Olivier

This is a very interesting question Celia... Acting is a very fine art, especially for ballet, you have to do enough of it for it to be seen in the very last row, but you can't do too much, otherwise it will just look fake and overdone. Also you have to be able to blend technique and acting together, that's another fine line. You can not just forget about your character when ballet steps comes along. Probably one of the hardest moment in ballet is in Giselle Act 1. When Giselle comes out of her house and meet with Albrecht. It is all choreographed, and it is suppose to look like a real conversation, except it's not, you have steps to do on a particular music. That entire scene is a real challenge for any dancer...it's a real test of talents...I can't stand when you see dancers doing the ballottes kicking their legs high, that scene is all about being gentle...they are dancers and should be able to lift their legs high anyway, but this is a really bad moment to show off...they have crossed the line that I was talking about ! I like to think that I become a character, but that would be wrong, because Romeo, Albrecht or Siegfried are not dancers, I mean they would never act the way we have to...so what I like to do is put myself in their shoes, and look like them, move like them, think like them...but staying myself, and try to find my own emotions to feel the way they would feel at any given time. When I am Romeo, I am totaly in love with Juliet, whoever Juliet would be...with Evelyn, we shared some wonderful moments on stage, it's easy to forget that you're performing sometimes, especialy Romeo, because you go through so much emotions in 3 hours...And I know that I feel every one of them ; the passion with Juliet, the hate for Tybalt, the anger with the death of mercutio, then the loss in the crypt, and the terrible decisions that you are facing. I think it's the best way to transcend acting...you have to be natural, and believe in your character...how would I feel, what would I do...then maybe we will touch someone in the audience and transported them somewhere beautiful, somewhere they can always go back to with their memories. Sorry I got a little carried away...I hope this answered your question Celia ?

Yes, Celia, I danced with Evelyn for about 2 years...and it was unforgetable ! The first time was on tour around Montreal, we performed the Pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty, and Adagio Hammerklavier, a piece that requires an incredible amount of emotions. Then we went on to the pas de deux from Swan Lake, some modern ones, concerto Barocco, Serenade...then we danced some one act and full length ballets like Ashton's "The Dream" and "Romeo & Juliet"...these two were such a joy with her ! The other ballet that was wonderful with Evelyn was Tudor's "The leaves are fading"... A few month ago she contacted me for some guesting ( since I am no longer with The RWB ), the full length "Giselle", but it fell through...too bad ! How can you not be an artist when you are dancing with her...it's impossible !

Yes, Celia, I danced with Evelyn for about 2 years...and it was unforgetable ! The first time was on tour around Montreal, we performed the Pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty, and Adagio Hammerklavier, a piece that requires an incredible amount of emotions. Then we went on to the pas de deux from Swan Lake, some modern ones, concerto Barocco, Serenade...then we danced some one act and full length ballets like Ashton's "The Dream" and "Romeo & Juliet"...these two were such a joy with her ! The other ballet that was wonderful with Evelyn was Tudor's "The leaves are fading"... A few month ago she contacted me for some guesting ( since I am no longer with The RWB ), the full length "Giselle", but it fell through...too bad ! How can you not be an artist when you are dancing with her...it's impossible !

I am very glad to read about male artistry... I am also very glad to read that Evelyn Hart was chosen as an example...she is a real artist...Trust me, if you felt it in the audience, I felt it as her partner ! First of all, isn't ballet about artistry ? Technique is only a way to get there ? Technique is physical, artistry is another dimension, it's a feeling, it's emotions ! It is unfortunatly harder for a male to be noticed artistically, since most of the 'title' roles are for females...Luckily there is some ballets that require lots of artistry for males, like Romeo & Juliet for example. Also I know of many males that are real partnering artist. It takes pure artistic skills to partner well ! If you think the ballerina looks so good...remember...she wouldn't look so good if she wouldn't feel confortable, or if the partner couldn't show off her abilities...it takes a lot of intuitions and sensitivity...it is an art ! One of my role model as an artist was Jorge Donn. Being from Belgium I had the privilege to watch him perform many roles...I believe him to be one of the Greatest Artist ! So, there is some circus freak in ballet ( a lot of them ), and they can do amazing tricks, and I respect them, but this is an art, and I Admire real artist ! [This message has been edited by Olivier (edited 12-16-98).]

I am very glad to read about male artistry... I am also very glad to read that Evelyn Hart was chosen as an example...she is a real artist...Trust me, if you felt it in the audience, I felt it as her partner ! First of all, isn't ballet about artistry ? Technique is only a way to get there ? Technique is physical, artistry is another dimension, it's a feeling, it's emotions ! It is unfortunatly harder for a male to be noticed artistically, since most of the 'title' roles are for females...Luckily there is some ballets that require lots of artistry for males, like Romeo & Juliet for example. Also I know of many males that are real partnering artist. It takes pure artistic skills to partner well ! If you think the ballerina looks so good...remember...she wouldn't look so good if she wouldn't feel confortable, or if the partner couldn't show off her abilities...it takes a lot of intuitions and sensitivity...it is an art ! One of my role model as an artist was Jorge Donn. Being from Belgium I had the privilege to watch him perform many roles...I believe him to be one of the Greatest Artist ! So, there is some circus freak in ballet ( a lot of them ), and they can do amazing tricks, and I respect them, but this is an art, and I Admire real artist ! [This message has been edited by Olivier (edited 12-16-98).]

Margot, just for your information... If you enjoyed reading "Evelyn Hart...an intimate portrait"... You might enjoy the film that was made about her, called "moment of light"... If you enjoy Manuel Legris and Rex Harrington it should be a treat... One of my favorite book... "101 Stories of the Great Ballets" by G. Balanchine and F. Mason. I use it as a reference, every time I am learning a new role it's the first book I open...and it gives me an overlook of the ballets. An other one was given to me by Arnold Spohr... Martha Graham's "Blood Memory"...is full of inspiration !

Grace, when did you actually see Evelyn perform, and in which city ? I agree with you, she is a wonderful artist...I had the pleasure to dance with her quite a bit, and feel very fortunate about it !

Unfortunatly Victoria, Louis has retired from dancing. I have seen them dance together, and also loved them together !

The hardest time for couples is the rehearsals...But the performance is an accomplishement and become something special when danced with your loved one ! In rehearsal you know the other person so much that you push each other to the extreme (you also help each other), which makes the process quite interesting ! Sorry I don't have much time to elaborate...I am on my way to one of my Nutcracker show... Olivier

I haven't seen Agnes and Jose dance together yet, but I am sure they are a great partnership since they also are a couple ! Manuel and Monique are fabulous together...Their personalities really compliment each other !

Name dropping... Maximova and Vassiliev (Bolshoi) Sibley and Dowell (Royal Ballet) Fonteyn and Nureeyev (Royal Ballet) Thesmar and Denard (Paris Opera) Loudieres and Legris (Paris Opera) Maybe they are some of the most legendary... [This message has been edited by Olivier (edited 11-23-98).]