Pamela Moberg

Yes, Marc, I saw "The tales of Hoffman". I was a tiny kid then so I dont remember much now - of course then I thought it was the eighth wonder of the world. Well, Shearer was probably good and I do remember Tcherina dressed all in black, great dramatic presence - as was Helpman. Would love to see it again... Can one find it on video? By the way, "The red shoes" was screened on afternoon TV some time ago- I loved it as a child, but I must have grown up - there wasnt much to it. My daughter was more explicit: "Oh gawd, were they so bad in your times?" I did not have an answer to that...

The arabesque is an Arabic word. meaning an ornate ornament - and how beautiful these ornaments are. Which cannot be said about some dancers torturing themselves into some kind of split leg things which are very far removed from the beautiful flowing lines of a proper arabesque. So, lower your legs a bit and think of line in stead! A real arabesque is supposed to look like a work of art!

TheSwedish part of the European Broadcasting Union ballet competition has just been shown on Swedish TV. Finals will be July 4, to take place in Amsterdam, Holland. Well, one girl danced a solo (she did not make the finals) from La Vivandiere. I thought she was very good - and how refreshing to see something different. We are getting a bit tired of seeing one Kitri after another, not to speak of several Esmeraldas. However, a pas de deux won the competition - in my mind a frightfully boring work by Mats Ek. Anyway, the boy was a former classmate of my daughter and also, a former neigbour - we all rejoice! The boy's name is Sebastian Michanek, he is already a dancer with the Stockholm Opera Ballet - we might hear more about him.

With great sadness I noted that Niels Björn Larsen has passed away. A true gentleman, a Danish ballet legend. Many years ago I spent a few enjoyable hours talking to him on a flight Copenhagen-London. What we talked about the whole time? Ballet, of course.

Yes, Mel, you are absolutely right. Johansson outlasted Petipa and he used to tease Petipa that he was puffing and panting whereas Johansson in very advanced years was able to gallop up the stairs. I really do think that it is madly unfair that - apart from in Russia - Johansson is so totally unrecognized. In the Western world it is a question of "Who the heck is Johansson?" I have done my very best to promote him, but alas, to little avail. "

Mel, You forgot about Johansson. There is actually more to Russian ballet teaching than Legat and Vaganova...;)

Jeannie, this is just a bit of curiosity, but I thought it is rather fun. Well, you mentioned Salchow in your post... Now listen to this! My godfather was married to Fanny Salchow (sister of Ulrich) in his early youth and I am in the possession of Fanny's fan. The material is in tatters, but the ivory is still there... Must take it to Seville one day to have it repaired - there are some good fan work shops there I know.

To me, there is only one Giselle - Svetlana Beriosova - both acts. I saw her live at Covent Garden in her prime years - I was moved to tears. That coming from me - stone heart - is no small compliment. The other Giselle - only act II on video - that really moved me to tears (same old stone heart) was Maximova-Vasiliev. What disturbed in the first few viewings - I must have seen this video a hundred times or more - was Vasiliev. He somehow looked too strong, too healhty to get involved in all this eerie business. But never mind, he was beautiful - so was she. Yes, my Giselles...

Thankyou so much for your reports, Jennie! There is really nothing I can add - I totally agree with every word. Isn't "Plushy" just divine! I saw what there was to see on television, which might have been slightly more than you saw. Alas, there were two Swedes participating, neither of them did well. I sat there trying to analyse what was so terribly wrong... Well, there is a great shortage of ice rinks here, and the ice rinks that are available are occupied by small boys doing hockey. Figure skaters can hire the rink privately after 10 p.m. Rinks also close in summer. Hardly a good envirenment for a budding champion. Then another thing needed. Mental training! Somehow or other, the Swedish skaters look like they are apologizing for being there. No "look Ma, how clever I am", rather they look like that great mass of an audience is about to devour them - fear is shining out of their eyes- Just an impression I got, but it might be true.

Most of my ballet life (from early childhood and on - in various European countries) I was subjected to Chibulka gavotte during fondu exercises at the bar and in the centre. Nice melting music, I am not against the music choice at all. By the way, anybody ever heard of Chibulka? I think he was a Pole and this was his only contribution to music heaven. Trouble is that in "me old age", whenever I hear the damned thing played on f.ex. "Oldies favorites" on the radio. or if I have a nightmare; there is always that old Chibulka thing spooking in my brain. Is this a common occurence? Has anybody else had similar experiences?

I can even give you an exact date: 23 July 1998! How's that for memory? If anybody would be interested I could supply details to as how this came about. Bumped into Estelle's site that same day as well. Then I tried to post for the first time in November 1998 - I was very saddened by the death of Svetlana Beriosova. That post never got through - I must have done something wrong... Anyway, after that there are very few evenings indeed that I have not visited BalletAlert.

I agree, Patricia, "I remember Balanchine" is wonderfully interesting. My husband found it in Manila, of all places!

