michaelbaker

does anyone know if this documentary is still available and if so, where?

if you go to "operadeparis.fr" you should be able to find a diagram of the auditorium of the Bastille. I just booked tickets at the Garnier for September and I had the same problem. You cannot specify a seat, just the general area which is a bit frustrating. they do however have a "preview" facility within the booking site which you if you click on will give you a view of the stage from your seat, which is very useful. Good luck. Michael

Michael Baker well it's nice to know that you don't have to be British to appreciate Frederick Ashton's ballets. my dream list of DVD's would include the original cast of "Dance at a Gathering" (which I had the good fortune to see back in the 1970's,)the original cast of "Symphonic Varations" and "Birthday Offering" as well as "Voluntaries" Glen Tetley choreographed the latter in hommage to John Cranko after his death and done for the Stuttgart Ballet. This, I also saw with the original cast.

i have the POB version of Paquita by Pierre Lacotte on DVD and the dancing is marvellous. Certainly well worth buying.

(quote) i have danced Fille many times in a couple of different companies and I agree with the fact that it is probably one of the quintessential English ballets. A perfect ballet to take the "first timer" to. (quote)

was reading through peoples' comments on Odile and her fouettes when I came across someone's comments on Makarova. She came to guest with my company in Swan Lake and I consider her to be the definative Odette/Odile but I do concede that there were nights where she struggled with those damned fouettes. It didn't alter the fact though that she was one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation. someone else asked what do ballerinas substitute fouettes with (apart from obvious pique turns). someone at the Royal Ballet (i think it was nadia nerina) reportedly did 32 entrechat six instead. she could do the fouettes effortlessly as well. thanks for the great site regards Michael

Hi all.. I hope you find what you are looking for. When I was a young ballet student growing up in my native New Zealand a touring group came from the Kirov. One of the dancers was Yuri Soloviev. I used to go to performances night after night sitting high up in the "gods". From where I sat to the stage, the view was somewhat distorted, almost like being directly above the dancers, but despite that, Soloviev's batterie was text book perfection and his elevation outstanding. I always wondered why he was always slightly "marginalised" though. He was truly a magnificent dancer, and in my opinion, somewhat underrated. Does anyone know if "Bringing Back Balanchine" was ever released commercially in the US (or anywhere else for that matter?) thanks Michael Baker

I am visiting St Petersburg very briefly in September and would like to watch a ballet class at the Vaganova ballet academy. Does anyone know how I could arrange this? I have been in touch with the academy directly and at their request, submitted my resume (CV). To date, no response. thanks and regards Michael Baker former principal dancer and teacher

would anyone know if there is film footage commercially available on nadia nerina? thanks