Natalia

From a Naughty Washingtonian: Can you just imagine Paloma Herrera as Lise...Act III inside the house...stretched out on the sofa, pouting, and flexing those amazing feet of hers? OK - I'm ready! One ticket sold!

Dolgushin travels quite a bit, teaching and staging ballets. He was in New Orleans last summer for the Diaghilev Conference, where he taught portions of Fokine's 'Pavillon d'Armide,' a ballet that he has revived, in toto, at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Right, Dale. This is a 'killer week' in the office but I'll write in more detail from home, in the next night or two. I was quite pleased with Wiles' T&V ballerina-role debut on Friday night. Very much her sort of role - the 'Imperial Russian Tsarina' mode. From the waist-down, spectacular. (Near the end of the pdd section, she struck a wonderful balance in arabesque then let down her arms, to her partner, V-E-R-Y slowly..."Maybe I need him - maybe I don't?") My quibbles are with her "rock-solid Vaganova torso" for this particular ballet. I'm used to a looser, more free-form manner, such as Paloma Herrera captured on Saturday afternoon (and BOY is Herrera looking 1,000-times better than she did in Washington this spring!). Nonetheless, Wiles made a promising debut. I have mixed feelings about Gomes, who replaced the injured Maxim Belotserkovsky; perhaps Gomes was tentative due to very little rehearsal time with Wiles? Gomes looked more secure the following day (Saturday mat.) in the same ballet, this time partnering Herrera. I absolutely adored Cornejo's Bluebird. And what about McKerrow/Malakhov's joyous TCHAI PDD on Sat afternoon? And it was touching to see the elegant Giuseppe Piccone taking his final ABT bows (with hand-to-heart) on Friday night, after the Nutcracker pdd with Jaffe. On the other hand, I was a bit taken aback by Dvorovenko's brittleness in the Rose Adagio on Friday. She seemed VERY tired. Does anyone know if she is nursing an injury? Saturday's Rose Adagio, with Gillian Murphy's icy Aurora, did not fare much better...perhaps I was sitting too high up in the Balcony to feel Murphy's warmth? The absolute-highlight of my weekend in NYC, though, was Sunday afternoon's NYCB mixed bill (Chaconne - In Memory of... - Harmonielehre). In Chaconne, a glorious Tracey & Boal...AND a well-synchronized corps...quite a surprise for an old Kirov-ABT die-hard admirer! And that final scene in 'Harmonielehre' with billowing clouds, followed by the vast cosmos, was breathtakingly beautiful. I am inspired to write about it in more detail, as time allows. It was a GREAT mixed bill with a common theme of the heavens & angels. More later. [ 06-25-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Giannina - Nice little London tip...interesting for all, so I'm not e-mailing you privately: Unless you have a LOT of luggage, you should consider taking the 'Heathrow Express' (fast train) from Heathrow Airport into mid-town London's Paddington Station. At Paddington, you can easily connect to the regular 'Underground' (tube). Once you clear Customs, just follow the signs to the "Heathrow Express' terminal within the airport....A cheaper alternative is the reguylar Underground (tube) from Heathrow...but takes much longer and not as 'relaxing' Not sure where your hotel is, but you can connect directly from Paddington Station to the Underground line that stops at Trafalgar Square/The Strand (area of the Royal Opera House and Coliseum theaters). This is MUCH FASTER than going 'overground' by taxi or minibus or automobile...by 'pet peeve' of traveling to London is the HOURS that it can take to get to your hotel from Heathrow, especially if you're in a minivan taht stops at ump-teen different hotels. The Heathrow Express eliminates that hassle. You're off the plane and at your hotel within one hour, maximum! I thank one-thousand-fold the Ballet.co.uk 'regular' who first told me about the Heathrow Express. Boy, does it save time AND 'nerves'!

Hu Xinxin - Thanks so much for the insights! As you can well imagine, I am *very much* looking forward to my first trip to China, very soon. The 'Chinese Miracle' in winning so many competitions in the 1990s has really inspired me to learn more about ballet in China. Will you be at the Shanghai Competition in mid-August? I'll be in Beijing for one week before traveling on to Shanghai for most of Round I, then all of the other rounds. Let's exchange e-mails. We can continue discussion in private....I'm at szoradi@erols.com Cheers! - Jeannie

Leigh - I was looking at the St. Petes Hostel site and, indeed, it appears that they now have hotel-like 'double rooms' which you can book. When I stayed there 4-5 years ago, they only had "dorm beds". The etiquette for gobbling-up 'dorm beds' to make a private room is different from booking a hotel-like double room. So I think that your problem is solved! It REALLY is a nice place, and the staff are super-helpful in obtaining hard-to-come-by theater tix. The hostel is also a good 'jumping-off point' for a longer stay (one month +), in which case you can arrange for a small apartment with 'locals.' Don't book the 'apartments' in the classified ads of the St. Petes newspapers, which are at Western prices. Since I stayed at the hostel in 1995, I have found a private apartment...but you have to take the first step to arrive & aclimate yourself to the city, then seek the apartment. The first trip to a certain city is always a bit of a chanllenge; subsequent visits are a breeze. Good luck! I hope that all of you make it to St. Petes, in due time.

