pherank

Frances Chung posted this great little Instagram video of the SFB men backstage: http://instagram.com/p/k8hmu0J4Vd/#

Being Masha article from Dance Magazine

No doubt this will disappear quickly, but here is dance footage from the opening ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00FWkmYUjog

Great information - I'd like to hear what you think about the staging and lighting used for SFB (how it compares). It looks like you will see a really good cast for The Firebird (Tan, Helimets and De Sola). I think that was the original cast for Tuesday night, but things got changed around. I had really wanted to see Yuan Yuan as the Firebird. As she is nearing the end of her career (hopefully a few more years), now is the time to see her: one of the most elegant, ethereal dancers of her generation. Messmer is dancing the Firebird role on Sunday - wish I could be there. ;)

It's a start, that's what we can say. The audience was very appreciative both nights - I wouldn't say it was unsuccessful at all. The soloist parts were all well danced. One thing though: I was expecting the ballet to begin with Solor smoking his opium pipe on the divan, but SFB/Makarova simply begin with the shades coming down the ramp. To me that provides little context for what we are about to see. OK, so regarding Possokhov's The Firebird, I could stand to see better choreography for the Firebird character: more avian/alien in characterization, and less of a 'love interest' (failed) for Ivan. There are comedic bits which are mostly successful (depending on the mimetic talents of the dancer) and punctuate the action well. Sarah Van Patten was an effective Firebird (no suprise there) on Tuesday night, but she isn't given enough to do, imo. Jennifer Stahl danced the part on Wednesday night and was close in capability to Van Patten, though I think VP is a more poignant character dancer, and more exotic (which comes in handy here) in her characterisations. I should mention that the audience gave Stahl very warm applause that night. Grace Shibley from Oregon Ballet danced the "Princess" role that same night, and I have to say she is a keeper. I enjoyed her interpretation even more than Sasha De Sola's from the previous night. I don't remember details, only that she had a certain unique, arresting quality to her movements, something like Messmer's. Christoper Wheeldon's Ghosts was also on the program, and I had the usual confused reaction to this Wheeldon ballet: some beautiful moments mixed together with mostly odd, unlovely explorative movements and I'm left wondering what was intended by it all. And yet another 'sculpture' suspended above the stage (because they just needed a post modern 3 masted schooner shipwreck thingy in that place). And the sculpture is moved in-between 'acts' to signal a new section of the ballet. Just 'cause. And I've seen that in a couple other Wheeldon ballets and just wondered what that really added. Sofiane Sylve and Yuan Yuan Tan were both exquisite on their night. And Feijoo and Kochetkova were both strong as well. The SFB dancers plainly love doing Wheeldon ballets, and that certainly makes a difference to the presentation, but I still run hot and cold with Wheeldon's choreography (in the same piece). And what did any of it have to do with Ghosts? Very, very little.

I enjoyed reading PeggyR's commentary - I just saw two preformances of Program 3. Matvienko danced Tuesday night in La Bayadere (with Masha), and my first thought watching his performance, was, well of course! he actually KNOWS THIS BALLET. I'm not sure if Masha even danced in Bayadere back in her early Bolshoi days (and it wouldn't have been Nikiya). This was a start, but the company doesn't dance Bayadere as if it were in their blood (not a suprise). The Corps especially needs more time with this choreography (and I'm hoping the school uses the Shades entrance in their future classes). It was clear just how difficult the entrance of the shades is to a modern ballet company. Both nights it looked like Elizabeth Powell was the lead shade on the ramp. And above the waist, and in arabesque she looks lovely - great extension and port de bras. A natural sense for placement of the head, wrist and hand, elbows, everything. A powerful looking arabesque - but her balance leg was often visibly working hard, especially while on the ramp. And then she was followed by Corps dancers who didn't have her dramatic arabesque, and were wobbly as well, so we didn't get the sense of the Corps moving absolutely as one, in a serpentine ritual - as Peggy mentioned, it should be almost like breathing: the lungs moving in and out in an unwavering rhythm. It just doesn't work to allow Corps members to move in individual manners for this ballet - they've got to look the same, as cells in one large creature. At least this is the only time I've seen the SFB Corps look a bit out-of-wack: they are often fantastic in other demanding ballets. Makarova sat on the aisle of the row I was in on Tuesday night, but she left after Bayadere - perhaps to scold someone. ;) Davit Karapetyn was easily as good as Matvienko the 2nd night (I guess he had to stand up for the SFB men!). Great performance, that one. And Froustey dancing in trio with Chung and Messmer (Sola and Messmer on Wednesday night) was everything I could ask for. I have to get off the hotel computer ;) but I'll just add for now that the Firebird was quite enjoyable, and not at all a "mess" to my eye - I found it structurally easy to follow. Possokhov is not a 'deep' choreographer, but he does know how to entertain his audience. More on these things later...

A bizarre episode, indeed. All that trouble for nothing.

