Richka

Same here, these are so enjoyable. Thanks so much.I have MANY more memories of Yuri on the ready as the plan was to do a series, but first I must know more about how to do it. I'm not sure I'm going about it in correct way, meaning; isn't it supposed to be a blog and not a 'reply'? Or is it supposed to be in form of a FORUM? Can't seem to find out from anyone and I don't have time to take up a total STUDY of the workings of BalletTalk or Ballet Alert, because it's such a VAST site with so many avenues. BTW, it's even difficult to get into it as there are several Ballet Alerts online to choose to get right one.

This is a RIDICULOUS price to pay to Amazon for this book. PLEASE read my posting on this thread. richka

Folks keep writing here that they are looking for and want a copy of the book Ballet Mystique by George Zoritch. I've said several times here that I HAVE SEVERAL COPIES of the book that Zoritch gave me, BRAND NEW, wrapped in celophane. They are stored in a box in my garage. They are available and I've offered several times to share them. I don't know what more I can do.

I really enjoy these clips from Alice In Wonderland. Thanx so much. Otherwise most of us would have no idea what it is really like. I look forward to more.

Yes i will be glad to continue. I'm full of stories but wanted to know if I'm doing it right and in the right place. Not sure if 'reply' is correct mode for this. I suppose I should really know more about Ballet Alert before even thinking of adding things but it's a tremendous site to take in and one can just get lost unless an administrator like you who knows way around.

Funny story about this film which i have long waited to see. When I was resident choreologist for the Harkness Ballet, during my first week one day I went into a studio and saw this girl dancing a variation with the Coppelia music. As I am very familiar with this ballet and that variation (it was the first ballet I saw at Covent Garden, London) and have the fully notated score in Benesh notation) I noticed she was dancing the steps quite differently. i didn't realize at the time it was Claudia Corday who had 4 years before danced the role in this movie. I recorded this TCM showing of the film on my DVR but have not seen it all as yet. The company was really the Harkness Youth Dancers that Mrs. Harkness had turned into the Harkness Ballet, having just fired the original company. Claudia suddenly disappeared from Harkness House and never knew what happened to her. Her sister, Clara, was in the company and we toured that year (1970) mainly in Spain. Mrs. Harkness had rented the Liceo Theater in Barcelona for an entire month just to rehearse in. So, ever since 1970 I have wanted to see this film but considered it lost. I only heard rumors about it and I believe there was a 35 mm copy of it in a closet at Harkness House as there was also an entire documentary on film about the tour to Russia by the Joffrey company (sponsored by Mrs. Harkness) prior to the Joffrey/Harkness debacle. Wonder what happened to it after the closure of Harkness House and the company. Interesting to find out, just now, that it was the dancers from the Liceo opera house in this film. The Liceo is a famous opera house and I got very familiar with it during that month. You had to go through a fruit and veggie market to get to the stage door and I remember rehearing in a subterrainian cellar of sorts; cold and damp. On stage you could look up beyond the flies and see there were apartments and people living up there and smell the odors of cooking. Of course this was years ago So it finally showed up.

May 7th, 2011. Not too sure I'm doing this right but several have asked for more about George Zoritch. I thought I had started a blog here but appears I can only add to it by 'reply'. If someone can help with how this should be done better, I'm all ears. Anyway, this is a START. Briefly, when I moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1987 who should I find living here but George. Of course I knew him by reputation and saw him in movies when I was a lad of 14. In fact he was my original inspiration to begin to learn dancing. He was the very first male ballet dancer I had ever seen, if only on film. I never saw him on the stage. I soon became acquainted with him because he was in a ballet class that I did every morning. He had retired from teaching at the University of Arizona here. He would only do the barre in that class, then leave. I think he was in his early 70s then. He was also a member of my health club and lifted weights and used the machines. (The film "Ballets Russes") has clips of him doing this). Because I am Russian speaking (to a degree) we became friends. As my house is in same neighborhood I visited him very often and stopped by usually on Sunday mornings on my way to church to drop off my dog SONYA until I returned. He would always have tea an pastries ready. He would also take care of SONYA while I was out of town. He LOVED Sonya and Sonya loved him ..... I think more than she loved me. Pets appear to take you for granted don't they. He had a little dog, Sammy, who was always glad to see Sonya. Sonya felt right at home in George's house and would jump on his lap to sit. We went to Las Vegas together once and saw a show. Also the Nevada Dance company, led by his friend Vassily Sulich. Long story later about a special dining event at the Tropicana Hotel. Yuri (his nickname in Russian) or Yurochka, told me many stories of his days with the Ballet Russe and those he danced with and partnered. I have tales about that, as they relate to him. I can go into those later if anyone is interested. He was starting to write his book "Ballet Mystique" about that time but his skills at the computer were, let's say, limited. I helped him choose photos for the book, or at least offered my opinion of what to use. In the end of course they were his own choice. The Russian edition of his book has many more photos, some in color. That edition is doing very well in Russia so I am told. I have a box full of the American edition. I'll leave this for now with one memory; about "Le Spectre de la Rose". He was always telling and showing me how it should be done, especially the arms which he felt were done all wrong today. Also about the costume with one shoulder bare. He made regular trips to Perm, Russia to judge competitions. Funny story about when he returned in middle of night but had forgotten key to his house and slept in the garden of his neighbor until sunrise. He was then in his late 80s. Perhaps this is enough for now. More later, and about Kaatsbaan in upstate New York, where his collection was given. Comments are welcome and will let me know if I should continue this or not, and if it's in the right place and mode.