Ohhh...it probably wouldn't be in the 'hosteling spirit' to do that, Leigh. Sort of an unwritten rule. If you try to do so (pay for both beds...or four beds, to get a room to yourself) it should be in the 'off-tourist season' (October through April) which , lucky for us, is the main opera-ballet season. In summer/White Nights, when folks are lining up for any available bed, it just is not done. Unfortunatley, St. Petersburg doesn't have a 'Boris' Red Roof Inn' with middle-of-the-road prices. As for tix, I've never gone to Russia on my own penny for specific performances. I just make sure that I go during a period when all theaters will be in operation (Mariinsky - Mussorgaky/Maly - Hermitage). That's practically any month except August or September, if you want to see the top ballet troupes. Go to the kiosks & see 'what's playing.' I've never had a non-ballet night in St. Petes...ever! If it's not one of the above theaters with regular repertoire, then there are special ballet concerts occurring in any of a number of 'mixed-use theaters' such as October Concert Hall, Alexandrinsky Theater, Anichkov Palace, etc, etc. I'll try to dig-out web site addresses for schedules later. Bolshoi (in Moscow) publishes the schedule for the entire year in advance; not so the Mariinsky or other St. P. theaters. Compared to five years ago, it's a miracle that you can get TWO MONTHS in advance. Oh...and it doesn't hurt to invest in a Beginners Russian course, if you plan to travel independently. It's not too difficult to learn the Cyrillic Alphabet, so that you can read signs and find your way about. Differentiate between 'Lebedonoe Ozero' & 'Spiachaya krasavitsa' on the ticket-kiosk posters. [For China, I've been taking lessons in Mandarin @ Berlitz, to read important signs & get on the right trains! Company pays for that...so not on my personal budget. ] [ 06-21-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Sonja et al - Go to St. Petersburg and stay at the St. Petersburg Int'l Youth Hostel. Beautiful, sparkling-clean building. Just off Nevski Prospekt - Ploschad Vostaniya station...or easy $5 cab ride to Mariinsky. Only up to four 'beds' per room...many rooms with only two beds, so if you are going with a friend, you have your own 'hotel room' minus private bath. Beautiful, clean bathroons just down the hall! Unlike Europeans, Americans seem to be a bit squeamish about staying in hostels. Once a person gets over this notion that "I must have my private room!" he/she will be liberated to an incredible world of low-cost, yet comfortable, travel. Believe me - you will not regret it. Save money for what means the most to you: ballet tickets! Check out Hostelling International's website: www.iyhf.org ...and that of its U.S.-based affiliate: www.hiayh.org The St. Petes and Moscow hostels also arrange your visas. Easy-does-it! I'm hostelling my way around China very soon. That's $6.50/night in Beijing...two blocks from the Forbidden City. Shanghai: $6/night, on the Bund, two Metro stops from Ballet Competition site. Guilin: $4.50/night - breakfast included. Urumqi: $2.50 in a "yurta" tent beside an alpine lake, high in the mountains....and includes an outdoor breakfast cooked by a Kazakh fellow named Rashid! I'm connecting the towns by taking trains, which can be booked ahead of time in each hostel. Dirt-cheap for each leg of the journey in 'hard sleeper' accomodations. Int'l airfares will 'kill you' if you don't book several months in advance...especially for travel to Europe in high season (summer). I booked my DC-Beijing-DC round trip airfare in mid-December, for travel in August/September. Cost: $720, tax included. Total budget for five weeks in China: $1,400 including film, gifts, visas, everything. General advise? Keep an open mind. Travel light. Know what you want to do & arrange what you can ahead of time. Smile a lot and try to show patience & respect always; you are the guest in their country. [ 06-21-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Every time that the orchestra begins to play the final, majestic theme of 'Sleeping Beauty' (Vive, Henri IV is the tune)...but especially so during the Kirov's 1890-version of 'Beauty' with the fabulous back-tableau of fairytale characters in the clouds and the rows of garlands lowering from the ceiling. First time that I walked into the auditorium of the Mariinsky Theater...when the Russian usherette showed me to my seat in a bel-etage box, parted the little blue-velvet curtains that separate the aisle from the seats, and my eyes first gazed on that ceiling, chandelier, gilded horseshoe of tiered boxes in that 'Temple of Ballet' - goose bumps!

I came in second for 'Best Spectator' & can only blame it on Yuri Grigorovich. (Just joking! ) The official list that I received on Monday only added 'Best Partner' (Korea's Bon Kuk Lee) among the special awards. The contemporary choreographers competition was announced several days earlier, as all 'competing choreographies' were shown during Round I. The winner, Radu, is probably today's premier choreographer of these 'miniatures' for IBC competitions, e.g., he also won the top prize at last year's Varna IBC for a humorous take on 'Swan Lake.' He is a competition regular & consistently creates clever pieces.

Interesting analysis, Ilya. Well, as we all know, the cash isn't exactly flowing in Russia these days. However, I think that the reason why Gold Medals were not awarded in each category -- esp. Jr. Boys -- is that the quality of dancing was not all there. Butrimovich is the only Jr Boy, IMO, who deserved to go on to the 2nd round fromt he 1st rnd, IMO...let alone pass-on to 3rd round! He was a deserving Bronze winner...no more - no less. Your comments about Moscow, Russia vs. Ukraine have crossed the minds of many of us. Then again, to have CHINA (Wan Qimin's gold) share with RUSSIA-St. Petersburg (Oksana Kucheruk...actually born in Kiev!) is quite a diplomatic step in the right direction. The 'Bolshoi sweetheart' Schipulina ranked behind these two ladies? Unheard of! Quite interesting what you write about the silver medalists taking home more CA$H that the Gold medlists. Kuranaga & Semyonova share Gold; each takes home $2,000 (half of the $4,000 prize); Domratcheva wins a Silver all to herself & takes home $3,000. [ 06-18-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

