Royal Ballet Season Opener - Triple Bill

[ami1436]

Did anyone else get the chance to attend over the weekend?

I was lucky enough to go on Saturday afternoon - with the first cast in a matinee performance.

Having never seen Requiem before, aside from bits of a rehearsal, I was floored. This is truly beautiful in every sense of the word, leaving me spell-bound from start to finish. The cast included Benjamin, Cope, Bussell, Acosta, and Putrov, as well as Ed Watson and Yohei Sasaki. Cope's partnering was strong and assured as usual, and the pas de deux with him and Benjamin was breath-taking. However, the rehearsal I saw was with Tamara Rojo, and I'm really interested in hearing how her interpretation of the role was, specifically the solo (I believe this was originally Marcia Haydee's role?). Benjamin is cool, dramatic, and strong, and I would have like to see a bit more weakness/tenderness in the solo.

Over the summer I had the chance to see Joffrey perform Wedding Bouquet, and while I had troubles hearing the narrator, somehow the Joffrey's presentation seemed to have more charisma. However, I'm hesitant to say that as I'm wondering if I preferred their version simply because it was the first time I saw it. We had the special treat this time around of listening to Anthony Dowell as the narrator - I was chuffed to see him on stage at all! Zenaida Yanowsky stole the show as a drunk Josephine and there were outstanding performances by Tamara Rojo (Julia), Kobborg (groom), Cojacaru (Bride), Bonneli (Guy), and Iohna Loots (the dog!!!). However, in the matinee the cast didn't seem to pull together to give the show that additional 'spark'.

Finally, everytime I see the Royal do Les Noces I'm astounded. A fabulous piece, exquisitely well danced - now that's how a corp should look!!!!

Any other thoughts?

[Petra]

What an interesting programme (can't resist the oportunity to use this spelling) - just what I imagine an 'old' RB programme to be. B)