Birdsall

When dancers are throwing in doubles and triples during the 32 fouettes, are we supposed to count the doubles and triples that they add in, or are those supposed to be extra? I ask this b/c some do not do 32 (although I know it is mainly a term). Some do 32 if you count the extra doubles and triples. Some do way over 32 if you count the double and triple turns. Some only do about 15. It appears that in Balanchine ballets you never do 32 (or around that number). So what is the guideline if you are in the mood to count them? Do we just count the normal ones?

What will you be doing next season?

I think I am in the minority, but I am not sure I will ever see The Bright Stream ever again after watching the whole thing online. I enjoyed the first act (dancing, sets, costumes, story), but I felt the story fizzled and was a bit too slapsticky and silly (although I rarely laugh at most comedy while everyone around me is in stitches). I did think the male danseur playing the ballerina was very talented, but I just don't find a man in a dress funny like most people do. I think it is because I have seen way too many drag queens, and so a man in a dress seems very ho hum to me. However, it is incredible that a male can come very close to dancing with the grace of a female, but I think I would rather see Les Trocks do that! LOL I enjoyed many things in Ramantsky's choreography for Bright Stream, but the story and the comedy just do not do much for me, to tell you the truth. I wish they did, b/c everyone does seem to love it. I'd rather see 20 Bayaderes or 20 Raymondas before I see Bright Stream again. Maybe I will change my mind if I see it again. I might go to the HD presentation at the movies.

Even though ballet can be danced to a taped recording, I personally feel cheated. There is nothing like live music. No matter how good a recording is, live music is always more exciting. Our ears hear where the strings or the brass instruments are in relations to each other better in a live setting. I don't think opera companies would ever dare to put a soundtrack on (opera without words) and have the singers sing to that. It is unthinkable. So I sort of wish ballet companies would view live orchestras as a necessity, and they probably do to the extent they can. A touring ballet group has to cut corners somewhere. But let's hope MCB can continue to have a live orchestra!!! Bart, are you familiar with the opera Lakme? I think you would like that too. It is by Delibes. His Sylvia score is gorgeous too. I have Darcy Bussel in it on video. Love that!

Kristen, great that you'll meet at the Met! I love the video you mention and love Asylmuratova too! Haved watched that video over and over! Love Darcy Bussel in the Sylvia video too! NySusan, thank you for the term!!!! Finally, I know the name! I think Swanilda did them in the third act.

Rebello has been promoted each season and he deserves it!

Symphonic Dances was the one where Arja jumped sideways into a danseur's arms. It seems to be Ramantsky's signature move in his choreography. I liked Symphonic Dances a lot more than Viscera, although I didn't mind Viscera. I think Viscera is a better beginning or middle piece for a rep program but Symphomic Dances could end a program!

Btw, just got back from another Coppelia with Mary Carmen Catoya and Kleber Rebello. Loved it! Catoya made the Scottish dance a revelation for me! I have seen it as a filler dance that isn't that interesting, but Catoya's foot work made it into an important variation! Rebello excels at high leaps! So glad they gave him a chance at a leading role! In smaller roles he always stands out! He did a great job. Catoya is an elegant dancer! It is fun to see different dancers in the same role.

I guess we have to see 250 "rolling on the floor" works before reluctlantly deciding to go back to the secure spots of Mr. Diagonal, right...? You made me laugh! But I loved Symphonic Dances by Ramantsky and look forward to seeing it again! I think you liked it too, but you don't want to admit it!!!! LOL

The Nikiya/Gamzatti fight reminds me of Dynasty's fights between Krystle and Alexis! Sort of cheesy but who can resist? I love Gamzatti too, but you need a dancer who can be mean yet still make you understand and feel for her. I love the coda of the engagement when Gamzatti turns on one leg flinging the other leg in the air and never setting that leg down. Don't know what that is called but love it. She turns 5-6 times as a waltz plays. So amazing to watch a ballerina do that!

Kristen, I attend Kravis shows. Just got home from a second Coppelia! Maybe we could meet next season! Bart

I wonder why the standard repertoire of story ballets is so small. There are a lot more story ballets that are rarely staged by professional companies. Things like Esmeralda would be great to see. I know the core repertoire is smaller than in opera, but it seems like it should be a little larger.

Cool!!!! I think it is always fun to put a face to a name!

