MakarovaFan

Who is the most evil Odile you've seen? I've yet to see a truly evil, complex and treacherous Odile. She's such a challenging character to play, not to mention the technical difficulty of Petipa's choreography. The role demands that she be seductive, magnetic and wicked, plus project enough of Odette's persona to trick Siegfried. This is no easy feat. I've seen some superbly danced Odiles like Dvorovenko who fearlessly tackled the choreography and looked stunning, but didn't fill the role enough. How I'd love to see footage of Shelest dancing the part, great actress that she was. Please talk about Odile's you've seen who capture the cunning and evil well.

this is very sad news. I loved him in Breaker Morant.

Amy, The soundtrack didn't sound better, but about the same on the Criterion dvd.

I saw the restored The Red Shoes this afternoon and the experience was breathtaking. The lush palette of Jack Cardiff has been magnified opulently but not so much that it submerges the story. As so many reviews have noted, the red of Moira Shearer's hair and luminosity of her creamy skin are more beautiful than ever. I was struck by the blazing scarlet of the red shoes themselves that made them pulsate with life. The ballet sequence was more engrossing than ever with Powell and Pressberger's imagery freshly cleaned up in the restoration. I also found Walbrook's and Massine's performances more compelling than ever; somehow Massine's character had more depth and Walbrook's Lermentov was scarier with his blue eyes fiery with megalomania, obsession and rage. I urge everyone to see this gorgeously restored The Red Shoes. It's a very special experience of a film that we probably won't see made again in our lifetimes.

Here, here, Leonid, regarding Guillem's negative impact and influence. I genuinely can't stand her dancing.

A pleasure, bart. Glad to help!

Is there a video record of an early-60s performance? That is something I would love to see. The version in I Am a Dancer was shot when Fonteyn's real age became a much larger element in the plot than I think Ashton originally intended. I saw them dance this during one of the Royal's last seasons at the Old Met. The partnership was at the height of its fame. My memories are very non-specific as to choreography, possibly because I was sitting way up and very far from the stage. That means that I now tend to visualize Fonteyn and Nureyev in this period are of tiny, tiny figures, leaping, diving, embracing, and (finally) suffering across vast spaces. I know I missed a lot. Bart, There are extended excerpts of a 1960's film of Marguerite & Armand on the Perfect Partnership dvd. Their profound chemistry and some lovely Ashton choreography are the highlights. You can find clips on youtube. The 70's Liszt plus orchestra film is also on youtube, but it's not complete. I vividly recall seeing this M&A on The Magic of Dance back in the 80's. Why this wonderful documentary narrated by Fonteyn isn't on dvd is beyond me.

Is there a dvd available of Fonteyn & Nureyev in the Marguerite & Armand filmed in the 1970's? I think that performance is more emotionally riveting than the one from the 60's in spite of the orchestrated Liszt Piano Sonata.

Does anyone know when the newly restored The Red Shoes shown at Film Forum will be released on dvd?

My Mom and I are seeing La Danse tomorrow and we're very excited. We wanted to go today but not with the Yankees parade chaos downtown.

Thank you, Drew. There are some beautiful excerpts of Osipova on youtube. Her Giselle Act II was wonderful and she has a fabulous jump. I'll probably end up seeing her in SB.

Sorry, I found elsewhere on the site that she'll be in Sleeping Beauty & Romeo & Juliet. Which do you think would be the better role for her: Aurora or Juliet?

I was excited to learn in the ABT Spring 2010 Met Season brochure that Natalia Osipova will again be a guest artist. Does anyone know what roles she'll be dancing? Thanks in advance!

Wow, what a find! As with every other bit of film I've seen of Farrell, I can't take my eyes off her. Every step, facial expression and gesture is masterful and exquisite.

Thank you everyone. I'll check the Cook book out of my local library.

I'm looking for a Eleanor Roosevelt bio -- particularly info on her childhood. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

This is a great topic, ballet fan. In my opinion, no male dancer has done more for the role of Spartacus in Grigorovich's production than Vladimir Vasiliev. It's a flawed ballet to be sure, but Vasiliev's riveting immersion in his part and the coupling of virile, commanding presence with Spartacus's humanity and frailties is so much more than any other dancer I've seen. And, or course, his technique is gasp-provoking. Margot Fonteyn's Aurora is legendary. She doesn't have the extensions or jumps or later dancers like Sizova and Cojacaru, but Fonteyn's youthful radiance seizes one's heart and doesn't let go. One more thing about Spartacus. In ballet of today, and this may be controversial on the board, the youtube footage I've seen of Svetlana Zakharova dancing Aegina is superb. I once thought she had no acting ability, but Aegina proved me wrong. She was a sexy, authoritive Lady Macbeth of the Roman age; Timofeyeva paled in comparison. For me, Zakharova owns the part of Aegina.

Was it Ketinoa who posted on youtube the exquisite video of Vasiliev/Maximova dancing Spartacus in Tokyo, 1973-74, or was that Hookham?

I don't understand the appeal of Sylvie Guillem. Yes, she has outstanding technique, but she's got an icy personality and an ego that fills the stage. She also has no acting ability. Whether it's Grand Pas Classique or Don Quixote, she always dancing as herself. Darci Kistler is another ballerina I don't get. A poor actress and she always has a smile on her face regardless of the role. Karin von Arnoldingen -- why is she considered a distinguished Balanchine ballerina? I watch her on video and don't understand. Viviana Durante somehow always left me unmoved, same for Lopatkina who was way too cautious and deliberate in Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto # 2. Yulia Makhalina also does nothing for me.

All-time favorite is beyond question Vladimir Vasiliev. He had the rare package of a beautiful face/body, virile presence, dazzlingly brilliant technique and an eloquent, deeply sensitive artistry. Vasiliev was also a sublime partner and when he danced with his late wife, Ekaterina Maximova, his deep love for her filled every moment they shared onstage. Another favorite of the past is Gediminas Taranda. He had tremendous authority onstage coupled with superb technique. His performance in Raymonda says it all. My current favorite is Jean-Guillem Bart of POB. Beautiful performances in Diamonds and Raymonda.

Emeralds is my current favorite.

There is a wonderful recording of the Tchaikovsky PDD on the complete recording of Swan Lake with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by John Lanchbery. It's a highly expressive interpretation with lyricism, drama and excitement. The orchestra sounds terrific. You can find the recording on Amazon. Just look up Lanchbery Swan Lake Box Set. I don't know how to paste a link here, but maybe one of our Ballet Talk friends can do it for you.

Thanks, Dale. I already found the site -- wish it was more informative.

Does anyone know where I can find out if Lucia Lacarra will be dancing in USA/Canada in 2009-10? Thank you!

I have a fairly nutty idea in my head that somewhere in the Bolshoi film archives is footage of Vladimir Vasiliev dancing in "Ivan the Terrible" since he co-created the role with Vladimirov and he (Vasiliev) was still the unchallenged king of the company in the mid '70's when the ballet premiered. I've also seen extraordinary bits of "Leili & Mejnun" also danced by Vasiliev. Surely there must be more or is this wishful thinking? So what ballet film archive would you like to rummage through and in search of what?