Yes, Alexandra, you are right, the Mercury stage was tiny - the size of an avarage sitting room! I know because I was there.

Mel, continue to be intrigued for a few days more. I am working flat out now ( end of term. finish of courses - I feel rather dead - in addition I am selling Christmas trees from my plantation). Now, there is work about 20 hours a day. Otherwise, applauds from the wilds of Sweden about your care of original titles etc.

Encouraging about "Prodigal Son". Otherwise, I do not know... You know my feelings about updating classics - Hamlet in sneakers - Giselle in luny bin - etc. etc. etc. However, I think I will speak to Mr. Cramer first, and then report.

I wonder if someone has seen the ballet "The Prodigal Son" - music by Hugo Alfven and choreography by Ivo Cramer? Folkloristic stuff, except for the ballerina role "The Queen of Rich Araby" which is danced on pointes.

Manhattnik, brilliant pieces of writing! I am still chuckling...

Mel, you made my day! So, you claim that ballet historians make even less money than so called ordinary historians. Folks, just come and have a look at, sitting forlornly at the wild shores of (not of love, now quoting Leslie whatshername, one time wife of Roman Gary) a person sitting here, eking out a miserable living of teaching morons English. Jee, I wish I were elsewhere... Ballet history - that is enjoyment on Saturday nights when TV is a pain in the ... How funny is that... Story of my life.... No live ballet in sight... OK, I have some very god videos...

I have a feeling that this discussion is becoming a bit silly. When I was a teacher of English and ballet at a state school in Southern Spain in the late 60ties and early 70ties an ashtray was provided at the teacher`s desk. Not so in ballet class - but there was also an open window! Now there is a different argument thou... Not exposing young people to anything - smoke - pollution - pets -what have you... OK, I have actually been in Russia and, pardon me, there was filth such as I have never seen before - and I have been around - but kids did not seem as allergic there as in Sweden. OK, now I am talking about normal kids, the ones I met; those I were contact with, not street urchains. Ok, there were also many children begging at traffic lights. and they seemed to be in a bad shaoe. , It may be so that exposure to various things might make the constitution stronger...

Most interesting. folks... Indeed, so interesting that I lit another fag...

You must be kidding, folks, or you live on another planet! For myself, I have hardly time to read the daily paper... But, there is one book, I think I posted something on another thread. "Ballet Russes" by Richard Shead. Lovely stuff, I read a little bit every night before going to bed.

OK, Leigh, here is the translation. I have edited lightly and only translated the most interesting bits. "The Canadian Kevin F. Irving will be new ballet director at the Gothenburg Opera House from Sept. 1 2002, he will succeed Anders Hellström who leaves his post after three successful years and has chosen to decline the offer of another term in office. Kevin F. Irving is 42, born in Canada where he worked for eight years with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. He was quickly promoted to the rank of soloist and at the same time he worked for the Dancers' Union. During his successful career he appeared in works by many famous choreographers, such as Kurt Jooss, George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Marius Petipa, and Twyla Tharp. Lately he has progressed from dancing to important posts as ballet master, administrator and producer and has worked with the Australian Ballet, Royal Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance of Chicago and Nederlands Dans Theater. Since 1994 he has been working with Nacho Duato Compania Nacional de Danza in Madrid where he is now in charge of artistic matters with special responsibility for the touring section. Kevin F. Irving's contract is for a period of three years from Sept- 1 2002". Well, it gives one some information about what he has done, but not a word about his future plans for the company. What can one reasonably expect?

Thanks Leigh, for that blurb! How did you unearth that? Strange are the ways of the Internet... Anyway, I am a bit pressed for time right now but I will translate the important bits and post. Still I would like to know what plans he has for the Gothenburg Ballet, sigh...

Some time in June I think it was, I asked a question about the above person - nobody replied as far as I can remember. Anyway, on the local Gothenburg TV news he appeared today in a very brief interview, didnt really yield anything at all except that Mr. Irving said that he was from New York and had worked a lot there as choreographer and ballet master. Well, New Yorkers, does anybody know anything about Mr. Irving? After all, he is going to be in charge of the ballet company here and I want to know what to expect from him.:confused:

One of my summer highlights is a visit to an antiquarian book shop further south down the West coast of Sweden. The shop specializes in ornithology - once I found a great big tome there at a very low price - "Birds of America" (Audubon). Ballet books are usually scarce but this year I found two really good ones to add to my library. "Ballet Russes" by Richard Shead, Wellfleet Press, N.J. 1989. A very beutiful volume with lots of rare illustrations. Covers the period (very briefly) from the early days right up to Diaghilev, also a bit about more recent revivals. The other book - Alexandra, are you reading this? was titled "Balletten danser ud", Gyldendal 1961. The ballet dances out in literal translation. It covers the late fifties and early sixties and it is actually a picture book with short text passages in Danish. Alexandra, I know you have masses of photos of Kronstam, but if there is a particular one you are looking for, it might be here. I could always scan it and send it to you.