Marga

I read Dancer a few years ago. I found it difficult to separate fact from fiction - which I had a compulsive need to do - having read several Nureyev biographies. Difficult in that, knowing the real events as brought forth by others, my mind had to constantly assess and try to jump between the known events and the fabricated, especially since the fabricated was based on real-life events of the time and may well have happened to Nureyev. I felt like I was assembling a puzzle, maybe two puzzles! A fascinating read, for sure. I think it would have been easier to enjoy if I had known nothing about Nureyev!

Being Estonian and knowing what it meant to defect, I was also fearful of the repercussions his family would have to face. At that time I only knew of one other defection, that of Estonian seaman Viktor Jaanimets, who became a celebrity within the Estonian community in New York because of his bold escape. That happened 8 months before Nureyev's: COLD WAR: West to Freedom Nureyev became a major world celebrity in short order. His prodigious talent was unlike anything I had ever seen before in ballet (I was only 14 at the time). Perhaps next Thursday there'll be some news items and/or articles about his defection. I hope it is addressed in the media.

I have read via her NYCB friends and co-dancers' posts on Facebook that Marnee Morris has died. I could not find anything on Google to verify her death, as required by Ballet Alert, but thought that the cross next to her name on the New York City Ballet's alumni roster would supply the needed proof. Cross added to Marnee Morris' name This news saddens me greatly, especially since the last many years of her life had been so difficult for her. A massive stroke several years was only one of her health problems. Marnee Morris was one of the most stunning ballerinas at NYCB in the 60s and 70s. Her fast footwork was enviable - few could match it in technique and precision. A smile on her face belied the remarkable movements she performed with her lower limbs, her arms aiding her in staying aloft during swift choreography. I was on the edge of my seat the moment she sprang from the wings. Morris danced a fantastic, sexy "Rubies" and was stellar in the original cast of "Who Cares" (especially in 'My One and Only'). Her long limbs graced "Apollo" with their elegance. In the original cast of the war-inspired "Symphony in 3 Movements", she displayed her iconic rhythmic fidelity to the beat (made more difficult by the Stravinsky score) in Balanchine's angular modern choreography. Thanks for the memories, Ms. Morris! You are missed. May you rest in peace. ____________________________________________________________ As has inexplicably happened before, this topic posted twice. Moderators, please delete the excess posting. Thanks!

FINALLY!!!!!! Many of you already know how I feel about this!

Thanks for that bit of info. I didn't know which hand Corella wrote with, so couldn't insert that point of interest! It's what makes the choice of side for turning even more intriguing, that it doesn't (always) have to do with one's handedness!

I have yet to see this movie, so will go straight to answering one of your questions: Definitely! It's always interesting to discover which dancers turn better to the left. Your comments are very enjoyable to read, puppytreats! I, too, have a brother and cousins who speak Noo Yawk, my brother 'Lawn Guyland' and my twin male cousins a Queens dialect. I stipulate because, contrary to certain studies which refute the differences, those of us from NYC know a Brooklyn accent is not the same as a Long Island accent, a Bronx accent is different from a Queens, and so on. The differences the ear perceives may be due to ethnic influences as well, of course. I LOVE hearing Jacques d'Amboise speak! It makes me feel so at home. He was born in Massachusetts but grew up in upper Manhattan - Washington Heights - a tough neighbourhood at the time, where talking tough helped one survive! (Eddie Villella grew up similarly in Bayside, Queens, and his New York accent is a little different, perhaps because of the Italian influence of his parents.) As for Malakhov's deep plié, I have not seen many other dancers do it like he does. I've seen the video of his Lankendam and find its remarkable pliancy unique. He was 31 years old at the time and I wonder how long he was able to do it (I mean until what age!)

Having read that juicy tidbit myself the other day, I wondered if it meant that Gillian will now be going to New Zealand with Stiefel or whether they will be living far apart for awhile. Of course, an engagement isn't a marriage, but it does make one think about the future of both dancers and where that will be. Now, even more than before, they will probably want to be together most of the time. (sorry for the speculation)

Eileen, you are right about Robbins's "Faun". I've always known it to be as you describe. I also found reference to its creation by Eddie Villella in his book Prodigal Son:

Please indulge this slightly off-topic reply. Helene, your examples reminded me of a class I watched from the doorway at 'Steps on Broadway' several years ago. Some young dancers joining me in the doorway were all abuzz at seeing a principal dancer in the class and one pointed her out to the others, "that's Kent over there!" Now, to me, Kent can only mean Allegra Kent, and she was indeed in the class, right near the door in her usual spot. But the young danseur pointed right past her into the far reaches of the studio, at Julie Kent, whom I hadn't even noticed!

