Alistair Sim it's uncanny. Both give world class performances and Northern Ballets production is so wonderful and true to the book, scary too in parts. Really beautifully life affirming at the end and Carl Davis' musical collection of carols are just perfect. Hobsons Choice is definitely my favourite David Bintley ballet by far and its terrible the way it has fallen out of rep and sadly I'd be surprised if it makes a reappearance soon (though I'd love to be proved wrong, Carlos). I'm looking forward to seeing his Christmas Carol on Arte and would love to see the Comedy of Errors he did for Sarasota. Is this the only full length comedy ballet commissioned and choreographed recently? If so, that's very sad but not surprising given the prevailing artistic attitude towards anything fun and light hearted. I like a good drama as much as anyone and am coming to several performances of Manon and Giselle, and would have paid to see many more performances of Vadim in Mayerling but it would be great if they could be matched by more fun ballets that make you laugh and feel happy and optimistic and good about yourself and the world.
  8. 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.
  9. I've only just seen this posting and so presumably missed the relay. Was it only there for the duration of the performance? I am a member of Medici but it expires soon so don't know if I'll catch the repeat unless they're very quick.
  10. SkyArts Sat Dec 30th 6am Royal Ballet in Cuba. SkyArts Sun Dec 31st 6-8.20am Mariinsky La Bayadere. Photo appears to show Vladimir Shklykarov as Solor but with Sky that's never a guarantee. I'm not at all an opera devotee but after an (admittedly very quick) flick through the Radio Times I didn't see any opera on BBC or SkyArts, apart from ENO HMS Pinafore on SkyArts (Wed 27th Dec 6pm so it does get an evening slot at a time when people actually might want to sit down and watch it instead of recording it for later viewing). Pinafore is great but hardly grand opera. I might have missed some but still doesn't seem great coverage. You wonder where the future opera audiences will come from if children aren't exposed to it either at school or on TV which will only perpetuate the myth that opera is exclusive and not for the majority of people, especially as this may result in prices rising even more.
  11. Even if the ROH do have a change from the Nutcracker next Christmas you may be able to see a past filmed version at the cinema. This is what happened in 2019 when a past Nutcracker got a screening as well as the Christmas ballet Coppelia.
  12. Just got my Christmas double issue Radio Times and though I haven't had chance to go through it yet I see the Margot Fonteyn Magic of Dance programme which starts at 11.20pm on BBC4 as oncnp says, also has a brief introduction by Darcey at 11.10pm but is billed as the first of 6 programmes, so it looks as if they're broadcasting the entire series from 1979 which is great. About 10 years ago the BBC had a dance day at Christmas and showed one episode, featuring Fonteyn and Nureyev dancing Marguerite and Armand so it will be interesting to see what gems the entire series contains. I think I'll have to record it. There is also the New Year's Day concert from Vienna in full on BBC2 at 10.15am-12.45 hosted by Petroc Trelawney with an edited highlights version at 7pm BBC4 just before Peaky Blinders programme about making the ballet at 9pm, followed by the ballet itself at 9.25pm. So quite a full dance day on BBC.
  13. That was my thought exactly, Balletfanp and I was just going to say so when I noticed your comment. Vadim's realisation of her death and his silent scream is the most emotional part of the ballet and should have told me he could indeed be as great a Mayerling as he undoubtedly was. I don't know how any dancers can perform that pas de deux right at the end of such a long, taxing, emotional ballet. Just shows their incredible mental and physical toughness. Have booked for both of Vadim's 2 performances and Frankies 2 performances and really looking forward to them.
  14. I would love to see ENBs Mary Skeapings Giselle filmed for cinema or streaming, especially with Frola, but I'm sure any cast will be great.
  15. In yesterdays Links (Dec 8th 2023) there was an article about Finnish Ballet commissioning a new version of Christmas Carol choreographed by David Bintley and streamed on Arte.tv for 3 months beginning Dec 23rd. For me, Northern Ballets version will always be the Gold Standard Christmas Carol, especially the amazing Scrooge portrayed by the wonderful Jeremy Kerridge; just as good as Alistair Sim. However, I will be interested to see what David Bintley has made of it, especially as I fear opportunity to see his ballets may be in short supply in the future. Audiences worldwide will have the opportunity to view A Christmas Carol beginning December 23, 2023, for three months, on the arte.tv platform, the Stage24 virtual stage of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, and the Yle Areena platform of the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle. Principal casting of this recording accompanied by The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera includes: Scrooge: Johan Pakkanen Young Scrooge: Martin Nudo Belle: Abigail Sheppard Bob Cratchit: Frans Valkama Scrooge’s Nephew: Jun Xia The Spirit of Christmas Past: Zhiyao Chen
