Hans

Yes, the dancer was onstage nearly the entire time, providing both mime and dancing. I don't think every step was historically accurate--a pirouette in attitude derrière at nearly 90º presumably would not have been performed by someone wearing the long skirts of the period (she was costumed in a calf-length skirt) but the way she used her upper body was very beautiful. A review in the Washington Post called her inclusion superfluous, but I disagree; the singers did very little besides stand there, so the dancing was welcome. Trust an opera critic to call the dancing superfluous.

I haven't spoken to Danny since our KAB days, but as far as I know, it was his own decision to leave ABT, and also to do the reality show, so I'm afraid I don't see the problem...?

I could not find the SYTYCD thread, so I must ask, to what fate of Danny Tidwell are you referring? Was it the fact that he didn't win the competition?

Just returned from watching Opera Lafayette perform 'Le Déserteur', a baroque opéra comique, at the Kennedy Center. It was performed mostly concert style, with the singers performing their arias in French and acting as necessary to complement the theatrical narration, in English. The performance also included a dancer from the New York Baroque Dance company who was very charming. There was a lot of beautiful singing, particularly from the men, and the orchestra was delightful. An extremely pleasant (and too short) evening.

I also read and enjoyed the interview.

I'll bet I know where you read it.

Dancers like black because it is supposed to make one look thinner.

Oh, good. I have been wanting to see her myself for quite some time, so that works out well. I'm also hoping to see Wiles, and the mixed bill on the 19th.

I might be worrying needlessly, but since Russians seem determined to remove all mime from everything, I must ask: does Veronica Part perform Odette's mime speech in Act II? The reason for my question is that I am teaching it to my repertoire class and would like to take them to see ABT's performance. The only day they would be able to go is Friday, the day Part is dancing, and I want to make sure they get to see the mime.

I love both Revelations and Esplanade when performed by modern dancers. Ballet dancers generally don't have good enough technique.

How about a ballet by Christopher Wheeldon? Either something he's already done or a new one. Perhaps Dance Theatre of Harlem could be brought back to life to perform it.

Just to be clear, is Croce saying, 'Petipa represented the sum of theoretical knowledge up to the end of the nineteenth century' in general, or does she mean that was Balanchine's opinion? What does she even mean by 'theoretical knowledge'?

Oh, what sad news. I will miss her posts.

It is really too bad that they left Denyce Graves out of the ceremony. Washington's own black opera star was, according to the Washington Post, not even asked to participate.

To add to the list of companies, I think San Francisco Ballet ought to be included. With that many companies, I suppose the program would have to be a sort of gala format, with representatives from each one performing a short piece. At the Kennedy Center.

For the ballet-only portion of the program, NYCB dancing Stars and Stripes is an obvious choice. Maybe ABT could perform Rodeo? I'd also want to put Joffrey and Washington Ballets in there--Joffrey for the Illinois connection and WB because it's the capital's ballet company.

Ah, you're right. The curtain is gold, not blue.

The cassette cover of my copy says it was filmed at the Mariinsky Theater. I was surprised to see that because this performance does not make use of the MT stage's trap doors for the Lilac Fairy and miniature 'vision' of Aurora conjured up by Carabosse in the Prologue, as the Kolpakova DVD does.

The Asylmuratova tape may only be available on VHS. I would love to get my hands on the 1968 Kolpakova Beauty! The case of the Lezhnina SB DVD says it is so it is a little over 2 hours.

Is the 1989 DVD the one with Asylmuratova or Lezhnina? As far as I know, the Lezhnina is the one that was filmed in Montréal. I don't remember it being dark at all, nor do I recall it being edited, but maybe I need to watch it again. The video with Asylmuratova is very dark.

Well, if it's the choreography that violates the copyright, then it sounds as if the video would still have to be removed.

What terrible news. He is my favorite male principal at the Mariinsky. I hope he is able to recover fully.

Re: the puppet show--that is not performed on tour because there are no Vaganova Academy students to perform it. I miss seeing it, though.

It sounds as if Fadeyev inserted a rivoltade or two into his variation? He did that when I saw him in Giselle--he performs that step beautifully.

Thank you for the Obraztsova report--I had wanted to see her today but ended up being unable to.

Not to mention Fonteyn. :blush: She and Sizova are my favorites, along with Kolpakova, Platel, Lezhnina, and Ayupova. I'm told that Terekhova was an excellent Aurora as well, but I do not know if there is any video footage of her in the role.

Speaking of good versions of SB--is there a complete Sleeping Beauty with the Royal Ballet and Fonteyn?

My goodness, that clip is so beautiful! Not that I wasn't expecting it, but the grace of her port de bras and incredible line are so striking after watching today's dancers, even very good ones.