How the ballet world turns! In the final round, the 'shoo-in' Bolshoi soloist, Ekaterina Schipulina, had a disastrous 'Black Swan pdd.' Still, everyone assumed "Yeah...Grigorovich will hand it to her." We went home Sunday night, assuming that the elegant Wan Qimin of China or the demi-caractere virtuosa 'Kitri' from St. Petersburg/Maly, Oksana Kucheruk, would be shafted. MIRACLES HAPPEN IN MOSCOW!!! (ha-ha...read below) On the other hand...everybody is upset at where the jr. girl from Ukraine, Natalia Domratcheva (she of the Balanchine 'Tarantella' in round 2), ended up...but delighted about the jr Japanese girl, Misa Kuranaga, who will soon go to San Francisco Ballet. Final Results: Grand Prix - not awarded this year SENIOR DIVISION WOMEN- GOLD: (2) Wan Qimin (China) - totally deserving...gorgeous, pure line...saved her best - GISELLE, Act II - for last. Oksana Kucheruk (Russia - St. Petes/Maly) - lit up the stage with final Don Q pdd. SILVER: (2) Roberta Marcues (Brazil) - she & Tiago Soares-Pinto were huge virtuosi-crowd favorites. Nikiya & Solor pdd last night. Ekaterina Schipulina (Russia - Moscow/Bolshoi) - started as 'shoo-in' gold medalist a few days ago..kinks in the armor during rnd 2...totally unraveled last night as Black Swan. Lucky to salvage a silver. BRONZE: (2) Anna Sharova (Russia - Novosibirsk) suprise medalist...understated & quiet...OK Swanhilda last night Kim Dyu-Bon (Korea) - CAME ALIVE in round III...she & her non-competing partner were THE HITS of last night's senior finals with out-of-this-world "Talisman pdd." Man carried her to a medal...not that she wasn't lovely herself...but an example on the power of having a great partner. SENIOR MEN - GOLD (2) Leonid Sarafanov (Ukraine) - no doubt here...he's the guy who's on his way to the Royal Danish Ballet. Made me forget Villela & Baryshnikov's 'Tarantellas' two nights ago. Sadly, his partner -- jr. girl Domracheva - not so lucky (see below) Tiago Soares-Pinto (Brazil) - truly deserving...esp. memorable Acteon in Rnd 2. Awesome Solor last night. Crowd adored him & partner, Roberta Marcues. Viva Brasil!! SILVER: (2) Alexei Borsov (Bolshoi) - Nice surprise...beautiful feet & leg beats as James in Sylphide, last night. Roman Mikahilev (Russia - St. Petes/Maly) Last ngiht's effervescent Basil in DON Q w/ gold medalist Kucheruk. Just as 'fiery' as above 2 gold medalists, Sarafanov & Soares-Pinto, but has a stocky build and shortish legs...probably made difference. BRONZE (4) Han Po (China) - I personally wanted a gold for him...elegant, tall, great turn out. But I understand 'problem', when compared to the above virtuosi. Han was an elegant Albrecht last night. Ruslan Skvortsov (Bolshoi) - Siegried in disastrous 'Black Swan pdd' last night, with Schipulina. Amazed that he made it this far... Ochi Tomohori (Japan) - Merely "OK" in early rounds but did a great job on his Ali-Corsaire variation last night. Good potential. Sergei Teglov (Russia - Bolshoi) - wasn't so strong, I thought JUNIOR DIVISION GIRLS - GOLD: (2) Misa Kuranaga (Japan) - IMO, deserved Gold all to hereself. SPECTACULAR in every round of the competition, but left her 'piece de resistance' -- girls solo, Tchaikovsky pdd-Balanchine -- for yesterday. What playful style...taunting audience with her balances!!! This gal CAN balance and weave lace with her beautiful feet. Second variation was a delectable GISELLE Act I solo...that diagonal on pointe was TO DIE FOR!!! San Francisco Ballet, get ready - she's comin'your way very soon! Polina Semyonova (Moscow) Was wonderful in round one...maybe that's what carried her through to an award here...but gold????? Bizarre. Errors in last night's Odile. Face of Bolshoi principal Nina Semizorova - almost a twin in looks. SILVER (1) Natalia Domracheva (Ukraine) - balletomanes screaming 'bloody murder' to the judges on this one. Almost everyone had her for at least Gold with the Japanese girl...maybe even Grand Prix. No explanations. She was a brilliant PAQUITA last night with her sr partner, who earned Gold. BRONZE (4) Milena Sudorova (Ukraine) - the thin little 14-yr-old who drove balletomanes wild with her contemporary 'pillow dance.' Very nice classical 'Esmeralda' tambourine solo yesterday; really 'sold' the number. Not classically pure in positions, though. Ekaterina Kreisanova (Russia, Moscow) - Diana & Kitri yesterday. So-so, but... Anastasia Kurkova (Moscow) - Aurora & Kitri yesterday. Again, so-so.... Maria Kochetkova (Moscow) - Nutcracker pdd w/ a sr man last night...again, so-so...these three Russian bronze girls are hard to justify, IMO. NOTE: The tiny-and-powerful Argentine girl in the finals, Paula Andrea Elizondo, did not win a medal, to the surprise of some. I applaud that decision by the jury, as she was too all-reliant on technique, with minimal grace and artistry. In other competitions, this 'Olympic Gymnast' style would have been rewarded. Not here, thank goodness. JUNIOR MEN - NO GOLD - NO SILVER BRONZE (1) Alexander Butrimovich (Nizhny Novgorod). Million-dollar smile & charisma. Wonderful solo work...and survived having to haul a 'Junoesque' non-competing partner through yesterday's painful DON Q pdd. He deserves something for surviving! Prize for Non-Competing Partner: Korea's Bon-Kuk Li - that amazing 'Wind God' in last night's TALISMAN pdd. Truly deserving. My personal disappointments? Hardly any! Besides Han Po's placement (3rd, not 1st), I was a tad disappointed that Japan's lovely Yuri Higuchi -- the soloist from Perm Ballet -- did not earn a medal. Then again, her Kitri last night was markedly less effective than performances in previous rounds. She earned a Finalists Diploma. Back to DC tomorrow so I'll miss Tuesday night's gala but, hopefully, it will be telecast and taped by a friend. Next stop on my ballet travels is NYC for ABT 'Tchaikovsky Spectacular' & Michele Wiles' T&V debut this weekend...then on to the Shanghai IBC, later this summer. Ciao! - Jeannie [ 06-18-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Terry - You're probably right about Domracheva's Hamburg commitments. I am just going on what Russians sitting next to me, in the audience say. I mean it when I write "buzz"...that's what it is. Apparently, Ratmansky has been coaching them, in sort form or another. It's incredible to see this Ukrainean-Danish cross-fertilization. Right, Alexandra? ;) Well...I suppose that even Mr. Bournonville was an 'outsider' himself, at one time (French, not Danish)! Back to bed...bad head cold. Glad that there's no competition tonight.