Thought I'd help those read between the lines who don't live in (or know) New York and highlight a couple of words in your post to make things clearer. I know who you mean by all your initialed dancers, but not everyone might. As you wondered, New York City Ballet IS totally off the topic of this thread, yet a comparison between the 2 companies would make a very interesting topic of its own (in my opinion).

Sulcas: It was wonderful to read your posts also praising Isabella's performance. Wish I could have seen the gala, as always, but happy to read everyone's reactions to it here. I think I would have just loved the dancing, since I so seldom get to the ballet anymore, but your critical comments are interesting to ponder.

Disregard my post below. I confused NYCB and ABT for a (senior) moment! Clotilde Otranto is a tiny dynamo. Her she is with Darci Kistler: Clotilde Otranto and Darci Kistler

Sorry, but paragraph breaks, sentences, and capitalization exist in Spanish, too!

I watched that yesterday, too. Yes, it is indeed 6. This is not a good example of Healy's virtuosity. It's one clip I'm sure she would like to see taken off youtube. She actually was a great dancer, too, in addition to her figure skating. What a talent!

I saw them, Helene. I thought they were superb together. Cheryl looked so sultry, I wasn't even sure it was her in the beginning (she had long, loose hair for the dance). Louis van Amstel is cream of the crop, so to see him dancing with a pro is always a treat. (The Australian singer filled in for the intended singer with only a short, same-day rehearsal. The one who was to sing that song [Adele] had a problem with her voice and could only sing low, which she did later that night.) The clip's on youtube already: Cheryl and Louis

To answer your basic question (hard to read your run-on sentence post without any paragraph breaks or capitalization and all the typos!), one doesn't have to look any further than Nina Ananiashvili to find 32 simple fouettés: It starts immediately, so don't forget to count the very first one that she is doing as the clip begins!

Great post, Helene. Just one thing...Chelsie Hightower was Romeo's partner, not Cheryl Burke. Cheryl's partner was Chris Jericho, who was eliminated a couple of weeks ago.

Well, she did a beautiful lyrical routine of the crowd pleasing ilk. Patricia danced barefoot in stirrup tights (the floor must have been too slippery for pointe) and performed in a lilting, freeform manner, showing her great flexibility and lines, good technique and some artistry. I wish she hadn't gone for the ankle-grab back extension at the end. It was just too gymnastic (or figure-skatingish), and began awkwardly as she fished for her foot. As usual, the audience screamed at random moments, not at all related to what was being danced. I'd say, having seen her Nutcracker video on her site, that she may be one of the world's rising ballet stars, but the "fastest"? I'm quite sure she's on a par with a whole bevy of quickly rising stars (and you know that some of those always fall by the wayside). I loved the segment before she performed, where they showed her in class and had her talking about her "dream". She's a lovely young woman. Here she is dancing Grand Pas Classique last year:

Coming up right now on DWTS, Patricia Zhou is being touted, in DWTS's superlative fashion, as the "fastest rising ballet star in the world".

Tomorrow's results show will have, among its guest performers, 17 year old dancer Patricia Zhou who studies at the Kirov Academy of Ballet and has recently been accepted into the Royal Ballet. Patricia Zhou bio

From "Holding On to the Air":

puppytreats, I don't know whether Adelphi has developed such a library. It didn't have one in my years there (1965-1969). Hofstra had a better selection of dance books, if not videos. Perhaps the Adelphi website has information. Oh, yes, the campus is beautiful. I loved it even more when I attended and there were fewer buildings. We didn't even have a student union then. All dance performances were held in a charming old quonset hut. I was just at Adelphi a couple of weeks ago while visiting my mom (I live in Canada) and was surprised to find yet another new building (Phys. Ed.), this one attached to Woodruff Hall which houses the Dance Department (and the phys.ed. dept.). Where the new building is, was where we dance majors sat on the wrought iron steps leading to the second floor studios, and where we had a patch of grass to relax on in nice weather. Suzanne Farrell was in her early 20s then! Linus Pauling was our graduation speaker. Thanks, Jack, for the commencement info. I'll keep it in mind. I really do want to hear what she has to say. I truly hope today's grads will appreciate her speech.

How exciting! My ultimate favorite ballerina receiving her honorary degree from the university where I earned a degree in dance, at a venue 10 minutes from my childhood home, whence I ventured into NY every weekend during those college years to see her dance! Congratulations, Suzanne! I wish I could see it!

It had to happen, but so soon? The real-life relationship of the key players discussed on these boards - BM and NP - showed up as a Jeopardy answer and question today!

Priceless!!