  16. Yes, have my ticket. It is online so no travel/accommodation expenses so especially great for us out -of -towners.
  17. Not sure where to post this but as it relates to the RB Nutcracker thought I'd post it here. Subscribers of the Daily Telegraph (not at all my politics. I just subscribe for the fabulous Matt cartoons) get a weekly email of offers and competitions and this week the first offer in my email was an online invitation to see Annettte Buvoli being coached in her SPF role by Darcey Bussell. This is followed by a Q and A session with Annette and her cavalier, Nicole Edmonds. It is on Wed 20th Dec 6.25-7.30 and is free but you do have to be a DT subscriber. You book your (free) ticket and get sent a link to be activated on the day. I don't know if this is original or has already been covered in the Insight or WBD but I didn't think so. Anyway, for free, it's worth watching especially as I hope to see Annette in the matinee on Jan 1st. Just thought I'd mention it as people don't always check the offers list.
  18. Yes, I wish they were bringing Bayadere too! Swan Lake isn't a favourite and I don't know if my bank balance will have recovered even by August from all The Ashton performances I'd like to see. Then it also depends on the RB season next performing year. If they're doing Fille, Onegin or Sylvia... The only time I've ever seen Nina dance live was when she did a performance or 2 of Raymonda in a wonderful Bolshoi visit in 1999 at the Coliseum and she was stunning. Some great performances that season. Svetlana Lunkina debuted Don Q on her 21st birthday and Sergei Filin was wonderful in everything he did. Perhaps I'll manage a visit.
  19. Oh, I didn't realise it was a new recording. Perhaps I'll give it another go. I seem to remember it as being quite gothic but the only strong memory I have is this rather creepy, sinister 'baby' crawling about and that seemed to have blotted out everything else about the production. I really didn't like that baby! I'm not a massive fan of Matthew Bournes full length ballets but about 10 years ago I saw a programme of his short ballets and loved them.
  20. I'm pretty sure the Bourne SB was shown on Christmas TV about 5 years ago. Didn't like it then and if that's the best the BBC can do I'm glad I've got a good collection of dvds.
  21. Yes. I was very impressed by this article and hope the next government can take these important points on board. As the author says, culture can improve people's lives, their sense of community and their mental health for relatively small sums of money, whether it's enjoying a performance or helping out backstage. It's also important that children are exposed to different art forms from a young age so they can decide for themselves what they enjoy. No early exposure risks many young people growing up thinking the Arts are not for them which is tragic for future performers and audiences.
  22. Thanks, Pulcinella. I hope to see Ballet UKs Wizard of Oz at the Lowther Pavilion, Lytham next Feb. I really enjoyed their Beauty and the Beast (saw it twice) and think they are a very creative and talented Company. Well worth seeing if they're performing near you.
  23. SkyArts Monday 27th Nov 6.15-8am Bolshoi Ballet Coppelia. No indication as to date and casting. Possibly the Margaret Shrainer/Pavel Sorokin version but difficult to tell. SkyArts Friday 1st Dec 6-8am RB Rhapsody/Two Pigeons (again!) But I firmly believe you can't get too much of Two Pigeons, especially. I was watching it this week for the hundredth time and still loved it and still get tearful at the end. Would love to see it live again sometime soon.
  24. Yes, I love the pony in la Fille. Wouldn't be the same at all without 'naughty Peregrine' or an equivalent. I suppose these days talking of ballets that have aged badly its usually because of woke or politically correct reasons but there are also ballets that were once standard rep that are now never or seldom performed such as Les Sylphides, Graduation Ball and most of Ninette de Valois ballets to name just a few. Is it because they have aged badly, tastes have changed or they've just fallen out of favour with their respective Artistic Directors?
  25. As they have shown Aiden rehearsing Drosselmeyer in the Insight I'm surprised he still isn't on the cast list. Presumably he's replacing Bennet Gartside who is injured but I'm sure plenty like me would love to try and get a ticket to see him but daren't risk buying one until it's definite because of living so far away. Ironically, the 2 performances I may be seeing (cinema broadcast and Jan 1st matinee) have the other 2 Drosselmeyer's performing. Never thought I'd choose to see anyone other than Gary as Drosselmeyer but I would like to see Aiden. I just hope if it works out for him he will be given a chance next year even if Bennet is back.
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