121 replies to this topic

[Roberto Dini]

MakarovaFan, on 02 July 2011 - 12:10 PM, said:

I hate to say it but Part is miscast in SL.  

Having seen Part and Bolle dance Swan Lake, I would hardly call her miscast.  She danced a stellar performance of Swan Lake that night.  I believe she will again.  Before that performance, I didn't understand the adulation that people had given her; however, her dancing that evening made me see what everyone was talking about.  It was a revelation compared to her early Sleeping Beauty performances.  Regardless of how she performed with Stearns, I don't think she is miscast in Swan Lake.

[Classic_Ballet]

I went last night and I have a completely different opinion to some people here.
Part performance was by far, in my opinion, the best of all week (I saw Irina, Gillian and Kent/Murphy on Thursday).
Her Odette is astonishing beautiful, musical, absolutely exquisite, with an unparalleled port-de-bras which also always respond to the music with perplexing perfection (no disorderly/unmusical swan-arms movement ever).

Having seen most of her performances on SL here, I agree that maybe last's year was better (2nd one) (it was a sublime night, which I will always remember), however,  last night was still an over the top performance.
Part is considered by critics in Europe (London and Russians) and for many people in the ballet world as one of the best Odette of her generation, of course, that doesnt mean that everyone has to like her, but from there to saying that she is a miscast on SL goes a long way.

Her Act II variation last night was sublime. She produced some remarkable moments, and even though her partnership with Stearns still needs improvements, it was definitely better than last's year (she danced SL twice last year, one with Cory and one with David). I was actually very impressed with Cory's improvement, especially on the artistry side.
True that he is still a work in progress, but I do see a big potential and more importantly, improvement in almost all departments. I think that with the right coaching and experience he can become in a really good/accomplished dancer/partner.
As a matter of fact, Bolle changed many of the liftings when he danced with Part, as David did as well. Cory did every single lifting and they looked real good. On the other hand, supported pirouetted did not look easy and there were some weird moments in the adagio mainly because I think he didnt positioned Veronika well.
Veronika danced secure in Act III, without any fireworks, but with power and beautiful (single fouettes, which ended right on with the music with a well executed double pirouette).
Unf in the worst Act IV in the world (I do agree strongly with Alasteir Mc., I always wonder how could someone create something so distasteful and anticlimactic with such a magnificent music) there was not much that Part could do,  although she did put a lot of emotion and the last good bye (before the awful Von Robart lifting and the running uphill to commit suicide) was very touching.

I was also very disappointed with Hammoudi performance. I had some hopes for him to make it all the way to the top, since his stage presence is superb. However, I dont know now after what I saw in Camelias and last night.Beside the partnering problem with poor Seo, his dancing was small, inconsistent, technically/artistically not accomplished. Hopefully it was all nerves and these problems will go away with experience, but I am worried, since carrying over the load of a full length ballet is something that not everyone can do.

As for the other 2 performances. I loved Kent's Act II very much, besides her diminished technique, her passion and musicality was so big that I just loved her to death. Beautiful !
Gillian was amazing as usual on Act III, but I think her previous injury may still have had a little impact on her since the swarm-arm fouettes were gone in both performances and she looked a little slow/uncontrolled (as for my standards with her jaw-dropping technique, of course) both nights. Her Odette was lovely, she is not the ultimate lyrical dancer but you can tell she has improved hugely her artistry....still I do agree with previous posts who mentioned that she was unmusical on Act II, especially in the adagio and part of the variation. On the spectacular side, her diagonal (at the end of Odette variation) was incredible, she threw triple or quadruple perfectly centered pirouettes, slowing them down with the music progressively, while moving her arms, which caused a tremendously beautiful visual effect, Brava !

As for Irina, again, more of the same. She has everything a ballerina needs to shine to the very top. Beauty, sky-high extensions, good technique, wonderful lines....everything..you named, however...., whenever I see her just getting the job done, as someone said before (so right !), its just terrible, its actually painful...those doll-like poses, in her perfectly measured, calculated performances, with no risk, nothing,  left me ice cold and with a pretty bad feeling.
Its incredible how a dancer like, for example, Reyes who is naturally not nearly gifted as Irina, always give 110% on stage, and that makes me feel, as an audience, very satisfied, despite shortcomings from lines, etc.....I have seen Irina pull out some amazing shows, but at this point I am kind of tired of so many disappointments....

[puppytreats]

The "New York Times" review of Jose's finale stated: "David Hallberg as the sorcerer von Rothbart. (Isaac Stappas played his nonhuman alter ego)."  Since I have not seen this version, please explain this statement.  The version I have seen also does not include Rothbart seducing anyone. Please describe this. Thank you.

