Anna P

I did not realise you also went to Friday's performance- I wonder- how did the two performances compare? On Sunday, the two dancers had plenty of energy, although I realise they must be very tired after such a long tour! As I was leaving, I did notice a car outside the Stage Door- my friends and I thought that was the car which would take Osipova and Vasiliev away! PS. Oh what I would give to see that photo!

Thank you for your reply, Sunday. Apart from Osipova and Vasiliev, which other dancers did you manage to see? I too wanted to wait for them at the Stage Door but my friend did not want to stand outside for more than an hour. Also we were not sure if they were even going to come out or sneak away through another door- after all, I have only seen evening performances at Covent Garden and those usually finish past 10.30pm which is too late to wait for them to come out. The next time I see a matinee performance, I would most definitely like to get their autographs. I hope the dancers are usually nice and that they stop for a photograph also!

Wow Sunday, I'm so jealous that you got their autographs! Just wondering, how long did you have to wait for them to come out? Did you have to wait outside the stage door or do you go inside? Did they sign everyone's program or did they have to leave quickly in their car? I would love to wait for the dancers next time.

I saw the last performance of Don Q with Osipova and Vasiliev- it was truly a performance to remember. I lost count of the number of curtain calls*- the audience just did not want to let them leave! Spartacus got a standing ovation but this was even better, possibly because it was the last performance of the Bolshoi season at Covent Garden. Osipova and Vasiliev were absolutely perfect. When they were on stage, I couldn't take my eyes off them; they just commanded your attention with their virtuostic dancing that all the other dancers, as talented as they are, just paled in comparison. So many times did the audience gasped as Vasiliev flew into the air and his jumps just seemed to hang in mid-air. I had seen the grand pas de deux on youtube many times and so for me, it did not seem as special as I already had high expectations. What I found particularly entertaining was the acting and dancing in Act 1- the chemistry between the 2 dancers could not have been better :I know that they are a real-life couple but even so, their cute, flirty grins just captured the heart of everyone in the auditorium. Vasiliev was also impressive in his 'death' scene in Act 2, although it was very similar to Baryshnikov's version (but maybe they are all like that?). There are those who say that Osipova and Vasiliev are not 'classically' trained enough and only 'show off' their high jumps and turns but for me, they were the true stars in London. I believe they are setting the new standard in ballet- I also saw Maria Alexandrova in Le Corsaire and despite her mature and majestic style of dancing, I would still prefer Osipova. The huge crowd of people standing at the stage door after the performance just shows how much they are loved at Covent Garden. I really hope they return soon. *I would like to ask for the definition of curtain calls- how exactly do you count them? From Wikipedia, it says that the record is over a hundred by Pavarotti and I remember reading somewhere that in ballet, Fonteyn and Nureyev received over 60? At the end of the performance, the curtain rises and the characters comes out and take their bows- so it that just one curtain call? In larger opera houses like ROH, the curtain then closes and usually only the main character comes out to take a bow in front of the curtain. Do you count how many times they come out? Thanks

I agree. It was truly a performance to remember. I lost count of the number of curtain calls*- the audience just did not want to let them leave! Spartacus got a standing ovation but this was even better, possibly because it was the last performance of the Bolshoi season at Covent Garden. Osipova and Vasiliev were absolutely perfect. When they were on stage, I couldn't take my eyes off them; they just commanded your attention with their virtuostic dancing that all the other dancers, as talented as they are, just paled in comparison. So many times did the audience gasped as Vasiliev flew into the air and his jumps just seemed to hang in mid-air. I had seen the grand pas de deux on youtube many times and so for me, it did not seem as special as I already had high expectations. What I found particularly entertaining was the acting and dancing in Act 1- the chemistry between the 2 dancers could not have been better :I know that they are a real-life couple but even so, their cute, flirty grins just captured the heart of everyone in the auditorium. Vasiliev was also impressive in his 'death' scene in Act 2, although it was very similar to Baryshnikov's version (but maybe they are all like that?). There are those who say that Osipova and Vasiliev are not 'classically' trained enough and only 'show off' their high jumps and turns but for me, they were the true stars in London. I believe they are setting the new standard in ballet- I also saw Maria Alexandrova in Le Corsaire and despite her mature and majestic style of dancing, I would still prefer Osipova. The huge crowd of people standing at the stage door after the performance just shows how much they are loved at Covent Garden. I really hope they return soon. *I would like to ask for the definition of curtain calls- how exactly do you count them? From Wikipedia, it says that the record is over a hundred by Pavarotti and I remember reading somewhere that in ballet, Fonteyn and Nureyev received over 60? At the end of the performance, the curtain rises and the characters comes out and take their bows- so it that just one curtain call? In larger opera houses like ROH, the curtain then closes and usually only the main character comes out to take a bow in front of the curtain. Do you count how many times they come out? Thanks

