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Katharyn

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Everything posted by Katharyn

  1. OK.. here's the review.... And I have a feeling its going to be a long one, because Iw as very impressed Is it a normal thing for ABT to match the girls with guys that are shorter than them on pointe? Coz it definately gives off such a different image: the girl is much more dominant. And, if it were me, I want a guy that was taller than me because it is less flattering for the ballerina. Susan Jaffe and Jose Carreno doing black swan. seeing it performed in front of a blue screen was a little disconcerting. It reminded me of a ballet competition! And to be honest this was the only segment that left me a little cold. I mean, I'm not doubting the skill of these dancers but theres something that I'm used to seeing with the Australian Ballet. To describe what I mean, there's this sort of tension I get watching (especially) Miranda Coney and David McAllistar that makes me want to be up there on stage with them. Its just so inspiring and mainly how I judge how much i enjoyed a performance. Anyway. I didn't get that feeling. Besides, Susans arms tended to be a touch messy and Jose.. well.. where was the real energy? The look on his face that this was what he wants to be doing? I think the lack of a backdrop and extras onstage disadvantaged them because there wasn't an atmosphere created for them... Moving on! hehe.. Amanda MacKerrow and her husband John Gardner in the leaves are fading. there are just continuous moments that could be captured on film and look stunning. It was so pretty and fluid- and Amanda is so tiny John just makes her seem as though she weighs nothing! I enjoyed this. Even though it didn't seem to have any 'fireworks' (how could u with that music?!) once I really thought about it- I mean the lifts and everything must be so difficult yet made to look so easy. Kudelka's Pas de deux with Julie Kent and Robert Hill, from "Cruel World" was a real 'pearl'. Just from watching this video I love Julie Kent. Oh she has such an elegant neck! The costumes were strange in this though- what was with that collar she had? Plus I also had a soft spot for Julie after I recognised her from "Dancers' a movie she was in with Baryshnikov... oh she looks so much more grown up now! Romanso was such a gymnastic affair! Oh wow! To have flexibility like that! There were some interesting moments in this, but to be honest, I thought it was a bit too effeminate and its not the choreography (which was fantastic). Its just that flexibility is something that is mainly attributated to women so these 3 have them the range of a girl and movement more like a girl. thats not a bad thing at all! its just an observation. Ferri and Bocca in Romeo and Juliet were lovely. I don't think Ferri knows how to make an ugly line! She also has a great range of facial expressions that are just so appropriate and she was matched so beautifully with Bocca. They were terrific and had more depth on stage than I'd seen previously in the program as well as a playfulness that, although it didn't convince me they were 14 came very close. I thought Hererra and Corella were fun to watch. They were obviously having a good time, playing to the audience and it certainly seemed to pick up the mood of the whole night. Once again- a taller girl with a guy. I think in DonQ it detracted from the whole look, because Paloma has such long limbs and her arms often got cramped up because Angel simply wasn't tall enough! i think they both shone a lot more in their solos- Angel certainly was fantastic. He just seems to have prescence on stage that (i think) seems to lack a lot these days in male dancers (sorry- I just don't like the term ballerinos.. a personal thing..) and he's so flashy as well with that indearing little grin *s* And Paloma had that perfect body with those Feet and Legs and while a lot of dancers can't control long arms she did it perfectly. The last on the program was Bruch Violin Concerto. To me this was the highlight of the show! Nobody can tell me that music isn't just spectacular!And yes, the corps was messy (were they under rehearsed for this?) but the sheer energy created on stage and some of the ideas in this... WOW! Particularly the 'pink' first couple. This ballet created that wonderful tension feeling- I was practising some of those steps in my living room afterwards! whew! I know I have written a lot, but I'm not finished yet! I couldn't help drawing comparisons between ABT and AB(australian ballet). So it was wonderful to learn that AB measured up to ABT! But they are hard to compare because ABt has such a different way of moving and places emphasis on different things... -Katharyn [This message has been edited by Katharyn (edited 01-30-99).]