George Zoritch, who died in 2009 at the age of 92, was premier danseur of the Ballet Russe and other ballet companies, Broadway musicals and Hollywood films. Since his death, his house, which had been on probate for a year has been remodled and is currently for sale. His furniture was put on auction. During his lifetime Zoritch collected a vast amount of memorabilia of the ballet world including autographed pictures and paintings by mostly all of the famous dancers of his generation as well as contemporary. He knew them all! During his latter years he made regular journeys from his home in Tucson, Arizona to Perm, Russia and the estate of Serge Diaghilev, to judge ballet competitions along with Yuri Grigorovitch, Vladimir Vasiliev and other great dancers and choreographers of the Bolshoi and Maryinsky theaters. His collection also includes statues, the Nijinsky and Diaghilev awards and many other artifacts and mementos. The entire collection has been given to Kaatsbaan; a dance center in upState New York where it is my understanding they will eventually be put on exhibition. I have been a friend and neighbor of Mr. Zoritch since retiring here to Tucson, but as a boy I knew him from his movies. Richard Holden

Glad you enjoy George's book; Ballet Mystique. Just before he died he gave me several copies of his book that I still have. They are completely new and still wrapped in celophane. They are stored in my garage and I don't know what to do with them. I am sure there are many who would also enjoy having a copy.

I don't remember if I informed you before, forgive me if I have, but wanted to let you know that I have several copies of the Zoritch book, brand new and fully wrapped in celophane given to me by George just before he died. I would be glad to share with you if you are still interested.

Oh yes, Mel. I remember that bridge very well as a student at the Old Met. Once or twice after class I went out on it and watched Ballet Russe dancing far below. Dizzying! (Leon Danilion is some Spanish ballet). I liked Opera too and watched that from my high perch as well. The backstage cross-corridor was in use then but had a huge open door onto 7th Avenue where they kept the scenery for each opera as it was being performed. When they used some of us 'ballet boys' as supernumeraries it sure was cold there in Winter, especially if you were in a short tunic. Our dressing room was sort of a damp, dingy dungeon under the stage with no heat and freezing cold in Winter. Think of taking a shower to get Aida body paint off in middle of February! But fun all the same. The young can endure anything.

I have several copies of this book given to me by the Zoritch estate. They are new cellophane wrapped and never opened. I will be glad to send you a copy at the above price. Richka

What do you mean 'The Moiseyev Ballet'? Obviously this is not Igor Moiseyev's Russian Folk Dance company. Do you think this was a kind of 'pick up' company from Russia, capitolizing on the Moiseyev name? I never heard of these dancers and very likely unknown, even in Russia. From your review it does not sound of much interest, and are they giving credit to choreography by Lavrovsky? If so, how come making changes? This is is considered very unprofessional to do that. Thanks so much for giving your report. oiseyv

Newly arrived in London, my very first visit to Covent Garden was "Coppelia" with Graham Usher, and I believe Merle Park as Swanilda. I sat in a side box and was thrilled; not only to be in London and at Covent Garden but seeing my first "Coppelia". Ten years later, as choreologist for the Harkness Ballet in New York, Graham was guest teaching there and we became acquainted. Oddly enough, he was about to teach the male variation from "Coppelia" but couldn't remember a certain sequence of steps in the variation and asked me to show them to him, which I did. We became good friends while he was in New York and I was saddened to hear of his death not too long after. More later.

