21 replies to this topic

[Helene]

Does anyone know whether the flexed back was characteristic of William Dollar, the original Melancholic?  If not, was the original version different, and the newer version required it?  Or was it the characteristic of a particular dancer that made it a plus or pre-requisite?

[carbro]

perky, on Mar 9 2009, 09:22 AM, said:

The role of the poet in La Sonambula requires a flexible back for the movement where he tries and fails to capture the Sleepwalker as she passes over his stretched, arched backbend.

"Requires"?  I don't know.  I've seen the backbend executed more with the thighs the back.  Baryshnikov, e.g.

[dnznqueen]

Vladimir Malakov, Yuri Possokov- saw (on video) do Albrecht's Act II variation- double cabriole en avant to an extreme layout!

[bart]

I was also thinking of Malakhov.

http://images.google...htt...t=40&um=1

Does he bring this quality to his dancing in any of the classics?

[atm711]

Helene, on Mar 9 2009, 04:11 PM, said:

Does anyone know whether the flexed back was characteristic of William Dollar, the original Melancholic?  If not, was the original version different, and the newer version required it?  Or was it the characteristic of a particular dancer that made it a plus or pre-requisite?

Interesting question, Helene.  When I  saw Dollar in the role he was approaching the age of 40 and he was not known for his pristine technique.  I must say that seeing this "Petrouchka-like" performance was a bit of a shock and at the time we attributed it to his technique! (or lack, thereof)  It was Bart Cook who became the defining Melancholic.

[dirac]

bart, on Mar 10 2009, 02:59 AM, said:

I was also thinking of Malakhov.

http://images.google...htt...t=40&um=1

Does he bring this quality to his dancing in any of the classics?

I saw a photograph of Malakhov in full flight in Bayadere, and the bottoms of his feet were almost touching his head.

[Mashinka]

I've never seen a more flexible back than that of Nikolai Tsiskaridze.