  2. Dirac, that sounds about right. Well although your review isn't the most positive I've heard, the show seems to be a little bit of the 'fly on the wall' type of show, with interviews with the dancers (and enlightening or not, I love hearing dancers talk about dance! Thats why I was an avid watcher of "the house" -the program about the royal ballet and opera when it was on) along with what sounds like a variety of excerpts. I'd also like to mention that the gala got a wonderful review in the TV Guide, saying that 'if ever a TV program had the power to convert those (heathens) indifferent to appreciation of ballet's wonders then this is the program to do it' he then goes onto to say 'none is more exquisite than the contemporary Remanso (By Nacho Duato)' And I tihnk it will be interesting since I enjoyed Por Vos Muero. The verdict from our reviewer? "90 minutes of pearls" - Katharyn
  3. its so rare ballet, or dance of any kind gets good coverage on TV. Which is why I'm so excited about Sunday, January 24th. You see, at 8:30pm I'll be sitting down to watch the American Ballet Theatre in a gala they did in New York, for a whole hour and a half. This will be my first glimpse of this company other than in photos (oh, and the Nutcracker filmed in '77, hehe). And after that I'll see one of Australia's leading companies, Bangarra Dance Theatre (an aboriginal based company) do a piece "Fish" which i absolutely adore. *sigh* I'm sorry this is not very relevant or interesting for everyone else. I'm just happy ballet is getting a fair go!
  4. did anyone else read the Drina series by Jean Estoril? Its a fictional account of a young girl (Audrina Adamo, better known as Drina Adams) making her way through as a student and then as a professional. It's all highly unlikely but I think its a sweet series anyway and I used to read it constantly when I was younger... Just thought it deserved a mention since its written with love for dance.
  5. I'm not very discerning when it comes to ballet videos- I always get absorbed in the storyline, sets and costumes so i don't have time to get niggly about the dancing! (apart from Cinderella, with the POB.. I just couldn't finish it! Of course I marvelled at Sylvie's feet and legs- she's just beyond stunning! But the production as a whole, I think was pretty shoddy). However I do have a few favourites... but you also have to consider I haven't seen more than two or three of the videos mentioned by everyone else! They are just impossible to get here in Australia. So.. here are my favorites, in no particular order. ABT "Nutcracker'. This is the only time I've seen Gelsey Kirkland dancing and I think she's just the most precious dancer. She looks too young to be able to dance so well! Although the sets and costumes can be a bit of a pastel nightmare (nightmare in a good way though!) I think this is the best version of the Nutcracker that I've seen! La Scala Ballet's "Giselle" I don't know if I like this so much just because Alessandra Ferri is so pretty...shes such a fragile dancer I couldn't help like her. And the rest of the production... wow! I'm not sure who played her, but Myrtha in this is just so spot on she sent chills down my spine. Although I didn't like their Cinderella, I thought POB's Hunchback of Notre Dame was really good- totally unlike anything else I've seen. Not sure of spelling, but Isabella Guerin was Esmarelda... wow! those legs and feet! Is it something in the water over there??? I've not seen a dancer from there without those amazing sway-back legs and perfect feet. on a local front, Manon by the Australian Ballet was lovely. Justine Summers is just perfect as the lead... Other Australian Ballet vids I love are: Spartacus and Merry Widow... both with Steven Heathcote and Lisa Pavane in the leads.. they are both fantastic examples of the Aus Ballets work- as well as a once only tv special by Meryl Tankard called "the Deep End" it has to be seen to be believed! Its set at a pool.. and just the way she uses the dancers bodies. It is perfect to show off their youthful exuberance! Every one of my friends that I've shown it to have said "wow! I really enjoyed that! I didnt know ballet could be so cool!" -Katharyn
  6. Well the only dance mag I get is dance australia. i love dance magazines with lots of gorgeous pictures -dancers make the most wonderful models! I love 'Dancing on my Grave' and 'the Shape of Love' by Gelsey Kirkland and 'Holding onto the Air' by Suzanne Farrel (I wish my teacher would hurry up and give it back!) I recently read 'Balanchine; a ballet master' by Richard Buckle and found it very stale... Unfortunately Giannina I haven't read any of those books.. but i'll be keeping an eye out! Katharyn
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