lafemme

Best seat for Romeo and Juliet in the orchestra? Better to be far away and center or closer and off to the side? The seats they gave me are the former. There aren't many seats left but enough, if they let me exchange. If this tells you anything, I have sat in both the most expensive parterre seats for Don Quixote and a few rows back to one side, and I preferred up close. I don't know if that would be true across the board or if it had anything to do w/ Don Quixote in particular. With R&J, I imagine the choreography is more subtle and acting more extreme, but I don't know. I should also mention, I much prefer to pas de deux and solos to choreography with large groups (except the swans in SL. But peasants dancing leave me cold. Think the first act of Giselle.)

What else is Vishneva out of? Oh dear! I missed last season as I was abroad and didn't get to see her in Cinderella this winter as planned- since I first took interest in the ballet about a year ago, she has eluded me. This season was going to be my Vishneva season!

I think that is a wonderful idea for the reasons you mentioned. If we are season ticket holders, we are clearly passionate about ballet and are willing to invest in the experience. As a single woman living in an expensive city who works in the arts (not the corporate world) and has a passion for travel, the only reason I don't see more ballet is the expense! It means I am more likely to see the classic, full length ballet with the big star over the more contemporary repertoire with the company dancers, which seems to be a increasingly worrisome issue. I would love to see *both* (unlike the decent percentage of audience members who only want to see well known ballets with very big names and don't have an overall passion for ballet in general), and will eventually, but have to take my time and it makes sense to me to see the classics first. The allure of the Russian guest artists (Vishneva, Obratzova, Zakharaova, Lopatkina) is that I am not likely to visit Russia, but have more of an opportunity to see dancers with The Royal Ballet and French Opera Ballet whether here or in their home theatres. It's odd to me to hear that sales are lagging, as NYC is filled with so many with lots of disposable income to spend on entertainment and art. Not to mention the throngs of tourists who populate the city during the summer months. Many of my older, and/ or corporate and/ or well funded friends and colleagues could afford prime orchestra seats every night. I do notice many of the men, in particular, of my generation don't seem interested, bewilderingly. However, I also know a lot of young dancers and artists/ bohemian creative types who love to go, but are deterred by the cost, so chose to see several cheaper performances from lesser known companies (or if they do invest in seeing a major company, will chose a more modern one like Alvin Ailey or Mark Morris, but that is a different issue besides financial). I imagine However, my friends skew young and artsy and are not the norm, there are so many New Yorkers with money to burn, I'm quite surprised ticket sales aren't stronger.

Is anyone else going tomorrow eve? I decided to at the last minute, and purchased one of the worst seats in the house (all that was left!), and was wondering if any of the lovely and knowledgeable balletomanes from this forum were going? When I first purchased my tickets for the season a few months ago, I chose Vishneva's Giselle (I love Giselle and as a ballet neophyte who was traveling last summer, I have never seen Diana Vishneva perform!), her Sleeping Beauty, and Obratzova's Romeo and Juliet, as I imagined those performances would sell out quickly. I am also considering a La Bayadere, as I have never seen it, and a Swan Lake, as it is the ballet that first sparked my interest in the art, and I enjoy seeing the various interpretations and dancers (I still become emotional when I recall Lopatkina's Odile/ Odette). Anyways, I am looking forwards to reading the expert commentary here over the upcoming season, and am so grateful for this forum!

Not quite sure whether this is the right place to post, but is this performance available on video anywhere? Will Vishneva repeat this role stateside (or perhaps in London), does anyone know? One my greatest regrets this summer was missing this piece (I was traveling and working and not in nyc during May or June). I will not make the same mistake twice! All I have are a few youtube clips of Vishneva's Manon, and they are magical.

Also, any recommendations on what is a must see? Not sure how many days I will be able to take off for a NYC trip (and am prioritizing seeing the Mikhailovsky perform there in Nov), so may only be able to attend one or two nights. I will do my proper research, but would appreciate some advice. I love drama, romance, elegance, excitement, pas de deux, Manon, Swan Lake (I love the Russians). I do not mind what many here may consider "vulgarity." Admittedly not a huge fan of rural villagers dancing together joyously. I could watch the second act of Giselle every night for the rest of my life (and cry every time), while the first act doesn't excite or enthrall me as much. I would like to try to include Raymonda, celebratory villager dances or not. Thanks!

I've never experienced this at the Met; I've always found them to be very strict there, not letting anyone in until intermission (which makes sense, because they have the theater where you can watch a live stream). But at the Koch, they let people come in and stand around on the edges of the rings, making noise and moving around very disruptively. When the ushers aren't watching, these people then inevitably go in to their seats, again very disruptively. I really wish the Koch would reconsider their policy and keep things as strict as the Met. Oh goodness, I apologize. I am quite under the weather, on a variety of cold medicines, and subsequently in a bit of a haze/fog. I meant the Koch, as I was agreeing with all of you (I haven't been to the Met for some time). Mea Culpa! Yes, an usher or two even guided this group mid scene, whereas I took an acela train and changed at an UWS hair salon in order to be on time; I completely agree that certain rules should be more strictly enforced.

