DanceActress

The Little Humpbacked Horse Tudor: Jardin aux Lilas Ashton: Ondine, A Month in the Country, The Two Pigeons MacMillan: Song of the Earth Lifar: Mirages, Suite en Blanc Balanchine: The Four Temperaments, Stravinsky Violin Concerto Robbins: Dances at a Gathering Cullberg: Miss Julie

For the sheer multitude of props in one sequence, I have to mention "Ivan the Terrible": scythes, scimitars, swords, staffs, banners, etc.

I'd love to see Marcelo Gomes partner Tamara Rojo! Or what about David Hallberg and Sarah Lamb?

For all of us who can't watch French television, you can find the entire documentary on Youtube in 8 parts! But be warned: there are no subtitles and some of the footage in the rehearsal studio isn't miked making it difficult to hear and understand Aurelie Dupont and other dancers. While I enjoyed this backstage glimpse of Dupont, my favorite Paris Opera etoile, I find it hard to believe that Cedric Klapisch followed her around for three years and only came up with 58 minutes of footage! It also wasn't clear to me why Klapisch had chosen Dupont or chosen to make a documentary about a dancer at all. For contrast, I reflected upon two dance films I've seen recently, "La Danse " and "The Dancer". Frederick Wiseman voyeuristically examined the entire mechanism of the Paris Opera in "La Danse" and in the Swedish film, a theatre actor tries to understand Katja Bjorner's art and dedication through the lens of his own art. It just semed to me that Klapisch's goals were very unclear. Reservations aside, any chance for an audience to see classical dance on television is a good thing. Imagine if Kathryn Bigelow or Noah Baumbach decided to make a documentary about Ashley Bouder or Gillian Murphy!

I understand that she left the RB on 23 January with the intention of freelancing. As the Empress, Miss Jourdain was widely admired as giving an outstanding performance. What a shame! Well, maybe London's loss will be New York's gain I would definitely seek out Cindy Jourdain's future performances. Another standout from this recording is Sarah Lamb's Countess Larisch. The countess is my favorite character in the ballet because of her ambiguity. Is she in love with Rudolf and will do anything to stay in his life? Or is she only concerned about maintaining her position in the court? Sarah Lamb's interpretation seems to fall somewhere in the middle- she's a social climber with a heart.

I recently received my copy of "Mayerling" in the mail from British Amazon! A couple immediate comments: The filming and camera work are so much clearer compared to the 1994 recording. I noticed new details with costumes and, more importantly, the camera angles serve the choreography and the theatricality of the ballet. One of my biggest problems with the earlier recording was that the closeups were so tight that I couldn't tell which woman was hurling herself at Prince Rudolf or how! Edward Watson gives an intense and dangerously exciting performance as Rudolf. He is a vulnerable wreck of a man. His extraordinary long lines and loose physique are perfect for portraying mental and physical agony. But the revelation of this DVD for me, at least on a first viewing, was Cindy Jourdain's Empress Elisabeth. Jourdain is beautiful, haughty, distant, and guilty- her Act I pas de deux with Rudolf shows the ravages of a guilty mother. I'm not fortunate enough to see the Royal Ballet in person with regularity and I'd never heard of Jourdain. I would love to see more of her!

Thanks for reviewing this production, Helene. I'm going to see both As You Like It and The Tempest next month. How was Juliet Rylance's performance as Rosalind? She's gotten stellar reviews for her Desdemona, and I am an unabashed fan of her stepfather, Mark Rylance.

I'm glad my rudimentary list of dancers, choreographers, etc. was useful! My questions were answered earlier in the section: Alice Renavand dances the role of Creuse in Medee Yann Bridard is rehearsing Pina Bausch's Orphee et Eurydice- which has just been released on DVD The young choreographer discussing casting with Brigitte Lefevre was Emmanuel Gat

Any ideas? I believe it was Emanuel Gat. His ballet, Hark, debuted the following season. Thanks for the answer, cinnamonswirl!

Was it Marie Agnes Gillot as she was in the DVD that was releaed of it. Can't remember, perhaps Alice Renavand who's dancing the role of Creuse in Médee... The other Creuse, Muriel Zusperreguy, is seen with Yann Bridard. Marie Agnès Gillot didn't dance Médée that year. Yann Bridard danced Orphée et Eurydice from Pina Bausch Thanks, silvermash! I was sure that whoever was dancing that extended pas de deux with Wilfired Romoli wasn't dancing Medea but the "other woman".

Yes, it's Lacotte's reconstruction. I attended a performance of "Paquita" during the season that Wiseman filmed "La Danse" with Dorothee Gilbert and Manuel Legris. I was sitting in the orchestra and I looked around. I realized that Pierre Lacotte and Laurent Hilaire were seated directly in front of me and Elisabeth Maurin was to my right The Paris Opera released a DVD a few years back of their complete "Paquita" with Agnes Letestu and Jose Martinez as the leads. I don't really care for either of them, but Emmanuel Thibault dances the Pas de Trois and he is worth the price of the DVD!

I believe that that was Heymann with the effortless batterie. Laurent Hilaire comments off-camera on his technique during the Paquita pas de trois- "indecently easy", is how he put it, I think. Although I also remember my jaw dropping for Le Riche and Martinez during the Nutcracker variation. The waltz scene is from "Paquita". You're right- the uniquely voyeuristic quality of this film would be lost if captions were added. I stayed for part of the credits and it just looked like a general list of the company by rank. So I don't think you missed much in terms of clearer identification of the featured dancers, choreographers, etc.