[ksk04]

puppytreats, on 02 July 2011 - 05:48 PM, said:

The "New York Times" review of Jose's finale stated: "David Hallberg as the sorcerer von Rothbart. (Isaac Stappas played his nonhuman alter ego)."  Since I have not seen this version, please explain this statement.  The version I have seen also does not include Rothbart seducing anyone. Please describe this. Thank you.

You can see the Purple Pimp in action for yourself!!

[MRR]

I just got back from the evening SL show with Semionova and Gomes and just wanted to say that the two of them (Semionova especially) were glorious and were one of the best Swan Lake partnerships that I have ever seen.  I will post a more detailed review later.

[Waelsung]

MRR, on 02 July 2011 - 07:34 PM, said:

I just got back from the evening SL show with Semionova and Gomes and just wanted to say that the two of them (Semionova especially) were glorious and were one of the best Swan Lake partnerships that I have ever seen.  I will post a more detailed review later.

Mammmmma miaaa! Sweet Mary, Mother of God! What a performance!!!

I completely concur - Semionova was one of the best O/O I have ever seen and definitely the best in all my years of ABT-watching. Nobody even comes close, nobody - and I've seen most of them in the last - oh, way too many years.

Her partnership with Gomes was also superb - as good as he usually is, Semionova lifted him to an even higher level with her.

Overall, I think tonight was the first time I actually liked - really liked - this ridiculous production with its ridiculously circumcised final act.

Words fail me.

Just unforgettable  

[spinning2night]

so happy to hear that tonight's SL lived up/ perhaps exceeded expectations even with the casting change! I definitely can't wait to hear more.

Also, if anyone has anything to offer on Carreno's "true" last performance with the company, would love to hear

[Classic_Ballet]

Semionova and Marcelo brought ballet to a completely different level tonight.
This performance will stay in my mind as one of the most complete, balanced, emotional and technically accomplished performances
of all times. Def the best Swan Lake I have seen in many, many years.

The house went crazy, literally.
Marcelo's technique was as I never saw him before, he is always been magnificent, tonight was even more.
She just took everyone on a ride, the corps, everyone looked very different, the whole company

This ballerina is a true star.
Sublime beauty and musicality mixed with stunning technique and artistry.
Cant get better than this !

I saw Kevin m. and R. Moore, and I hope the members of the board were there too, they have to bring her here.

[Batsuchan]

I will echo all the praise for the AMAZING performance with Semionova/Gomes tonight!  As fantastic as Semionova was, Gomes was unbelievable!  He lifted the performance into the stratosphere!  And Polina clearly knew it--at the end, when she received her bouquets, she gave them both to Marcelo!!  So touching!!

I will expand on this more later, but I agree with Classic_Ballet, make Semionova a PERMANENT guest artist PLEASE!!!

[atm711]

[quote name='MakarovaFan' date='02 July 2011 - 04:10 PM' timestamp='1309637430' post='288440']

[atm711]

[quote name='MakarovaFan' date='02 July 2011 - 04:10 PM' timestamp='1309637430' post='288440']

[atm711]

I hardly agree that Part is miscast---I have seen all of her NY SL's and eagerly look forward each year to her one performance.  I fail to see why a Swan Queen of her stature has to have a novice Prince.  During the Act 2 adagio Stearns had to scurry twice to catch up with her---he looked like he was in a daze....I would like to believe that he was so transfixed by her beauty that he could not move
[/quote]

[Barbara]

I'm as blown away as all the other posters about the Polina/Marcelo performance last night. By far the best Swan Lake I've ever seen! She is sublime and he was having the time of his life, dancing to his utmost level and acting up a storm. As was said, the entire company was energized and gave it their all. Kevin MUST bring her back next year - and give David the chance he missed in SL this time around. I can't wait to see her again. Other notes: Sascha has improved his performance as VonRothbart from last year, I thought. Seemed more commanding of the stage (even tho he flubbed the final pirouettes a little). And in my book Roman Z can do no wrong. How he delivered a riveting performance in the swamp monster costume is beyond me, but he did! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo to all the performers last night, you made this audience member very happy! I have a couple of Sleeping Beauties ahead of me but I really feel like last night capped the season for me.

[bingham]

There is only one word why ABT should continue to invite guest stars..............POLINA!!! i hope permanently.

[kfw]

atm711, on 03 July 2011 - 04:00 AM, said:

I hardly agree that Part is miscast---I have seen all of her NY SL's and eagerly look forward each year to her one performance.

And I hope to see her reprise the role in D.C. I've seen her dance it twice there, including the week ABT filmed the ballet with Murphy. Would that they'd filmed Part's performance with Gomes instead.