76 replies to this topic

[Natalia]

Thanks, cinnamonswirl. I had to get a 'gift certificate' exchange on my ticket due to weather problems. It's very nice of the Kennedy Center to offer full-value certificates , good for future ticket at the theater for the next year.

Also, our group's flights to the Vancouver Olympics are being altered so I may be departing DC on Thursday morn to make it to the games on time (DC to Vancouver, via Toronto). So hopefully someone else will be able to report on the Tereshkina/Schklyarov performance that I will most likely miss.

p.s. - - I'm going to all figure skating events...look for a wavy-haired brunette waving Russian flag in front row, wildly cheering-on Pluschenko in the men's event.

[YID]

Thank you cinnamonswirl for your review (and thanks g-d that I managed to make it in and out of DC - writing from office now)
To prepare myself for the performance, I watched DVDs of Sleeping beauty (1-recorded in 1983 with Kolpakova, Kunakova & Berezhnoi; and 2-1989 Lezhina, Mahalina & Ruzimatov). And happened to watch Royal's SB with Cojocaru on TV. So, I was prepared.
I would agree with most (if not all) of cinnamonswirl's post. With tiny (IMHO) notes:
1) Should I dare correcting that it was Maksim Zuzin as a Bluebird (not Anton Korsakov), and different to a program insert, Diamond was danced by Tatyana Tkachenko.
2) I hated the cuts from the ballet, but overall, I like this version of SB (and prefer "this really is a regrettable production. The costumes look like the Pilgrims on the Mayflower" to what ABT is doing with their flashy (BUT TOO heavy for dancing, opera) costumes and (to-my-taste) not stellar dancing and staging. But to each his/her own. I don't want fluorescent colors in a classical ballet, there's MOMA for that (to my taste).
3) I was pleased with Kondaurova's dancing, I'd compare her to Kunakova.
But
I would FIRE the conductor!!! (I felt it, and then dancers I talked with confirmed it) most variations were TOO slow, much slower tempo than at the dress rehearsal (or DVDs). And since it was unexpected, one could feel and see that dancers were waiting for the music. And then one dancer told me that Mr. Repnikov is not a conductor by training and it's his first time - alas. I bet with the proper tempo it would have looked much better.

My other comments - Bravo to Yana Selina - the BEST white cat, I've seen so far. Bravo to Vladimir Shklyarov.
I had goose bumps from Diana's dancing in Act 1. However, later, I felt that she never woke up from her sleep, and remained "a frozen princess", showing no love to her Prince (she ws more passionate to her bride-grooms than to her Prince), and he tried SO HARD (technically she was superb, what balances). I also enjoyed watching Anna Lavrinenko (fairy in Act 3)

Well, with dislike of the conductor and some minor musical flaws (sorry I've listened to the ballet at least 4 times in last 3 weeks) and tempo being too slow at times that dancers had to scramble to adjust to it, and not appreciating Diana's no-love towards her prince (technically she was superb), I enjoyed this SB. I am glad they made it to DC. Will go again (Sat & Sund - it will be fun to compare). Best to all.

[mariinskyfan]

Natalia, on Feb 10 2010, 08:53 AM, said:

Thanks, cinnamonswirl. I had to get a 'gift certificate' exchange on my ticket due to weather problems. It's very nice of the Kennedy Center to offer full-value certificates , good for future ticket at the theater for the next year.

Also, our group's flights to the Vancouver Olympics - going to all figure skating events...look for a tall brunette waving Russian flag in front row, wildly cheering-on Pluschenko in the men's event -- are being altered so I may be departing DC on Thursday morn to make it to the games on time (DC to Vancouver, via Toronto). So hopefully someone else will be able to report on the Tereshkina/Schklyarov performance that I will most likely miss.

Enjoy the Olympics, Natalia! I will miss your reviews, as I always look forward to them. Thanks to the other reviewers. I am getting pumped for Sunday! Hopefully the conductor will be "up to tempo" by then.

