silvy

thank you mr Mel!!! I see I was mistaken in my assumption. So, do you agree with Su-lian that Gamzatti's variation is from Minkus? su-lian, what a privilege to have seen the POB - it must be one of the very best companies in the world. I mean, I absolutely love the Russians, but French are so feminine, and have such a good footwork. silvy

ok Mr. Mel, then I am experiencing by myself what Tchaikowsky was feeling (I dont mean to compare myself with Tchaikowsky, by ANYl means!!! ) Your imagery of the "loose leaf" is very appropriate - I can clearly picture in my mind the conductor taking off the leaf of the original score and replacing it with another. But, if I am not mistaken, I believe that in Black Swan pas de deux some of the music is by Drigo (the coda, I wud guess??) - I also believe that the Black Swan pas de deux belongs to the first act in the original score???? silvy

Thanks Su-lian for your very informative account. It all seems to point out that the music is of Minkus and from Bayadere itself. Have you seen the Bayadere at the Paris Opera? I see that you live in Paris, that's why I ask. thanks again silvy

I am puzzled about the music of Gamzatti's variation from Bayadere. Is it really from Minkus? Does it really belong to Bayadere, of does it belong to another ballet? Because I have seen all of the following: 1) the variation is danced as from "Don Quixote" (by Nina Ananiashvili in a video called "The magic of Bolshoi ballet" in an Asaf Messerer gala around 1980) 2) I saw it danced as the Corsaire's female variation at a recent performance of Julio Bocca's Ballet Argentini which I recently attended, in which Julio Bocca danced Conrad, Hernan Piquin danced Ali and Maria Ricetto from ABT danced Medora. And, as far as I know, in Corsaire's score there are various composers EXCEPT Minkus. 3) the variation is danced as Gamzatti in: - Paris Opera ballet video (Elisabeth Platel dances Gamzatti) - Royal Ballet (Darcey Bussell as Gamzatti) - Kirov Ballet (Tatiana Terekova as Gamzatti) Which one is the TRUE one?? I am very puzzled!!! Cause I want to dance it at a gala, and I want to be right on the credits of the music. thanks silvy

Hi - I have another question for the video specilists I wud very much like to see a video on Raymonda. The only ones I know about are Bolshoi with Semenyaka, and Bolshoi with Bessmertnova. Are there any other versions around on video? In particular, I very much wud like to see one by the Kirov. thanks!!! silvy

I have always wanted to get a video on the Bolshoi dancing the complete Don Quixote, as I assume it must be stunning (I mean, I tend to associate the style of the ballet with a co like the Bolshoi rathet than to the Kirov). I have NEVER come across a copy of that. I have a copy of the Kirov, and the Kiev Ballet, but I wud like Bolshoi Do you know where I cud get some, if there is any at all?? thanks!! silvy

MY favourite Giselle is Carla Fracci in the ABT video, with Erik Bruhn as Albretch (I dont like him very much, though). I believe that hers is a whole rounded performance: moving in the first act (you actually see her tears in the mad scene), technically perfect in the variation AND light and otherworldy in the second act. Second in my preferences would be Mezentseva (in the Kirov video). I recently viewed Alessandra Ferri on video, and I like everything about her but for her mad scene, which is rather unconvincing to me. I wud very much like to see Alonso in video, but have not yet. silvy

thank you, rg!!! Your information is quite comprehensive. I see you are quite an expert on the subject, and I am very happy with the details you provide, though I regret not being able to get copies of these. thanks anyway!!! silvy

I remember seeing many years ago (maybe around 1985) on TV a movie called "the ballerinas" (I am translating from Spanish). It featured the Pas de Quatre with Ghislaine Thesmar, Carla Fracci, Alicia Alonso and Eva Evdokimova, together with other excerpts from Romantic ballets. I would like to have a copy of this video if it is still available. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase it? thanks!! silvy

Oh, I would rather go for Yulia Makhalina - I am surprised that no one seems to like her. I believe her Swan Lake is the best modern version ever . Also her Paquita. I also go for Uliana Lopatkina. I was lucky enough to have seen both of them in Buenos Aires. Lopatkina's Swan Lake will always remain in my memory - the Teatro Colon burst with applause.