MakarovaFan

Thanks Farrell Fan and California. This is exciting news!

Jacques d'Amboise is also speaking at the Los Angeles Downtown library on April 20th. Tickets are free with a reservation: http://www.lfla.org/event-detail/569/Jacques-DAmboise

Thanks for the heads up about the new book. I ran into Mr. D'Amboise last summer at Osipova's debut in Don Q at ABT. I said "Hi" to him and we had the nicest conversation. He was so excited about Osipova's dancing and his enthusiasm was infectious. Can't wait to read the book.

My first was Ferri and Bocca in 1991. Simply sublime.

Is there a good recording of the complete Gayane that someone can recommend? Thank you!

How often does NYCB perform Vienna Waltzes in New York?

The Kirov Ballet's performance with Tatiana Terekhova and Farukh Rumizatov is the one I love best. Terekhova is a brilliant Kitri.

...and I believe the only one available showing Kitri's original final act variation...?

I'm not sure if it's the original-original Kitri Act 4 variation but this music and somewhat-similar steps has been used by the Bolshoi for a long time, for the First Flower Girl Variation in the Act 4 Grand Pas. The main difference is that instead of Terekhova's final diagonal of double-pirouettes, the Bolshoi Flower Girl performs a series of grands jetes around the circumference of the stage.

I agree, this remains one of the finest commercially-available Don Qs, from a performance-quality point of view. It's a shame that it's so 'low definition.' I am hoping that, somewhere in the vaults of Russian State TV, there is a sharper version of this wonderful film. The US-version Kultur video (and the DVD copies from it) has the crappiest resolution imaginable. Even for its day (ca 1988), it was poor.

Thank you, Natalia, for pointing out the lousy video resolution.

Please recommend a version of "Don Q" to see (either to purchase or to view at the NYPL). I have not seen this ballet before and have read much about it.

The Kirov Ballet's performance with Tatiana Terekhova and Farukh Rumizatov is the one I love best. Terekhova is a brilliant Kitri.

http://www.amazon.com/Minkus-Quixote-Terekhova-Ruzimatov-Ponomaryov/dp/B0006212TU/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1298572479&sr=1-4

Stunning photo! Thanks for sharing rg.

We lost 2 great musicians this week. Margaret Price, whose majesterial Isolde on the Carlos Kleiber recording set a new standard for the role, passed away several days ago. I haven't heard heard her other recordings, but her Isolde is so exquisitely beautiful, feminine and vulnerable that I'm haunted by it every time I hear her sing.

We also lost John Barry. Most of his James Bond scores were fabulous, my favorites being "You Only Live Twice" and "Goldfinger". His score for "The Lion in Winter", "Robin & Marian", "Body Heat", "Somewhere in Time" and "Out of Africa" were also wonderful. Barry is up there with other all-time great film composers like Bernard Hermann, Alex North, Franz Waxmann and Jerry Goldsmith.

I'd replace Bartok with Tchaikovsky for his magnificent contributions to ballet as well as his genius as a melodist and orchestrator. I also think he should be ranked higher than Stravinsky.

I know that single tickets go on sale for ABT at the Met on April 3, but does anyone know what time the box office opens that day? Also should I get there early to avoid waiting in line? Thanks!

Wow, what a lovely way to start 2011. I agree with everything Bonnette says. Thank you, Cristian.

Has anyone or does anyone plan to see Rattle do Pelleas? I only just found out about it and am practically in tears that I can't see my favorite opera conducted by him.

My favorite Lear up to this point has been Michael Hordern who did the Shakespeare Plays series on PBS back in the late 70's and early 80's. The whole cast was just about perfect but Hordern was really marvelous. Of course Jacobi's Hamlet from that same series is one of the most brilliant performances I've seen by any artist. Jacobi is such a special actor and I can't wait until the Spring.

For those in New York who would prefer to see Jacobi's Lear live, King Lear (Donmar production) will play at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in May 2011.

OMG, this is thrilling! I haven't seen Jacobi onstage since Uncle Vanya many years ago. Thanks, abatt, for the heads up!

I just purchased my tickets for the King Lear broadcast at the NY Cinema 1,2,3 at 1001 3rd Ave. Here is the link to buy the tickets on Fandango.com.

http://www.fandango.com/citycinemas1,2263_aaecb/theaterpage?comingattractions=1#comingAttractions

Derek Jacobi should be a magnificent Lear.

I just read in Town & Country magazine that Derek Jacobi will play King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse in London from December through February. There will be a special live broadcast on February 3 shown in over 300 movie theatres worldwide. I hope at least one of them is in NYC.

What is the general opinion of Veronika Part's Swan Lake?

What is the general opinion of Veronika Part's Swan Lake?

I recently finished reading Amanda Stuart's book, "Consuelo & Alva Vanderbilt: The Story of a Daughter and a Mother in the Gilded Age". With all the drama, thwarted romance, doomed marriages, etc. among this mega rich family, it sounds like a compelling story for a ballet.

I'd cast Lucia Lacarra as Consuelo.

bart, thanks alot for posting this. Her artistry is so riveting and glorious. Viva Maya!

Is there another video company that might release it? Are we ever going to see Nureyev's Raymonda on video?

Perhaps Arthaus Musik, It bought out TDK, which used to release quite a few POB videos. Alternately, it could be Bel Air Classiques, which has also released POB stuff, in which case the DVD would cost a small fortune.

Thanks for the tips, volcanohunter, but neither company carries POB's Raymonda.

I contacted Opus Arte about the POB broadcast of Raymonda that was aired in Europe last Winter. There was some talk on the Board that this would come out on DVD. Unfortunately, I was informed that they won't be releasing it on DVD.

Is there another video company that might release it? Are we ever going to see Nureyev's Raymonda on video?

Taranda is in both the Semenyaka and Bessmertnova "Raymonda"s. He's fantastic in each.

...you see, yo made again, Helene...now I WANT to have that Raymonda too...!!

Will work on that...pronto!

Taranda is great in both, but his ardent Abderakhman has more potent chemistry with the soulful, vulnerable Bessmertnova, IMHO.

Suzanne Farrell Ballet will perform Balanchine pas de deux at Purchase, NY near White Plains on Sunday, November 7 at 3 p.m. We New Yorkers would love to see this company. I can take Metro North to White Plains and a taxi to the Tilles Center, but after the performance I have no idea how I would find a taxi to get back to the train station in White Plains. Is anyone familiar with the Tilles Center - are there taxis after performances like at the Kennedy Center? Is there a shuttle bus to take people to the train station like the Kennedy Center has?

Eileen, thank you so much for the heads up. I just bought my tickets online. My Mom lives in White Plains so it's super convenient to pick her up and go to SUNY Purchase!