Before I give the results of Round Two...a brief mention of the undisputed highlight in this competition, so far: the Ukrainean pair of Natalia Domracheva (jr. division) and Leonid Sarafanov (sr. division) in Balanchine's 'Tarantella' last night. A once-in-a-lifetime performance for me - WOW!!!! All the elements were there, with technique the *least* important facet. These two dancers have artistry, musicality, and -- best of all -- charisma. The Real Thing, folks. And the 'buzz' is that they've already signed soloist contracts with Royal Danish Ballet. Well...they have worked with RDB soloist/choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and, apparently, he had nabbed this glorious couple for Copenhagen. Long-time Moscow IBC audiences are talking 'Grand Prix' for Domracheva...she is that good and he (Sarafanov) is not far behind the girl. Following are the dancers who have made the finals, set to take place all-day tomorrow (Sunday). My own "stars" (*) beside names of those who, I think, are worthy of medals. JUNIOR GIRLS (17 made it; very few weeded out in last round...surprise, as only 4-5 are truly worthy of being in final round, in the opinion of those who sat through the entire jr group) Ekaterina Shalkina (Ukr) Anna Ginsburg (Moscow) Natalia Kleymenova (Moscow) Polina Semenova (Moscow) Alexandra Sudoreeva (Kazak) Yekaterina Kreisanova (Moscow) * Veronika Varnovskaya (Moscow) * Paula Andrea Elizondo (Argentina) - survived horrible fall in contemp round, I was told; technical whiz...takes huge risks Julia Bolshakova (Moscow) Julia Grebenschikova (Voronezh) **Misa Kuranaga (Japan) magnificent...classically pure. Technically perfect, yet light 'elegant' manner. Alas, someone even more magnificent stands in her way of gold (perhaps) -- Ukraine's Domratcheva. Anastasia Kurkova (Moscow) Maria Klimova (Krasnoyarsk) Maria Kochetkova (Moscow) * Milena Sidorova (Ukraine) everybody loves this sprite of a girl for her two contemporary dances - her own choreography. (first round, it was a girl who can't fall asleep and battles with her pillow...to the music of Romeo & Juliet 'pillow dance'; yesterday, a clever "Spider' number to Grieg's Peer Gynt-Anitra Dance) Alas, the final round is all-classical, so we'll see if she can survive to a medal of some sort Darya Ivanova (Moscow) ****Natalia Domracheva (Ukraine) - Has become the shoo-in for gold, unless she wins Grand Prix, in which case Japan's Misa K. might win Jr Girls gold instead. JUNIOR BOYS (4...huh???) * Alexander Butrimovich (Nizhny Novgorod) Vladimir Tristan (Ukr) Ruslan Savdenov (Kazak) Vyacheslav Lopatin (Voronezh) SENIOR WOMEN (8...surprised at how *few* passed on...then again, this is 100% correct. Judges did the appropriate 'weeding out' only in this category) **Wang Qimin (China) exquisite...elegant...sure medal, but of which metal? * Kim Joo-Won (Korea) light, romantic wisp...her Rnd I Giselle "did it" for her. It's 'Talisman pdd' tomorrow. Good choice? Kyoko Takeichi (Japan) Anna Zharova (Novosibirsk) * Roberta Marcues (Brazil) the Brasileiros are HOT! Have the audience behind them. probably the most popular pair, behind the Ukraineans (Domracheva/Sarafanov) and the Bolshoi pair (Shipulina/Skvortsov). * Oksana Kucheruk (St. Petes, Russia) still "in it" but lost points in round II for technical slip ups, I fear. We'll see if they can make-up tomorrow. * Yurie Higuchi (Japan) wonderful technique and audience appeal...the Lausanne winner, Royal Ballet student, current soloist in Perm...great credentials - the one who, IMO, could challenge Wang and Schipulina for gold. More likely, silver or bronze. We'll see. ** Yekaterina Schipulina (Bolshoi-Moscow) Still very much in the running for Sr Womens Gold. Not quite spot-on last night...Is there an 'opening' for the elegant Chinese beauty, Wang Qimin? Hmmm...don't forget where we are.. SENIOR MEN (13...high number, again) Vladimir Dmitriev (Moscow) * Roman Mikhailov (St. Petersburg)...dances with Kucheruk * Igor Schepachev (Moldova)...he's strong but his wife-partner did not make it to the finals due to technical problems last night. Denis Bordiyan (Novosibirsk) ** Leonid Sarafanov (Ukraine) the man in that AMAZING Ukrainean team...he, too, is being mentioned for Grand prix. Off to Copenhagen after this contest? Sergei Teplov (Moscow) Sergei Vasyuchenko (Ukraine) * Alexander Voltchkov (Bolshoi - Moscow) ** Han Po (China) the tall, perfect-turn-out partner of Wang. * Tiago Soares-Pinto (Brazil) Hot-hot-hot!! Crowd fave. Alexei Borzov (Moscow) * Ruslan Skvortsov (Bolshoi-Moscow) Schipulina's partner & quite good himself Tomonori Ochi (Japan) - Jeannie p.s. - I am hoping that the Ukraineans get to reprise 'Tarantella' at the Gala, as this will be televised/recorded. You must see it to believe it. McBride/Villela... [ 06-16-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

