silvy

I quote rg from another post, on the Ballet Videos thread: divertimento from 'le baiser de la fee'' by balanchine, which was filmed in germany in the now infamous series of films that balanchine ended up disliking, to put it mildly I am curious for details regarding this filming at this Germany tour. What did exactly happen with that filming? And which were the ballets? Just curiosity!!!! Silvy

Henry James's "Washington Square" Any Edgar Allan Poe Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" Jane Austen's "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice" Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" Cervantes's "Don Quixote" Homerus's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" (sp?) Any Oscar Wilde

Wow!!! Thanks for all the comments. I did not know that Fred had paired with Rita. I have seen films of her (Gilda), and I remember admiring just how glamorous she was. I dont think that movie stars are as glamorous as those in that age? (excepting, perhaps, Michael Douglas Welsh wife, whose name just escapes me at the moment) Do you agree?

I must say I have never ever watched a film featuring Fred Astaire & Ginger Rodgers... On reading Balanchine's bio, I learned that he liked them a lot, and that his "Who cares?'" was somehow inspired on their style. Which of their movies would you recommend that I see (if they are still at all available somewhere)? thanks a lot silvy

Some time ago a very reputable person in the South American dance world pointed out to me that Balanchine ballets were not always neoclassical. As the conversation did not go on, I could not got deeper into the discussion. However, I thought that this person might be referring to Balanchine's remaking of classic works (like, say Swan Lake, or Raymonda Variations, or Sylvia pdd) I am rather confused. Could someone please clarify if some of Balanchine ballets could be, indeed, called "classic" in style, and, if so, which ballets? Thanks Silvy

Is someone who has read the above book ready to give me his/her opinion? As the reviews I have read are rather confusing to me, and I would like to be sure before attempting to buy it. Thanks so much

to all, especially Francoise I love both documentaries and new works silvy

What would be your suggestions for someone who is just starting a DVD collection, but who already has an extensive VIDEO collection? Thought might be interesting to know.

Francoise: Your review on Don Q has been very, very helpful for me - thank you very much Silvy

I must confess I know little to nothing on Vladimir Bournmester, so I wonder if someone can give me more info? The only staging of his I know is that of "Swan Lake" for Paris Opera Ballet (which I dont like much), but surely he must have created other works?

There is a commercially available version of the above on DVD, and I wonder if anyone has seen it, and opinions. Does the version include de variations of the Flower Girls in the grand pas de deux in Act III? Because the Australian Ballet version of Nureyev's don Q does not include them. Thanks so much Silvy

Wonder if there is a biography or autobiography of Lynn Seymour. I am too young to have seen her dance, but I have seen tapes of her, and read about her which has piqued my curiosity. She seems to me an out of the ordinary, very interesting dancer Thank you Silvy

I wonder if anyone can tell me his / her opinion on the documentary "Balanchine", which is commercially available. Accoding to what I have read on Amazon.com, it was shown on public television. The cover features Balanchine's portrait on a green background, and the "Agon" pdd Thanks Silvy

Next April 28 (or is it 29?? - I am not sure) we in Uruguay celebrate the International Day of the Dance (Dia Internacional de la Danza). There are dance performances, and other activities. As I have virtually no information on this issue, I would welcome if someone could give me more info on that, as: - when it was created - why it was created (I understand it has somehow to do with dancer's rights, but, again, I am not sure) - by whom (or what organization) It is just that I want to know what I am celebrating!!!!!! Silvy

Yes, really!!! I became green of envy when our director told me she had danced in R&J, Marcia playing Juliet, on the same stage in Germany!!! :green: Silvy

Hi I wonder if anyone has seen the above company? Because they are coming to Uruguay next week, and would like to know beforehand what they are like, what style they dance, etc. Also, if you would recommend them to me. Thanks so much Silvy

Regarding dance, specifically ballet vs popular dance forms, I am experiencing it all the time, in person. Normally once a month I dance as a guest artist in dance events that take place in my country, mainly in the provinces (that means, not in Montevideo, which is the capital city of Uruguay). In these events competitions and non-competitive performances concur. They encompass all forms of dance. But there is very little ballet, so little sometimes that I am the only one to perform classical or neo classical repertory!! (last year I was even given an award by the organzation for my task of "Presenting classical ballet in all the corners of my country") The younger people seem to prefer contemporary dance, or salsa, folk, tango to ballet. In the last of these ocassions ballet was so forgotten that the premises were barely adequate for ballet, meaning that the floor was hard, the place was dusty, etc I mean, they are converting this in a popular thing altogether, which made me furious. And, of course, I have to refrain myself from rather scorning the other forms of dance!!! Silvy

Wonder if there are commercially available tapes of the above? Preferably danced by Marcia Haydee and Richard Cragun, as I was told they were astounding, and have read a lot about them. Thanks so much Silvy

Not quite ballet, but related to I am planning to purchase a DVD player, because I see that more and more new ballet works are issued on DVD only. I am fairly confused as to the features this player should have, and I would like you to advise me on what to look for, taking into account that I will get most of my DVDs from U.S.A or European web sites (very little available in Uruguay!!! ), and I want it to be able to play all formats. Thanks so much silvy

Which is your favourite video (or DVD) version of "Swan Lake"? I thought it would be interesting to me to exchange opinions with you. As for myselv, my favourite version is the Kirov's with Yulia Makhalina and Igor Zelensky

Altynai Asylmulatova Maya Plitseskaya Alicia Alonso (if she is not already - I am not sure) Ludmila Semenyaka Ekaterina Maximova

I wonder if anyone can tell me his / her opinion on the above, as I would like to have feedback before I get myself a copy. Thanks Silvy

Haha!!!!!!!! But, seriously speaking, and regarding Farrell, I think her frame was a proportionate one - she has long legs, but not that look to look odd. I liked her physique very much, while there are other dancers who look disporportionate to me. And she had a "plushy" look, which I think made her look stunning.

Thanks Mr. Mel for the information on the choreography. Also I was convinced that the fan variation was made famous by Kchessinskaya, so thanks again for clarifying this as well!!!! Silvy

Hi I need to know whether Kitri's variation (III act Don Q), the one danced with the fan, not the one with the passes, was choreographed by Gorsky or by Petipa? (I need the info to put in in the credits for my next performance) Thanks so much Silvy