zerbinetta

I rather suppose she needs to earn her keep while learning RB repertory & style.

Bouder is quite capable of poetry, as evidenced by her Emeralds last spring.

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Suzanne Farrell.  On video, at least, she is the epitome of a Deep Freeze.

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Suzanne cold? Egad!!!

She was the hottest of the hot.

Maybe you did have to be there.

So Acosta is only doing 2 Apollos & one Ali & that's it?

Better than nothing, I guess.

I was a little disappointed with Ansanelli's performance of La Valse.  She had made great strides two seasons ago in trying to make herself more of a classical ballerina -- her performances in Copellia, Harliquinade and Divert. #15 were very enjoyable.  Her solo in Harliquinade was very touching.  She seemed to let the dance and the music come out of her simply without any added emotion.  AA has done the same in the ballets Wheeldon has made for her.  However, in the past season and in La Valse, I saw more over-emoting.  It's like that old saying in writing, show don't tell.  Ansanelli tells us that she's excited to be at the ball in La Valse, she tells us that she's intrigued by the Death figure and the gloves, etc (usually with eye rolling and flirty looks and smiles)... but she doesn't show us in her dance.

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I believe this is known as The Dvorovenko Effect.

I've just read that Sean Doran, Artistic Director of the ENO, has resigned.

It's probably safe to say that nothing should be "judged" from rehearsals. Singers, actors, dancers, musicians all may "mark" at rehearsals, especially if they are saving themselves for a performance that night or the next.

Observations may certainly be made but perhaps not critiqued in a public forum.

Peter Martins. Although maybe cool would be a better description.

Miranda Weese? Hmm .. actually I find her warm & womanly but with a reserve, perhaps, rather than a coldness.

Farrell was amazing in La Valse. There was an erotic charge as she greeted Death . She felt his presence before she saw him & swooned with his embrace. A willing participant. And, yes, as she dove into the gloves she nearly salivated with delicious greed.

Another astonishing Farrell performance which is vivid in memory.

A very special Nutcracker indeed.

Sylve was a marvel. That "presentation of the foot" gets me every time .. & what gorgeous feet they are, strong, pliant & expressive.

Kyra was perhaps a more beautiful Dewdrop & Merrill perhaps more brilliant, but when Bouder appears onstage, the lights seem to become twice as bright. Her last turn in attitude seemed to last a week. Her use of rubato & witty musicality is thrilling.

Reichlen disappointed in Coffee. She did the steps well .. mostly .. but where were the perfumes of Araby? She was more like the best girl in yoga class. It will probably come; she's cast a lot in the role, but at the moment, not a clue.

Maries usually don't knock me out, but Isabella De Vivo is something special. A tall brunette Marie, unusual in itself, with long beautifully arched feet, exquisit epaulement & an innate musicality.

The Fritz, Sebastien Peskind, was not the usual manic pest but rather sweet, with a face straight off a Botticelli poster.

Amar was Mother Ginger in Little Richard mode. Very funny. Tinsley was a rather subdued Marzipan.

Amanda & Oberon, you are totally correct.Hyltin is tiny, you betcha.

I was getting Sterling & Savannah mixed up. The "S" girls. Not the dancers but the names.

Hyltin is doing Marzipan which promises to be special.

The new Ballet Review includes a wonderful article on Soloviev which consists of several interviews with contemporaries, all of whom seemed to care deeply for him. You may find it of interest.

Sibley must have been wishful thinking on my part.

There are several recordings of the opera "Manon". My favorite is a live Met recording with a sumptuous Carol Vaness & the incomparable Alfredo Kraus. It may be available at live-rare-opera.com.

If you are looking for the music used in MacMillan's ballet, however, don't buy the opera as none of the opera's music is in the ballet. It is Massenet, yes, but a pastiche of various other works.

You should be able to get a copy of the Royal Ballet's "Manon" with Sibley & Dowell.

The boys who came up with Jason Fowler & were paired with him often have all been promoted & Fowler is still in the corps.

To my eye, he is the most interesting & the best partner.

Curious.

Hyltin is small really? I am surprised as she was cast in the second girl role in Rubies which is usually cast tall. & she did look taller than Weese who is sort of medium.

Casting for comic effect? Isn't there about a foot difference between short Ulbricht & long Hyltin?

Someone else maybe was in the Tarantella?

Pace darling Fernando.

And thank you.

Who gets to be Elssler and refuse to take part?

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That may have been Acosta, who was listed as taking part in the original announcement .. which I no longer have so delete this if necessary.

Does not a female need to put a coin in the slot for access to the individual bathroom cubicles in the theatres anymore? This female did but, I grant, it has been at least 5 years since my last trip.

Also, Helene, I found some wonderful restaurants (names forgotten if ever learned) along the banks of the Seine, just stumbling on them in fits of hunger. But then I don't think I ever had a bad meal in Paris.

The Bastille is a great house, wonderful sightlines, And excellent signage.

You won't be forced to check your coat but, if you do, a gratuity will be expected. Same for your program & the paper in the loo.

Most French in positions of dealing with the public do speak English .. most, not all.

Phrase I frequently find useful: "Ou est le cabinet de toilette?"

Thanks, Joe.

Two MacMillan ballets, yesh.  I'll be at the State Theater with you, Carbro.

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zerbinetta will be joining you both.

According to the dance mailer I received about a month ago from City Center it is this foursome (+1) on those dates.

It included ABT's current season, Ailey & Paul Taylor for a special discount subscription rate.