As I wrote 24 hours ago "...nothing ever boring at the Bolshoi"! Well, little did I know that there'd be a 3-ring circus of intrigue going on around this event...no, not the competition. The resignation of the Bolshoi AD, Rozhdestvensky, in the midst of Grigorovich's very public 'unofficial' return. Also, one of the judges at this years competition, Mme Golovkina, just 'discovered' that she's been demoted from AD of the Bolshoi Academy to teacher of the senior girls class. Shades of Dudinskaya/Sergeyev 'discovering' that they were suddenly demoted to teaching the Classe de perfection at the Vaganova ca 1970. No, nothing is ever boring at the Bolshoi. Last session of Round Two/seniors begins in a little while. I'll have results to report very late tonight or early Saturday morning. Although I wasn't able to see all juniors, strongest girls appear to be Misa Kuranaga (Jap) and Yelena Dobrianskaya (Ukr), so far. Butrimovich is strongest Jr male. Yet to dance are a couple of jr Girls who compete with Sr men in tonight's senior round...including the highly-favored junior girl Natalia Domracheva of Ukraine, competing in Blanchine's "Tarantella" for the classical round. (!!!) The St. Petes senior couple (Oksana Kucheruk & Roman Mikhalev) will perform Balanchine's Tchai Pas - immediately following Tarantella. So Moscow will enjoy a bit of a 'mini-Balanchine Fest' tonight.

Nobody like that one, so far, Leigh! I'm here on work, so can only catch the competition during the night sessions (seniors). First of two Round-II evening sessions tonight. I'll try to do a quick summary/results tomorrow night (or early Saturday). Finals Sat. & gala Sun. I almost forgot to mention THE most fascinating aspect of this competition: THE RETURN OF HIS EXCELLENCY YURI GRIGOROVICH AS 'CHAIRMAN OR THE JURY'! His hand is very much in evidence at this theater, my friends. ;) His fellow jurors comprise quite a line-up: Other Russians - Altynai Assylmuratova (now you know why she's not in London!), Sofia Golovkina, Natalia Kasatkina, Marina Semenova (yes...a living legend, at around age 92) Belarus - Valentin Elizariev Brazil - Maria Clara Salles de Almeida Bulgaria - Biser Deyanov-Tadarov Italy - Amadeo Amadio China - Bae Susyan Korea - Choe-Tae Ji Netherlands - Rudi Van Dantzig USA - John Taras Ukraine - Viktor Litnotov France - Michel Denard (replacing Claude Bessy) Czech Rep. - Vlastimir Garapes Japan - Minoru Ochi Last night, someone unofficially circulated/leaked what seems to be a 'fake list' of points accumulated, thus far, by each competitor...something unheard of at any past IBC. I'm keeping it to myself, so as not to perpetuate something that may be very wrong and, thus, unfair to the competitors and coaches. However, it just goes to show you that things are *never* boring at the Bolshoi! [ 06-14-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Terry - Not as many medals as you may think! Just gold, silver, bronze per gender, per category (jr or sr). 'Solo medalists' are selected from among dancers who opt to compete either in solo or pdd. In addition to the 'main medals,' the jury might decide to give awards to 'Best Couple' without distinction to whether they are 'Jr' or 'Sr' ( no 'Jr Couples' here...only a couple of 'Jr Girls' who happen to be dancing with Sr. Men). The Grand Prix may or may not be awarded. If awarded, it could go to a dancer in any 'age category' or gender, e.g., Nadezhda Pavlova, 'only' a Jr Girl, won it in '73. Some competition-jaded folk seem to think that it is a 'tactic' to compete in a pair...more time in front of judges per round (they see you in adagio, solo, coda...not just a solo). Small girls can be better 'shown off' by partners, etc. I happen to believe that this makes no difference; a judge judges what he sees in front of him...a thing of beauty and artistry...looks just as beautiful in two minutes as in ten. Ballet is an art; not an Olympics. What's judged in these competitions is the beauty and artistry of what's on stage...just as paintings are judged at the French Ecole des Beaux Arts or pianists are judged at the Van Cliburn competition for the beautiful tone they produce. Paintings and pianists do not jump...but they can be judged for beauty, which is what is supposed to happen in these competitions. [Judge doesn't stand with a clipboard, noting number of fouettes completed, and such.] [ 06-14-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

