pherank

I love this part: "It is as if a pebble wanted to crush a mountain...". Now that doesn't sound petty or spiteful. 😉 He does a good job of ignoring the real issue behind the "severed connections" while pretending to crusade on behalf of children. Presumably Ukrainian children in Mariupol or Volnovakha (to pick just two locations) are of much lesser importance.

And now for Fethon Miozzi's opinion on the Vaganova Academy/Prix de Lausanne kerfuffle: "Dearest friends, Let me give my opinion on the decision by the Lausanne international competition to exclude the Vaganova Academy from the competition. In my opinion, what is happening in general is truly disgraceful. Seeing art and culture torn apart by the political situation at the expense of talented young people, whatever their nationality, is disgusting. Such an action only demonstrates the stupidity and cowardice of those who make these decisions. The Lausanne competition has long been considered one of the most important and has seen, over the years, the birth of excellent talents, many of whom have subsequently established themselves in the world of ballet . In recent years, however, both the level of the competition and the decisions of the jury have created a great embarrassment. Especially recently, the organization and the jury have deliberately boycotted the competitors from Russia too often by shamelessly and shamelessly rewarding their "proteges" even though not always everyone was certainly up to it. Of these cases, in recent years, there have been too many alas. In other words, clear preference has been given and still is almost always given to competitors from the sponsoring schools affiliated with the competition or to competitors protected by some member of the jury. Now with the excuse of the war in Ukraine finally the organization of the competition can officially exclude Russian competitors so that this kind of "family reunion" becomes less tense and with a feel-good background and understanding towards the oppressed. Clearly the prestige of the Vaganova Academy will certainly not be affected by this decision, on the contrary ... It is as if a pebble wanted to crush a mountain but which one hopes to achieve in this way as well as suppress the talent of young people?" https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb1MnHdIJ_8/

And my genuine answer: yes. Including people "behind the scenes" in the film industry. If you're suggesting that ego doesn't play much of a role in these actor's careers, I completely disagree. And "normal people", as you put it, are not without ego, either. On Pointe mentioned that Will Smith is a "hard worker", but that doesn't preclude egotism or selfishness. I was of course generalizing - not all successful actors are irresponsible or arrogant or narcissists, etc. But those kinds of psychological attributes come up a lot in the film industry.