Not to appear braggish but New York Theater Ballet repeated my version of Firebird last April in New York. Four performances at Gould Hall, Manhattan.

This is sad news. 60 is far too young to pass. I remember him well at ABT during the 1970s. Seeminly shy and reserved, he was in nearly every ballet that required character or demi character dancing. I believe after his retirement from dancing he became the company masseur. He was one of the faces of ABT and will be missed.

Oddly enough, I remember "Capriccios". It was shortly after I arrived in New York as a 16 yr. old ballet hopeful. Somehow I scraped together, I think $3.00 for a ticket. It was at the Center Theater in Rockefeller Center, 1950? now long, long gone. It was my first seeing of Ballet Theater. I must have seen you dance. I seem to remember girls holding chairs over their heads. Ring a bell? I remember also on program a Tudor ballet but forgot the title. Took place on a roof it seems, a tenement roof on a hot summer night. I asked Tudor about it many years later when I was with ABT but he typically just grunted. Richka

Yes, Bocca dances a few sequences of R&J with Ferri . As I recall it includes some of both the Balcony PDD as well as the Bedroom PDD. Again, going from memory the performance this was filmed at was in Copenhagen. Are you sure Bocca? It was filmed in 1991 so that makes him how old? I get 19, So he would be 38 now if I am right. Unfortunately he doesn't have many more years of bravura.

I also taped it from TV many years ago. I transferred it to DVD and watched it last night. Yes, it is a remarkable documentary. I was with ABT back during the GOLDEN YEARS of Makarova, Nage, Bujones, Van Hammel, etc. But unfortunately there are NO CREDITS on this doc. I think the final R&J is Alexandra Ferri but could be mistaken. I have NO IDEA who the male partner is. Been trying to find out with no luck. PLEASE, does anybody know??

Does anyone know where Jane Herman is now? Also, I thought it was Alexandra Ferri in the R&J pas de deux but don't know who the partner was. There are no credits at the end except choreographers and tech, but I'm looking at the recording I made back in '95.

When I was dancing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet I can't remember once coming onstage without a prop of some kind. Tambourines of course, or baskets, swords, drinking glasses, wreaths, you name it. But the biggest prop I had to handle was the spinning wheel as Widow Simone in "Fille mal gardee". It never seemed to work properly and there was also a tambourine to play as Lisa dances.

It does look like Pavlova, doesn't it? Thanks for your description of her first visit to NYC. I remember it too, and Pavlova created quite a stir. She was lovely and so delicate looking. I was almost afraid she would break! I remember meeting her in 1976 when the Bolshoi was at Lincoln Center for an entire month; one month Bolshoi Opera, then one month Bolshoi Ballet. I was showing Slava Gordeyev around Manhattan and also helping Grigorivitch buy a video camera and VCR. Slava married Nadyzhda Pavlova shortly after and sent me a video (with the camera he bought in New York) of them rehearsing their first Giselle on the Bolshoi stage. She was truly a tiny birdlike creature. Not surprised to see her flying over Red Square.

What a beautiful and heartfelt tribute Mr. Johnson, or Mel, if I may call you that. I never met Martha Mahr but have read about her for many years. From your description and that of Glebb as well, I can only wish I had. Having recently written myself about the death of George Zoritch I can understand how difficult it is to write about someone you have known and loved, after their passing. It just seems so may of that generation are leaving us, like Autum leaves falling. It's just too sad to contemplate isn't it?

Oh my goodness! What sad news. Arnold Spohr came here to Tucson several years ago. He was actually staying with my neigbbor, George Zoritch (famous dancer of Ballet Russe now gone) and when we were introduced we took immediate liking to each other. He was so very knowledgable about ballet and dancers and so enthusiastic about everything. When I showed him my choreography he was more than excited and gave me wonderful comments. He was writing his biography at the time, which was the main reason he was here in the Southwwest, and for a couple days I showed him around Tucson, which he seemed to love. He sent me a card afterwards and I so much wanted to reply, but to tell the truth I couldn't make out his return address by his handwriting. So I never heard from him again. I'm so sorry to hear of his death and that he was in a nursing home for some time prior. He left me a video tape documentary of the history of the Royal Winniped Ballet that I still have and will view again.