A total of 56 Juniors (46 girls + 10 boys) and 66 seniors (35 women + 31 men) began the competition. Round I ended last night. The 'survivors' into Round II -- which commences tomorrow -- were announced a short while ago. Continuing into Round II, in the order of their 'competing numbers' which were drawn by lot (thus not reflecting current standing). However, I've starred (*) the names of those who, I feel, have the greatest chance of earning medals, based on round I performances + 'the buzz' from audience: SENIOR WOMEN (17 of 35 selected) Natalia Ashikhmina (Moscow, Russia) Yevgenia Bespalova (Voronezh, Russia) * Wang Qimin (China) - one of the huge favorites...China sent only two dancers -- Wang and her partner, Han Po -- to this competition. Both are winners of prior IBC competitions. Nadezhda Gonchar (Ukraine) Anna Zharova (Novosibirsk, Russia) she & partner, Denis Bordiyan, danced a new modern pdd by the 'latest choreographic sensation' in Russia -- Kirov Ballet soloist, Kirill Semenov (of recent 'Nutcracker' fame) Nadezhda Ivanova (Yekaterinburg, Russia) * Joo-Won Kim (Korea) * Oksana Kucheruk (St. Petersburg's Maly) - she & fellow-Maly star, Roman Mikhailov, are also among huge faves. Interestingly, she shared the 1999 Luxembourg IBC silver medal with her strongest competition here - the Bolshoi's Ekaterina Schipulina. Gulsina Mavlukasova (Ufa, Russia) Roberta Marcues (Brazil)...one of *many* competitors from Brazil & the Bolshoi's affiliate institution in Joinville. Yelizabeta Nebesnaya (Moscow, Russia) * Guzel Suleimanova (Ufa, Russia) - the 'Ufa Couple' are also favored for medals. Warmed up the audience with a searing 'Flames of Paris.' She won silver at 1999 Kiev IBC ("Lifar Prix") and a diploma at last year's Nureyev prix/Budapest. Keiko Takeichi (Japan) Alya Tanykpayeva (Kazakhstan) * Yuri Higuchi (Japan...but works in Perm, Russia) - another big fave for medal. She previously won '96 Prix de Lausanne & studied at the Royal Ballet School. Here, she is partnered by last year's Varna IBC sensation, Konstantin Kuznetsov (non-competitor here) ** Yekaterina Schipulina (Moscow - Bolshoi) THE one to beat. Won silver at '99 Luxemb IBC. * Nadezhda Shepacheva (Moldova) - one-half of a very strong pair from Moldova SENIOR MEN (23 of 31 selected) Dalmiro Astesiano (Argentina) Denis Bordiyan (Novosibirsk, Russia) - danced 'Flower Fest' with Anna Sharova, above. Alexei Borzov (Moscow, Russia) Sergei Vasyuchenko (Moscow, Russia) - partner of one of the strongest Junior girls, Polina Semionova. Memorable Giselle Act II pdd, round I. *Alexander Voltchkov (Bolshoi - Moscow) One of four Bolshoi dancers competiting. Strong prince Desire, with non-comp partner, Xenia Tsaitseva. Andrei Gura (Ukraine) Vladimir Dmitriev (Moscow, Russia) * Sergei Dorensky (Moscow, Russia) - one of the three Bolshoi sr. male competitors *Denis Zaintdinov (Ufa, Russia) - a huge fave...'Flames of Paris' with Guzel Suleimanova. Arkady Zinov (Ufa, Russia) Saneyuki Kavasima (Japan) **Roman Mikhailov (St. Petersburg Maly) - with Oksana Kucheruk, one of strongest pairs. Sleeping Beauty pdd in Rnd I. Ahmed Yehia Nael (Egypt)...a nice surprise from an atypical 'ballet country'- Ali in Corsaire. (see also the Malaysian jr. girl, below) Tomonori Ochi (Japan) * Leonardo Gaston Reale (Argentina) - came out with all-guns-firing as Solor; one of two 'Argentinean sensations,' along with a Jr. girl Leonid Sarafanov (Ukraine) * Ruslan Skvortsov (Bolshoi-Moscow) Schipulina's partner...Ali in Corsaire Tiago Soares-Pinto (Brazil) Sergei Teplov (Moscow) Zhanibek Usin (Kazakhstan) ** Han Po (China) - HUGE gold-medal fave, along with his partner, Wang Qimin. Po is a competition vet...won 1995 Helsinki IBC Jr Gold. Incredible turn-out and line. High jump. Naoki Kasimoto (Japan) Igor Shepachev (Moldova)...and partner of Nadezhda Shepacheva, who also advanced. JUNIOR GIRLS ( 26 of 46 selected) * Sulaihi Ahmed-Kamil (Malaysia) Big delightful surprise. Danced lovely Terezina variation from 'Napoli' in Rnd I Julia Bolshakova (Moscow, Russia) Valeria Bocharova (Voronezh, Russia) Yelena Boyarko (Ukraine) Veronika Varnovskaya (Moscow, Russia) * Anna Ginsburg (Moscow) strong Corsaire 3rd Odalisque, rnd I Julia Grebenshchikova (Voronezh) Yelena Dobrianskaya(Ukraine) * Natalia Domratcheva (Ukraine) another big fave...won many past competitions but perhaps too much expected of her & she fell a tad short of the hype? Veronika Zemliakova (Ufa) Darya Ivanova (Moscow) Anna Kirsanova (Kazakhstan) * Natalia Kleymenova (Moscow)...did not 'show' on first day; given chance to dance on Day 4, as the last Jr Girl of Rnd I...it paid off Maria Kochetkova (Moscow) * Yekaterina Kreisanova (Moscow) - huge fave...won Junior Gold at the recent Luxembourg 2001 IBC Maria Kuimova (Krasnoyarsk, Russia) **Misa Kuranaga (Japan) along with Polina Semenova & Kreisanova, a huge fave for this division. Spectacular Masha in 'Nutcracker,' round I. Won Prix de Lausanne '01; will apprentice to San Fco Ballet. Anastasia Kurkova (Moscow) Maria Martysheva (Moscow) **Polina Semenova (Moscow) - memorable Giselle, rnd I, partnered by Sr. Man competitor. Milena Sidorova (Ukraine)- not strongest classical dancer but the "hit" of the contemporary rounds with her own choreography--a modern take on Prokofiev's 'Pillow Dance' from R&J Alexandra Sudoreeva (Kazakhstan) - ***only rnd I competitor to select the Ashton version of 'Elssler pdd/Fille' solo! For the first time, official rules allow choice of *either* the Gorsky or Ashton versions of the Lise and Colin solos...no boy atempted the Ashton Colin. [Also this year, the male & female variations of Balanchine's Tchi PDD are on the official senior-level variations list. many 'takers' there!] Anna Uvarova (Moscow) - one of many competitors from the privately-funded Genadi Lediakh Academy...interesting to see more and more 'private' competitors, not just those affiliated with the major state theaters. Ekaterina Shelkina (Ukraine) * Paula Andrea Elizonda (Argentina) another big fave...over-the-top technique for some, as Swanhilda Sabina Yapparova (Ufa) JUNIOR BOYS (6 of 10 selected) Dmitry Akulinin (Ufa, Russia) * Alexander Butrimovich (Nizhny Novgorod) fine Nutcracker Prince, rnd I Vycheslav Lopatin (Voronezh, Russia) Ruslan Savdenov (Kazakhstan) Vladimir Tristan (Ukraine) Dastan Tchinibayev (Kazakhstan) Only two representatives from the USA competed, both in Junior Girls division. Neither one went on to the second round. There was quite a bit of 'buzz' about one of the two 'Americans'...as she was born in Ukraine. She is Gulnare Abrahamson, who is a protegee of Kirov-great Alla Osipenko, who now teaches in Philadelphia, PA. The other American was Miriam Golumb (don't have her bio). No French this year; several wished to compete but were not given 'byes' by the POB management, as the POB season extends into mid-July this year. Some POB dancers have opted, instead, to compete in Shanghai, later this summer. No Cubans or Canadians, who have done so well, historically, in this competition. Odd. This is the 9th quadrennial Moscow IBC. During the past 8 edition, only three dancers have been awarded the Grand Prix: 1973 - Nadezhda Pavlova; 1981 - Irek Mukhamedov (now with UK Royal Ballet); 1997 - Andrei Batalov (now with Royal Danish Ballet). - Jeannie [ 06-14-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Drew - Now that you mention it (or 'overheard' it)...the variations of the male soloists in the Act II Gnd Pas Classique (set in courtyard of a big temple) are quite Franco-Bournonvillean. Ditto the Markitanka-Vivandiere pas de six. The marked change in 'Russian' technique--to incorporate Italian virtuosity and style-- came about (mostly) ca. 1886/87/88, after the initial appearances of the Italian virtuosi (in private Petersburg theaters, such as Kin Grust). This is a huge simplification...but I'm trying to get to the heart of the matter quickly. By the time that 'Sleeping Beauty' appeared in 1890, the Petiopa/Imperial Theaters style was quite different - it had evolved into the 'Petipa' that you & I recognize as such. I'm sure that Doug and others can elaborate on this 'Italian Revolution' in late-19th C. Petersburg ballet.

