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Lady of the Camellias


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Lady opened on Thursday night, and I finally got to see the matinee today. Having never seen this ballet (except on video), I was so pleasantly surprised. Val Caniparoli, imo, did a beautiful job with the choreography. No bravura dancing, just plain, pure dancing. The dancers tell me it is very intricate choreography, with challenging timing. They all seemed to dance it with ease. Music is by Chopin, beautifully haunting. The cast today was Melanie Atkins as Marguerite and Pavel Gurevich as Armand Duval. Both did a wonderful job. Having first seen Melanie in Don Q in the fall, I was not sure I would be a big fan of hers. This part seemed made for her. Pavel has grown tremendously this year at Boston, and he really touched me as Armand. One of the most touching scenes was between Armand and his father, played by Victor Plotnikov. Victor has been injured a bit this year, and has not been able to dance big roles. I never really saw him perform. Although this role was not a huge dancing role, it made me wish I had seen him dance before his injuries. He walks on the stage and commands it. I can't wait to see this ballet again. I am going tomorrow to see Lorna Fejoo and Nelson Madrigal as the leads, but I am told I need to see Larissa Ponomarenko and Yury Yanowsky in this ballet. Hopefully, in two weeks when they run it again.

For all you Boston Ballet goers, this is one you need to see. IMO, it's one of the best things they've done all year.

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Just back from the Saturday night show, I agree: go see Larissa Ponomarenko and Yury Yanowsky. She was really stunning, especially given that she spent quite a bit of the ballet sitting on a bench dying of consumption.

I have to confess I don't really like partnering; I like solos and corps work. This partnering especially reminded me in a bad way of ice dancing. Not that I was cringing in my seat or anything, but I did think it was monotonous and was glad to see the other stuff. On the other hand it struck me as a very jumpy and turny work too. There were even plenty of beats in the jumps.

Cheap and malicious are two words I thought could never describe Pollyanna Ribeiro, but as the nasty courtesan Olympe that's exactly what she was (also, as usual, impeccable, assured and a delight to watch. She's so naturally adorable that it was kind of fun to see her play a huge cow). Romi Beppu is still one of my favorites, and she did a lovely job as the sort of bland, baby courtesan. I love watching her pirouette, so light and confident.

I'm hoping to see another show week after next. Hoping for Feijoo because I still haven't seen her, and can't wait for the Morris/Balanchine/Caniparoli/Emo(?). It's been so long since Nutcracker I've forgotten how good this company is.

Oh yeah. The sets/lighting were GORGEOUS.

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Okay, for real. Calling all potential Boston Ballet fans. This ballet is really good. I saw Lorna Fejoo and Nelson Madrigal today, with Sarah Lamb as Olympe. This is a must see. I was sooo disappointed with the amount of empty seats in the house today. Lorna was amazing as Marguerite. I was totally convinced of her love for Armand, perhaps because they are married offstage. It was really special to see the two of them dance this together. Sarah Lamb was a triumphant Olympe - really a must see, since she'll be leaving soon. Don't miss this ballet.

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I think "Lady" is a unique gift...It is one of those ballets where you find yourself wondering at first who is who, but because of the Choreography,or perhaps the dancers, you get swept away.

Larissa Ponomorenko is as always amazing,but I was really proud of Melanie Atkins.She is a soloist and fairly new to the company( she came with Mikko) and has been used alot in Balanchine and Contemporary Ballets, so I was truely moved by her portrayal of Margurete.(sp? sorry..)....I was really pleased to see a not so obvious choice do such a great job. Kudos to whomever cast her in the role...

It goes to show you that Boston Ballet has alot of hidden talent,regardless of what the artistic staff or others think...and it is going to be a different year next year when many of them are gone...

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