100 replies to this topic

[cubanmiamiboy]

CM, on 22 July 2011 - 02:27 PM, said:

Many thanks for your explanation and translation.  It gives me a flavour of the conversation.  It's very helpful.

My pleasure, CM.  And about the Giselle clips, none of them are from 1963, as the caption reads.  The first one, with Esquivel, must be-(I think)-from the returning of Alonso to the MET stage in 1979, and the second one is with Vasiliev in 1980 in Havana.  At first the interviewer asked her what was like to be there at the MET during the gala for her 90 th birthday, and she answered that she felt as if her whole life was just passing by in front of her eyes...that she didn't have words, that-(in her own words)- "I couldn't say, or describe, or even dance what I felt up there...not even dance, which is what I like the most in my life..!" When talking about Fernando Alonso, she made clear that it was her influence in his life as a dancer/teacher/choreographer-(and not the only way around)-what weighted the most.

[4mrdncr]

CM, on 22 July 2011 - 02:27 PM, said:

Many thanks for your explanation and translation.  It gives me a flavour of the conversation.  It's very helpful.

Going slightly off topic, I searched for ballet-related programs on Spanish RT.  In addition to the A solar series, I found two further short programs - (1) on the Vaganova School and (2) on the Bolshoi.  

http://actualidad.rt...date=&sort=date

Spanish TV has several programs available - some one hour and  some 1/2 hour dance related documentaries.  The longer programs aren't always too accessible for non spanish speakers (but that's to be expected as they weren't intended for them)

The imprescindibles series on RTVE also includes a documentary on Antonio Gades

http://www.rtve.es/a...-danza/1000827/

The paso a paso series on RTVE has 13 half hour programs on different types of dance

http://www.rtve.es/a...theatre/896636/

Do any of you--CM, cubanmiamiboy, bart etc.(?)--know how/who I could contact at the above spanish-language media companies about my documentary film?  I think they might be interested in showing it, if I can ever finish it. (Funding still a major issue.) BTW: Please remember, I may have learned (fast) to understand spoken/written Spanish at a very fundamental level, but am hardly fluent enough to do a major distribution negotiation. Is there anyone there who would understand English?  Or does anyone know anyone who could translate effectively?

[CM]

I'm afraid I can't help - It's not a subject that I'm familiar with and I struggle with spanish.


Slightly off topic again, the RT Bolshoi feature includes two or three minutes of Vasiliev and Zakharova in "le jeune homme et la mort" - off-stage and also shot from the wings.   The presenter seems to trying to persuade Zakharova to give him a ballet lesson.  Semenyaka also features.   I think  Zakharova is due to appear in the Bolshoi's tribute to Alicia Alonso at the beginning of August:

http://actualidad.rt...ta_de_erick/803

[cubanmiamiboy]

CM, on 23 July 2011 - 03:48 AM, said:

I think  Zakharova is due to appear in the Bolshoi's tribute to Alicia Alonso at the beginning of August:

I wonder if she will dance Carmen.  Zakharova was one of the very few ballerinas whom Alberto Alonso coached personally in the role-(Plisetskaya and Alonso the other two)

Alonso


Plisetskaya


Zakharova

[CM]

Alicia Alonso interviewed by Michael Voss/CCTV

http://english.cntv....17/114265.shtml

Short feature on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban ballet school

http://www.bbc.co.uk...merica-17793474

[cubanmiamiboy]

CM, on 11 May 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

Alicia Alonso interviewed by Michael Voss/CCTV

http://english.cntv....07/106428.shtml
Short feature on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban ballet school

http://www.bbc.co.uk...merica-17793474

Thanks, CM for the clips.  It was nice to see the short snippets of the company dacing "Theme and Variations".  I wish a complete video could  be available to now compare the way the Cubans dance the late 40's/unlicensed Alonso's version with what I saw here,which I asume has to have certain little differences-(stilistically speaking, and maybe even choreographically)- probably made by Balanchine himself in the course of the years.  It was also interesting to hear calling Anette Delgado the best bearer of Alonso's style and technique instead of Valdes.  Sad though how when talking about Cubans dancing abroad only Acosta and Toto are mentioned, as if others like the Feijoo sisters or Sarabita are non existent.  Then, of course, Alonso, always praising her most beloved partner and friend, "one of the best dancers in the world, Igor Youskevitch".    

[Drew]

cubanmiamiboy, on 11 May 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

CM, on 11 May 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

Alicia Alonso interviewed by Michael Voss/CCTV

http://english.cntv....07/106428.shtml
Short feature on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban ballet school

http://www.bbc.co.uk...merica-17793474

Thanks, CM for the clips.  It was nice to see the short snippets of the company dacing "Theme and Variations".  I wish a complete video could  be available to now compare the way the Cubans dance the late 40's/unlicensed Alonso's version with what I saw here,which I asume has to have certain little differences-(stilistically speaking, and maybe even choreographically)- probably made by Balanchine himself in the course of the years.  It was also interesting to hear calling Anette Delgado the best bearer of Alonso's style and technique instead of Valdes.  Sad though how when talking about Cubans dancing abroad only Acosta and Toto are mentioned, as if others like the Feijoo sisters or Sarabita are non existent.  Then, of course, Alonso, always praising her most beloved partner and friend, "one of the best dancers in the world, Igor Youskevitch".

Balanchine revised the ballerina role somewhat for Gelsey Kirland (eg added gargouillades)...

[CM]

I enjoyed the clips in the extract (I have  edited the link as CCTV have separated out the ballet feature from the rest of the program)

[innopac]

Graham Spicer has posted this on his blog Gramilano. 18 July 2012.

"A won­der­fully nat­ural and rare shot of Cuban baller­ina Alicia Alonso in her heyday."

http://gramilano.com...o/#.UAxeoKPhfOM

[cubanmiamiboy]

[cubanmiamiboy]

Alonso at 67.  Definitely all about the persona.