35 replies to this topic

[WindFlyer]

Natalia, on Jun 27 2009, 01:06 PM, said:

This is particularly nice for Alexander Sergeev; a feather in his cap to be named to the opening night cast. However, I wonder what happened with Sarafanov, who had originally been listed to dance the title role of the forest monster...

I know nothing of Sergeev; if he's as impressive as Sarafanov, then I'm in for a treat.

[WindFlyer]

Just back from the Mariinsky.  It was a spectacular evening.

As for tomorrow's cast, based on the premiere booklet, it's likely to be:

Irina Golub
Mikhail Lobukhin
Anton Pimonov

Alexander Sergeyev was impressive as Shurale, Denis Matvienko was outstanding, and Obraztsova was simply breathtaking.

[Natalia]

Thanks, windflyer.

Well, YouTube works quickly. Several vids of tonight"s SHURALE revival-premiere are up, including these two.

Adagio, Obraztsova/Matvienko:



Act II Tatar wedding folk dance, with Obraztsova, female corps and enormous silk scarf (a-la Denishawn Soaring):



By all accounts, another big hit for the Mariinsky, certainly for knowledgeable 'locals' who adore old-fashioned spectacle and pure elegance.

[Natalia]

Here is Golub rehearsing for tomorrow's 2nd performance, courtesy of the Mariinsky's site, Russian media section:

http://www.mariinsky.ru/news1/media/

[Sacto1654]

Natalia,

Very nice videos. I even liked the distinctly "non-Western" feel of the music, too. (The music reminded me of the orchestral music from China with its distinctly Asian themes I would hear from documentaries produced by the Chinese government.)

(Methinks someone had a hard drive digital camcorder and was able to quickly download it to a computer, encode it to YouTube specs, and quickly upload it to YouTube.)

Obraztsova, as usual, was excellent in the role of Siyumbike.   

[WindFlyer]

Natalia, on Jun 28 2009, 03:49 PM, said:

By all accounts, another big hit for the Mariinsky, certainly for knowledgeable 'locals' who adore old-fashioned spectacle and pure elegance.

Agree.  Setting aside for a moment the finer points of dancing, the production is, IMHO, a major triumph—amazing sets, many many beautiful costumes, exotic music, yes, lots of dancing (but not in a <yawn> parade of variations), and a nice dose of humour (there is one variation where four drunk tatar women dance in the courtyard doing a subtle send-up of the cygnettes in Swan Lake   ).

I found it an amazing experience, and most importantly, a very unique spectacle (in umpteen years of going to the ballet)!!

I personally think that *this* is the kind of thing that the company should throw its resources after (this coming from someone who a couple of years ago wondered why the Mariinsky would bother with Ondina).

Sacto1654, on Jun 28 2009, 05:39 PM, said:

I even liked the distinctly "non-Western" feel of the music, too.

The central-Asian feel is certainly one of the most attractive elements of the ballet, not just as it pertains to the music and the costumes but also some of the dances.

I think of myself as very fortunate to have been able to attend the premiere.

[Mireille]

For those who also saw the video production of 1970 with Terekhova, how does it compare?

[Natalia]

Again - many, many thanks for your on-the-ground insights, Windflyer.

Mireille, I can compare with regard to the length as I've seen both the video and a live production by another Russian troupe in Egypt. The Terekhova video lasts about 90 minutes, so at least 30 minutes of the ballet had to be cut out of the filming, including a number of character-folk dances. As far as the dancing is concerned, Obraztsova seems to bring a softer edge to the bird-maiden than does the phenomenal technician Terekhova (and main stager here, after Kugapkina's passing). Matvienko, in early You Tube clips, seems to be stronger and more heroic than the very fine Vadim Budarin in the film. I'd LOVE to see a clip of Alexander Sergeev in the title role of the slimy monster...I heard that he came close to stealing the show last night.

I saw so much 'Odette' in those few clips of Obraztsova. Could Swan Lake be far behind for her? Yes, she can!!!

[bingham]

What's the reason of her not dancing "Swan Lake"? Her height?

[Azulynn]

Yes, bingham, she is not considered Swan Lake material by Russian standards - you have to be tall to dance the role in Saint-Petersburg these days (cf Lopatkina, Kondaurova, Tereshkina, etc).

[Natalia]

bingham, on Jun 29 2009, 10:25 AM, said:

What's the reason of her not dancing "Swan Lake"? Her height?

Yes. The Mariinsky is very picky about 'emploi' -- who has the physical characteristics to do certain roles. What's more, 'emploi' can change from generation to generation, e.g., the short-but-slender-long-lined Natalia Makarova was considered good enough for Odette/Odille in the 1960s. By the early 1980s -- especially with the Sylvie Guillem craze but also Galina Mezentseva at the Kirov -- Leningrad-St.P coaches stopped considering shorter dancers for the roles of Odette-Odile and Nikiya.

Especially nowadays, when she is longer-lined and more willowy than ever before, Obraztsova should be given a chance at Odette and Nikiya. Certainly Odette; she has already performed Black Swan pdd on tour, to great success.

In a recent interview with Dance Europe Magazine, Obraztsova stated that she believes that she may not be able to become a Principal without Odette in her repertoire. Sad...so a long and ultra-bony flexnatic can be thrust to attempt Odette and Nikiya, thus making her more worthy of "Principal" status? Ridiculous.

[Natalia]

Azulynn, on Jun 29 2009, 10:44 AM, said:

Yes, bingham, she is not considered Swan Lake material by Russian standards - you have to be tall to dance the role in Saint-Petersburg these days (cf Lopatkina, Kondaurova, Tereshkina, etc).

So how tall is Terioshkina? Not so tall...but taller than Obraztsova. However, I believe that Obraztsova has so slenderized herself in the past few months -- even more so than normally by the looks of her Simbiuke You Tube bits -- that she is very capable of achieving an acceptable "Odette Look" now. They should at least give her one or two performances "for the road...for her future" a-la Ayupova, who only danced Odette a couple of times, just to complete the Principal Resume. Once she became Principal, she never really danced Odette, did she? But it stayed on her resume and that's all that matters for The Powers That Be. [Not that we want Obraztsova to suffer the same fate of Ayupova -- hardly ever used once she achieved Principal status.]

[WindFlyer]

Natalia, on Jun 29 2009, 05:37 AM, said:

Again - many, many thanks for your on-the-ground insights, Windflyer.

...I'd LOVE to see a clip of Alexander Sergeev in the title role of the slimy monster...I heard that he came close to stealing the show last night.

You're welcome.  I may get around to posting a more comprehensive review sometime...

Meanwhile, yes, Sergeyev was magnificent.  He practically owned Act I. He slithered about with androgynous grace and exploded in frenetic dance and jumps—and everything in between.  I kept thinking that Sarafanov is perhaps not physical enough for the role?

Oh, and by my watch, the net of the performance was just under two hours, so yes, a ninety-minute video (which i have not seen) would have about thirty minutes cut.

[WindFlyer]

Natalia, on Jun 29 2009, 06:57 AM, said:

...I believe that Obraztsova has so slenderized herself in the past few months -- even more so than normally by the looks of her Simbiuke You Tube bits...

um, I wouldn't use those you tube bits to make any pronouncements: the aspect ratio of the clips is messed up, giving her a willowier appearance than she has in real life—not just in Shurale, but also in In The Night last week.

Having said that, yes, she has slenderized herself some.

[bingham]

I seem to recall that D Vishneva did not dance SL  at the Kirov until she danced it in the west(ABT?). Maybe,Evgenia can do the same. We sure would be happy to see her dance it here.