[Cygnet]

Thanks YID and cinnamonswirl for braving the snow and white-outs for your reports !  Natalia have fun in Vancouver!
  
YID wrote:

Quote

I was pleased with Kondaurova's dancing, I'd compare her to Kunakova.

I'm so glad to hear that Katya danced beautifully.  YID, that is a great compliment.  Katya has the same grace and control that Lubov Kunakova had as Lilac and in the second variation in "Paquita."  For example, in the "Paquita" clip from New Years' Eve, Katya's approach, presence, phrasing - all were identical to Kunakova.  

Quote

. . . I would FIRE the conductor!!! (I felt it, and then dancers I talked with confirmed it) most variations were TOO slow, much slower tempo than at the dress rehearsal (or DVDs). And since it was unexpected, one could feel and see that dancers were waiting for the music. And then one dancer told me that Mr. Repnikov is not a conductor by training and it's his first time - alas. I bet with the proper tempo it would have looked much better.

Slightly ,
Alexei Repnikov's title at the MT is "Conductor of the Off-stage Band."  That means he would do things like cue the bells at the beginning of "Boris Godunov."   He also conducts the Grand Brass Ensemble that plays in the MT's dress circle.  It's very strange that they would send him to conduct the Mt. Everest of All Ballet Scores.  It sounds like this was his ballet conducting debut - on opening night in a major venue, when ballet conducting really isn't his forte.  But then again, it's not that strange: The Maryinsky has done this before with certain dancers.  IMO I think it would be better for Repnikov to pay dues in the pit at home first.

[YID]

Cygnet, on Feb 10 2010, 11:08 AM, said:

Slightly ,
Alexei Repnikov's title is "Conductor of the Off-stage Band" at the MT.  That would be like cueing the bells at the beginning of "Boris Godunov."  He conducts the Grand Brass Ensemble that plays in the MT's dress circle.  It's very strange that they would send him to conduct the Mt. Everest of All Ballet Scores, and on opening night in a major venue, when ballet conducting isn't his forte.  However, the Maryinsky has done this before with certain dancers.  IMO it would be better for Repnikov to pay dues in the pit at home first.

I would say it's not off-topic. Music is part of the ballet. And when i watched DVDw, i was stunned how well the steps and moves were orchestrated to the music, every foot step, every hand wave were to a music note, and some moves of Carabosse in Prelude, as if the music was speaking (in russian ;-)  (as if some particular lyrics was singing out of it).
So, it was frustrating to watch how dancers had to space out there steps to accept a SLOW tempo (comparing to DVDs). I initially blamed the Kennedy orchestra, but the dancers confirmed it's the unqualified conductor

[cinnamonswirl]

Thanks for the Bluebird correction, YID. That change wasn't announced, was it?

I didn't say anything about the orchestra because I feel like I complain about the orchestra every time I go to the Kennedy Center. But yes, the tempi would suddenly get very slow. And the orchestra was totally out of balance -- the brass was booming and drowned out the other sections. Repnikov clearly likes his brass.

I actually haven't seen ABT's Sleeping Beauty. It's always good to know there's something even worse to look forward to

The snow last night wasn't too bad -- it was actually raining when the ballet ended -- but given the blizzard conditions on at the moment, tonight's performance with Somova has been canceled. I wonder if they will re-jigger the remaining performances so she dances -- maybe with Tereshkina doing one performance instead of two? If they do, please, please, please let the Tereshkina/Shklyarov cast for Saturday stand!

Have fun at the Olympics, Natalia!

[YID]

cinnamonswirl, on Feb 10 2010, 02:23 PM, said:

.........The snow last night wasn't too bad -- it was actually raining when the ballet ended -- but given the blizzard conditions on at the moment, tonight's performance with Somova has been canceled. I wonder if they will re-jigger the remaining performances so she dances -- maybe with Tereshkina doing one performance instead of two? If they do, please, please, please let the Tereshkina/Shklyarov cast for Saturday stand!

oh mighty G-d, please keep Tereshkina/Shklyarov on Saturday, PLEASE

[Helene]

Yes, please, corrections when what's printed in the program (or not identified at all) doesn't match what's onstage are always welcome!

