campvaldes

I was profoundly saddened and affected by the attack. The area around the twin towers is one of my favorite places in NYC. ONe of my loves, other than ballet, are maritime issues, esp. ships....and history in general. That area has an abundance of both. Now, sadly, that area will be better known as a sight of carnage. Damn those murderers. That area is the beginning and continuing story of NYC. I MAY have lost a classmate from highschool, who was a fireman. That is the worst. I have been crying and at the same time could not pull myself from the TV or radio.....my love of history. I want those responsible to pay, but not the people of Afghan, who are mostly women and children, many of them -500,000-orphaned. The Russians already has left the country in ruin. Just kill off the Telliban and Bin Laubin. I am afraid that will be extremely difficult, with many pitfalls.....like World War.

My mother wanted me to see Nureyev in 1973. I was not interested in "seeing a fag dancing". A typical response from a boy of 16 at the time! In 1974, I saw pictures of Rudi in a Life mag. from the mid-60's. I was amazed by the elevation of his leaps. I then asked my mother if he used a trampoline! She said, "No dummy, that is the guy I wanted to take you to see dance last year. I saw him in "Sleeping Beauty" with the National Ballet of Canada. I never looked back!!!!!!!!!!!!1

OK, even if you don't think them as topnotch dancers, are you not troubled by the criticism of Stevenson's casting them in ballets, like the Nutcracker??????? [ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: campvaldes ]

Reading the previous post made me think up these questions: 1)If Anderson & Acosta are so great (and I think they are after seeing them in Don Q., in WASH.DC), how come they have not been to NYC more than once or twice? NYC..the "DANCE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"!?!? THEY HAVE GUESTED TOGETHER OR SOLO IN MANY CITIES ALL OVER THE EARTH!!!! 2) Ben Stevenson said that people have questioned his judgement casting A&A in ballets like "Nutcracker". This sets up a troubling situation. First, they might not have seen A&A dance, and they have criticized S anyway. Or, more troubling, they have seen A&A dance, and don't like two black ballet dancers performing in certain ballets, no matter their talent & artistry. Now, I know that ballet fans in Houston adore A&A for the most part. Maybe Stevenson's critics are really not ballet fans, but simply people who are prejudiced. BUT, prejudice is a subject that rears its ugly head from time to time.

I agree with you, about ballet and its specialization. But, I disagree with your point about Desmond's capabilities in ballet. In that case, on the flip side, why are ballet dancers doing modern works, they don't look "exactly right" either. But the public still seems to enjoy these excursions?????

Desmond Richardson is primarily modern dancer. But, Ailey dancers are trained rigorisly in ballet. All I am saying is that when you allow such a talent into a co., you can see in a REP. EVE. if he could do it.I think he can do a lead row in a classical ballet. Ballet dancers and companies crossover to take on modern works all the time. Why is it assumed, that it can't be the other way. With Anderson& Acosta, yes they are the exceptions. That I can see. But, even there, they are thought of as Black Ballet Dancers 1st. [ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: campvaldes ] [ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: campvaldes ]

It really saddens me that with dancers like the ones at DTH, Lauren Anderson, a Priniple Dancer in the Deep South of Houston, Carlos Acosta, it just seems to me that ballet companies ,at least in the NE US,are resistent to allowing ballet dancers of color the chance to star in the Swan Lakes, the Giselles and other established and revered parts that are part of the barometer you use to evaulate a career in ballet. You figure that they would at the very least try to tap a set of demographic populations, that might go to a perf., and realize they might want to go and see some more ballet and dance.

Who was your favorite Giselle, Odile/Odette, Kitri, Albrecht, Siegfried, Basil. Any role in any ballet, that has touched you. Here is my list, to start things up: 1- Giselle: Makarova- She was vulnerable in the 1st act. In A2, she was Giselle's spirit like it should be: ghostly, yet noble. 1a- Albrecht: Nureyev- He was the ultimate cad in A1. He was a haunted shell of a man in A2. 2-Odette/Odile: Makarova- The body and limbs of a swan. She was tender and delicate as the White Swan. The most supple of arms at her final exit in A2. An alluring and a most devious Black Swan. She had the technique to boot. She is not the prettiest woman....but she had the ability to make herself appealing.2a-Siegfreid: Nureyev: He was always as S, both a young man wanting to enjoy his youth, but also worrying about his mother's expectations and his princely duties. I truly felt that he fell in love in A2. He is mesmerized and then horrified that he is duped in A3, but he takes responsibility and confronts Von R. in A4. Heroic! 3-Kitri- Nina Anashavelli: Always plays the character to the hilt. Her details in her acting and dancing gives her interpretation a flirtacious hue, that fits the role perfectly. 3a- A tie between Jose Manuel Carreno and Julio Bocca. Besides being great dancers, they are great partners. They also are good comedic actors. Another great Basil, is Carlos Acosta. [ 07-24-2001: Message edited by: campvaldes ]

Dear Mel: I would just like to bring up Desmond Richardson's career at ABT. He was brought in only to dance Othello, as the one lead role he danced in two years with ABT. The other "major" roles he danced, that I saw him in, was Carabose in Sleeping Beauty and Tybalt in Romeo. Now these are "character roles" that older dancers would normally do. But, Desmond who was in some of his prime years, was not used correctly to me. I know that he is not of as a classical ballet dancer primarily. But, coming from a company like Ailey, he should have been given a chance to perform in more classical roles. A great dancer, not at all testing his potential. I don't pretend to know the whole story. But, Mel, your question, and looking at this subject while thinking about Desmond got me writing. It has bothered me for a few years.

I saw their performance in Boston with the Royal Ballet. Their performances in Swan Lake were just great. The potential for a world-class partnership is there!!! Will they have the opportunity to develop as a team???? Time will only tell. Any other new duos with potential out there??????? Please let us know!!!!

To see people who are the supreme examples of atheletic/artistic prowness, is a joy. To see ballet at its best, is to see humans at their best. I see the work, time, and pain that dancers go through to give us a balletic performance. I am into sports also. But, so many athletes are cheating with performance enhancing drugs, that the joy has been taken out of watching the Olympics, Tour De France, and other sporting events. Ballet, I think and hope, seems to be unaffected by performance boosting drugs. Maybe I am bringing up a taboo subject????????? largely, .

My major peeves: 1- Dancers who don't finish a variation cleanly. 2- People who can't wait for at least an "applause break" to take out candy from a wrapper. 3- People who ask for autographs from any type of performing artist who is watching a performance with family or companions. Talking to them is one thing. Asking for an autograph, is another thing.

I remember when I was interviewed for a job in a performing arts institution. I could not believe all the "gay" people. But, someone told me to shutup and just do the job. I was 19 and homophobic, to say the least! But, I found out that we are all human beings. We have much more in common, than not. I also found out over the years how tough ballet dancers have to be. A recent study, published in the N.Y. Times, concluded that ballet dancers obtain just as many severe injuries as football players. 'Nuff said!!!!

When I see a dancer fall, I just worry whether they are hurt. When the Cuban Ballet was at the Met in 1979 or 1980- I saw the Myrta (Queen of the Willies) collapse on stage...and not get up. She was moaning in what must have been incredible pain. The curtain came down. The only time I ever saw something like this. This made me realize how fragile dancers' careers are. They live on the edge, even during rehearsals.

I agree with Paul W. I saw the 6191 eve. performance of the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake. The company looked in great shape. Rojo and Acosta.......you had to be there to see them! Rojo was doing 4 turns on her foutees! Acosta is at the same time a powerful and elegant dancer. They are a great duo! I wish we could get them to N.Y.C.!!!!!!!!!!!