Another Macaulay find: The Prix de Lausanne, the eminent international ballet competition founded in 1973, is severing connections at present with the Vaganova Institute, the renowned ballet school of St Petersburg in Russia, because of the latter’s continuing affiliation to the government of Putin’s Russia. I copy below (a) the courteous letter of the Prix de Lausanne’s Kathryn Bradney (1), albeit in an English I have been unable to resist correcting (I reproduce the original)(3) (b) the considerably more confrontational reply by Nikolai Tsiskaridze (2) of the Vaganova Institute. (I thank Natela Verizhenko-Goodwin for sending me these. The translation of Tsiskaridze’s letter is hers: she adds “You will see some peculiar phrasing, I tried to stay as close to the original as possible. He writes in a very Soviet way.”) I am afraid that, although I post this on the morning of April 1, none of this is an April Fool’s gesture. Friday 1 April (no April Fool gesture, this) A. Dear Nikolai, I hope this email finds you well in such troubled and difficult times. It pains me to announce to announce that the Prix de Lausanne has decided to suspend its ties h he, for the time being, to institutions which maintain official relationships with the Russian government and which have not condemned the current conflict in Ukraine. This concerns directly the Vaganova Ballet Academy. By taking this stance, the Prix de Lausanne aligns itself to the conduct of other Swiss cultural institutions, which follow the guidance of our authorities. We will issue a statement to that effect shortly. Our decision is uncompromising towards this grave matter. I remain available should you wish to discuss this further. This is a sad situation. Our hearts go out to all the victims of the conflict. We might still be in a position to welcome young dancers of any nationality to our pre-selections, workshops, and competition, providing they are not political. Artists too are victims of this conflict. We dearly hope that peace will prevail. From a personal viewpoint, I regret that our artistic ties will be severed. You have always been a loyal partner, and I shall choose to remember the good memories of our encounters and fruitful collaboration, hoping we and they may resume one day. Sincerely yours, Kathryn Bradney, the President and Board members Kathryn Bradney Artistic and Executive Director B. Nikolai Tsiskaridze: Dear Madam Bradney! In response to a notice I received from Prix De Lausanne, I inform you that the Vaganova Academy of Russian ballet is an organization that conducts educational and training activities in accordance with principle 10 of the Declaration of Children’s Rights, protecting them «from practices that may encourage racial, religious or any other form of discrimination ». Throughout its 285-uear year history, the Academy has never been involved in campaigning. Even during 900 days of siege of Leningrad after the Nazi invasion, when the city was blocked, under bombardment and the citizens were dying of hunger, the Academy was exclusively engaged in its duties. The Vaganova Academy of Russian ballet has always been, is and will be a stronghold of classical ballet, professionalism and true art. During the three centuries of the existence of ballet as a stage genre, many composers and choreographers who were not subjects of the Russian State or Slavs by origin, created their brilliant works in Russia, for the Russian culture and by the orders of Russian government (the name kept changing depending on a social system). During that time military conflicts and revolutionary upheavals took place, and Russia was forced to take part in them as one of the largest states in the world. I believe that Prix De Lausanne has no rights to demand any political and even more so - anti Russian actions from the Academy. I would like to remind you that the competition uses variations from classical ballets in its program, which are attributed to the works of Marius Petipa, the outstanding Russian choreographer of French origin, but which in fact were created by the Russian choreographers of the 20-21 centuries - Gorsky, Chabukiani, Balanchine (Balanchivadze), Sergeev, Vainonen, Lopukhov, Gusev, Ermolayev, Grigorovich, Nureyev, Vaganova, Burlaka and others. Yes, and Petipa himself consciously accepted Russian citizenship and wrote in his memoirs that he had only one homeland - Russia. I will say more, Anna Pavlova, Vatslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina, George Balanchine, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Rudolph Nureyev, Mikhaïl Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova and many other great dancers who make up the concept of « ballet » today - all are the graduates of not just a Russian/Soviet school but the very School to which you addressed such an outrageous message. In addition, please note that Article 31 of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (to my knowledge this Convention has been ratified in Switzerland) states that participating nations shall respect and promote the rights of the child to full participation in cultural and artistic activities, shall provide and promote the ground for appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural and creative activities, leisure and recreation (paragraph 2, article 31 of the mentioned Convention). The right to take part in cultural activities in the context of the Convention is considered in conjunction with the respect and enforcement of this right without any discrimination, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, state of health and birth of the child (?), his parents or legal guardians, or any other circumstances (Article 1). At the same time the participating nations shall take all necessary legislative, administrative and other measures to implement of the rights recognized by the Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, the participating nations shall take such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources within the framework of international cooperation when necessary. Taking notes of your message, I am dismayed because I am convinced that creating the artificial conditions and restrictions in the field of choreographic education (?) is an erroneous measure that violates international law, destroys cultural achievements of many decades and creates an unprecedented politicization of the art of ballet. I am all the more dismayed that your competition represents Switzerland, a country that has been neutral for over 500 years, a country that adhere to the principles of maintaining relations “between countries, not between governments”, which has always allowed dialogue regardless of politics and ideology. Acting rector of Vaganova Ballet Academy …….signature……. https://www.instagram.com/p/CbzNXOqAWXE/

Note that the commenters on Macaulay's posting were less inclined to give Netrebko a pass. And Macaulay replied back to some of their comments.

IG post by Alexei Ratmansky: "My old colleagues from the National Opera of Ukraine, former dancers VADIM BURTAN and OLEG TOKAR are now serving in the territorial defence group in Kyiv. So proud of them and of millions of other Ukrainians, who took up the arms to defend their land." https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbz6Wc5AA80/ War leads to some surreal images.

