4 replies to this topic

[RobH]

I'm a middle-aged guy who, until recently, felt the same way about ballet as a lot of people probably do - "The music is great... but does it really need to be accompanied by all that dancing?"

Then one night I was watching the A&E network. They were showing scenes from ballets, and for the first time I really paid attention.  It struck me as a very beautiful art form.  I found myself tremendously moved by all aspects of it.  

Now I own several ballets on DVD, and enjoy them very much.  The first one I got was ABT's production of Swan Lake with Gillian Murphy and Angel Corella.  I must've watched it a dozen times in the first month!  

As yet, I don't know enough about ballet to make intelligent distinctions or criticisms; I'm still at the "I only know what I like" stage... which is probably not a bad place to be, really.

Anyway, I hope to broaden my knowledge.  Thank you for having me!

[Helene]

Welcome to Ballet Talk, RobH!   It's never too late to love this beautiful art form.

If you ever have a question that doesn't seem to have a home, please ask it in our Discovering the Art forum.  We do hope you'll post about what you see and like.

[RobH]

Helene, on Aug 9 2008, 11:35 PM, said:

Welcome to Ballet Talk, RobH! It's never too late to love this beautiful art form.

Thank you for the welcome, Helene!

[bart]

RobH, welcome to Ballet Talk.  

We are all sorts here.  My story has something in common with yours:  the ballet videos on A&E -- and the old Bravo too -- helped change my life.  I grew up with ballet but was away from it, living a rather long drive from NYC.  Those tv showings, which I started to tape, kept me attached, curious, fascinated, and -- gradually -- yearning for MORE, while live performance wasn't in the cards.  

Watch out about ballet dvds though.  They can become addictive!

[RobH]

Many thanks, Bart!

About ballet DVDs being addictive... boy, you ain't kidding!  I only started collecting them a few months ago, and already have 20!  I'm sure that's not many compared to the collections other people on the board have, but to me it's a lot.