annamk

I haven't the knowledge to comment on all the technical problems volcanohunter identifies in the dancing of Chudin last night but it seemed to me that Smirnova and Chudin gave an exquisitely danced performance of Diamonds that was full of grace and soul. It certainly outshone the home company's offerings in this ballet. Maybe that accounts for the audience reaction although IMO "whoop and holler" is a "way over the top" description of their appreciation.

Bit of a long shot this I know ...... I'm wondering there are any pointers in how Bolshoi casting generally works as to whether Onegin casts are likely to be the same when it's performed again in October.

Natalia Osipova was better than I feared she might be given subdued reports of her debut in the role but not as good as I had (optimistically) hoped she might be: so she didn't pull off an O/O the equivalent of her extraordinary Bolshoi Giselle at the Royal Opera House. In summary, last night was a very commendable O/O but not one that engaged and moved me profoundly although it's been quite difficult for me to pinpoint why. I'm not an expert in technical specifics but I thought her dancing was very strong : balances, jumps, fouettes were all accomplished with ease. Some of her "swan" movements and gestures looked rather awkward as if she wasn't entirely at ease in the character. What was also lacking at times was a sense of the tragedy and vulnerability of Odile. It's not to say that pathos was absent but I felt she played Odile "big" particularly early on. (I realise that Odile and Kitri are roles which are deemed to play to her strengths but the vulnerable side of her Giselle was astonishing.) It will be interesting to see how her performance changes over her 3 shows since she was probably nervous last night: her partner and the RB production with all the mime are I think new to her. There was a HUGE roar for her at the curtain calls, so the audience certainly appreciated her. Carlos Acosta was remarkable for a man in the twilight of his career, noticeably better than he was a couple of years ago. Of course he doesn't quite have the energy of a young man but his warmth and elegance combined with his perfect partnering, wonderful elevation and great jumps made his performance a total pleasure to watch. The RB production itself is horribly dated and cluttered, but Clement Crisp in his FT review has made all those points for me.

I'm glad you enjoyed the performance, I watched it at the Royal Opera House. Fille is one of my favourite ballets: when it's well danced and the comic timing is spot on, the feeling of warmth and happiness it generates can last for days. I loved the performance last night and as it was broadcast live it was a relief that there were no technical hitches with all the ribbons or with the little pony ! I thought Steven and Roberta's charcacterisation was very convincing. She plays a naughtier Lise than others which works well for the comedy aspect and she gives Steven a warmth that he sometimes doesn't naturally have. His solo dancing was, as always, highly accomplished and the difficult lifts were executed with relative ease. I think he gets a good balance between the touching tenderness of the romantic pdd and the athleticism of the bravura pdd. Steven and Roberta's joy & energy on stage lifts the company and last night everyone looked as though they were thrilled to be there. In the programme notes David Vaughan talks about the ribbons and the maypole: he writes that when Colas runs in and lifts Lise "and the ribbons flutter down - the lovers have relinquished all other ties but the bonds of love." Awwwwww ........

I registered a while ago but I haven't posted & I'm finally getting around to introducing myself. I'm not connected to the dance world, I'm just a balletomane. I live in London and I follow classical and contemporary ballet/dance here, mainly I'm a regular at the RB. Above all though I love the Bolshoi & Mariinsky.