31 replies to this topic

[Nanatchka]

I like the more specialized shout-outs, like" Brava La Prima." On rare occasion, I've been known to yell it.  (Note:I grew up hearing my father yell it, so it feels nostalgic and appropriate to me.)There are two choreographers whom I  greet with "Bravo" when they walk on stage for bows. For one of them, I rise to my feet at the same time. I don't give a xxx's xxs what anyone around me thinks about it. But my enthusiasm is nothing compared to Mark Morris's--he really whoops it up when he likes something, as does his company member Guillermo (Didi) Resto. It's very pleasant. However, my all time favorite is a dancer and later choreographer named Keith Young. (You may remember him from Twyla Tharp--he danced the first duet in Sinatra--Strangers in the Night, swooping onstage carrying Shelly Washington over his head--too fabulous, but I digress.) Keith used to give utterance to amazing wolf howls at curtain, perhaps because his then wife was in the company taking the bow. It was a kind of mating call. Clapping is always good, though. If you do it right, you can kind of exercise your upper arms. (Hey Manhattnik, instead of leaving for drinks, how about isometrics in our seats???!) How about a thread on booing and hissing???? So many dances, so little time....

[casloan]

Gerald Arpino does, too.  Not quite whooping and hollering -- but definitely applauding and beyond. I usually agree with him.

Claudia

[aubri]

nothing impressive about that, it's my first language:)

[Treefrog]

I've also noticed that Mr. Arpino claps (or, indeed, shouts "Bravo" or, I hope, its proper form -- I haven't noticed).  Although I often agree with him, I also have the impression that he is cheerleading -- stirring up the audience to respond.  It works admirably.  The volume rises noticeably.  Who can fault him?  But it seems kind of ...deceptive?

I was fortunate to learn my bravo/brava/bravi from my daughters' violin teacher.  When one of them would finish a piece she would clap and exclaim, "Brava! Brava!"  One day when I got roped into playing a piano accompaniment, she changed to "Bravi!  Bravi tutti!"  (Knowing what I now know, I suppose it should have been "Brave!  Brave tutte!")

[ShesnoFonteynsMom]

Ditto the bravo for Keith Young.  He was always wonderful when he danced with the Twyla troup.  Too bad he got panned by the critics for his first big choreographic attempt in NYC.

[BW]

Hate to show my ignorance but since we are on this particular forum, I'll plunge ahead:) Who is Gerald Arpino? And what did Keith Young choreograph that got panned in NY and when? Do I take it that you who've written about these two have been sitting near them as members of the same audience?

Thanks!

[ShesnoFonteynsMom]

Broadway, under the auspices of the Public Theatre, 3 yrs ago,
'On the Town"?

[Treefrog]

Gerald Arpino is the founder and artistic director of The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.  He was Robert Joffrey's partner in founding the original Joffrey Ballet, of which he was the associate director.  According to the Joffrey website, he has choreographed about a third of the company's repertoire.

Nope, I don't sit near him -- but I do have a very clear view of him.  He has his own box seat, I'm up in the balcony.

[Farrell Fan]

Back before the Joffrey moved to Chicago, I used to see Gerald Arpino bravoing and applauding enthusiastically for his company at City Center in New York. I remember always marveling at the sight, because I was used to the New York City Ballet at the New York State Theater, where my wife and I had subscription seats across the aisle from Lincoln Kirstein, co-founder of that company. Mr. Kirstein never bravoed and seldom smiled. To the best of my recollection I saw him applaud only once, for a matter of seconds. I wish I could remember the occasion -- I think it must have been for a guest artist.

[smile]

Before reading this post, I had no idea about the difference between the Bravo family. Now when I go to a ballet, i can use those words in confidence. This was a great topic by the way.

[casloan]

I now sit on the main floor at Chicago's wonderful Auditorium Theater for the Joffrey season.  But, I, too, have an excellent view of Mr. Arpino in his box at stage left.  Harriet Ross, Artistic Manager, usually accompanies him.  Harriet and I know one another from her tenure as assistant artistic director at the (now, alas, defunct) Joseph Holmes company, where I was, for a time, a board member.

[BW]

Many thanks for telling me who everyone is! I applaud Mr. Arpino for his enthusiasm! I think it's too bad that Mr. Kirstein held back so....at least, I hope he was holding back!

[BryMar1995]

I love to shout and applaud loudly when a performance warrants it.  I learned bravo, brava, bravi at the arts school I attended when I was a student because of the music  and opera concerts on campus, and by hanging out with my colleagues who were singers.  We were educated to know the difference, just as Septime is educating those children who attend Washington Ballet's children's show.  But does one have to be conversant in Italian or French to be a repectable ballet or opera fan?  I think it certainly helps, but cheering in Italian may be a behavior that makes ballet a little scary or inaccessible to public who may be new to ballet (Not to mention the matter of incorrect usage of a wonderful language).  I often whistle my approval when I like a performance (more to add to the clamour and general commotion during possitive ovations, and not, in the European sense, to show disrespect, dirision or disapproval.  Some European audiences will stomp their feet, or clap in unison to show approval).  I will sometimes shout out the performer's name when they take their bow (MARGOT!!! or RUDY!!) And when really excited, nothing suffices like a whoop or YOW!  My assumption being that, the greater the volume of the general response, the more the performers will be aware of the audience approval.  While I run the risk of appearing gauche, I wonder if there are means of showing approval in the theater other than applauding, that are uniquely American, and are even remotely acceptable.  Do people need a course in ballet appreciation before going to the theater, or should I (and others) relax and be comfortable with our boisterous American cultural style?
Rick:)

[BW]

Oh, Rick, you should do whatever you want! Somehow, I think you already knew that.  

The worst thing in the world, to me, would be to have someone feel stifled by cultural norms. ;)

As for what form of appreciation is typically American, I'm sure there will be others who will respond later... I, too, have be known to whistle at performances...but only those in which my offspring is dancing.

I also do stand up and clap very loudly with a big smile on my face if I really love something - I wonder if the "standing ovation" is considered universal?

[Manhattnik]

Back when, I used to say it with flowers. But that requires a certain amount of planning in advance.