MakarovaFan

Has there been any update as to when Raymonda will be released on DVD in the US?

Just wanted to make everyone aware that in the latest ABT Spring season brochure, The Sleeping Beauty matinee on June 19 will feature Alina Cojacaru as Aurora and Carreno as Desire. The site says cast TBA, but I was talking to a member of the ABT corps at the Vasiliev Gala who confirmed Cojacaru. It's her only performance with ABT. I snatched up tickets yesterday.

My favorite parts of the evening were: Video Clips Leilei & Mejnun is one of those lost Vasiliev treasures that Grigorivich banned from the Bolshoi repertoire. The film from the mid-'60s is nothing short of atonishing. The inhuman speed of his turns and the power of his expression/stage presence. And then a gorgeous still of Vasiliev in a lift with Bessmertnova. Don Q and Spartacus clips are always unforgettable, but Leilei is something very precious. I only wish they could have found a clip from Ivan the Terrible. Obratzova and Thibault in La Sylphide PDD. Thibault was especially strong in his leg beats. Obratzova in Vasiliev's Sentimental Waltz. Sarah Lane and Luis Ribagorda in Anyuta PDD Ashley Bouder in Anyuta Tarantella Veronika Part and Gray Davis in Macbeth PDD. I know there is divided opinion here on Part, but I think she's a beautiful dancer with strong stage presence. Polina Semionova and David Hallberg in Romeo & Juliet PDD. I can't stand Bejart, but these two really made the duet lovely. The worst part of the evening was Ana Sophis Scheller and Joseph Phillips. I've never seen the Tchaikovsky PDD performed in such a slipshod manner. Scheller was just going through the motions and wasn't one with the music or choreography at all. Phillips was just dancing out of control pushing himself with over rotations. No chemistry either. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Piece D'Occasion Vladimir Vasiliev & Daria Khokhlova Ambonnay had the same reaction to the dance as my husband -- an older man lamenting his lost youth and trying in vain to recapture it in the person of Khokhlova. I thought that Khokhlova represented Katia Maximova, Vasiliev's wife who passed away over a year ago. To continue where Ambonnay left off, after Khokhlova collapsed on the floor, Vasiliev lifted her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing and placed her in the chair and pushed it off stage. It was a very poignant performance, made more moving by Maximova's absence. I'm so accustomed to seeing them as a couple that seeing him alone made me weepy. I was stunned by just seeing Vasiliev in person -- something I thought would never happen in my lifetime. Carla Fracci's opening remarks were lovely. And it was beautiful when the dancers all laid their bouquets at Vasiliev's feet. The love from the audience for him came in floods to the stage. Two vents: There was a woman in the row in front of us and throughout the performance she constantly texted. My husband knocked on the back of her seat to make her stop but she just kept on going. Such atrocious concert manners! The sponsor couldn't find a pianist to play the Chopin Piece D'Occasion well? Max Barros made too many mistakes and that was a disservice to Vasiliev and DK. Overall it was a lovely, poignant night and the thrill of a lifetime to see my idol, Vasiliev.

If anyone is still interested, I still have 1 unsold ticket for the Vasiliev Gala tomorrow night. It's Orchestra Row P Seat 3 and I'm willing to go down to $55 cash for the ticket and the transaction can be done just before the show tomorrow outside City Center. Please email me: melissamorgank@hotmail.com

I'm willing to consider lower offers as March 27 grows closer. Again, please contact me at melissamorgank@hotmail.com

I have available one (1) ticket to the YAGP Legends in Dance International Ballet Gala honoring Vladimir Vasiliev on Saturday, March 27 at 7 PM at New York City Center. It's an Orchestra seat (P-3) for $110.00. Here is the link for the current cast of dancers: http://www.yagp.org/vladimir_vasiliev_site/index.html Please contact me at melissamorgank@hotmail.com if you're interested in buying this ticket.

I couldn't agree with you more, bart. It's Scheherezade, Carmen and Requiem that drive me crazy. The Samson & Delilah Bacchanale is also overused by skaters, as is the 18th variation of Rachmaninoff's Paganini Rhapsody and Nessum Dorma. Yu Na Kim was wonderful. Gershwin's Concerto in F was a fresh, terrific choice and she did a great job of skating to her music with lovely choreography, technical prowess and a gorgeous costume. It's a shame that most skaters are so focused on executing their jumps/spins/footwork that they tune out their music. I felt bad for Asato who looked very disappointed with 2nd place. The girl could barely smile -- she probably felt she let down her countrymen who have put relentless pressure on her to beat Yu Na Kim. Joannie's skating was so moving. She embodied such inspiring bravery and determination in the wake of a devastating loss.