Actually I saw Coppelia years ago as a student in Gainesville, but I knew nothing about ballet back then and I have no idea who danced in it! Even though I have only become a hardcore ballet lover recently I have always gone to ballets here and there. I've even seen Spartacus in Orlando years ago. I have always gone as just a total "know nothing" and only if there was time between operas. Most of my time and energy went to opera, and I always wanted to learn more about ballet, but any time spent on ballet was considered time away from opera. Moving back to Gainesville, FL and walking away from my career threw me into a deep depression, and opera was no longer helping (opera was my crazy meds after sister died 20 years ago). So since I have no job I decided to finally take time out and really learn about ballet, and it has helped my depression considerably including doing volunteer work. I have been given some temporary projects at minimum wage and one a little more, and I am giddy with excitement! Wow! Getting a little pay! I had no idea that "not working" is actually very depressing! All my friends envy me, but there are only so many walks with the dog I can go on to cheer myself up!!! LOL I need something to keep my mind occupied, and I'm sure it will happen one day! Sorry to bore everyone with my mundane life! Nobody worry! Not going to starve! More likely to lose my mind! LOL But ballet is helping! Manning was Rebello's partner last night too. I thought it was a perfect cast last night. My mom and I had so much fun, and I got two roses for renewing our subscription. I gave them to her! I would love for MCB to do La Esmeralda but doubt it will happen. I think it is a rarity in the U.S. except for the tambourine variation!

That must have been a terrific program. I have only seen part of Divertimento #15 on the Balanchine videos. I think it only has the andante section, but it is gorgeous. The Four Temperaments is fun to see how each temperament is depicted through dance. Scotch Symphony is also a joy! It is so true how we see new things each time we see a ballet. It always pays to see something again. I have a friend who thinks I'm dumb to see something I've already seen. Can't understand that attitude! You miss so much the first time you see something!

I loved Jeannette Delgado and Penteado as Swanilda and Franz! Delgado always seems so natural in her acting no matter what she does, and a "happy" role fits her very well. Her dancing is always lovely. It can be dainty yet strong at the same time. This is an extroverted personality that eats up the stage and should be guesting in other companies. Others need to see this exuberant dancer. She showed great balance and even tossed in one of her signature grand jetes as she exited. That is a move she has made her own in my opinion. It embodies her dancing and personality...athletic and beautiful! What surprised me in the Mazurka dances is that Miami City Ballet showcased the two main Mazurka males adding in some fun acrobatics. Cerdeiro did turns in second and Rebello rounding leaps around the stage (someone help me with technical term). I bought a ticket to Sunday's performance so I can see Rebello's Franz! he is short, but paired with Catoya it should work. He is amazing, so his height is the only thing holding him back. Both Cerdeiro and Rebello are impressive, although Rebello has a "snap" to his moves that impress you more. Had such a great time! My 74 year old mother whispered to me during the overture, "Close your eyes! You can hear better!" That brought a tear to my eye. This jaded opera goer can still learn from his mother. I think I will cherish my ballet visits with her years from now.

Getting back to Makarova's question...I have heard Vishneva's Nikiya is terrific. I also think Gamzatti would fit Osipova's personality better than Nikiya. She is a spitfire, extroverted personality, and there are flashy balances and leaps. I can't wait for the engagement scene. The music in that act is my favorite!

Okay, I will meet where Helene suggests during the first intermission!

Do ballet alert members ever have a group meet up during intermission? It is common at opera events. I bet lots of Ballet Alert members will be at the Vishneva/Osipova Bayadere. We could meet during the first intermission somewhere. I usually go down to the basement level and look at the Rosa Ponselle painting (favorite diva), although that little gallery area is sort of cramped. Any other suggestions?

This performance is on YouTube in 4 parts and has the split screen with piano. That is how someone filmed and edited it. We were all hoping they would take the split screen out for the DVD release, but apparently not! Shoot!

I will be there too and hope to meet some of you!

. That is a great video of Barenboim's eyes coming out of their sockets at the very end of Tristan und Isolde when the audience starts to applaud before the final note. I once read that Sir Thomas Beecham turned to the audience when they applauded after the first movement of a Beethovan symphony and scathingly said: for an encore we shall play the Second Movement! That is great! LOL

Was it possibly Opening Night in that venue? It could also be tradition. And sometimes there are characters in opera that do not reappear and they sometimes give them a bow, so they can go home if the opera has another 3-4 hours to go! LOL Nope. They did this at both the Saturday matinee and evening performances, after opening on Thursday night. That's why I'm thinking that it's standard practice for the Bolshoi, and I'm curious about the rationale. Although most (all?) of the characters in Act I of DQ reappear in Act III, that might not always be the case. Must be tradition at the Bolshoi then. I have noticed curtain calls after each act on videos I have seen from the Bolshoi.

Was it possibly Opening Night in that venue? It could also be tradition. And sometimes there are characters in opera that do not reappear and they sometimes give them a bow, so they can go home if the opera has another 3-4 hours to go! LOL

Casting is up for the West Palm Beach Coppelias by MCB! 4 different casts! That is interesting! Friday night Delgado/Penteado Saturday matinee Albertson/Cerdeiro Saturday night Kronenberg/Reyes Sunday matinee Catoya/ Rebello Love the idea of Rebello!!!! Maybe I will try to catch that one along with my Friday subscription!