23 replies to this topic

[Marc Haegeman]

Hans, on Nov 24 2008, 07:07 PM, said:

rg, on Nov 22 2008, 11:32 AM, said:

i note in this handsome and welcome selection of photos that the girls in the Polonaise and Mazurka are wearing 'character' shoes and not pointeshoes.

On the 'Essential Ballet' video with Vaganova Academy students, the girls do not wear pointe shoes or character shoes but rather satin slippers (they do not appear to be ballet shoes).  Do they normally wear pointe shoes?

Normally they wear satin slippers.

[Paul Parish]

Beautiful photographs, Marc, wonderful costumes and set and lighting, but most of all, the poses you've caught suggest VERY beautiful dancing. Stunning! look at their turn-out: look at the rotation of the working leg in the very first picture of Alexandrova -- the Bolshoi used to be a rather turned-in company, Bessmertnova was glorious despite her lack of turnout -- but Alexandrova is showing us the sole of her shoe in ecarte back!! BEAUTIFUL! Similarly Leonova is in a beautifully crossed effacee -- the relation of her shoulders and hips to that line are really exciting.

[leonid]

Marc Haegeman, on Nov 22 2008, 04:00 AM, said:

I've added photos of the new Paquita Grand Pas at the Bolshoi, in a new staging and choreographic version by future director Yuri Burlaka.

Grand Pas from Paquita

Thanks for visiting!

Nice pics Marc. Thanks for pointing us in  the direction to the Bolshoi site. The music ascribed to the variations therein does differ from what has been traditional.
The 7 short clips as referred to above begin at.

http://uk.youtube.co...h?v=sIC-gzFS6t0

[Mel Johnson]

I'm certainly glad to note the uniform jackets and shakos that I see in the men's costuming.  Traditionally, there has been no way to identify that Paquita is set during the Peninsular War (1807-14).  The shakos are a little late, but it might be impossible to dance in period-correct examples.

[bart]

The costumes are especially effective against the cream-colored floor.  I really like the floor, which shows off legs and feet beautiful in Marc's photographs.  

From above, as in the video which leonid has linked, every bit is stunning and very CLEAR.  The simple sett (I love those black curtains at the side and the way the nest on the floor) is a great help.  You can actually see the everything the dancers do, not always the case in video.  

For me, this visibility -- plus the great beauty and clarity of the dancing itself -- renews  what  somtimes comes across as a predictable old warhorse and restores it to the status of a work of art.

[Marc Haegeman]

Mel Johnson, on Nov 26 2008, 01:04 PM, said:

I'm certainly glad to note the uniform jackets and shakos that I see in the men's costuming.  Traditionally, there has been no way to identify that Paquita is set during the Peninsular War (1807-14).  The shakos are a little late, but it might be impossible to dance in period-correct examples.

The creators of the new Grand Pas - Burlaka, but also designers Zaytseva (costumes) and Pikalova (sets) have been aiming to recreate a definite period atmosphere, which I think they succeeded admirably. It's also the first staging of this work I have seen which pays so much attention to the 19th-century Spanish, Polish and ballroom dancing that Petipa included, but mostly disappeared in the Soviet era for a more uniform style.

[Marc Haegeman]

bart, on Nov 26 2008, 01:13 PM, said:

For me, this visibility -- plus the great beauty and clarity of the dancing itself -- renews  what  somtimes comes across as a predictable old warhorse and restores it to the status of a work of art.

Absolutely, Bart. A staging like this is the perfect antidote against those who still believe classical ballet is per definition dull, old and dusty.

[Alexandra]

The photos are absolutely gorgeous (as always ), Marc.  I want to see it!

[Marc Haegeman]

Alexandra, on Nov 26 2008, 05:35 PM, said:

The photos are absolutely gorgeous (as always ), Marc.  I want to see it!

Thank you, Alexandra. One can only hope they bring it on tour, although after the three opening performances, only four more are scheduled for the rest of the 2008/2009 season.