This is the old sunday. I forgot my password, and do not have access to my old e-mail address, so I'll use my real surname in its original language. I am not related to the famous tenor Plácido Domingo, but it seems that this surname is useful for obtaining a better treatment from staff at the Royal Opera House .
I've been somewhat estranged from the art lately (I missed the Mariinsky tour at Barcelona, even), but after reading in the local paper that my beloved couple of principals Osipova and Vassiliev would be performing, I bought a couple of orchestra tickets immediately, and shangaied a very willing cousin.
About DQ, I've seen a couple of Bolshoi's DQ in London two years ago, and the Baryshnikov video. I'm also familiar with Corella and Herrera Grand Pas.
Now, I'm at home after watching ABT's Don Quixote, starring Osipova and Vassiliev, reconciled with dance, and back unto the breach.
Liceu was quite full - I could not see any empty seat.
The current version of ABT's DQ is beautiful, funny, moving, and highly recommendable. However, I missed that variation with cups that Barysnikov used to do - probably it was meant only for Misha.
America friends, I'm sorry, but I liked more Bolshoi's version - that scene in first act with the bulfighters flapping their capes while Kitri makes her chaînés tournes (I think that is the correct term - corrections welcome!) is definitively more appealing, and the not-so-good quality of the performance of the music probably did not help.
Another thing that nags me a little bit is that Osipova's ballon seems to have decreased slightly - but that could be also a optical illusion because at ROH I was much closer to stage than tonight. However, the bravura of both her and Vassiliev keeps they in the category of forces of nature, and that could be seen in the astronautic jumps and turns of Vassiliev, the dizzy fouettés of Osipova in the final Grand Pas (I think I saw a quadruple, at least), and a couple of hair-raising jumping dives.
Secondary roles were very well danced, with special mentio to Sascha Radetzky's Espada, Stella Abrera's Streetdancer, and the two flower girls played by Sarah Lane*, and Luciana París.
I think there were two or three curtain calls, and half the public in the orchestra stood up. Not bad. Not bad at all.
I saw briefly CarolinaM, and the rest of the old Spanish gang last seen in London and went with my cousin, and her husband to wait at the side entrance for the fans to fall upon the unsuspecting (well, perhaps they should suspect a bit ) O&V. They were absolutely charming, addressing the demands of the fandom. There was a cute scene with four girls, all sporting face-splitting grins, next to Osipova in order to have a picture taken. Even yours truly was photographed (by coz's hubby) next to Natalia. I'm a happy bean!
Of course I was not expecting them to remember me from London, but was nice to see Osipova giggling when I commented favorably on the quality of her English.
This has been another unforgettable evening.
* I regret not thinking in expressing my sympathy to Sarah Lane about the Black Swan affair.
