Search the Community

We had an AMAZING PREMIERE last Friday February 16 with Staatsballett Berlin, performing William Forsythe pieces Approximate Sonata 2016, One Flat Thing, reproduced and Blake Works I. Since I assume that you are familiar with the pieces, I don't go into detail but will say some words about the company. It's been a while, that an ENTIRE ensemble took my breath away. BRAVO to everyone involved!!!!! What a GORGEOUS evening❤️❤️❤️ The energy coming from stage was so strong that for example the amazing trio (corps de ballet dancers Marina Duarte, Leroy Mokgatle, Gregor Glocke) in "I need a forrest" (in Blake Works) got a long applause in the dark, while we were waiting for the next dancers to take the stage. Let me say some words about corps de ballet member Gregor Glocke. Forsythe decided to give him the opportunity to shine also as partner for Polina Semionova, as well as in other solo parts that evening. I was so happy for him. He graduated from Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin in 2017, joined SBB and was a very promising young talent, e.g. he danced the title role in Goecke's "Pierrot Lunaire" and other solo parts, but then a nasty injury put him on hold for 3 long years. Seeing him now, alongside Polina, was such a joy!! I also would like to mention corps dancer Gustavo Chalub (graduate from APG Monaco, then Zurich, then Dresden) who did 2 remarkable solos. And first soloist Michelle Willems, who came with Christian Spuck from Zurich. A stunning dancer!! But it was actually a night of the company rather than for praising principals or soloists. The bows were all done in one row, nobody was asked to step in front of the others. At the Premiere Party afterwards I spoke briefly with William Forsythe and thanked him for bringing back the Berlin company to Ballet's Worldmap.🙏🙏🙏 He praised them and the new AD later in his short speech, he was most impressed with the work atmosphere ("there is no fear"). Also, thank you to him and Christian Spuck for surprising the Berlin audience with the casting. I was also very pleased that at the party, Christian Spuck introduced every dancer and asked them on the little stage one by one. I took some Videos, please check my instagram account https://www.instagram.com/berlinsabine So far, I'm very happy with the new AD Christian Spuck, I just hope he also keeps some of the classical ballets for the new season (will be revealed in March). All in all: Highly recommended, go watch this when you’re in Berlin!!

Odd not to have seen any postings yet on tonight's premiere: presumably somebody went? I know ENB first nights do have a tendency to overrun, but ...

I'm assuming that someone went to see this tonight: since I'm unlikely to be able to go until next week, I'd like to hear what people thought.

Wow - that was quite a powerful, deeply touching Defile from POB! Row and rows of masked performers walking towards an empty auditorium, as the glorious orchestra plays the Berlioz march. Usually there’s wild applause as each etoile steps forward...usually a huge ovation at the end. What fortitude of the participants to put this on for their citizens and the world!

Dresden's Semperoper Ballett are making a brief trip to Sadler's Wells with a triple bill by William Forsythe. Has anyone had a chance to go and see it yet? I'd appreciate any feedback, as I don't think I'll be able to go until the weekend. I notice the top price is only £27, which sounds like a bargain!

This programme, featuring a world premiere by William Forsythe, starts at Sadler's Wells this evening. I'm not going to be able to get away from work, but would love to get feedback from anyone else who's going.

I will kick this off, though in many ways I'd rather not. I enjoyed Vertiginous Thrill - I'd forgotten most of it except the tutu shapes, and it was fun and well danced - lots of turning and jumping. Tarantella: Hayward and Sambe brought the house down. Absolutely brilliant - superb technically, and so full of effortless charm. Strapless looked stylish, but was as problematic as last time round. But it was Symphonic Dances that really depressed me. As a tribute to the wonderful Yanowsky, it could have been thrilling. She was beautiful - how could she not be. But the work itself was, in my view, dire. (And also in black and red, like Strapless! Does no-one think of these things?). Lots of swirling and strutting and running, incredibly old fashioned, tawdry designs. Gosh. I could have wept. But the dancers did their best - James Hay and Reece Clarke stood out particularly. And there were from time to time a few moments of interest, even of beauty. But they were drowned in the awfulness of the rest. I must acknowledge that it got an excellent reception. Maybe it's just me.

Gutted not to have been able to make this performance tonight, but I hope others will comment.