Incandescence

6 hours ago, Buddy said:

Along time ago there were comments about her technical prowess, in particular her fouettes. They seem quite secure now and I’m sure that I’ve seen her do sequences of triples in video clips. Also in the past she had problematic moments, but her remarkable feature, which I’ve witnessed, was to take breathtakingly successful chances in her continuation. Last night she seemed as secure as could be, and with a completely new partner. She looked commanding in the lifts and seemed to add moments of daring when appropriate.

I have thought that at times the use of dark tops for the men is meant to make them more invisible. If so, yesterday it worked remarkably well. I was watching her face, when suddenly she sailed into the air as if taking flight, which is how this particular lift appeared.

By the way, her guest partner, Germain Louvet, from the Paris Opera Ballet was extremely fine. Their performance was very well received by a highly enthusiastic audience.

That's nice to hear, Buddy -- judging from a few clips, it was a performance well done. Though I find Louvet a bit short for Skorik. Ballerinas grow a lot throughout their careers; at the middle of their careers they won't be as green as they once were.

I also hope that Iliushkina will dance Odette/Odile again; maybe even Giselle. She is the truest delight of the young generation in recent years. 

Stay safe and healthy! 

6 hours ago, Buddy said:

I've watched the clips and the White Swan duet isn't included. She does have to reach for Yevgeny Invanchenko's hand in one of the lifts so maybe she's dealing with some of her old time jitters. 

She broke her rib recently, it seemed that he pushed her up into lift at that spot. Overall I'd say she reaches out the audience more now, as there are more spontaneous nuances to the dancing. And very enjoyable, imo.