KarenAG

Oh, how I envy you, Kaysta. Please let us know your impressions! And enjoy.

Thank you, Amy, for the links. I couldn't access the first but the mini-bio of Ivanov, whom I have always intuited to be, through the beauty of his choreography, esp. Swan Lake, an extremely sensitive artist fully in the service of ballet, helps to confirm my intuition. Regarding your topic, I figured you were probably drilling down deeper, but I felt it was worth mentioning the general info and sources, anyway. The battle scene is delightfully chaotic, isn't it? Tchaikovsky is a terrific storyteller - his music is intensely dramatic, including his symphonic works. Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Delibes and Gershwin are my very earliest musical memories, and my love admiration and appreciation for this great composer and tender heart has only grown and blossomed as I move through my life. I quite adore him. - Karen PS:I also adore the other great composers mentioned in my post - these four gave me the foundation for loving and appreciating all the splendid genres and forms of classical music growing up. Oh dear, my 'Chiff just presented me with a gift, poor little mouse. Now I really need to sign off! Mischief is well-named.

Greetings! Looking to add to my DVD collection and I wondered what people are thinking of the POB Giselle, which is VERY difficult to find and was at one time was very expensive. Given that I've heard some negative things about it, but have also seen a magnificent entrance of the Willis from the film on YouTube, I'd be interested in hearing what members have to say about it. Also it appears to have been released by two different companies: Naxos and ArtHaus Music - the only one I can find available is the ArtHaus release. is there any difference between the two releases? They seem to be the same production: Dec 2006. Also, does anyone know about the Mariinsky Jewels with Lopatkina? The video clip looks gorgeous but I've never seen it around, only POB's Jewels. Any thoughts about either production? I would be most grateful for any information you can provide. Thank you. Karen

Greetings, Amy, Are you referring to the first production in 1892? If so, I consulted two books and both indicate that Lev Ivanov staged the battle. In the production chronology in The Memoirs of Marius Petipa, under the Nutcracker entry, it states 'staging and dances by L.Ivanov'. In Jennifer Fisher's book, Nutcracker Nation, the battle is discussed in pages 15 and 16 and she refers to Ivanov as the choreographer responsible for the battle scene that 'he couldn't whip into shape' (paraphrasing here). I hope this is helpful. I don't know anything about the bugles, but I think I will watch that scene in my 1993 Balanchine DVD version to see what you are referencing. ~Karen

And I will add my voice in gratitude and admiration, Alexandra. Being a great lover of print and books, I, too, will miss the big white envelope which, when It arrived, made me feel elated and special to be part of this community. I couldn't wait to see it and would open the envelope immediately! Many thanks to you for your dedication and commitment in bringing us this excellent quarterly, right down to the last issue, which made me tear up when it came. Although I am sad that DanceView is no longer in print, I will stay tuned in with DanceviewTimes and Ballet Alert! Thank you so much.

Welcome, CTballetfan. NYCB is my favorite ballet company! ABT is wonderful, too, but very different. I hope you enjoy becoming acquainted with the topics, posts and membership. - Karen

Happy Birthday to Jacques d'Amboise! A great dancer and a wonderful human being. And congratulations on your upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame of the National Museum of Dance! Thanks for the clips, Mme. Hermine. - Karen

Thank you, California. I did not know seats aren't discounted for subscriptions! Definitely a disincentive unless one cannot live without certain seats and will be able to procure them with a subscription. perks at SFB are lovely!

Front and center rows 10-12, but they are very expensive and I just can't afford that. For the State Theater, I like first ring center or a bit left or right (subscription prices are around $53 for these if you can get them). For Jewels this spring, I sat in the orchestra, row M to the left and that was a really great seat for $53. At SPAC, I like the box seats in the balcony, front and center. I can't be too far back because details get lost and the ballet isn't nearly as enjoyable. I've only seen ABT at the Met once, and it was a gift; we sat in the family circle, I think, which was way too high up. Much detail lost. I see ABT at Bard when they perform there, and I get great front and center seats there. I'm considering an ABT subscription for the 2014-15 season, so I'll see what kind of seats I can get for affordable prices - what do you recommend?

