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Meow

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Posts posted by Meow

  1. 7 hours ago, Mashinka said:

    I have never seen the Bolshoi dance Etudes, in fact I didn't know it was in there rep, which illustrates I suppose how much my interest in them has waned.  Kovalyova apart, how do they do in it?  The Maryinsky once danced it in London and it was excruciatingly bad, only their appalling performance in Les Noces was worse.  Does the Bolshoi corps still have speed (and accuracy)?

    As for how the Bolshoi does Etudes, here is a full performance with Obraztsova starting at 10:55.  

     

  2. I do not have the extensive knowledge and history of others on this forum, so I cannot really answer the topic question, but I am glad to see Obraztsova mentioned.  When I think of a "complete" ballerina, I do not look for someone who excels equally in everything.  I look for someone who is sublime in much and excellent in all.  I believe she is that.  I also look for someone who is never awkward or unsure in the management of her limbs, light in movement, has body positions that appear harmonious and fluid, and it neither wooden nor overly affected in acting or stage manner.  To me she is all of these.  I have not found all of these qualities in some other ballerinas mentioned, who often receive more attention from management and who have much merit also.  I disagree that she does not have the dramatic acting ability for many classical roles, and I do not think long limbs are necessary; it it how one uses what one has.  I do not understand how she is not more used at the Bolshoi.  I also think Cojocaru ranks highly and is exceptional. 

  3. Was so disappointed I walked out after act three so no idea how the audience responded.

    Personally I'd rather not list the technical errors, perhaps you would care to.

    I have been eagerly waiting for reviews, and am sorry your experience was not positive. I thought her SL at the Stanislavsky was superb as far as characterization, and was really looking forward to her developing more in the role.

  4. It looks like there is a new, lengthy documentary of Evgenia available on youtube:

    (part 2:
    ). Would any Russian speaker be able to provide a summary, please? I can only understand the broad outlines. Thank you in advance.
  5. I saw the mixed bill this evening. Most of the people who post here are more educated about the ballet than I am, so it was interesting for me to read the mostly positive reviews. My reaction to Symphony in C was that is was not the pristine, classical dancing I expected. To me, it did not seem sharp and clear. The Moor's Pavane was the high point for me, and I thought Simone Messmer was the standout. I wondered if the men could have given it more force. In Symphony No. 9, it seemed to me that Ratmansky threw in everything but the kitchen sink. Everyone was moving all the time, there did not seem to be much purpose or even beauty to a lot of it, and then there were these moments that I guess were supposed to be coy humor, like the repeated falling to the floor in jerky steps, that just made me say What??? And why???

  6. Personally, although I have enjoyed Misty's performances, I think she has a long way to go to be considered for promotion to principal. Has she ever danced a principal role where she was the focus for the entire evening in a full length ballet? Not to my recollection.Gamzatti is a short, although pivotal, role. Look at how long Part had to toil as a soloist before her promotion, and she had already danced numerous leading roles w. the Kirov and ABT. Don't even get me started on how Stella has been (mis)treated.

    Also, do we really want to promote someone for "political" reasons and "ethnic balance" reasons? I don't think so. Promotions should be based on merit, not politics or ethnicity. Moreover, if we are aiming for "ethnic balance", why wouldn't Hee Seo, Yuriko or Stella be equally viable candidates? They are ethnic minorities too. At least Hee Seo has danced a signficant number of lead roles at ABT. (Just to be clear, I don't think Hee Seo or Yuriko are presently ready to be promoted either. Hee Seo has great potential for future promotion based on merit, not ethnicity.)

    Thank you abatt. These are my thoughts exactly, but you articulated them better than I!

    I second you both.

  7. This conversation is very interesting to me, and I wish I had seen the performance. I recall seeing videos of Gelsey Kirkland's Juliet, and the consensus was that she was passionate and inspired, but I thought it was over the top and affected. I do not have much ballet education and so enjoy reading the reasons why viewers think as they do. So -- thank you for sharing!

  8. Thank you for the reviews, and I look forward to many more! I was actually in tears because I could not get to NY to see this ballet. The youtube clip of Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg in the final scene is one of the most powerful pieces of performance I have ever seen, and I would so love to see this in person. I am keeping fingers crossed that ABT will bring this ballet to DC.

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