kbarber

a quick google search reveals that the Joffrey did Cranko's R&J from 1985 through at least 2006. I believe they rented the sets and costumes from the National Ballet of Canada.

\ I found this particularly annoying in Nikiya's basket solo where the camera panned around to the Rajah stalking across the stage not doing much!!

A friend I went with was so upset by the blackface that she is writing to the Bolshoi to complain! I also thought the tempo for the Shades (including their entrance) was faster than I am used to hearing and would have allowed more lusciousness if it had been slower. PS Helene I thought you were Canadian? And I'm sure you're not ugly!

When I first saw them coming down the first ramp, because it is much shorter than two-ramp versions and only has room for 3 dancers before the first one has to turn the bend, I thought it looked truncated, but when all 4 ramps were full with people arabesquing and cambreing, it looked like some fancy movie special effect. Very cool!

The UK Dancing Times listed her as among the dancers expected to appear with the Bolshoi during their London season this summer. She's only 33 so I doubt she's retired.

Svetlana Lunkina is currently in Toronto. Signs suggest she may be planning to stay here: http://toursenlair.blogspot.ca/2013/01/bolshoi-ballerina-svetlana-lunkina.html

astounding that in the space of two sentences the author of this article can say "[Millepied] would make an excellent artistic director.... He has no experience directing a large company..." !!!

In Canada they are shown through Cineplex.

From the Voice of Russia article: "A team of investigators, criminologists and sinologists were working at the scene" ???? Sinologists? surely not. Sinologists are experts on China. What could they mean?

I'm looking at organizing a group trip to DC June 5-8 to catch all 3 Dance Across America programs plus the Ballets Russes exhbition, so anyone interested, please get in touch.

The Billion Dollar Baby info is in Amanda Vaill's recent bio of Robbins., p. 124 "the story of his fall became a legend that would follow him for the rest of his career, attached to whatever show (or ballet) the teller had some connection with"

That story is about a Bway show in rehearsal, and I believe it was "Fiddler on The Roof," which was years and years after his start with NYCB. I've heard it many times, including from people who were there. It was "Billion Dollar Baby" in 1945.

Zakharova seems to be getting more than her fair share of these broadcasts.

can't get this to format properly here. You can see it better here: http://toursenlair.blogspot.ca/2013/01/bolshoi-live-broadcast-la-bayadere.html In short, it's Zakharova, Androva, Lantratov

It's being recorded on Jan 27. Nikia Svetlana Zakharova Dugmanta, Rajah Alexei Loparevich Gamzatti, his daughter Maria Alexandrova Solor, the noble warrior Vladislav Lantratov The High Brahmin Andrei Sitnikov Toloragva, warrior Alexander Voytyuk A Slave Denis Rodkin Magedaveya, fakir Anton Savichev Aya, slave Anastasia Vinokur Gumpe Yulia Lunkina Svetlana Pavlova Grand Pas Karim Abdullin Ivan Alexeyev Alesya Gradova (Boyko) Elizaveta Kruteleva Anna Leonova Yulia Lunkina Anna Okuneva Yanina Parienko Svetlana Pavlova Maria Vinogradova Dance with drum Anna Antropova Vitaly Biktimirov Igor Tsvirko The Bronze Idol Denis Medvedev Manu (Dance with Jug) Maria Prorvich Scene "Shadows" First Variation Anastasia Stashkevich Second Variation Anna Tikhomirova Third Variation Chinara Alizade sorry this didn't format well. Will try again.

it's viewable in Canada, anyway. I just tried it.

I love it! Pas d'action at the end would work too. Risotto Adagio... I have visions of Aurora balancing with a glob of rice in her hand....

glad you enjoyed it! It was tasty too.

I've posted on my blog (http://toursenlair.b...nner-party.html) a menu I recently served for a ballet-themed dinner party. I'd love to hear more suggestions.