Thanks for the reply, DanceActress! Wow- surely this must the third nutcracker with Miyako? I recall RB releasing one with her and Johnathan and then the BRB production with Irek. I've never been a huge fan of the nutcracker but I presume that Miyako must be a perfect sugarplum fairy? Can anyone recommend which version I should buy?

Thanks for that! Most likely will be getting that- esp with Acosta in the Judas Tree! Meanwhile, I've noticed that they are also releasing a Nutcracker, well according to hmv. http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=12;5;221;-1;34&sku=223688 Anyone know who the lead dancers are?

Anna, I checked the seating chart for Osipova/Vasiliev Don Q and there are Stalls seats in all rows (save for row A), both center aisle and sides. I'm not an ROH member; I got the email from Hochhauser because I had bought tickets on line some years ago when the Bolshoi performed in London, thus I was on his mailing list. Thanks for that! I just hope there will still be seats left when I book in April! I guess I just have to book as early as I can... Ahh...I still don't know whether to see Don Q or Spartacus!

I just bought tickets for Vasiliev's Spartacus in London and some other perfs. by internet (through Hochauser's email for priority ticket purchase good today, Mar 31, and tomorrow, April 1 only). It's so annoying that you need to be a member to book the tickets...did u get a good seat for Spartacus with Ivan? Do u know whether there are any good seats left (stalls) for the performances, esp Don Q with Natalia and Ivan?

Just wondering if anyone has seen this and know whether it's worth buying. I've never seen Miyako dance (though have heard a lot of good things about her) and unfortunately I'm not a big fan of Watson. There doesn't seem to be a clip/trailer or anything on Youtube so it would be great if someone could give me a review or something. Thanks.

It's so hard to choose which one to see! I don't know what my schedule is like in the summer but if I can only see one- I think I will see Don Q with Natalia and Ivan (it would be a dream to see them live!). Having said that I also want to see Spartacus with Ivan and Tsiskaridze in Giselle. Which one would you guys see?

Hey! Just thought I will bring this thread back up :-) I recently bought the DVD and have just finished watching it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Cojocaru was absolutely magnificent! I really love her dancing and the Rose Adgaio was just perfect! However, I'm not too sure about Federico Bonelli. What do you guys think of him? I thought he had some really clean leaps but I didn't particularly enjoy his dancing- I would definitely have prefered Johan Kobborg as I believe he and Alina would have had much better chemistry (for obvious reasons ;-) ). I was also reading this article at ballet.co.uk and just thought this paragraph about Federico was interesting... "Discussing Sleeping Beauty, Federico felt that the technical side was challenging, though the character is ‘just’ a fairy tale prince. He recalled that one night Johan Kobburg was injured so Federico’s first Sleeping Beauty was being sent on from the wings to dance with Alina Cojocaru. He had to change very quickly from his street clothes. He had no make up or boots. He had to dye his shoes with tea. He said that at least no-one can blame you in these circumstances if something goes wrong! " He's not talking about this performance on dvd is he? I knew he replaced Kobborg but I wouldn't have thought it was a last minute thing? Does anyone know more? Oh and here's the link to the article if anyone is interested. :-) http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_06/ma...i_interview.htm

Hey Everyone! Thanks so much for your replies! :-) I will now reconsider buying those books.

Hello everyone! I'm writing to ask if anyone has read these two books and whether they are worth buying. Nureyev- The Life by Julie Kavanagh and Baryshnikov at Work- Alfred A.Knope I just want to see what other fans think of these books before I buy them because they are quite expensive. Thanks in advance!