Osipova Giselle ABT

[Sim]

Last night Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae danced Giselle at ABT in NY.  Seems they were going great guns, both of them very impressive, when Osipova fell about 3/4 of the way through Act II.  She seemed to be down 'quite a long time' according to a friend of mine who was there, but then got up, shook out her foot and managed to continue to the end, wowing audience and critics alike.  She limped through her curtain calls, so I do hope she hasn't done herself a serious injury and that she recovers very soon. 

 

The general consensus was that McRae was awesome technically;  in the States you are allowed to go on with your entrechats six for as long as the music does, and I know that dancers like McRae and Kobborg really like that because they are allowed to let rip!

 

But huge kudos for Osipova for continuing under those circumstances;  what a trouper she is.

[Bruce Wall]

Thanks for this, Sim.  I hadn't seen your separate post and I, myself, placed an item in this regard on the RB 2014/15 Season page thinking of the potential for associated concern in relation to the upcoming RB USA tour.  I would be happy to have that removed entirely.  Yours is much more fulsome given the detail of your friend.  Much thanks as ever.  Bruce

[annamk]

For anyone interested the balletalert thread discussing Osipova/McRae performance starts here 

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/40160-spring-2015-giselle/page-9

some interesting comments - not all positive. 

[Sim]

^{Uh oh.....people daring to criticise Osipova!!}   

[Denver]

I was in the audience, sitting orchestra-right so I had a clear view of the fall, which was stage right in the back. She was doing the zig-zag entrechats. She was down for several seconds. Loud gasps from the audience. Huge cheers when she got up and finished the variation.

 

Do take a look at the Ballet Alert thread, which has more detail. E.g., they omitted a few things at the very end at the grave, which might have been a decision to let her get off-stage for good at the end. She was clearly limping when she came on for the curtain calls. Myrta (Veronica Part) rushed over to escort the conductor onto stage, a task usually handled by the lead ballerina. No announcement this morning (Friday) about cancellations of the remainder of her engagement here (two Bayaderes and one R&J), so we'll stay hopeful that she's okay. (She had already cancelled her performances in Ratmansky's new Sleeping Beauty.)

 

I don't think most were impressed with McCrae, but we had just seen Marcelo Gomes, Herman Cornejo, and Roberto Bolle in recent days with other partners, so those comparisons were unavoidable.

[aileen]

Why didn't people like McRae?

[Sim]

Have a read of Ballet Alert Aileen, and you will see what they thought:

 

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/40160-spring-2015-giselle/page-9

 

You need to scroll down a bit.  Strangely, many of them seem to think that his dancing isn't up to much, and that his acting is better than his dancing....just the opposite of what most of his critics here say about him!!  They also comment on his size (too small), that he and Osipova don't look good together, that she engulfs him dramatically, and so it goes on.....

[Sunrise]

I never ever thought McRae's dancing would be in question - different expectations I guess. But Ballet Alert don't pull their punches when it comes to criticism  - the reception to Osipova's live broadcast SL was pretty cold. It sounds like Osipova and McRae are dancing abroad together quite a bit anyway, so they must like dancing together even if some are not convinced by their chemistry.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Sunrise

[aileen]

Yes, I never thought that anyone would have cause to complain about McRae's technical dancing. 

[Ellie]

I was also surprised at the criticism of his technique. But perhaps jet lag, lack of rehearsal time in an unfamiliar performance setting takes it's toll ?

[Don Q Fan]

Clearly they have not seen Osipova and McRae in the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux as I have and they were nothing short of spectacular, fizzing, on fire you name it - no wonder RB are putting that piece into the Quad Bill this Autumn - I can't wait!

I really hope Natalia is on the mend and back dancing soon, although she must be due a summer break surely?!

[Nina G.]

Osipova is cast to dance on tour with The Royal Ballet in Washington, Chicago and New York so no summer break yet for any of The Royal Ballet dancers until the end June.

[Bruce Wall]

It has been reported that Kotchekova (SFB) will replace Osipova (RB) in the ABT production of Makarova's La Bayadere. :(Sarafanov of the Mikhailovsky is still scheduled to dance in those two performances.)

