Fraildove

My thoughts exactly!

Try Kirov ballet with Therekhova or ABT with Baryshnikov and Harvey.

I dont think you can get more glam that Irina Dvorovenko right now. Not only is she an incredible ballerina, her modeling and lifestyle screams glamorous Visiting her in her dressing room (my husband is a close friend with both Ira and Max, they graduated together in Kiev), changing into a pair of jeans, she was just exsquisite! Here is a link to her modeling photos... Irina Dvorovenko 1 to be so beautiful and talented!

Here, Here!!!!!

I actually have the pleasure of knowing Alina on a personal level; she is a friend of my husbands, as well as a friend of mine. Even so, i have NEVER cared for her dancing, having had the extreme displeasure of seeing her Aurora in 2006, followed by her Odette/ Odile in 2007. It might strike everyone to know that she is actually quite shy when off the stage, quiet and extremely proper. What a contradiction to what she portrays on stage. Actually, if i had met her personally before seeing her dance, i would have bet money that she was on the conservative side (ignoring her 'lovely' fingernails...). I won’t pretend that we are best friends, but whenever she is in the states, we somehow always manage to get together for dinner, along with several other dancers. I really like her when she is not performing, and sadly we avoid watching her performances if we can help it. I hope for her sake that Terekhova will improve her judgement. I studied with Terekhova many years ago, and she was quite a force in the studio. I am cautiously optimistic of this pairing; imagining that this is just what Alina needs! I have my fingers crossed!

Actually, i dont see Osipova and Simkin at all, just hoping that two of my favorits might share the stage, regardless of suitability. Actually, I would also like to see her paried with Correno, or even in a strange way with Maxim (he and Irina are good friend's of my husband's and i have always seen them together. I have not been fortunate to see either one without the other, for when we go see them, its them together.) And i had already hoped to see Simkin with Ms. Lane, even before casting went up. They seem unusually fit for eachother, in a very odd sort of way. At least in my mind.

Can we hope to see Simkin with Osipove... please please please!!!

Yes he is teaching with ballet Theatr of Scranton on Mondays, then teaching for Toledo Classical Ballet in Oh Wed-Fri. He is still very active and an inspiration to all who take classes with him. He just finished staging The Sleeping Beauty for BTS, and will be working with TCB on their Swan Lake and Paquita.

For more information on this story, check out the Toledo City Paper Yes this is beyond rediculous. Toledo Ballet forgets that this is about kids, the art, and promoting the beauty of it. For this to happen to the same orginazation 2 times in 18 months speaks very clearly about the organization itself, not the former directors.

Houston Ballet's performance of Nutcracker this year, the male lead (who is a friend, so no names...) sent his shoe flying into the wings during snow. After his next entrance, it slipped again and he vary noticably reached down to pull it back on. I was shocked he did this onstage... Apperently the tights he wore were not his usual, and they were slippery... still Personal experience - I have had my costume unravell at the side seam. That was interesting since it was in the corps of Swan lake. During the White swan pas suddenly felt a nice breeze... My eyelashes have glued together leaving me with very little space to see through to navigate off the stage - I have since changed my eyelash glue...

I believe that Natalia Kamkova taught her.

Just curious, How long did the performances last?

yulia makhalina

I am sorry to bump this thread up, but it is so interesting and i have been talking with a former member of the Kirov (much later) and he knows none of this. very interestin. But has anyone come across the copy of the Documentary that was mentioned earlier? I would do anything (OK almost) to get my hands on a copy. Any ideas?

I second Komleve amd Soloviev in Pas Classique!!! I have watched that so many times i wore a spot on the video!

I am not exactly sure where to put this topic, so please move if needed. I have alwyas followed ballet competitions with raised eyebrows, enjoying and loathing them all at the same time. since the Jackson IBC is in my backyard, and it is less than a year away now, i wanted your opinions on what you think the contemporary rounds should be. i have seen it from downright weird to so classical it is just misssing a crown. i know that there are several of you who have seen a lot of competitions, so what makes a memorable contempeor round? and what is and is not appropriate? For instance, would a tango or swing piece with a ballet touch be ok, or too over the top? A romantic Pas, too classical? I was just wanting some different perspectives. Cheers! Rachel

Henry Danton, original cast of Symphonic Variations is still teaching. He is 86!

I was reading the Universal Ballet Website and there was just a new announcement. In the News section, it reports that as of end of June Michele Wiles has been promoted to principal dancer with ABT! I have not seen any report from ABT, and i know the rumor policy here, but does UBA qualify as a reliable source? And has this been announced anywhere else? UBA News

you can see Vorontsova in the Sleeping Beauty video with Holpekova. she dances the 2nd faerie (i think, maybe the 3rd) It is really interesting to see her do this role. check it out! Rachel

i see on the met website that ms. lane is scheduled to dance myrta in Giselle this season. Quite an undertaking. i hope someone will post on her 'debut' (i am not sure if she has danced this role before, i dont seem to remember her doing so). Best wishes ms. lane!

I remember reading Valery Panov's autobiography (really wonderful book, although the name eludes me at the moment) and his comment on Kolpakova was shocking! I knew from former teachers that she was a pretty strong communist, but i cannot imagine such a tiny lady badgering a full grown man about trying to leave the country! I have had a few oppertunities to work with her and she is truly a marvolous teacher. It would be interesting to know whether she is still something of a 'closet communist'!

I hope i am not opening a huge can of worms, but here goes. I do not agree that if a black dancer should leave there should be a backup of the same race. Why? It all goes to affirmative action, which i think serves it's purpose. But ballet is so highly selective and based so much on asthetics. It is very difficult for ANYONE to get a job right now, regardless of color. I just think that color of a dancer is really a non issue right now -In regards to getting a job. I do agree that it is strange and sad that you do not see more african americans in ballet... it adds diversity to a company. But as far as a company looking at the geographical demographics, i suspect that even if there was a wider diversity in a company that it would not effect attendence of performances. Ballet, unfortunatly appeals to some and not to others. If someone goes to a ballet they go regardless. You did mention seeing very gifted black dancers in top schools. I dont doubt this, but in my own experience i can only recal a very few auditions where there was A black student. In my school, as well as several national schools that i attended there was no black students. I remember having a conversation with a roommate who was latin american about this very issue. Neither one of us could figure out why there were not any black students there. I do not believe that the AD's or directors of the school are being prejuduce, but selecting what they have available. I do not really understand your statement, "I'm just curious because I love Ballet, but I can't stand sitting in the audience without seeing someone black onstage". I know the race issue is different for everyone, but (please no one 'yell' at me for saying this) i do not go to a basketball game and not enjoy it because there are no white atheletes. When i am there i am awed by their talent, their race never crosses my mind. To me, ballet transcends race and the beauty will be there regardless of who make up the company. If there is a black dancer, wonderful!!! But if not, i am still in awe of the performors (most of the time :rolleyes: ) Again, i hope my opinion does not offend anyone, i do not intend for it to. I am just sharing my thoughts.

does anyone know what happened to Melissa Wishinski? Rachel

There is a website for the opera. i can navigate it ok in russian, but it has very little info on the ballet itself. I will be relocating to kiev in a few months and have hopes that i may be able to dance with them. I have a dear friend in kiev however he is a laywer and has had a hard time figuring out who to speak with regarding my request for an audition. I too cannot find anything on the web. I am hoping that maybe someone with who knows someone who knows someone might be able to help! All the best Rachel

I too am looking at this very company but i have yet to find any information on it. Please if anyone can help i am sure we would both appreciate it!! Rachel