Madison Keesler mentioned on IG that she will dancing in Finale Finale later in the run: "I’ll be performing [Lizzy Powell's] role in the second cast (I’m not sure what my performance dates will be yet)" https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb0Z2dxvAmm/

Macaulay (naturally) posted about this on IG: "The Russian soprano Anna Netrebko at last clarifies her position: she condemns the war in Ukraine. Brava! From one of the most prestigious of all Russian performing artists - I saw her in a dozen different roles at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 2017-2019 - this must have taken courage. It’s likely to prove a Rubicon moment. If she is currently in Western Europe - she is a tax resident of Austria - one must ask whether she will be allowed in due course to return to Russia, something she has often done throughout this century. Congratulations to Graham Spicer (Gramilano) on publishing this." https://www.instagram.com/p/CbvvBiBoaxM/ So I guess her mansion is actually in Austria. 😉 And another interesting post from Macaulay: The Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv has been conducting internationally for some time. Last year, she made her debut at both the Bayreuth Festival and at Covent Garden. Here she posts a photograph of the house in Trostianets in the Ukraine where Tchaikovsky composed his first symphony. “All Russian artists who are still supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine have to see this photo,” she writes. https://www.instagram.com/p/CbyWVrYILUK/

Madison Keesler will be appearing in a Julian Lennon video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbyxmRCOyim/

Posted by Maria Kochetkova - a reminder about a free dance streaming and a call for UNICEF donations: [April 1st], 8PM (Copenhagen time, GMT+1) we're presenting an online premiere of Paul Lightfoot's "Selvportræt". at www.kammerballetten.com 🕊It will be available for streaming from 8pm on the 1st of April, at www.kammerballetten.com and kept online for a month. No tickets required, but we’ve decided to suggest a voluntary donation to support the important work UNICEF are doing right now, taking care of children fleeing the senseless horrors of the current war. Special thanks to The Augustinus Foundation for their generous support. CHOREOGRAPHY: @lightfoot_paul DANCERS: Maria Kochetkova @balletrusse, Toon Lobach @brahmachicken , Sebastian Pico Haynes @tuhammen ORIGINAL MUSIC: @alexandermckenziedk MUSICIANS: Niklas Walentin, Jacob la Cour, Alexander McKenzie FILMED BY: @jacobmller EDITED BY: @tom__mckenzie COSTUMES: Joke Visser & Hermien Hollander LIGHT DESIGN: Paul Lightfoot, Roger Irman LIGHT TECHNICIAN: Anton Stender https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbx_wkZgf1Q/

I guess the lease is due on that Italian villa.

EMERGENCE - Feat. Sasha de Sola, Myles Thatcher, Ming Luke (SF Ballet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncwch26CII4

Yuan Yuan Tan's photo series from the gala: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiSkD8J-vZ/ Wona Park's backstage photo series: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiaOM4PYUr/ Sasha Mukhamedov's evening dress: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbk_S_HP5Qu/ Misa Kuranaga's evening dress: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbiz3EfPfAX/ Natasha Sheehan's evening dress: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiEkKZr07t/ NIkisha Fogo's evening dress: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbi7FGdpkC3/ Madison Keesler and Ben Freemantle: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbl61aXupc-/ Thamires Chuvas, Cavan Conley and Tyla Steinbach: https://www.instagram.com/p/CblDGaRPTcL/ Three perfromance photos from SFB: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbi-5Q7BHsh/

Thanks to Macaulay: Edward Villella posts a short statement (and look for John Clifford's comments): https://www.instagram.com/p/CbnmdrkAZQp/

A.O. SCOTT: “The greatest night in the history of television,” said Chris Rock, a few seconds after Will Smith slapped him. Not a bad off-the-cuff punchline (so to speak). But until that moment — and Smith’s tearful, unrehearsed acceptance speech when he won best actor a short time later — it had been a dull and frustrating evening of television. Few surprises in any category (except maybe when “Belfast” won for original screenplay). Sentimentality triumphing over craft (except when Jane Campion won best director). A gnawing sense that the academy doesn’t understand movies, and maybe even hates them. ...The more things change, the more they stay the same. One thing that has gotten worse is the unfortunate journalistic habit of equating the state of the Oscars with the state of movies. Even when television is great, the Emmys are terrible. Nobody seriously thinks that bad Grammy Awards spell the death of pop music, or that a given year’s National Book Awards reveal much about the health of literature. But movie journalism has elevated the Oscars to a position of absurd importance. Does the Academy Hold Movies in Contempt? Our Critics Wonder. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/movies/academy-awards-oscars-critics.html

