KarenAG

Helene, thank you so much.

I must sell my ticket for this performance because my beloved dog, Fergus, is still ill. The ticket price is $53, but I can negotiate. If anyone is interested in buying my ticket, please PM me or post back ASAP so we can make arrangements. It is still early in the month, so we have time. It is in the NYS Theatre (okay, DHK Theatre), First Ring, section C right, seat 26. Thank you ~ Karen

Well, I've never seen her dance! I am a NYCB devotee who mostly sees the company at SPAC, although last two years I've subscribed to their annual season in NYC for 4-5 performances. But I never saw Kathryn dance live, only a clip or two. Yet I just know she's wonderful. And so I miss her and wish she'd come back to NYCB soon. I get what you say about her naturalness. Most important, I hope she's regained her health. ~ Karen

Hello, Sandik, sounds like a happy time, and who can resist Petipa! My husband gave me his memoirs as a Christmas present this year. I'll read it soon. More importantly, I'd like to see more Petipa myself this year! As for PNB, I'm going to see them at Jacob's Pillow this August - can't wait!

How I wish I could have seen them dance. They dance so beautifully together - so serious, so sincere. In the service of their art completely.

Please see this lovely clip of Katia and Volodya dancing Giselle. So very gorgeous. His hands are so expressive and her feet! I'm swooning, yes.

Is there any more news about lovely Kathryn Morgan? I miss her.

Oh, the passing of Joan Fontaine makes me so sad - I was hoping she'd make it to 100, at least. Who can forget her performance as the naive, in-confident 2nd Mrs. DeWinter? And in The Women? She was so lovely. Rest in Peace, Ms. Fontaine.

Thank you for this thread. I, too, am in mourning over the great Pete, a man of enormous convictions who eloquently and correctly told the House Un-American Activities Committee exactly what to do with their interrogations and black-listings, a man who saved a great river and a humanitarian who knew the power of song to make positive change. I've been listening to so many songs lately, songs I listened to in my youth as a 'folkie' and they resonate now more than ever. Where have all the flowers gone, indeed. Rest in Peace, Mr. Pete Seeger. We will miss you forever.

Yes, they usually are quite gorgeous in that ballet! I hope you enjoyed it. Who performed?

It is with great pride, admiration, happiness and congratulations that I report to my Ballet Alert friends that our wonderful orchestra in the Capital District has won a Grammy! Maestro David Alan Miller and Dame Evelyn Glennie with the Albany Symphony Orchestra won Best Classical Instrumental Solo for: Corigliano: Conjurer - Concerto For Percussionist & String Orchestra Evelyn Glennie; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony) Track from: Corigliano: Conjurer; Vocalise Label: Naxos Most recently, Andre Watts performed with the ASO in a performance of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY and it was a spectacular evening. Mr. Watts played that piece most gorgeously ( it is one of my very favorite piano concertos!). The rest of the bill was great, too: VERDI - LA FORZA DEL DESTINO OVERTURE DAN VISCONTI - BLACK BEND STRAUSS JR - EMPEROR WALTZES, PLEASURE TRAIN POLKA ~ Karen

Maybe this has been discussed on this forum, but I wanted mention it. In celebration, I am sorry to say I did not raise any donations, but I did share a number to clips with friends and family for their enjoyment and to perhaps spark more interest in our beautiful art form. From Pointe Magazine: World Tutu Day Kristin Schwab's blog On February 2, 2014, dancers everywhere will have something to celebrate:World Tutu Day. And though it won't happen for a couple months (on 2/2—get it?), you can start declaring your love for tulle now. The project, a fundraiser for The Australian Ballet School, challenges you to get a team together to raise money—through a tutu-making event, a studio party or asponsored fitness challenge. Prizes include a pass to the school's 50th anniversary gala, a master class and—what else?—a tutu. The school hopes to eventually make the day a national fundraising challenge for studios everywhere. If anything, it's a great excuse to live in a tutu for a day—on the bus, at school and obviously, in ballet class. Kristin Schwab's blog