I agree completely w/ your comments re: pricing. I have had better seats at the Kennedy Center for under $100, than I have paying $200 at Lincoln Center. Perhaps others have different experiences, but I would not recommend off center ring seats (for which I paid the aforementioned $200!) at Koch Theatre, though I do welcome input from others who have been attending the ballet there for far longer than I have. I preferred orchestra off center, semi close, although I am trying to chose seat specifically by ballet (and dancers) now. You rec the $29 tickets for NYCB? Any other ones? I haven't seen them since I was a child and am looking forward to going whenever possible this year, but I'd like to be economical and save up for ABT next June and whatever the Kennedy Center is offering throughout the year (and perhaps the ballet on trips abroad!). By the way, I was shocked that the ushers let in a large-ish group of latecomers in to *prime orchestra seats* during applause from the transition between the ending of one song (movement?) and the beginning of another at the Met last month. I think they should have waited for a scene change, at least. The twinkling of flashlights and shuffling of feet and gowns was quite distracting, especially from above.

I am quite curious!

How topical- I am currently trying to decide where to sit at the Koch Theater for Don Quixote. I'm a ballet neophyte, but so far I like the first ring and orchestra off to the side so I can see through people's heads. I saw Swan Lake from a ring off to the side, and would probably not repeat. I don't mind paying a lot for some tickets (Don Q w/ Osipova being one of them), and less for further seats for others, but it frustrates me to spend a lot on bad seats (Swan Lake) and I am often late to buying tickets. Here's hoping balletalert will help me with that, and I can experience more orchestra close up or first ring center!

Thank you, Drew! Actually, I have not yet purchased. As the Kennedy Center is my home theater, and I have only been to Koch Theater a few times for ballet, I was hoping for some suggestions, considering possibilities, and watching the seats like a hawk! Seating won't be a huge deal for me when I see certain performances but for Don Quixote with two of my favorite dancers who aren't always stateside, I want to do it right! I think first ring is generally best for me, but I imagined that in a ballet as athletic as Don Quixote, I would better appreciate the elevation of all those leaps from orchestra (they seemed mitigated when I looked down from above last time I was there). However, if someone advised it, I wasn't completely adverse to the possibility! Yes, I am lucky that several good seats remain available- the straight back O-P and the row G down the middle of the right side remain, and I shall choose today! I'm not so particular about seating upcoming shows by NYCB and ABT, but Osipova is my dream Kitri (after Sylvie Guillem, of course, who I know is rather controversial around these parts and whom for I have, alas, arrived too late). Thank you again.

I have been busy and have only just gotten around to buying my Don Q tickets and there aren't many great seats left- since I have never seen Don Q, I am not sure which seat would be best. I have decided not to go to the first ring because I do not want to look down at all of the strong leaps, so I am looking at Orchestra seats dead center rather far back (rows O-P) or seats to the right a bit closer to the stage (F-H). I am quite short at 5'3 and found being off center advantageous for Giselle but less so for Swan Lake, so I beginning to understand how ideal seating depends on the performance and the individual. I am also open to the first ring. Any advice is very much appreciated (and next time, I won't take my time!). Thank you all!

Again, thank you so much for your guidence (I am looking to all of you as my Virgils). I saw the Kennedy Center link, as I live in DC), and assumed it would be her starring in Don Q next year, but there are no promises, and I must admit I am eager to see a ballet in the drought of Nov, as there will be plenty of dance going on next June. And yes, I am a fan of showy dancing when appropriate, and I certainly think it works for Kitri (I would have loved to see Sylvie Guillam in the role- I see she is a bit of a controversial figure here, but I am in awe of her as an artist and performer).

Thank you! Yes, I agree, and that is part of why I want to see Osipova in Don Q (I prefer other dancers to Svetlana Zakharova, but chose to see her in Swan Lake- even that overstuffed version- because I think it's a bit of a signature role for her). I'd like to see celebrated dancers is classic roles to lay the groundwork before I start seeing more comtemporary pieces with newer dancers. An exception- my dream was to see Vishneva in Manon, but I was in DC and traveling during the Met season, regretfully. Next year!

Hello, I'm a ballet neophyte and just began my journey as a ballet fan and audience member. For me, someone who has never seen Oisipova live or any version of Don Quixote, would you recommend choosing that to see in Nov? I recently saw Giselle at the Kennedy Center and am eager to increase my repetoire before I start repeating ballets. However, many here seem to be choosing Giselle and Flames of Paris. I would imagine this is a great chance to see Osipova in a signature role, IF she shows. Do you think that is likely? I'm semi young for a ballet goer and also a samba and islands dancer and need to be economical, considering I'm saving for travels, carnival costumes, dance classes, etc. Thanks so much!