Edited May 29, 2015 by Bruce Wall

[alison]

Strangely, many of them seem to think that his dancing isn't up to much, and that his acting is better than his dancing....just the opposite of what most of his critics here say about him!!  They also comment on his size (too small), that he and Osipova don't look good together, that she engulfs him dramatically, and so it goes on.....

 

I guess it depends on the setting you put a dancer in, doesn't it?  In the context of the Royal Ballet, he's not one of their finest actors, but with regard to the dancing it's another matter.  I suspect that ABT's dancers may be better technically, but by and large aren't such good actors.

[Ian Macmillan]

Osipova/McCrae and Vishneva/Gomes covered by Mr Macaulay here:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/arts/dance/review-an-abundance-of-giselles-with-debuts-and-farewells.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=nytimesarts

[FLOSS]

Of course we should remember that those who choose to post their views about performances and performers are hardly a representative cross section of those who actually go to see those performances.It seems to me that a significant proportion of those who post about performances on Ballet Alert are far more interested in technique as an end in itself rather than as a means to an end.It was noticeable, for example, that Muntagirov's performances with ABT went without comment.That tastes are different on either side of the Atlantic should not come as a surprise but are they that different?.There are also people here who want fireworks rather than artistry. They are the ones who seem to associate male dancing with a limited vocabulary of jumps and turns and complain that a dancer was "doing nothing" when he does not jump and spin but partners or does petite batterie.

 

A couple of years ago there were performances of Ashton's Dream at Covent Garden when, for reasons best known to the management and the Titania?, we were given the opportunity to see a very big name from ABT dance Oberon. I have to say that I saw the dancer in question and found him heavy,slow and unmusical.His performance did not impress me and I had the distinct impression that he gave us edited highlights as he struggled to perform all the steps in the time available.The comments on Ballet Alert, presumably from fans who did not see him dance here,were very positive about his performances and expressed the view that the audience here was very fortunate to be given the chance to see him.

[Jam Dancer]

Interestingly enough Alastair Macaulay of  the New York Times seemed to enjoy's McRae's performance.  He wrote

 

"this was by far his most prestigious local appearance, and he rose to the occasion. He’s a dancer of true brilliance: One solo featured an advancing string of five double air turns, each landing on one foot, and all his batterie (beatings of the legs in the air) scintillated." .

 

He also seemed impressed with McRae's dancing "What fascinated most, though, was the intelligent naturalism of his acting.".

 

I agree with FLOSS.  People have different tastes... 

[alison]

When you look at the BA pages, it only seems to be a couple of contributors who didn't like McRae, one of whom I don't "know" at all.

[Balletfanp]

I've seen a few rather derogatory mentions of Muntagirov on there (one describes him as "unexpressive" - really??). It does make you wonder what they are looking for in a dancer.

[capybara]

I've seen a few rather derogatory mentions of Muntagirov on there (one describes him as "unexpressive" - really??). It does make you wonder what they are looking for in a dancer.

 

As someone who has seen Muntagirov dance with ABT (in La Bayadere), I cannot identify with this description of his dancing there at all.

 

Neither can I connect with some of the conclusions being drawn about McRae.

 

But, since we differ in our views on here, it is not surprising (as others have said) that we and our American cousins should sometimes see things differently.

[MAB]

As far as Osipova goes I've read some very hostile stuff about her around the net from a group of ballet fans with an agenda.  I find most moderators are not that good at sniffing out the shills and the comments of certain posters on BA can be a bit 'predictable'. 

[Naomi M]

Well I think our opinions and tastes differ so, we must respect each others opinions and try not to criticize other fans (or other forums) views. That hostile attitude towards other forums is not nice. 

 

We all have our cup of teas.  

[MAB]

Well I think our opinions and tastes differ so, we must respect each others opinions and try not to criticize other fans (or other forums) views. That hostile attitude towards other forums is not nice. 

 

We all have our cup of teas.  

 

I wasn't criticizing either BA or their posters, many of whom are excellent, and I do accept the idea that peoples assessment,of dancers can vary.   What I am critical of is a concerted campaign against certain dancers, and in this instance Osipova, right across the internet.

 

I'm not talking about cups of tea I'm talking about cups of poison.

[Scheherezade]

As someone who has seen Muntagirov dance with ABT (in La Bayadere), I cannot identify with this description of his dancing there at all.

 

Neither can I connect with some of the conclusions being drawn about McRae.