I'm disappointed to hear it was Zuzin who phoned in Bluebird though.  I liked him with the Mariinsky came to New York a few springs ago.

[Cygnet]

cinnamonswirl, on Feb 10 2010, 02:23 PM, said:

.........The snow last night wasn't too bad -- it was actually raining when the ballet ended -- but given the blizzard conditions on at the moment, tonight's performance with Somova has been canceled.

It's confirmed:  God is a registered voter.

[YID]

Helene, on Feb 10 2010, 03:38 PM, said:

I'm disappointed to hear it was Zuzin who phoned in Bluebird though.  I liked him with the Mariinsky came to New York a few springs ago.

I'd say compared to those 3 recordings i've seen last month - Zuzin was VERY good - to my taste. (and complain about Orchestra ;-))

[Natalia]

Cygnet, on Feb 10 2010, 04:12 PM, said:

cinnamonswirl, on Feb 10 2010, 02:23 PM, said:

.........The snow last night wasn't too bad -- it was actually raining when the ballet ended -- but given the blizzard conditions on at the moment, tonight's performance with Somova has been canceled.

It's confirmed:  God is a registered voter.

LOL!  And I bet this means that the casts will be shuffled...so perhaps it's Somova, rather than Terioshkina, tomorrow (Thursday)? That was to have been my performance, had my Olympic travels not changed. Let's see.

Zuzin was weak last spring, during the Mariinsky Festival. Everybody has been noticing this for a while. He was wonderful 3-4 years ago.

Notice about the cancellation:
http://www.kennedy-c...l...Findex.cfm?

[Jayne]

Injury?  Dance isn't like professional sport, where every medical condition is disclosed, analyized, discussed on talk radio, and the player is finally put on the disabled list.  Often we don't ever know if a dancer is injured, they either dance through it, or just drop off the schedule for a while...

Natalia, on Feb 10 2010, 04:37 PM, said:

Zuzin was weak last spring, during the Mariinsky Festival. Everybody has been noticing this for a while. He was wonderful 3-4 years ago.

[Jayne]

ok, now I'm totally going off topic...

Natalia - Enjoy the Olympics, I'm so jealous, I could not get tickets to any figure skating events.  I sincerely hope Domnina / Shabalin are at the top of their game, they looked wonderful last season in Spartacus, but after watching the Russian National Champs I wasn't really "feeling" their Requiem for a Dream free dance.  Spartacus was perfect for them, and enterpreted the ballet so beautifully.  Wish they had kept it for the Games.  Wish more dancers would enterpret the ballets.  Domnina looked beautiful as a brunette too!

[Helene]

To start to circle back to topic, in other Vancouver news the Uliana Lopatkina/Yuri Bashmet performance in the Cultural Olympiad is tonight:

http://www.vancouver...t_131938XN.html

[YID]

New Performance added & Casting changes - Matvienko only once, & more SOMOVA

Cancelled one - Wed., Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Aurora: Alina Somova
Prince Desire: Evgeny Ivanchenko
Lilac Fairy: Anastasia Kolegova

SAME -Thu., Feb. 11 & Sat., Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Aurora: Viktoria Tereshkina
Prince Desire: Vladimir Shklyarov
Lilac Fairy: Ekaterina Kondaurova

Somova instead of Matvienko -Fri., Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Aurora: Alina Somova
Prince Desire: Evgeny Ivanchenko
Lilac Fairy: Oksana Skoryk

SAME - Sat., Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Aurora: Anastasia Kolegova
Prince Desire: Anton Korsakov
Lilac Fairy: Alexandra Iosifidi

Same - Sun., Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Aurora: Anastasia Matvienko
Prince Desire: Maksim Zyuzin
Lilac Fairy: Oksana Skoryk

New One - Sun., Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Aurora: Alina Somova
Prince Desire: Evgeny Ivanchenko
Lilac Fairy: Oksana Skoryk