kbarber
-
Posts
1,045 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Events
Blogs
Store
Posts posted by kbarber
-
-
Why is it that very few people know how to film ballet? Do any of them actually know what is going to happen next and what they should be showing?
\
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!!
-
This might make me an ugly American, but the blackface is a bad idea.
I got the impression that the tempos in the last act were a little fast. They didn't sound fast, but the Shades looked a little pushed. Nonetheless, I thought all three were very fine.
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!
-
Does she still dance...?
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
-
Could be an interesting announcement, if the Figaro article is anything to go by. Hopefully common sense prevails. I'm not sure creating 3 ballets for a company necessarily makes one very familiar with it.
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?
-
Indeed great news, AG!
The National Gallery/DC's usual practice is to run a series of free lectures and films in conjunction with the big exhibitions, so keep an eye on the NGA's website for the announcement of special programs. http://www.nga.gov/programs/index.shtm
For ballet-lovers hoping to combine a visit to DC for this exhibit along with live ballet, the Kennedy Center will be hosting Ballet Across America III on June 4-9, 2013; that may be the best week to attend, although it coincides with ABT's 'Corsaire Week' at the MET. http://www.kennedy-c...ts/?event=BNBSJ
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.
-
I emailed the daughter of the stage manager who was there at the time and she said "It was West Side Story."
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.Well, from everything I know about Balanchine his sense of propriety was overwhelming and one of the things that he allowed Robbins to do was to pick the dancers Robbins wanted, and to give Robbins free rein in terms of rehearsal space and time.
Some dancers claimed to like Robbins' extremely, uh, demanding approach to creating works. They said it brought out the best in them. Others obviously couldn't take it, and there's a story of a cast hating him so much they let him fall into the orchestra pit once by accident without warning him he was about to fall over.
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
Yulia Lunkina
Anna Okuneva
Yanina Parienko
Svetlana Pavlova
Maria Vinogradova Dance with drum
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
sorry this didn't format well. Will try again.
-
I'm not sure about territorial broadcasting technicalities, but perhaps you can watch the tv-registration here:
it's viewable in Canada, anyway. I just tried it.
-
At the end, it would be pas marche: don't--or rather, can't--walk!
A Risotto Adagio would work....
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....
-
That is the best, kbarber!
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.
-
I can't find information about when this performance was taped, but here's the cast listing:
... Steven McRae (the Prince)
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.
-
Thanks for the heads-up. It just started but the caption says:
. . . the video is available for the next seven days, until 26 December, so you can catch it at your leisure.I can't find information about when this performance was taped, but here's the cast listing:
Miyako Yoshida (the Sugar Plum Fairy)
Steven McRae (the Prince)
Gary Avis (Herr Drosselmeyer)
Iohna Loots (Clara)
Ricardo Cervera (Hans Peter / The Nutcracker)
Artists of the Royal Ballet
Choreography: Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov
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:
-
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.c...ed/WWeMP5RBI9c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
2013-14 season
in Joffrey Ballet
Posted
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.