A photo of Ekaterina Maximova from Walpurgis Night in grand jete. The radiant joy on her face and the beauty of her jump is glorious.

Osipova is scheduled to dance in Don Q, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo & Juliet. Which one would she be best in? I'm inclined to go for Don Q.

The list of dancers honoring Vasiliev at next month's gala is up. Which dancers should I really keep my eye on? Thanks! http://www.yagp.org/vladimir_vasiliev_site/index.html

I love the work of the late Martha Swope and her uncanny talent for catching the movement of dancers. Also Marc Haegeman's photos -- he's so wonderful. My favorite photo of all is of E. Maximova in mid jete in Walpurgis Night. It was on sale at the Met Opera gift shop years ago and regret I didn't buy it.

Can anyone recommend this dvd? Thanks in advance!

I just finished Alison Weir's "The Lady In The Tower", a superb, highly detailed and moving book about the last days of Anne Boleyn's life. Highly recommended!

Thanks, James, for the heads up! I hope Raymonda is released sooner rather than later.

Just read NY Times's obit for actress Jean Simmons. She was a wonderful actress and a great beauty. God rest her.

I may have asked this question before, but is there a website that shows in photos or videos what steps like ronde de jambe, port de bras, etc. are? Also, I'd like to know what turn out is. Thank you!

Vladimir Vasiliev (April 18) Aries Ekaterina Maximova (February 1) Aquarius Maya Plisetskaya (November 20) Scorpio Natalia Makarova (October 21) Libra Alla Shelest (February 29) Pieces

So glad you and Leonid are ordering it! I guess this might be a given, but Volodyia's command of the stage is something to behold. Another added plus is that he's blonde, not brown-haired as in the 1977 film. Volodyia looks stunningly handsome and combined with his gorgeous physique - oh my! Also, I have a new appreciation for Khachaturian. This score is his masterpeice and Algis Zhuratis's conducting is hard to find fault with.

I can't really describe in adequate words how much I love this dvd. Yes, the camera work is bad in spots where you can't see Vasiliev and Maximova at all, but the overall excellence of the performances more than makes up for that. Finally, we have a complete, live performance of this ballet with the original cast when it was still a new production -- only 2 years old. The cast is in its prime. Liepa and Timofeyeva are superb with marvelous, evil chemistry. But it's really Vasiliev and Maximova that provide the wow factor. Where do I start with Volodyia? He is completely and intensely immersed in the character of Spartacus -- musically, dramatically and in the choreography. Oh, his dancing! Gasp-provoking virtuosity in his gravity-defying jumps, stunning speed in his turns and acting magnificently all at the same time. Volodyia's masterful control of prodigious gifts prompts amazement in me. Then there is Maximova who dances as full out as her husband. I much prefer her Phyrigia to Bessmertnova's. Katia brings a range of emotions to her performance: grief, ecstasy, vulnerability, that Bessmertnova doesn't, IMO. She's especially beautiful in the Act III adagio. From the moment she steps out of the tent for her solo to the final embrace at the end of the PDD, Katia is so in tune with the lushness, poetry and drama of the music and with Volodyia. Her lyricism, artistry and technique are so beautiful to behold. How sad it is to think she's no longer with us. I urge everyone to buy this dvd. You won't regret it. Here is the link to Amazon where I bought mine. Enjoy! http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...p;condition=new

In case anyone was wondering, I called YAGP and was told that Vasiliev will be in attendance. The one thing they're not sure of is whether or not he'll be available at the stage door to meet fans. He may be whisked off to another event, I guess a party, after the gala.

Is anyone going to the Vasiliev Gala on March 27 at City Center? I'm so there -- a chance to meet Volodyia! Here is the info: http://www.nycitycenter.org/tickets/produc...anceNumber=5242

I love Baryshnikov's Nutcracker PDD. I overlook the unnecessary inclusion of Drosselmeyer and focus on the magnificent music, the lovely choreography and the magic Misha-Gelsey chemistry. Also, I hate to admit it, but I also like Grigorovich's. It's pedestrian, as so much of his work is, but Vasiliev's and Maximova's gifts raise it to a beautiful level.

Hi dirac, I have the Blanche Wiesen Cook biography and have focused on the early chapters since my interest is in her childhood. The story of her as a little girl and the relationship with her mother and adored father is heartbreaking.

I received the 2009 Winter VAI catalog today and saw that they have released a dvd of a live performance from 1970 of the Bolshoi dancing "Spartacus" with Vasiliev, Maximova, Liepa and Timofeyeva. It's in black and white. It's $34.95 on VAI but you can get it more affordably at Amazon. That's where I bought mine this afternoon. I'm so glad that finally a Vasiliev/Maximova "Spartacus" is available on dvd!

Ostrich, Where can I see Osipenko's Odile on video?