I've been reading this thread and find it very interesting. First, I had to cancel my weekend of Jan 25 for the matinee and evening performances because my Golden Retriever, Fergus, is ill. He's doing better and was actually better in time for the weekend, but we did not want to chance leaving him, wouldn't have enjoyed ourselves, anyway, being so far away from him. Given that, I can see the company is performing beautifully and am sorry to have missed Concerto Barocco with that matinee cast (Mearns and Kowroski, I believe), and the Gershwin cast, esp. Tiler and Robbie. And missing Jewels was a great disappointment, too. From MaCauley's review, Maria danced Diamonds beautifully. Oh, as an aside, from my Google Alerts, I get reviews from that NJ Star Ledger critic, Robert Johnson, I think that's his name. He absolutely hates Maria Kowroski and IMO, if what he says stands in for meaningful critical assessment, I think he should find another occupation. Last winter season, when she danced Balanchine's Swan Lake, he made some fatuous statement that she couldn't dance. I just shook my head (and fist, in fury). I saw Barocco at SPAC two years ago and I don't think it was the greatest perf. I'd seen of that ballet. I believe the cast at that time was Lowery and Reichlen, and I saw it twice that summer, but it was somehow, I don't know, I can't put my finger on it. I was thrilled to be seeing it - it is always a privilege to to see this company, but.... So I was looking so forward to this prformance on the 25th, with these particular principals. Since I had to cancel, I exchanged my tickets for June 1, so it will be interesting to see who dances Barocco then. Who Cares is on that bill, also. As for Kammermusik, I, too, am loath to criticize Balanchine choreography but I saw it twice two years ago at SPAC and I have to say, I just didn't like it. So I am not terribly upset to have missed it. Dances at a Gathering, which I've only seen a couple of times, well-spaced out, is, in my opinion, too long. I enjoy it, I love, love, love the music and the dancing, but it seems to need editing. Union Jack is a ballet I haven't seen in years, so I don't know how I would receive it now. I remember liking it very much, but I was young when I saw it so I appreciate the critical input on the ballet in this thread.

Greetings, BalletLovers (and TannyLovers)l, The official site lists only two venues for screenings - Santa Fe and NYC - no others? Is this film not showing in movies houses across the country? Can anyone explain this, please? Any info you can provide is welcome. Thank you.

My issue just arrived, too, and I'll be taking it to slumber with me. A great way to close the evening and sail into sweet dreams of ballet...

What is this all about, please? We access it at Ballettalk.com? What can be lost? Thank you.

What a beautiful soul was Maestro Abbado and we shall miss him. Rest in Peace, dear Sir.

Thanks to Alexandra, Helene, dirac, rg, Mme Hermine and all the others who keep this wonderful site alive. Thanks to those of you with whom I communicate on posts and sometimes pm's. And Happy New Year 2014 to everyone at Ballet Alert!

You're too funny, Angelica. Yes, that indeed would have been a sight! I'm chuckling as I sign off......

Hello, Everyone, I wish I could have seen this performance, but as I live in Albany, I'm down for my NYCB subscription every few months and last week for Nutcracker so no time to see. Angelica, are you sure it wasn't wishful thinking, your point about Cornejo rolling into your arms - he's so gorgeous and his dancing is just so lovely - only kidding, of course, but I wouldn't mind if he rolled into my arms! And ABT Fan, I'd have gushed, too. He's just a love. Thanks for your posts! ~ Karen

Hi beancounter! Lots of great posts and topics in this forum and very healthy debates, too! Following carbro, I'm interested in hearing about your interest in this great art form. So, looking forward to hearing from you and Season's Greetings to all. ~Karen

Hi Helene, What is Goh? I'd love to see PNB's - Maurice Sendak, yes!

Hi Helene, thank you for responding so quickly. I didn't even see the envelope icon at the top right. Thank you, I'm all set. And Happy Holidays to you and yours. ~ Karen PS: Seeing NYCB's Nutcracker next weekend with my husband, two nieces and two friends who are new to ballet but saw their 1st NYCB at SPAC this summer with us. Can't wait! Which Nuts will you see this season?

I am having trouble accessing my PMs - why? Thanks

How old is Janie?