SAG may well suspend him for a period. Keeping Smith from presenting a trophy next year is OK by me. But it wouldn't be Hollywood without embarrassing behavior and gaffs. It's a small group of mostly overpaid egotists, that have dedicated themselves to entertainment, and the good life. Sure, a few of these people think that they are producing 'art', but that is certainly debatable. Public apologies all round would make sense to me. Then there could be some 'healing' for these fragile, self-important souls. It just sucks to be a star.

Ultra predictable for the Academy to choose the feel-good, popular film over anything more cinematically interesting (and likely to be more influential in cinema land). I don't think Chris Rock is pressing charges against Smith (and it would be silly to do so).

Here's a direct link to my previous post that talks about the technical reasons: https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/46801-ukraine-invasion-the-arts-gergiev-fired-by-his-agent-etc/page/3/#comment-438744 So, yes, the younger generation has their workarounds. 😉 But they do risk the ire of the government.

The posts are ballet specific, without a hint of events in the outside world. So I think the dancers are simply hoping that posting to IG won't get them in any trouble as long as their content remains neutral.

Frances Chung rehearsing Yuri Possokhov’s "The Rising": https://www.instagram.com/p/CbgOZTmvBE_/

Notice posted to Instagram by both Paul Lightfoot and Maria Kochetova (with video trailer): https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbhzu9zPkV7/ SELVPORTRÆT Last August I had the most beautiful and heartfelt experience creating Selvportræt with @kammerballetten in Copenhagen. We filmed the ballet, and it will have its film premiere on April 1st 2022…. The anniversary of my fathers death 3 years ago. 3 incredible dancers @tuhammen @balletrusse @brahmachicken depicting life, love, & death; inspired by the mythological Moirai women who spin the thread of life, decide it’s length, and who inevitably cut the thread. 3 unbelievable musicians @niklaswalentin @jacob.la.cour @alexandermckenziedk (who composed the music) binding the ballet together. Here’s a trailer of the work. If you go to www.kammerballetten.com you can join us at 20.00 European time (19.00 GMT) to share in the premiere via the link. In these dark times, I feel it is difficult to celebrate or show off any work, so we have chosen not to ask an entrance fee to watch Selvportræt… BUT instead, to add a link in the website to the UNICEF charity. UNICEF runs a special programme specifically in the Ukraine to help their children’s plight in this unthinkable war. Every penny helps. PLEASE DONATE something to them. Cameraman for the film was @jacobmller and @tom__mckenzie edited and directed the film with me. Huge thanks to both as it was a “Corona challenged” process… Truly wish you will join us for this moment. If you can’t make it on Friday, then it will remain on view for another month. Selvportræt A Ballet By Paul Lightfoot Maria Kochetkova Sebastian Haynes Toon Lobach Music By Alexander Mckenzie Film Premiere 01.04.22 (European date format)

Some great photos of Sasha De Sola, Joe Walsh, Helgi and Felipe Diaz backstage at the gala. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbidnl-v8Lr/

Overcompensation is the new black.

See Alastair Macaulay's lates IG post - he relates a "rumor" about a new director of the Bolshoi.

Birkkjaer is one of the best all-around partners I've ever seen. Every woman that dances with him seems to be operating on a whole other level of confidence and inspiration. He's one of the most joyful male dancers, for sure. It was a privilege to have seen him. For me, he was one of Tomasson's very best 'acquisitions' over the years. And now that Ulrik has directed a dance festival, will that be his new direction of choice? Or perhaps as an A.D. somewhere?