sylphide

I could not agree more Naoko :yes:

Since I will have travelled that far to see my favorite ballet, I sure will be waiting at the "entree des artistes" after the performance! Do you know who will dance Effie on July 15th? I am not very familiar with the names you guys cited. What are their ranks in the company?

Thanks M. Johnson! It is well appreciated to have someone as resourcful as you!

Thank you Estelle! I have seen the filmed version as a kid and remembered it clearly somehow. I think this is when I fell in love with this ballet. I am glad to know that this is the version that I will get to see! I am even more excited. I too would love to see Delphine Moussin in the title role. She is one of the most elegant and exquisite ballerina of the company, in my opinion. Lucky you, "les adieux de Platel" on La Sylphide must have been something quite special.

This is the studio I was talking about (first 4 pictures of first row): Vaganova Academy I will be there around the last week-end of July 2004 and I will try to contact the tourist agency. Edited:Sorry, the link did not work as I thought, but if you type in "vaganova" in the link's search box, the the pictures will appear.

Thank you VRS, my teacher told me today he will translate my letter in russian, maybe this will help a bit the only concern is that he thinks she might very busy with the graduation shows and then off touring in Japan with the students. Well, I will keep my fingers crossed .... All I want is to take my picture in that famous classroom underneath the picture of A. Vaganova....

Mr. Johnson, may I ask how a german folk song turned into a ballet? I am a bit mixed up. I have also heard that Strauss did a polka from Satanella. And for the plot of this ballet, is all of it the story of a devil woman who falls in love with a human, or is the love story only for the pdd part? And did the title " Le diable amoureux" ( the Devil in Love) have anything to do with this ballet? I really like this piece and would like to appreciate its history a little more. I have tried to research this a bit, but found a lot of confusing info. Thanks again.

Thanks Marc! And by the way, would you happen to know which ballets will be presented at the Hermitage Theater in July? I have checked the website, but there is only the May representations.

Anyone has the intention to see this ballet? How about the casting? What should one expect from the POB's production? thanks

VRS, in my opinion, you seem to be the expert here on the Vaganova Academy. I too will be going on a trip to Russia. Can I expect to find a pointe shoe store around the Vaganova Academy? It is funny because yesterday in class, my teacher, a graduate from the academy, gave me the same advice, ie e-mail the school director! He said that if I did not try to arrange a visit in advance, entering the school would be like trying to enter a secret services building. Marjolein, when were you considering going there? Thanks

Not able to answer the original question, but is Satanela an excerpt from Carnival in Venice ? I thaught it was a different ballet :shrug:

Does anyone know where I could find a decent Ballet Class CD which features a lot of Chopin or maybe a good recording that could be used for barre work? Thank you.

Wow Cygnet! I could not have described it better, you are completely right. :yes: I borrowed the video from school last week and it is a breathtaking production! Terekhova (one of my personal favorite ) is out of this world! Komleva, the cdb, the Golden Idol... To Makarova Fan: Do ANYTHING to get that video, it is absolutely worth it!

I am sure a lot of Olympic caliber figure skaters, gymnasts and divers have had to take ballet...as for specific names, I can't help although I somehow remember of an elite gymnast who turned out to be part of the corps de ballet of an American company.. Maybe if you tried calling to the respective sport's federation? Hope that helps...

Hi Silvy, the International Dance Day is actually on the 29th and here is a link where you can find more info:Unesco And this is the message in Spanish ( I supposed it was your mother language) Mensaje del Día Internacional de la Danza I actually haven't seen anything going on in my city, unfortunatedly. I read somewhere that there are conferences going on in Paris at the UNESCO for that event. That is about all I have heard of. Have fun!

I saw Raymonda performed by Ms. Lucia Lacarra last Saturday evening. I was extremely charmed by this delicate dancer. Her technique was flawless and her acting quite charming. sometimes, it felt to she was litteraly transported to another world while she was dancing and it is rare I saw this in a ballerina. The only thing that I liked a bit less was that she perhaps could have played a more "imposing" Raymonda, her interpretation was a bit too naive and innocent for a princess like Raymonda in my opinion.(Not sure if Raymonda is a princess, but of noble blood for sure). The men were breathtaking. Jumps, extensions, batterie, etc were very well done. I was very disappointed by the corps de ballet esp. in the dream scene. They were too much of a contrast with the etheral quality of Ms. Lacarra. Some of them were not in good shape for the stage (even I noticed it and found it awkward although I am not against healthy looking ballerinas...). Unfortunatedly, the Place des Arts' stage seemed a bit to small for the whole show as it seemed to be too crowded in some moments. (Not at all the dancers' fault)Overall, I LOVED Ms. Lacarra, and the males who played Jean de Brienne (Roman Lazik) and Abderakhman (Erkhan Kurth). I would definetly like to see more of the BSB. I am very greatful that they traveled all the way to present themselves to us in Montreal. This city has a GREAT lack of displaying classical works. If only the Grands Ballets Canadiens could proclaim themselves defensors of the classical tradition...But it won't happen in this Century! So thank you BSB to bring us some classical ballet to this city!

I completely agree with Francoise! I own it and you won't regret if you get it too!

Are you talking about that scene in the movie The Company where a principal dancer is demonstrating a jump and tears her achille tendon? Because in the exerpt from la vivandiere that I have seen, it does not look like the same ballet at all! if not what scene is it? I remember disliking that movie for the lack of classical work in it. Curious because I find this ballet most delightful to watch.

Koshka, were did you get that DVD? I have tried to get some DVD/Videos of the POB from Imagidanse, but never received the ones I ordered. I would like to get my hands on any videos concerning the POB school. Thanks

Hans: for the very little I know about the day-to-day life of the Paris Opera Dancers, is that I do not think they wear practice tutus and such for their daily classes...but this is merely a conclusion I am taking from viewing the beautiful movie "Etoiles", a documentary about the POB dancers. There is a lot of scenes with the corps de ballet and unless they were rehearsing a particular ballet like Swan Lake, when we see them in class, we see them in various (meaning non uniform) dancing gear ... Hope this helps...Maybe someone who has really been in class with them can validate this?

Funny Face, I have always been intrigued by this calling of the young students that were living and learning at the Palais Garnier. I think it is quite charming actually, since my mother told me it was because back when the "ecole de danse" was still at Garnier, one could here the tiny steps of children, at night, wandering about the Palais, throughout the numerous stairs and corridors in search of a glimpse of the evening's show or to clandestinely discover the world into which they eventually will evolve in. For more "petit rat" check out this website (in French):Petit rat

:angry: Does anyone know if it is scheduled to open in Canada?

I had ballet class at 7pm and the show was on at 8PM. I had to program my VCR for the first time and I guess it worked! Watched it and loved it! The POB clips were rare but divine and the art work was exquisite. I wish everyone( who loves art and dance) could have seen it! the brief interview with Brigitte Lefevre was interesting in the way she described the painter's eye. Beautiful documentary :yes:

I saw it too but must admit I enjoy any kind of classical ballet on TV... I loved the dancing and the music of course. One thing though: I could not help but feeling sorry for those ladies in pointe shoes. Being new to pointe shoe dancing myself, I still don't know how they managed to dance on that gorgeous but seemingly slippery floor! Bravo to the dancers of the Vienna State Ballet!

Francoise, Thanks again...as I searched for the DVD, I was wondering if you were refering to the "Documentaire- Reves d'etoiles" that came out in 1999 or the actual DVD of the ballet, both being produced by the POB. I am really excited about this and would like to buy the right one!