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Russian Ballet Icons Gala, London - 31 March 2019


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14 hours ago, Amelia said:


Like you, Sim, I found the programme good and was glad to see some new pieces and new faces.
I agree that the organisers could explain at least some reasons for cast changes. However, it could be that they were let down by their partners (theatres) and, in spite of that, didn’t want to blame them publicly. In my view, the organisers deserve to be praised for finding several replacements and saving the gala. They managed to bring over Katya Krysanova who less than a month ago resumed her performances after a long absence due to an operation. She agreed to dance with a new partner and truly helped him (contrary to what was written here earlier). My big praise to Joseph Caley too. Those who were present at the Coliseum on Sunday night can not deny that the audience enjoyed the gala and showed their appreciation. 

 

Where were those dancers who featured in the original list? I did a little research into it.
The final gala of the XVIII Mariinsky International Ballet Festival 2019 also happened on Sunday 31st of March. At this gala Konstantin Zverev danced Torero in Carmen; Alina Somova danced Tchaikovsky/Balanchine pdd with Kimin Kim; Victoria Tereshkina danced Grand pas Classique with Jacopo Tissi.
Maria Alexandrova is still undergoing treatment for her foot injury.
In the meantime “The Winter’s Tale" by Wheeldon will open at the Bolshoi on the 4th of April where Ovcharenko is cast as Leontes, Kretova as Pauline and Hermione (in different casts of course, Vinogradova as Perdita and Lantratov as Florizel. The rehearsals are going on every day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_X2u0m28Bc
This is just information from the companies’ websites.

 

Thank you very much for these information! So it seems that it is mainly due to conflict of schedule.

 

But then it sounds more shady because they posted those names from Bolshoi and Mariinsky on their official PB page on February 12. I hardly believe that the Mariinsky festival schedule had not been settled by February 12 or Bolshoi schedule.

 

I am certainly very happy to see all other dancers on stage and I don't think that any blame to the original list of cast, who knows if they really made the commitment or not? 

 

What to do next? I will certainly skip this Gala next year or any performance by this organization and advise my friends to do so.

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Russian Ballet Icons Gala
February 12 · 
The Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2019 at the London Coliseum on 31 March will be another highlight in the ballet lovers’ calendar featuring captivating classical masterpieces and exciting contemporary repertoire.

The programme will be performed by Maria Alexandrova (Bolshoi Theatre), Sergio Bernal (Ballet Nacional de España), Elisa Carrillo Cabrera (Staatsballett Berlin), Jeffrey Cirio (English National Ballet), Mikhail Kaniskin (Staatsballett Berlin), Maria Kochetkova, Liudmila Konovalova (Vienna State Ballet), Kristina Kretova (Bolshoi Theatre), Misa Kuranaga (Boston Ballet), Lucía Lacarra (Bayerisches Staatsballett), Sarah Lamb (Royal Ballet), Vladislav Lantratov (Bolshoi Theatre), Julian MacKay (Mikhailovsky Theatre), Steven McRae (Royal Ballet), Yasmine Naghdi (Royal Ballet), Artem Ovcharenko (Bolshoi Theatre), Giuseppe Picone (Teatro di San Carlo), Marcelino Sambé (Royal Ballet), Dmitry Semionov (The Semperoper Dresden Ballett), Polina Semionova (Staatsballett Berlin), Daniil Simkin (Staatsballett Berlin), Alina Somova (Mariinsky Theatre), James Stout (Dutch National Ballet), Anna Tsygankova (Dutch National Ballet), Anna Tikhomirova (Bolshoi Theatre), Josué Ullate (Víctor Ullate Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (Mikhailovsky Theatre), Maria Vinogradova (Bolshoi Theatre) and Konstantin Zverev (Mariinsky Theatre).

To book Gala performance tickets visit https://tinyurl.com/yav9sxjq

To book the VIP packages to include the Gala Dinner at the Savoy in the presence of the star dancers and other distinguished guests please email admin@ensembleproductions.co.uk

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Dear Bruce Wall, since you showed interest in which area I was sitting in at the Gala and even presumed that I was “on a complimentary ticket” I will satisfy your curiosity. My "complimentary ticket” was courtesy of a generous ‘donor’ — my son who bought 2 tickets online and chose to be my escort on that special Sunday. (I lightly told him off for spending so much.)

My own ‘best cheap’ ticket  for the Gala, which I bought months ago, was sold here on “Ticket Exchange”. 
You expressed the wish to know how to get complimentary tickets. Well, on my visits to the ROH I am usually either in SCS or in the cheaper part of the Balcony. So I am in the same ‘club’ with you.
Your ‘subtle’ suspicion that I might be unfamiliar with the meaning of ‘IMHO’ buffled me. By the way, for me this word is redundant in this context since we joined the forum for doing exactly this — to express OUR OWN “humble opinion”.

Edited by Amelia
typo
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7 hours ago, Amelia said:

Dear Bruce Wall, since you showed interest in which area I was sitting in at the Gala and even presumed that I was “on a complimentary ticket” I will satisfy your curiosity. My "complimentary ticket” was courtesy of a generous ‘donor’ — my son who bought 2 tickets online and chose to be my escort on that special Sunday. (I lightly told him off for spending so much.)

My own ‘best cheap’ ticket  for the Gala, which I bought months ago, was sold here on “Ticket Exchange”. 
You expressed the wish to know how to get complimentary tickets. Well, on my visits to the ROH I am usually either in SCS or in the cheaper part of the Balcony. So I am in the same ‘club’ with you.
Your ‘subtle’ suspicion that I might be unfamiliar with the meaning of ‘IMHO’ buffled me. By the way, for me this word is redundant in this context since we joined the forum for doing exactly this — to express OUR OWN “humble opinion”.

 

Dear Amelia,

 

Your son's gift was most generous and obviously keenly appreciated for which I'm certain he was most grateful.  As is often said it is the thought that counts and his loving consideration in this instance speaks for itself surely.  

 

To my mind, Amelia - and i realise it may in some quarters be thought obtuse - there is a difference between 'expression' and (as you previously suggested in my own regard) 'report' and, as noted, it was to that semantic item I was striving to refer.  Still be that is as it may.  Let's let it stand and let it go.  There are so many major issues in this world.  In my own job I somehow seem manage to rub against them daily.  Certainly I am sincerely sorry for any 'bafflement' you, yourself, may have experienced at my expense.  

 

My appreciation for your inside information - as reported by your good self, Amelia in your previous notation - remains keen.  I here wish to - once again - express my sincere thanks for such.  

 

 

Edited by Bruce Wall
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Well I have to agree with pother posters this was a lacklustre show compared to SOME previous years.  I think one attends the RI Gala with some degree of lowered expectation as every year there are notable no shows.  However this year the Gala was on much later in the year than usual.  It is usually much earlier in March or even February.  Last year it was mid "Beast from the East" and I could not stand at stage door because I also had that horrible Australian flu!  Therefore I feel that had the timetable been different a lot more big names might have appeared as it would not have clashed with the presumably more important Mariinsky festival.  To have dedicated the show to Mr Hochhauser was a nice touch but I am afraid as someone said above it was far more Spanish than Russian this time round, not quite sure what Mr Hochhauser would have made of that!

 

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Here are a few photos from the gala:-

D3OGZRiXoAIITxv.jpg

Tsygankova, Stout, Khaniukova, MacKay, Naghdi, Sambe, Lacara, Ullate

D3OGeMmWwAACbrc.jpg

Caley, Krysanova, Vasiliev, Lamb, Watson, Kotchetkova, Simkin, Cabrera, Kaniskin

D3OGkrLXoAE-28T.jpg

Cabrera & Kaniskin, Bernal, Kornova & Holecek, Konovlaova & Picone, Semionova& Zaiteev, Kuranga & Cirio

D3OHggpXkAAJolc.jpg

Krysanova and Caley

D3OHgJmW0AAwJpe.jpg

Lamb and Watson

D3OHggsW0AA1Gaj.jpg

Kuranga and Cirio

D3OHgHqWsAA5pwe.jpg

Sambe and Naghdi

D3OG1atXoAAWffh.jpg

Simkin, Cabrera, Kaniskin, Bernal, Kornova

Edited by Don Q Fan
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6 hours ago, Dawnstar said:

I think Lamb & Watson win the Least Glamorous Costumes category! I imagine that when little girls dream of being ballet dancers those dreams wouldn't usually involve wearing a vest & knickers on stage!

 

It did fill me with outrage to see the beautiful, graceful Sarah Lamb dressed thus. Look, and weep.

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They are both beautiful, graceful, glamorous people - whoever imagines such outfits are appropriate !

 

So pleased to see Ed Watson back on stage- does anyone know when we might see him next, apart from Firebird, which doesn't really show off his dancing-?

 

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21 hours ago, Dawnstar said:

I think Lamb & Watson win the Least Glamorous Costumes category! I imagine that when little girls dream of being ballet dancers those dreams wouldn't usually involve wearing a vest & knickers on stage!

Absolutely agree and Simkin's nude pants too!!  The way the lighting was you would have thought he was stark naked on stage!  My mother hates these skimpy costumes so its a good job she was not with me LOL!

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What great piccies again Don Q thanks so much. 

I do hate these knickers and vests costumes.....just no design whatsoever! You can have minimal without going that far!! 

I couldn't go to the Gala this year and although there are usually some "no shows" there are usually enough good items to have a great evening....obviously can't speak for this year ....but perhaps it does look as though more than usual. 

I agree some acknowledgement should be shown .....paying over £70 plus for a ticket is a lot out of most people's budgets....one does it for special occasions ...to see very special dancers ....or dancers one doesn't have a chance to see that often ...but it's a lot of money.

I have to say I loved it last time I went and Ed Watson was dancing then!! 

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