Drew - Now that you mention it (or 'overheard' it)...the variations of the male soloists in the Act II Gnd Pas Classique (set in courtyard of a big temple) are quite Franco-Bournonvillean. Ditto the Markitanka-Vivandiere pas de six. The marked change in 'Russian' technique--to incorporate Italian virtuosity and style-- came about (mostly) ca. 1886/87/88, after the initial appearances of the Italian virtuosi (in private Petersburg theaters, such as Kin Grust). This is a huge simplification...but I'm trying to get to the heart of the matter quickly. By the time that 'Sleeping Beauty' appeared in 1890, the Petiopa/Imperial Theaters style was quite different - it had evolved into the 'Petipa' that you & I recognize as such. I'm sure that Doug and others can elaborate on this 'Italian Revolution' in late-19th C. Petersburg ballet.

Last night (Saturday, 6/9 eve.) indeed saw a wonderful pairing of Wildor and Stiefel in the leads. Stiefel was particularly brilliant, in both technique and comic acting abilities. While I am a big Wildor fan -- and happen to think that she has one of the most stunning faces in ballet -- I was a tad disappointed by her dancing, when compared to all of the ladies I've seen in the far- or recent-past (noted above, in my post on Friday's performance). Quite simply, Wildor has more cotton than steel in her points (as if a Sylph is 'going country' for a week-end)...then again, it's hard to find anyone with the crisp, "taquatee" pointe work of Collier and Yoshida. Wildor muddied many of the allegro, filligreed footwork phrases in Act I but she did improve as the night went on. Stiefel was spectacular, especially in that dance with the two bottles of wine, in front of the Entr'Acte curtain (between acts I and II). The lead character dancers (portraying Widow Simone and Alain) were too over-the-top for my taste. I give my "Personal Honors" in those two roles to the dancers who I saw in the Joffrey version in the 1980s -- Stanley Holden as Simone and Mark Goldweber as Alain. They're really hard to erase from my memory. [To Samba38 and others who'd like more 'meat' to such comparisons: It would take an essay to properly explain comparisons...but it's a blend of artistry, technique, comic timing.] The Rooster and Four Hens, once again, dazzled the DC audience. They even received an ovation in the middle of their Act I opening number. [Question: Have their costumes been redone? They seem brighter than what I recall seeing at Covent Garden 7-8 years ago. Ditto the dresses for Lise's eight friends...something different in the costumes.] Finally, a word about the corps. The corps de ballet of the RB is at a very high point in its life at present (not just my opinion but that of experts writing in the UK magazine, 'Dancing Times,' plus comments on ballet.co.uk website). I am only sorry that we've been able to enjoy them, here in DC, only in FILLE, as the mixed-bill of works, earlier, offered very little corps dancing. *Special note to our member, PaulW -- I was so happy to spot your lovely, expressive niece as a villager...first row, audience-right in the initial dance with sickles. She's looking great! What a 'felicitous' tour (for my favourite Financial Times critic) this has been! I hope that we can welcome the Royals back to DC soon! [ 06-10-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

