MakarovaFan

Wow, what a beautiful ballerina Olga Chenchikova is! I'm watching her dance for the first time in PAQUITA on The Magic of the Kirov video. Exquisite technique, regal and elegant presence. She glitters like a diamond. What a revelation. I want to see more of her on video. Recommendations, anyone?

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in SWING TIME -- The "Never Gonna Dance" sequence. Gabriella Komleva's Lament solo in the Kirov's LA BAYADERE Gedminas Taranda's Abderakhman in the Bolshoi's RAYMONDA Natalia Makarova's GISELLE Vladimir Vasiliev's SPARTACUS Suzanne Farrell in VIENNA WALTZES Violette Verdy in EMERALDS

And what about Spetzitseva? While I've only read about the magic of her Act II, the film footage of her Act I looked wonderful indeed, especially her creepy mad scene

Martha Swope and Marc Haegeman

Vladimir Vasiliev Melissa Hayden

Thanks to everyone's enthusiasm over this DVD I just bought myself a copy. How is the Dudinskaya and Makarova footage?

Let's also remember Vladimir Vasiliev, a dancer of dazzling virtuosity and beauty when it came to turns, not to mention jumps. His speed, form and control in his turning technique is, in my opinion, unmatched by any other male dancer, even Baryshnikov.

I've seen some of Yelena Pankova's dancing on video and find her delightful and beautiful. She had a soubrette quality that reminds me of Alla Sizova. Did Pankova ever become a principal dancer at the Kirov? What roles did she dance? Who was her coach? Thanks.

Here are some more Russian ballerinas who are/were excellent turners: Maya Plisetskaya Gabriella Komleva Ekaterina Maximova Natalia Bessmertnova Nadezda Pavlova

How is AA in the Kirov's video of LE CORSAIRE?

BRIEF ENCOUNTER BEAUTY & THE BEAST (1946) THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS FLESH & THE DEVIL

Hi Mashinka, Thank you for all the information on Taranda. I would love to see more of his dancing on video.

Like many who have seen the Bolshoi videos of RAYMONDA starring Bessmertnova and Semenyaka, I was wowed by the performance of Gedminas Taranda as Abdulrakhman. I would love to find out more information about this remarkable dancer: age, other roles, what he is doing now, etc. Thanks!

It's tough to surpass Plisetskaya's and Makarova's performances of the Act III solo. Plisetskaya's was particularly magnificent.

Thank you, Mashinka and Helene. You convinced me to buy the Bessmertnova RAYMONDA .

I'm thinking about buying the DVD of Natalia Bessmertnova in RAYMONDA filmed at the Bolshoi in the late 1980's. How would you rate her performance? Thanks!

Some of my favorites: THE NUTCRACKER: The music that accompanies the growth of the Christmas tree. Gives me chills every time I hear it. THE NUTCRACKER: Act II Grand Pas de Deux. One of the most stunning and romantic pieces Tchaikovsky ever penned. The cellos and the harps at the beginning bring tears to my eyes! THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: The Act II pas d'action with the cello solo where Aurora dances with Desire. ROMEO & JULIET: The Act III pas de deux and the music where Juliet runs to Friar Laurence. SPARTACUS: Both Spartacus & Phrygia Pas de Deux TCHAIKOVSKY SUITE NO. 3: Elegie TZIGANE SYMPHONY IN C: Second Momement

Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty & Swan Lake. Many portions of The Nutcracker, including the sublime music of the Act II PDD. Also Prokofiev's masterpiece Romeo & Juliet and Stravinsky's Apollo.

EvilNinjaX, Thanks for the heads up.

Vladimir Vasiliev & Mikhail Baryshnikov

1) Phyrigia in SPARTACUS with Vladimir Vasiliev in the title role. The Act I pdd is beautiful and dancing in this ballet with Vasiliev would be an extraordinary experience. 2) The title role in Ashton's CINDERELLA because of the exquisite beauty and complexity of the pointe work. I'd like Anthony Dowell as my partner. 3) Any part in LIEBESLIEDER WALTZER partnered by Adam Luders. 4) The Violette Verdy role in EMERALDS partnered by Conrad Ludlow. 5) Nikiya in the Chabukiani/Ponomorev Kirov production of LA BAYADERE with Vasiliev as my Solor. And I'd really enjoy the catfight with Tatiana Terekhova as Gamzatti.

When I was an intern at ABT in 1991, I was given a pair of Alessandra Ferri's autographed pointe shoes which I cherish to this day. They are so tiny.

Please keep us posted on "Madame Nyet" as I would love to read it. Thanks.

How about Winona Ryder as Margot? She would have to work on her English accent since the one she used in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" was horrid.

rg, Where do I find the book BALLET 101? Thanks