Excellent post, Helene. This is an interesting and fun topic! Vaganova is on my list, for sure. Here is my list of the most influential 20th century Amazons in ballet: (* denotes most influential- this may change or expand as I ruminate on it ) Anna Pavlova* Agrippina Vaganova* Bronislava Nijinska Alexandra Danilova Maya Plisetskaya - I found it interesting that someone listed Sulamith Messerer, who is Maya's aunt and who who sheltered Maya when her mother was sent to a work camp with an infant brother. Galina Ulanova Ekaterina Maximova Barbara Karinska* - all Russians up til now! Alicia Markova Ninette DeValois* Margot Fonteyn* Yvette Chauvire: for being the greatest French ballerina of the 20th century and then director of POB. Lucia Chase* Alicia Alonso Suzanne Farrell* Barbara Horgan Nancy Reynolds Rosemary Dunleavy - she's been the senior ballet mistress at NYCB for years. For modern and other dance forms: Isadora Duncan* Martha Graham* Katherine Dunham Twyla Tharp Ginger Rogers* Who would you add or remove from my list?

Ballet Review has a short article on Kathryn and the progress of her health and career. She said she wouldn't be hired back at NYCB - what a shame! Still, she seems ok with it and displays her usual positive attitude. She's auditioning in Europe. I hope I can see her dance sometime. She is just lovely. Best wishes, Kathryn!

This is great! Although I do look forward to receiving my 'little big ballet book' each quarter. I read a fair amount online but I cannot abandon the printed word. I love the physical book too much.

Thanks, Helene, this is wonderful.

I'm thrilled beyond words! And can't wait for the company's 50th at SPAC in 2016!!

Oh, how I love Evgenia's dancing! How beautiful she is. Congratulations, Evgenia and Andrei.

This is very sad news. I enjoyed Mr. Platt and his recollections in the film Ballets Russes. He had a very full life and made many valuable contributions. Rest in Peace, Mr. Platt.

Greetings, Whitey! Welcome to BA and enjoy! ~ Karen

**OFF TOPIC** (for some reason I have no access to the icons to express this) Speaking of cake, AlbanyGirl, I still remember your fab chocolate cupcakes from Saratoga last year. I hope to be back there for NYCB this summer again. Hint, hint. Hi Katherine - I didn't realize your reply was here; I thought it was a PM, so I PM'd you back, as you know. So all I'll say here is: Hints are noted....

Amy, yes! That's the name of the company I saw at the Egg in Albany, NY - Russian National Ballet. I saw Les Sylphides and Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet. Thank you. I believe I will check out that performance of Giselle. The dancing was very nice, as I remember, but the sets were just ok - Les Sylphides was better, in my opinion, than the R& J. My husband, Joe, who was weaned on NYCB, was not terribly impressed, however. He felt the company was lethargic and unimaginative. However, if these young dancers are performing one night stands, maybe they deserve a break, right? I appreciate your insightful comments. ~ Karen

You all are a riot!!!! Sara Mearns? Okay. Something's wrong with this picture, er, plate.

Oh, dear. I haven't had the time to write. I'll make some time in the next few days, Sasha. My apologies. ~ Karen

Thank you, Alexandra. Carley looks like a person I would have been happy to meet and know. And what a wonderful way to make a memorial contribution. ~ Karen

My deepest sympathy to Carley's family and to her friends, at BA and elsewhere. I really enjoyed her posts and it was evident she was a committed contributor and a devoted balletomane. I will read some of her posts tonight in her honor. I will also think of her Saturday at the NYCB. Rest In Peace, Carley.

What production are you seeing, Sasha? When I'm home tonight I will write about my feelings and views about SL!

Greetings, fellow BalletLovers, This company will perform Giselle in March in the Capital District at the Proctor's Theatre. Does anyone know anything about them? I believe I may have seen them at The Egg at the Empire State Plaza a few years ago, but I could swear they had a different name, which is escaping me right now. The AD is Sergei Radchenko. I would appreciate any info you can provide about your experiences seeing them. Thank you. ~ Karen