Here's the synopsis, taken from the DNB program: Act One 1 Garden Estate Young Cinderella is playing outside with her mother and father when suddenly her mother is taken ill. In terrifying rapidity her mother is taken from her and Four Fates are left to watch over Cinderella, who weeps over her mother’s grave. A tree sprouts from her tears. 2 Royal Palace The young Prince Guillaume and his friend Benjamin, the valet’s son, dash through the hallways of the palace causing havoc, pursued by Madame Mansard, the prince’s dancing mistress. Suddenly King Albert and Queen Charlotte appear, stiff and formal. The king is appalled at Guillaume’s lack of discipline but the queen is more forgiving. The boys dash off again into the garden. 3 The Grave Cinderella, older, brings flowers to her mother’s grave. Two girls, Clementine and Edwina, appear, followed by their mother Hortensia, on the arm of Cinderella’s Father. Cinderella realises that this is to be her new family. Hortensia hands Clementine a bouquet to present to Cinderella who, horrified on behalf of her dead mother, discards it. Her father insists that she take the flowers, but Cinderella hurls them at Hortensia’s feet. Cinderella’s father will not tolerate this behaviour. Fuelled by pride alone, Cinderella assumes a subservient attitude towards the women, thus sealing her own fate. 4 Royal Palace Gallery King Albert attempts to explain to his grown son the political connections to be gained by marrying a titled princess. Queen Charlotte writes invitations to an upcoming ball where the prince will meet these prospective brides. Guillaume is quickly distracted by Benjamin who imitates the many foreign princesses in the portraits hanging on the walls. King Albert becomes enraged at his son’s lack of responsibility to his future kingdom. Guillaume can’t believe his parents would force him into a loveless marriage. Albert insists the invitations be delivered in person by the prince himself. Guillaume and Benjamin hatch a plan to trade places, pretending to be one another. 5 Cinderella’s Kitchen Cinderella stoically serves her family breakfast. The briefest sign of tenderness towards Cinderella from her father is frowned upon by Hortensia. Edwina follows closely in her mother’s footsteps, gaining favour from her. Clementine, the sweeter stepsister, is bullied into following suit. A poor beggar arrives at the door seeking food and warmth. Taking pity, Cinderella brings him into the kitchen, but Hortensia, horrified, casts him out again. ‘The Prince’ (Benjamin) appears at the door. He has discovered a poor beggar outside and insists that Hortensia offer him food and a bit of warmth. Hortensia feigns concern and orders Cinderella to help the beggar. ‘The Prince’ has come to deliver invitations to a ball where he shall choose his bride. Left alone with Cinderella, the beggar (Prince Guillaume in disguise) sees true kindness in this girl. The two pretend to be at the ball, laughing and dancing. 6 The Night of the Ball Cinderella is cleaning the kitchen when the rest of her family appears, dressed for the ball. There was an invitation for Cinderella, but Hortensia throws it into the fire, and off her family goes to the palace without Cinderella. The Fates, who have continued to watch over Cinderella, present her with her reconstituted invitation and lead her to her mother’s grave. 7 The Grave From the tree, spirits of Lightness, Fluidity, Generosity and Mystery appear to teach Cinderella the steps she will need for the ball. Embraced by the branches, Cinderella is transformed and the Fates send her on her way, cryptically warning her to keep an eye on the time. Act Two 1 The Palace Ballroom The Ball is underway when Cinderella’s family arrives. The king and queen witness the rather tipsy arrival of Prince Guillaume and Benjamin, neither in correct attire for such a formal occasion. Cinderella’s stepsisters still believe Benjamin to be the prince, giving the two young men another chance for deception. Guillaume finds he is uninterested in any of the eligible ladies, stepsisters included. A magical atmosphere fills the ballroom as a mysterious masked girl arrives. Guillaume is immediately drawn to her. Cinderella, recognising Guillaume as the urchin, turns to flee, but is gently guided back to him by the Fates. The couple waltz together. Seeing the interest the prince shows in this mysterious beauty, Hortensia takes to the bottle, humiliating herself. Benjamin dances with Clementine, whom he likes. Guillaume and Cinderella dance, falling deeper in love. When Hortensia rips off Cinderella’s mask, it is time for her to flee. In the chaos caused by her sudden departure, she leaves behind one golden shoe. Guillaume vows to marry her. Act Three 1 In the Kingdom Benjamin and Guillaume search for Cinderella, trying the shoe on every female foot they can find. 2 Cinderella’s Kitchen Cinderella awakens, and with the help of the Fates, remembers her astonishing night at the palace. Hiding the other golden shoe on the mantelpiece, she resigns herself to her daily chores. Clementine tells Cinderella of the boy she met, and then Edwina turns suspicious when she spies Cinderella dancing steps from the ball. Hortensia viciously attacks Cinderella, and father must step in. Unannounced, Benjamin and Guillaume arrive, exhausted from trying the shoe on so many feet. When the shoe does not fit either of the stepsisters, Hortensia throws it into the fire. Cinderella comes forward with the matching shoe. Prince Guillaume has found his princess. Cinderella and her prince leave the family behind. All is not lost for Clementine, however, as Benjamin returns to take her with him. And a royal wedding is held.

Didn't we see him in the Ballet in Cinema screening of Fille mal Gardee last year? I liked the Colas very much -- I'm pretty sure it was McRae. Yes it was McRae as Colas in the broadcast of Fille. He was also in this year's broadcast of Nutcracker. I say "was" because we already saw it last week in Canada but I believe you in the US have yet to see it.

I can't find information about when this performance was taped, but here's the cast listing: Oh it's the one they released on DVD from 2009. Worth it for Miyako alone! But good all round.

The Guardian newspaper website is streaming what it describes as "a classic performance of Tchaikovsky's glittering masterpiece" (no other details, but it's not live, as there is no Nut performance at the Royal Opera House today), starting at 1 pm Eastern Time: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2012/dec/19/kevin-o-hare-royal-ballet-video?CMP=twt_gu

Neumeier's Nutcracker with Polina Semionova and Bavarian State Ballet live stream Dec. 13: http://toursenlair.b...ith-polina.html

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