dancemomCA

Hello Ballet Talk members, I will be in southern Turkey at this time and am thinking of trying to get tickets and transport to the Ampitheatre for the "Carmen" opera on the 19th of June. Has anyone attended this festival in years past? Any tips? I will most likely have to hire a driver from Kas and then return late at night. I would love to take in a performance in this ancient venue!

Not sure where to post this because it's not really a performance...but when talking to my son yesterday who studies post-grad at Hamburg Ballet School, he informed me that yesterday was a public 2 hr Workshop given by AD John Neumeier and the company and students. This was a sold-out event on a Sunday morning at 11 am at the Opera house, I do not know ticket prices. The dancers do company class on stage, then perform excerpts from repertoire, then Neumeier will lead a discussion about each piece. Students were also showcasing their performance pieces at this workshop - my son said the enthusiasm from the audience was wonderful...I assume it's a marketing tool that is used by the company, but the public seem to enjoy this type of event and turn out in droves for each one.

This comes from a relatively novice modern dance audience member, have seen years of ballet. I just returned from a contemporary show, and what I miss most in nearly every modern dance piece that I have seen so far is the non-use of amplitude or "air" around the dancers. The choreography has been so "grounded", it is as if they have ignored any space above their heads! Plus, all the constant intertwining, close physical contact between dancers and dancers and the floor is almost clastrophobic at times, makes me yearn for a decent jump or flight of body in motion up, up and away!

I would just like to report that all went very well in Hamburg. My son loved the city, the "Hamburgers", the ballet school, facilities, teachers, etc. He especially liked the fact that the company and school are housed under one roof with all dancers eating/socializing in their cafeteria each day. He plans to accept their offer of a full-time position and will be starting his post-grad studies with them in September. We are all so happy and proud. :blush:

Well, it appears that there is a big conference in Hamburg that week, nothing left anywhere!!!! They are booked into the Crowne Plaza with a king bed! I hope they enjoy the luxury. It's a short taxi ride (5E) from main train station. Yes, my son has been asked to take class for 2 days, both ballet and contemporary - he will also have some time to sight-see while he is in town. Hamburg Ballet is performing "The Saga of King Arthur" that week/weekend, but not the days he is in town, so he will not be able to see a performance. This school is his first choice, so I'm hoping he likes the feel of Hamburg.

Thank you very much for that good piece of news! I will pass it on to my son.

Thank you all for your good wishes, he's off on Sunday to audition at Hamburg and then John Cranko in Stuttgart - he's very excited! I have some leads on hotels in both cities so thanks again to all for your PMs.

I did a quick search myself, found a few hotels, but could not get the dates I requested. I'm going to send off an email to the school tonight to see if they can recommend anything. My son will be arriving in Hamburg by train but he said he would love to be within walking distance or short transit ride.

Would it be possible for a student to purchase a ticket at the Opera on the 17th to DonQ? Or are the POB performances normally sold out in advance?

Hope this is the right place to post this topic. My son will be auditioning at Hamburg Ballet School post-grad program next week and needs a hotel for two nights near the Hamburg Ballet building. He will be with his older brother and I'm hoping to make online reservations for them. Thanks in advance to any help from our European BTers.

Hello, does anyone have any info or reviews on Ballet San Jose? My son is interested in this company and would like to audition for them in May, but we are seeking additional information. He is a recent HS grad, so is looking for a smaller company. Thanks!

Yes, you are correct.

Haven't read it yet, but will try to do so this weekend. Anyone who claims Kudelka is a "genius", doesn't get 2 thumbs up from me!

Thanks everyone for the name correction to Fadeev - I didn't have my program in front of me. I wanted to add a few comments, especially with regards to Irina Golub, Ekaterina Osmolkina and Anton Korsakov who performed the Pas de Trois on Sat evening. I thought they were outstanding, the footwork of the two females was so fast, so clean and effortless - it was simply a joy to watch them - they also looked radiant in their roles. Korsakov was breathtaking to watch - high, graceful leaps, he had this lyrical quality to his movement which I felt was missing in Fadeev. Not that he wasn't intense, he was, his technique was impeccable, he was performing to his utmost, but it was never over-the-top (like the "Jester"). The three of them connected beautifully on stage - effortless partnering as well. Korsakov was my son's favourite! I think so far, this is the ultimate "Swan Lake" for me - not sure if I will go to another for a few years! Once you watch this production with this corps de ballet and principals, it will be very difficult to exceed this version. As a side note, we were in the theatre restaurant after the show and who should walk in but Fadeev, Vishneva and the Ballet Master who had taught the Master class on Friday which my son and his partner attended. My son and his dance peers were so excited to see them, the teacher recognized them, smiled and nodded at them - it was a perfect ending to a perfect evening of dance! Looking forward to windflyer's and bart's reviews - I'm certain they will be more detailed than mine!

I attended the Saturday evening performance with my dancer son, daughter and friend. I will have to provide more details later, as I need my programme for notes! Well, WOW - finally, a grand ballet production in Ottawa, with such precise, wonderful dancing, beautiful costumes, stunning lush sets. And the audience was completely quiet for the entire performance - not a peep! That in itself was amazing and so appreciated. Few brief comments for now - I liked Vishneva's Odile better than her Odette - she brought more verve, energy and life to the role - I felt something was missing with Odette, didn't quite feel the chemistry between she and Andeev ? I think he was tired by Act III - he took a few seconds to catch his breath between variations, cheated on his double tours, was a bit shaky on a few lifts - I much prefered the male who danced in the pas de trois - will have to get name. My son said the he was doing something more difficult than just "beats" something called "quatre ??" - he said, "Do you know how hard that is to do?" Corps was sublime, such strong dancers on their own, beautiful feet (loud pointe shoes!). I think they really stole the show in Act II> I agree with Paquita about the Jester - costume was garish, too many "tricks", plus I really don't like short, heavy-thighed male dancers...I loved Rothbart's costuming - as compared to Kudleka's over-the-top weird headpieces and gowns of NBoC "Swan's Lake". Ending was a bit strange, somewhat abrupt in my mind, but overall it was a truly great night of ballet.