 

 

I totally agree. I wonder, however, whether there is an element of rooting for the home team, and not altogether unsurprisingly. It does, after all, take some time for non-home grown dancers (or those who have not come through the RBS) to be given fulsome praise here in the U.K. The Alastair Macaulay review gives an entirely different slant and didn't the Russian critics go wild for McRae?

[Scheherezade]

A couple of years ago there were performances of Ashton's Dream at Covent Garden when .... we were given the opportunity to see a very big name from ABT dance Oberon. I have to say that I saw the dancer in question and found him heavy,slow and unmusical.His performance did not impress me and I had the distinct impression that he gave us edited highlights as he struggled to perform all the steps in the time available.The comments on Ballet Alert, presumably from fans who did not see him dance here,were very positive about his performances and expressed the view that the audience here was very fortunate to be given the chance to see him.

This is presumably the ABT dancer featuring in certain named performances of The Car Man at Sadler's Wells. Do others on the forum feel that The Car Man is worth seeing and, if so, would they recommend seeing the ABT dancer?

[Jan McNulty]

The Car Man is not my favourite Bourne production and I didn't go to see it at the Lowry this week as I was seeing Northern Ballet!

 

However, it is worth giving it a whirl.  Jonathan Ollivier is bound to be brilliant as he always is but I would, out of curiosity, go and see Marcelo Gomes to see what all the fuss is about and for a rare chance to see such a highly regarded international star on a British stage.

[aileen]

Marcelo Gomes has huge stage presence and is generally well regarded by the American critics and audience members alike. He has an established and successful partnership with Diana Vishneva at ABT (apparently, all the ballerinas love dancing with him). I'm definitely hoping to see him in Car Man as I've been dying to see him in something substantial since his appearance in Kings of the Dance. Casting is now up on the Wells' website.

[Naomi M]

I wasn't criticizing either BA or their posters, many of whom are excellent, and I do accept the idea that peoples assessment,of dancers can vary.   What I am critical of is a concerted campaign against certain dancers, and in this instance Osipova, right across the internet.

 

I'm not talking about cups of tea I'm talking about cups of poison.

 

 I don't think there is a campaign against Osipova there, she is a controversial dancer so not all ballet fans prefer her, especially when it comes to Swan Lake. It is certainly not poison.

[MAB]

 I don't think there is a campaign against Osipova there, she is a controversial dancer so not all ballet fans prefer her, especially when it comes to Swan Lake. It is certainly not poison.

If you re-read my post you will see I am not referring specifically to BA but to the internet in general (including, and especially, you tube) and made the point that she isn't the only dancer to be targeted in an unfair way.

 

I don't object to isolated derogatory remarks, however I do object to concerted hate campaigns.

[Ellie]

Is there any news regarding Natalia Osipova's injury ?

[alison]

Reading the cast sheet for Song of the Earth yesterday, I'm curious to know how long ago this performance had been arranged.  Was it fairly last-minute?  After all, it doesn't seem that there's any conceivable way McRae could have made it back to London to dance the Messenger of Death - not without being very jetlagged, anyway.

[Jan McNulty]

Beautiful piece of writing about the performance from Leigh Witchel.

[Bruce Wall]

Reading the cast sheet for Song of the Earth yesterday, I'm curious to know how long ago this performance had been arranged.  Was it fairly last-minute?  After all, it doesn't seem that there's any conceivable way McRae could have made it back to London to dance the Messenger of Death - not without being very jetlagged, anyway.

 

The casting of McRae in the ABT Giselle was rather late in the day due to the unfortunate circumstance of Hallberg (who Osipova noted as her favourite partner in her BA chat) having to withdraw from all of his Met season performances in favour of health considerations.  This one performance seemed to be amongst the last to be filled (Sarafanov having stepped into the Bayadere breaches and Gomes the Romeo) and was, I assume, based on the success/comfort of this pairing from their celebrated Bolshoi turn and after an understandable negotiation with the RB management.  In a way it is a shame that some of the developing ABT dancers were not given such a noted opportunity.  It might (for example) have been lovely to have had an opportunity to see Osipova dance with the oft glowingly elegant Joseph Gorak. Her performances at La Scala with the equally young Claudio Coviello have certainly been telling for both.  Still a lack of rehearsal time might well have argued against such.