silvy

On browsing the Royal Ballet website I learnt that there is a Nureyev's production of Raymonda (I understood it was Act III only). I know little to nothing about this production. Is someone able to provide more details about this? For example, what changes can be noted in comparison with Bolshoi's Grigorovitch producition Thanks a lot Silvy

I thought it might be interesting to hear news from you regarding the above. I mean, which dancer would you liked the most as Kitri (either in a live performance or on video)? Silvy

I quote Mr Johnson: Could you please tell me which variation is from Hump-Backed Horse and which from Naila? (I own both the Kirov version with Makhalina and the ABT with Gregory, if you want to make reference to the dances there) Just curious Silvy

I love the point you have made, emattdar!!!!! Silvy

I have come across a videotape called "World's Youth Ballet", which features Misha when he won the gold medal at Moscow Ballet Competition (I understand he was still a student at the Vaganova School at that time). I was very surprised to see how bulky his thighs were and his overall physique, in comparison with films of him of his later years, when he had already defected. Anyone knows how he managed to change his looks so much? In his later years he looks much more elongated. Was it the teachers, the change of training, or something else? By the way, the tape I mentioned is worth seeing for the galaxy of future stars that were competing there at that time. Silvy

Hi Ballet taxi and thanks so much for your news about Wilson. I last saw him about 12 years ago. I knew from Tulsa Ballet website about his marriage and his son. I would very much like to get in touch with him again. Should you have the chance to see him, could you please tell him that Silvana Marotta from Uruguay tried to contact him? And please give him my email: silvanamar@adinet.com.uy Thanks so much Silvy

Hey Ballet-taxi and thanks for replying my enquiry about Tulsa Ballet My friend's name is Wilson Lema. We used to take class together here in Uruguay, before he went to live in the USA. He was a very dedicated and disciplined boy at that time (he was about 19) I am glad that Nutcracker went well. I shall wait to hear your news!!!! Silvy

Thanks so much rg, Mel and Jane. About those articles in Dancing Times, is there any possibility of getting those old copies somewhere, that you may know? I think it would be of much interest to me. Silvy

thanks so much!!! As I see, at that time ballet was very much connected with the opera?At least in Italy

I read in Tamara Karsavina's book "Theatre Street" that she once went to take class with a "Signora Beretta" who had been a great star of La Scala. There is no other hint on the biography as to her background - only she mentions some photos where this signora was correctly placed on pointes. Karsavina also mentions that her classes were very demanding physically. Anyone knows who this dancer was? tbanks Silvy

Hi - I am listening to a new recording of Don Q's music (version by Sofia National Orchestra - director Nayden Todorov). In the "dream" sequence there is the music which corresponds to the Queen of Dryads, but which is not the customary variation (as for instance is danced by Margot Fonteyn in Corsaire pdd with Nureyev). This is a much more "majestic" piece of music, a sort of grande valse. Would like to know what happened to the choreography of this solo. If it is was danced originally when the ballet was created and by whom (in the score it also appears the other much more known music, and it is called "souvenir du bal") Anyone knows? Silvy

Hi everyone Yesterday I saw on BBC news film coverage some shots from "The Company". I got caught by something Robert Altman said: that he had always admired dancers for they give up so much for so little, but that "for them it is not so little. or they would not do it. I thought it was a good summary of a question we dancers face very often. Also, there was a shot of a girl dancing a variation to a well known music, which I thought it was "La Fille", but could not hear it in the music of my Ashton's RB version. The girl in question is wearing a long tutu, she is dancing it on stage, apparently at an audition or a rehearsal, with someone commenting on her performance. Does anyone know what ballet that is? It could also be some Bournonville. Silvy

Which choreography are you referring to, djb? silvy

I came across a tape called "World's Young Ballet", which covers a Moscow International Ballet Competition. Among the contestants was Lubov Kunakowa, while she was a student at the Perm Ballet School. She does a sort of Russian dance, which is mostly all on pointe, and which shows an outstanding command of her center and placement, despite her young age. It is worth viewing, in my opinion.

Can someone tell me where Vassiliev is now? Oddly enough, the last I knew about him was when his tenure as Director of the Bolshoi ballet ended. Thanks so much. Silvy

Thanks so much for the link, Mashinka I am sad to learn that Kunakova suffered due to the ageist policies, as she was so beautiful even when older, and seemed to have much, much more to give as a dancer (I am speaking based on my video watching of the Kirov under Vinogradov's tenure). I have seen her on video as Lilac Fairy (Asylmulatova is Aurora), in Corsaire with Ruzimatov, as a soloist in Paquita,and earlier as Lilac Fairy with Kolpakova as Aurora. A truly beautiful dancer, whom I regard as a model Silvy

I wonder if anyone has seen this? And what is your opinion? I have not seen it, and I am contemplating purchasing a copy, that is why I ask thanks silvy

Yes, Victoria, Ivan Nagy was the director of the company at that time. I saw the company when they came to Montevideo (I saw Raymonda grand pas), with Sara Nieto as prima ballerina (she is an Uruguayan). I seem to recall Li Cunxin was somewhere in the cast. Silvy

Does someone know where Lubov Kunakova is now and what she is doing? I have seen her in many videos, but I realize that, if she still dances, she must be a senior ballerina by now. I truly admired her Kirov style, free of unnecessary "ornaments", and so majestic. Also her finesse and the fact that, in her, technique (excellent technique as she had) was at the service of artistry and not the other way round.. I have not seen much of the younger stars of the Kirov, but from what I read, I feel that their style is quite different from that of dancers like Lubov? I would appreciate whatever information or insight you may give me. Silvy

I think I saw him dancing with Ballet de Santiago (one of Chile's ballet companies, which is based on Santiago's Teatro Municipal), but I am not sure (this must have been around year 1986). Could someone please clarify? Silvy

Hi I am interested to know if some of you have seen Tulsa Ballet recently, or more or less recently. A friend from Uruguay is dancing there, so I would be very interested to read how he is getting along, what they are dancing, etc. Thanks so much Silvy

For you, what features (physical, artistic and otherwise) should a ballerina possess in order to impersonate this role? Thought it might be interesting, as i hear so much about such-and-such dancer being unsuited for the role from the start due to such-and such unsuitable feature. Silvy

I am about to buy myself a good read for the holidays, and would like to know your opinion on this book. Would you recommend it? thanks in advance Silvy

I wonder how many of you could have seen Balanchine's ballet to Mozart No. 5 violin concerto. Because he created for the Colon Theatre Ballet in Buenos Aires (Maria Ruanova was the prima ballerina there), but, as far as I know, it was only revived by Tulsa Ballet in USA (I might be mistaken, so please correct me if you are). This was, in fact, my very first exposure to Balanchine, as I saw this same ballet revived around year 1985 for the national ballet company of Uruguay. I was very much taken by the 2nd movement (the adagio - or is it andante?) - beautiful pas de deux. When I first saw it (1985) the dancers wore leotards with chiffon skirts over them. Then, when I again saw it (around year 1999) they wore tutus. Silvy

Which one of the commercially available videos would you recommend for this ballet? Also, whose version is the best, as far as your opinion goes? silvy