Pamela Moberg

Thanks, Sylvia (the very name of our beloved Queen), that was a beautiful report! Sad to say, I had no season - not a single performance - nothing to see. OK, a couple of school performances, but that was it. So, you might imagine, here we sit starving and only relying on the TV for the odd broadcast (twice a year there might be something). That's Sweden for you...

Of course, I have not seen most of those ballerinas. Fonteyn I saw (first time in 1957, I think - I had expected so much but was strangely unimpressed). But, to my mind, one of the greatest: SVETLANA BERIOSOVA. Sorry about those caps., but those are my own personal feelings.

As from September 1 the Gothenburg Opera Ballet is getting a new director to replace Anders Hellström. He is a Canadian guy, Kevin F. Irving. What are we to expect? Any Canadian posters have any views?

Bad news indeed. There was recently a ballet program on Swedish Television (oh yes, there have been the grand total of TWO ballet programs lately), but alas, I could have done very well without either of them. Well, this one was about the ex Royal Danish Ballet soloist Alexander Kölpin. He has left the RDB in order to free lance and now the guy must have taken leave of his senses as well. He has modernized "La Sylphide" and set it in a contemporary setting. Some excerpts from the rehearsal were shown and I did not like at all what I saw. Now I ask you, was that necessary? IMO, La Sylphide belongs to the treasure trove of classical ballet and should be left in its original state. Kölpin has now joined the ranks of Ek and others who have butchered Giselle, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. You BalletAlerters know my feelings about Ek and his work. It is indeed pathetic when people cannot recognise a work of art and leave it alone.

Oh, you really brought memories back to me! As a child I was a pupil at the Theatre School of the Gothenburg Theater. In the foyer there was a replica of the Degas statue, standing about two feet high. Yes, I do agree with you, not so academically correct. I remember that the students talked about her bad stance - potbelly and all - and said that if we did stood like that in the classroom we would have been thrown out. Somewhere, there should be a photo of me at age 14, holding on to the statue for balance while I was doing a rather fine penchee- I was in the costume for fandango girl in Marriage of Figaro (my debut) and I was then rather proud of myself. But where is that photo now? :confused:

It would never occur to me to throw away my beloved Koegler!

The Oxford Dictionary of Dance - this is the one previously edited by Horst Koegler (I have a very well thumbed edition and that is my bible), now by Debra Craine and Judith Mackrell has been issued in paperback, 8.99 pounds. Oxford University Press. Anyone seen this volume? Opinions? Should one order a copy? There is a review on Timesonline, May 25, 2002.

Thanks for that, Jeannie! Fine writing indeed! Only it brought tears to my eyes... I wish I were there - in P-burg I mean. I spent a fantastic time there and I will never forget it. Your post evoked memories...

I have read about worse than booing. In the late 19th century, a ballerina (have forgotten her name, must look it up) in S:t Petersburg got a dead cat thrown at her.

I have read about worse than booing. In the late 19th century, a ballerina (have forgotten her name, must look it up) in S:t Petersburg got a dead cat thrown at her.

Thankyou, Alexandra, for that link! Knud Arne Jurgensen is a great writer on ballet - I have several of his books. And now a home page, wow!!!

As another oldie of this board I have also seen Beryl Grey live. She was married to a Swede and somehow the theater in Gothenburg managed to get her to do a guest appearance (together with her regular partner John Field). I was young then but I remember they did the pas de deux from Les Sylphides and Black Swan pas de deux. Awesome stuff indeed! I had until then never seen anything like it. One of my fondest memories.

Henrik, call me at 0300-27525, prefix for Sweden, it will be in the phone book. I speak Swedish and I might be able to help you. Best time to phone is either early morning or late night. Can't promise anything but always willing to help.

Yes, Ed, I remember that film, I saw it as a child and found Toumanova absolutely fantastic. Why not, a remake - a great idea... Then, you cannot imagine the plans and visions I have for films - for TV or big screen - just find me a producer with a lot of money to spare. The only thing you hear in this country today is somebody whining "is that really financially possible...?" Whereupon I scream (I have a very loud voice) "Culture is important!!!" How sad, so much one wants to do, so much one wants to see...

In the summer of I think it was 1959, Violette Verdy took classes at the Rambert Theater in London. With Madam herself of course, but also with Eileen Ward and Angela Ellis. I was there too, so I could really observe her at close quarters. Another very, very tiny and very skinny girl was there, Lucette Aldous.

Ek's Giselle and Sleeping Beauty - not even turkeys - rather ostriches or what have you. Beats the lot, I think, though I havent seen many of the works other posters have offered as pure turkey. Those two are my turkeys anyway. And if I can possibly help it, I will never see them again.

Unfortunately I have never seen her live and now it is too late, but I do have a video "Tzigane". That is really something! Has anybody seen her doing that?

A small legal point here. In Sweden, and I am almost sure the situation would be the same in Denmark - all vacant posts must be properly advertised in the press, or maybe in the case of let's say a caretaker, at the Labor Exchange. There must be no private and internal appointments within a company - everybody must have a chance to apply for the job.

Works like charm here - just bookmarked it - a sight I will certainly go back to again and again! Great stuff!

Yes, Alexandra, Lincoln Kirstein is right. I must admit, I have not seen it myself, but there is supposed to be something called "Los Seises" or something like that.- Sorry, I cannot remember.- But the choir boys in the cathedral of Seville perform a sort of stylised dance in front of the altar. I can find out if somebody is interested, must have something in my archives. In the protestant church, though, which is in un upheaval at the moment, to put it very politely, there has been some efforts to have some sacred dance (very moderate movement I would call it). There is a Swedish choreographer called Ivo Cramer who has done some work like that. Cramer is also, by the way, very interested in 18th century ballet and has staged some ancient ballets for that splendid old Drottningholm Court Theatre. (I think that is the oldest theater in Europe).

My heartfelt condolences to the American people. I note that flags are flown at half mast as a token of sympathy on all official buildings including the Royal Castle in Stockholm. European Footbll Union cancelled all their matches and likewise many theatre performances will not take place. My thoughts are with you. Pamela, Gert and Elena Moberg.

Dirac and NextStage! Thankyou so much for your answers! I have e-mailed the page to my daughter and I am sure she will be delighted.

Calling all Californians, My daughter Eva is now studying in Santa Barbara - she is doing law and society. She once wanted to be a dancer and went to the State ballet school, but unfortunately she dislocated her knee and had to give it up. But she is still keen to see performances (only classical). So, what is going on in California ballet-wise this fall? Suggestions welcome!

Hola Lu! Yes, I do agree with a lot of what you said. At least I feel I can talk about Spain as I lived there and had a school there. Spain has no ballet tradition at all - and tradition is something which normally takes a long time to develop. At the moment I think that great strides have been taken and it will no doubt become very much better soon. Just think of England, did they have a great ballet tradition just, say 80 years ago? No, they didn't, and look at them today! You need hard work, a lot of dedicated and clever people with vision and talented pupils in good schools. What did Balanchine say? "First we must have a school". Indeed!!! In my opinion there are too few classical ballet schools of good quality in Spain, hence you don't get a good selection. But have patience, I bet that Spain is the next up and coming country in Europe as far as ballet is concerned. There are already quite a few Spanish born great stars.

Felursus! Yes, you are right, those funny "d" are the same in Icelandic, but in that case I would have understood a lot of the article. Now I don't, but I checked on the phone number at the end of the article, it is a Turkish phone number. However, I have a pupil from Kurdistan, I will show him the article when I see him next - I suspect it might be Kurdish. Yes, I know what it is like, I cannot bear not knowing something and I am always curious! :rolleyes: