little-junkie

Natalia, it's funny, 6 performances in total, we each saw 3 of them. You were right about Vishneva's "silly dance" in Act 2 I went to see Sat matinee (Kondaurova & Ivanchenko), Sat evening (Vishneva & Matvienko), and Sun evening (Lopatkina & Korsuntsev). In a sense, I believe the size of the stage did directly affect the performances. Timofeev, due to the little "stumble" at the end of his Golden Idol solo on Sat evening, held back quite a bit on Sun evening to allow space and maintain his balance with his final jump. Korsuntsev slowed down at the end of his solo, both in Act 2 & 3, for the same purpose. With the scenery, the extras, all the dancers on stage, the place was "stuffed" with very little extra room left. If they have gone full force, they might have gone off the stage easily. If I "have" to compare all three Nikiyas, I found Vishneva's interpretation extremely moving, especially in Act 2. I couldn't help but felt so sad for her. I won't go any further with the comparison. That was the first time I saw Kondaurova, Ivanchenko, Vishneva, both A and D Matvienko, Lopatkina, and Korsuntsev live on stage, so I was happy.

I know it's been a while before this post had another reply but here is my first live Giselle... I remember one day my aunt took me to a theatre, I was probably 4 or 5, and I remember the line-up before seated. I remember seeing a girl and a guy dancing together and was interrupted by another guy on stage, and was extremely confused about the story and bored, then I fell asleep. That is my first live Giselle. Not until some year later, on June 5, 1988 to be exact, I went to see Giselle with one of my friends, and then right when Hilarion came out and questioned Giselle about her love to Albrecht in Act 1, I suddenly remembered that it was Giselle that my aunt took me to see. By the way, my "second" live Giselle was with Hong Kong Ballet, a matinee, with Ayako Yoshikawa as Giselle and Mark Hawkins as Albrecht (not sure if anyone has heard of them, Hong Kong Ballet was a young and much smaller company back then). I have kept the program all these years and it's still like new.

Back stage photos from NAC Dance on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40735&id=186144584739250 Opening performance review (with rehearsal pictures and short video clip): http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Review+Bayad%C3%A8re+Mariinsky+Kirov+Ballet/4347131/story.html Interview with Diana Vishneva : http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/stage/stage.aspx?iIDArticle=21296

Just found this on Facebook from The Daily: Disciplined and determined, the ballerina strives for perfection and a moment in the spotlight. Natalie Portman's portrayal of Nina Sayers was art imitating a dedicated and often painful life. The Daily interviews Maria Riccetto, an American Ballet Theatre dancer. By Elizabeth Saab and Chavie Lieber (David Hallberg and Susan Jaffe are also in it)

Angelique, that is why I wanted to see live performance in person

PHEW!! Natalia you had me scared for a moment... 'cos I just got the tickets for Sat evening and Sun evening. But if things change for whatever reason, I will just enjoy my weekend with the Kirov I'm quite interested in seeing Somova actually. From the clips I have seen of her, somehow I feel there's always a disconnection from the story or the characters she protrays, just my opinion. She's very easy on the eyes as a dancer, but sometimes it just doesn't cut it. I wonder if she has matured more as an artist, that's what I'm curious about.

vipa, yes I have seen that clip. I was very intrigued.

I don't mean to post off topic information but I can't use PM yet. Natalia, the weather will be mild, and Sat will be sunny so A LOT OF PEOPLE will be hitting the canal. Go early in the morning, the ice will be in better condition than when it has a few thousand people skating on it. Skate rental is available so that's one option you may consider, but again, they might run out if there are too many skaters at once. If you and your husband don't mind Japanese food, go to Genji (3 blocks south of Lord Elgin Hotel) for a dinner before the evening performance. Check out Al's steakhouse on Elgin St. if you prefer Western food. And most importantly, enjoy the performances, because I will

Hi everyone, I just joined this forum yesterday. I'll introduce myself starting with my ballet background. I start studying ballet when I was 11. First it was a pass time activity my parents tried to keep me and my sister active and occupied over the weekend. Then I got very serious about the dance, the movements, the ballets and everything related to it when I was about 13 or 14, and was absolutely passionate about dancing, and I've been hooked ever since. After I was 16, I took lessons on and off but never really stopped thinking about it. Then the passion manifested itself into an obsession. I started to analyze the stories and the characters behind each ballet, compared the style of each (well) known dancers, borrowed all the books I could get a hold on in the library, looked up all the out of print publications, recorded performances, interviews, video clips (youtube couldn't come at a better time!) for any clue or information I couldn't get in general, all the how and when and where and what and why... So this forum is great, and as stated in the topic title, I have no idea why I didn't join sooner...but I'm glad I'm here.

Speaking of "breaking the bank", that is actually the reason why I opt out on Sunday afternoon performance. I WAS originally thinking of attending 4 performances this weekend. My wallet is already hurting... LOL but hey you gotta do what you gotta do. Natalia, please let us know about Somova's performance after, I'd be all ears.

I'm interested in what you think of Daniil Simkin, one of the current ABT soloists. I have no word but feeling a chill by watching his performance of Fallen Angle.

Natalia, I have just made up my mind that I'll get the last-minute ticket to see Lopatkina on Sat evening, and Vishneva on Sun evening. So it will be a very intensive "La Bayadere" weekend for me, seeing 3 different Russian dancers performing the same ballet in just 2 days! Call me crazy but I don't know when this kind of opportunity will come again!

Natalia, Thank you so much for the casting information. I've been looking for it everywhere... I'm attending the Saturday afternoon performance so I guess I'll see watching Ekaterina Kondaurova's performance. Interesting. Do you know that Vishneva is coming back to Ottawa in May for the La La La Human Steps performance? Can't wait!!

Very interesting timing on this post, I've been lately watching all the clips of Hallberg I can find on youtube. His performance of The Dance of the Blessed Spirits in Ukraine just left me speechless.