I think Tomasson is just trying to find ways to keep things exciting, and get seats sold that would otherwise not fill up entirely. If they can get a number of these guest appearances happening throughout the season, I think it WILL boost sales. Cojocaru must have brought some additional people to her performances with Hamburg Ballet (I wasn't there myself). I will try to write up my impressions once I've returned home...

I'm seeing her at the Saturday matinee. Based on what I've seen so far, it seems like a good role for her. Also looking forward to seeing Froustey as the first shade, but I'd interested to see her as Nikiya, too. I'm going to be seeing the Tuesday night show with Denis Matvinko - I wanted to see Yuan Yuan as the Firebird, and Froustey in Bayadere. Should be fun. ;)

Simone Messmer gets her first 'principal' role, in The Firebird - very nice.

The films you mentioned also caught my eye - I'd love to see what the Lomax film is like.

A Heads Up! for people in the SF Bay Area: Oddball Films at 275 Capp Street, San Francisco is having a special ballet and dance related presentation - Voulez-Vous Danser Avec Moi? - Mon. Feb. 24 - 7:30 PM “Oddball Films and guest curator Charles Redon present Voulez-Vous Danser Avec Moi? an evening of exquisite vintage dance films hosted by Mathilde Froustey, principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet.” Admission: $10.00 Limited Seating RSVP to RSVP@oddballfilm.com or (415) 558-8117 For a list of the films shown, and for more information: http://oddballfilms.blogspot.com/2014/02/voulez-vous-danser-avec-moi-mon-feb-24.html [ Edit: I see part of my title was clipped off - Arrrgh! But no way to fix that ]

Another image (hi-res!) from Metamorphosis http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/481956ee01313af5_large And another great image (that I can't link to directly): http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/327dceab4aa1af12_large Colorized? Or actual colors? And an image from the Afternoon of a Faun documentary:

An image I hadn't seen before of Tanny and Mr. B (I love the suminagashi/marbling background). I believe she is wearing her Metamorphosis costume here. A Dancer’s Rare Grace Survives a Horrible Fate The Unusual Story of Tanaquil Le Clercq, Artist and Muse http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/movies/the-unusual-story-of-tanaquil-le-clercq-artist-and-muse.html

Mickey Mouse? On the cover of Dance Magazine

Lots of Sofiane, yeah.

Just announced: "Thursday evening (Feb 13, 8pm) includes the apperance of international ballet sensation Alina Cojocaru."

Here's a link to a photo of the tapestry: http://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/picasso_four_seasons_88404437.jpg

From the news desk of Maria Kochetkova (on Twiiter): http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/business/at-four-seasons-picasso-tapestry-hangs-on-the-edge-of-eviction.html

I may still go and see the film in theatres (because I'm a glutton for punishment), but most of what I've read about the film makes me cringe. How could Rose Valland not even figure into this "treatement"? Sounds like all the characters are 'composites' of personalities and experiences. The Monuments Men and Women story really lends itself to a series/episodic apporach - anyone at HBO hearing this? This does seem to reinforce the Hollywood rule that only inconsequential flops are released in the dead of winter, after the new year.

Thanks Vipa, I hope it does go into some kind of general release, or at least ends up on DVD quickly so those of us outside NYC can have a look. ;)

Tiit Helimets and Van Patten at the De Young Museum (many different photos) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2146329285/tiit-helimets-at-the-de-young/posts/321688 Masha in her special archery outfit: “Tzong-Yi is teaching me how to use real samurai bow & arrow. I used have a small one when I was little that my grandad made for me” Christopher Wheeldon with Masha Kochetkova’s glasses on for inspiration Masha wearing her tourist uniform: green kneepads Masha “blending in”, Taipei Yuan Yuan Tan with her parents, at home in San Francisco Outside the War Memorial Opera House with City Hall in the background Portrait by unknown photographer Yuan Yuan at Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (she's the tallest one!) Asian Tatler magazine images of Yuan Yuan Tan in modern fashions: http://seanleedavies.com/gallery.php?id=69&lvl=nav_01_00_00_04#/0 If anyone can find some good candid shots of the male danseurs, or Sofiane Sylve, Lorena Feijoo, or anyone else really, please add them below...

In the dressing room: Van Patten, Chung, Kochetkova and Frouste “Ok I really need to clean my dressing room .... Otherwise @_svp_ , @franadian and @balletrusse will kick me out !!!!” (Van Patten, Chung and Kochetkova) Froustey taking a shot of Francis Chung, with Sarah Van Patten trying to cover herself Froustey displaying her turnout on the climbing wall Chung and Van Patten Froustey giving the flower to her fiance Froustey talking about Giselle at the Christian Society Dinner

One of my favorite ballet subjects, and another excellent interview from Christian. The Ballet Initiative library is really going strong. ;)

A photo of Masha with Natalia Makarova, after Kochetkova's final Giselle appearance this season: (Makarova is the répétiteur for SFB's production of The Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadère - Program 3)