This Royal Ballet season just keeps looking up and up! Well, I didn't think I'd ever see a Lise to top Leslie Collier, Tina Leblanc (w/Joffrey), or Fiona Chadwick (saw the former on video; the latter two "live")...but Yoshida did it for me. The audience around me, in the 2nd tier 'cheap seats' (not-so-cheap $50-55), went nuts for both Yoshida (as Lise) and the all-smiling Swedish up-and-coming star, Johan Persson (Colin), throughout the ballet. They were adorable! I *adored* Yoshida's soubrette acting in Act I, as well as Act II. Just as with her Swanhilda in 'Coppelia,' Yoshida is, to me, the perfect sparkling soubrette actress and dancer! She possesses both solid technique (for florid terre-a-terre dancing) and comic acting abilities. Brava! The 'character men' (Widow Simone, Alain, etc.) were a hoot...and the corps of Lise's Girlfriends and Villagers danced with precision. The Rooster and 'harem of hens' were incomparable! One more important 'player' must be noted: The audience rocked!!!! On to my final FILLE -- tonight's casing of Sarah Wildor and the ABT guest star, Ethan Stiefel, in the title roles. Interesting comparisons with Yoshida/Persson, I hope. [Also, hopefully I can read reviews of the two matinees, today and Sunday. hint-hint!] [ 06-09-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ] [ 06-09-2001: Message edited by: alexandra ]

Alexandra - Here's a teeny-tiny friendly poke : The POB 'Paquita' was better than Kool-Aid! It was Spanish Freixenet, compared to Dom Perignon. **************************************** Back to main topic... Actually, I am quite interested in Doug's original theme. What are the best versions of Petipa (or Petipa revisions of Romantic French/earlier Petersburg) ballets out there? How many continue to be danced...in full-length versions or in excerpts? At last count (& from the top of my head), following are the Petipa ballets that continue to be performed, complete or excerpted. Please add to the list, Doug & others, if you know of other Petipa-era ballets being performed in Russia or elsewhere: - Paquita - Venetian Carnival ("Satanella pdd") - Doch Faraona - Corsaire - Little Humpbacked Horse - Naiad & Fisherman - Vain Precautions/Fille mal Gardee - Esmeralda - Vestalka (I've seen excerpts at Vag.Acad.)) - King Candaule-Diana & Acteon pas - Don Quixote - Roxana (excerpts now in Don Q) - Bayadere - Markitanka (Vivandiere pas de six) - Diable a Quatre (excerpts at Vag. Acad) - Coppelia - Giselle - Sylphide (Petipa's revision of Taglioni version) - Talisman - Sleeping Beauty - Nutcracker (Ivanov...but of the petipa Era) - Swan lake - Cavalry's Halt - Kalkabrino (solos performed at Vag. Acad) - Raymonda - Harlequinade At least portions of all of the above are still performed somewhere. What may I be missing? I'm interested in knowing what our travelers/scholars may have seen, that is unusual? Where are these excerpts performed? How accurate are they? [ 06-08-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

Alexandra - Here's a teeny-tiny friendly poke : The POB 'Paquita' was better than Kool-Aid! It was Spanish Freixenet, compared to Dom Perignon. **************************************** Back to main topic... Actually, I am quite interested in Doug's original theme. What are the best versions of Petipa (or Petipa revisions of Romantic French/earlier Petersburg) ballets out there? How many continue to be danced...in full-length versions or in excerpts? At last count (& from the top of my head), following are the Petipa ballets that continue to be performed, complete or excerpted. Please add to the list, Doug & others, if you know of other Petipa-era ballets being performed in Russia or elsewhere: - Paquita - Venetian Carnival ("Satanella pdd") - Doch Faraona - Corsaire - Little Humpbacked Horse - Naiad & Fisherman - Vain Precautions/Fille mal Gardee - Esmeralda - Vestalka (I've seen excerpts at Vag.Acad.)) - King Candaule-Diana & Acteon pas - Don Quixote - Roxana (excerpts now in Don Q) - Bayadere - Markitanka (Vivandiere pas de six) - Diable a Quatre (excerpts at Vag. Acad) - Coppelia - Giselle - Sylphide (Petipa's revision of Taglioni version) - Talisman - Sleeping Beauty - Nutcracker (Ivanov...but of the petipa Era) - Swan lake - Cavalry's Halt - Kalkabrino (solos performed at Vag. Acad) - Raymonda - Harlequinade At least portions of all of the above are still performed somewhere. What may I be missing? I'm interested in knowing what our travelers/scholars may have seen, that is unusual? Where are these excerpts performed? How accurate are they? [ 06-08-2001: Message edited by: Jeannie ]

I totally agree, Alexandra. Perhaps I didn't mention that, for "Doch' and 'Paquita', the programmes (playbills) credit *only* Pierre Lacotte as choreographer. The programmes go on to explain that the ballets are "in the spirit of Petipa" (or something to that effect). Needless to say, it would be preferable to stage a 'Paquita' or 'Doch' from the notations. However, I (and many others, judging from enthusiastic ovations in Paris & Moscow) thoroughly enjoy the "in the spirit of Petipa-style" productions as beautiful works of art, in and of themselves.