Amy Reusch, I'll do my best! Here are the ballets, the dancers, choreographers and coaches that I recognized in no particular order: "Paquita"- in the studio, the principals were Agnes Letestu and Herve Moreau, coached by Pierre Lacotte and Ghislaine Thesmar (the older couple- I believe they're married- he mentioned Suzanne Farrell's flaws) - onstage and in costume, the principals were Dorothee Gilbert and Manuel Legris dancing the Grand Pas Classique - onstage and in costume, Marie-Agnes Gillot delivers superb fouettes - the male dancer in the Pas de Trois was Matthias Heymann - two of the female dancers in the Grand Pas were Fanny Fiat and Muriel Zusperreguy "Casse-Noisette"- in the studio, the principals were Laetitia Pujol and Jose Martinez, coached by Florence Clerc (I think) and Patrice Bart in separate scenes - Nicolas Le Riche dances his Act II solo in the studio - there was a group rehearsal of the Clara/Cavalier Act II Pas de Deux- I glimpsed Manuel Legris, Dorothee Gilbert, Nicolas Le Riche, Laetitia Pujol, Karl Paquette, etc. - Laurent Hilaire and Elisabeth Maurin were the coaches - onstage and half in costume, the principals were Laetitia Pujol and Nicolas Le Riche "Romeo et Juliette"-choreographer, Sasha Waltz -onstage and barefoot, Aurelie Dupont and Herve Moreau "Medee"-choreographer, Angelin Preljocaj - in the studio, Emilie Cozette danced the title role, coached by Laurent Hilaire - in the studio and onstage, Delphine Moussin danced the title role - Wilfried Romoli dances Jason "Genus"- choreographer, Wayne McGregor (bald and Scottish, I think) - in the studio, Matthias Heymann and Mathieu Ganio, later Marie-Agnes Gillot and Benjamin Pech - onstage in black leotards, Matthias Heymann and Myriam Ould-Braham, Jeremie Belingard, and towards the end of the film, Agnes Letestu and Mathieu Ganio "The House of Bernarda Alba"- choreographer, Mats Ek - onstage and in costume, Manuel Legris was Bernarda Alba, and amongst the women, I recognized Marie-Agnes Gillot and Laetitia Pujol I'm pretty certain I've left out a lot of people, so the above is verrry rough! I wish Mr. Wiseman had identified people! I would have hated to see this film not knowing anything about the dancers, the repertoire, and the hierarchy. Does anyone know who the choreographer was discussing casting with Brigitte Lefevre? And was Stephane Bullion dancing McGregor's piece? I'm sure I saw him...

I saw "La Danse" last night at Film Forum, and I loved it! I could have watched another three hours of footage about that glorious company. I was able to identify almost all of the dancers and choreographers. But I do have two questions for sharp-eyed and informed Ballet Talkers. Who was the dark-haired female dancer with Wilfried Romoli during the Medea section that was filmed onstage and in costume? She wasn't dancing the role of Medea (not Emilie Cozette or Delphine Moussin) and I think she's in the corps rank. Also, what piece was Yann Bridard rehearsing towards the end of the film?

Before I talk about last night's performance of "Romeo and Juliet", I just want to say that I love reading the diverse opinions on this board. What moves one poster leaves another cold and both analyses are interesting and valid. Anyway, put me down on the pro Vishneva and Gomes team. For me, Vishneva's wild, girlish energy and abandon were perfectly suited to the role of Juliet and MacMillan's choreography. During her pas de deux with Paris in the ballroom scene, I thought of Shakespeare's line- "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright." Vishneva's Juliet grew from a child into a young girl passionately in love and then finally into a woman choosing her own path, even if it leads to death. She was more than matched by Marcelo Gomes as her Romeo. Is it just me or is he dancing better than ever this season? He radiated warmth and love onstage. I love to watch the moment after Mercutio's death when Romeo decides to figh Tybalt. For Gomes' Romeo, it was a moral choice- he grabbed the sword decisively, wiped the blade, and moved menacingly towards Tybalt. Herman Cornejo's witty Mercutio with his miraculous pirouettes and the gorgeous Lady Capulet of Veronika Part rounded off a great evening in the theatre. On a side note, I have tried to love Alessandra Ferri's Juliet. I was at her farewell performance with Roberto Bolle, and I've seen the two recordings at Covent Garden. I think I'm the only ballet viewer that finds her Juliet contrived. Oh well

I just purchased this DVD after seeing "Sylvia" with ABT this week. The cast list is incomplete, and not being a a frequent viewer of the Royal Ballet, can someone help me? Who are the soloists in the third act dancing Ceres, Jaseion, Persephone, Pluto, Terpsichore, and Apollo?

I was also at the stunning Vishneva/Gomes Swan Lake last night. I hadn't seen them dance together since their extraordinary "Manon" two years ago, and their chemistry is still amazing. They looked like they were having so much fun on that stage together. I loved Vishneva's sorrowful Odette- aloof at the beginning, but then melting into Gomes' arms during the pas de deux. Her Odile was fast and dangerous. This was my first time seeing Daniil Simkin, and while I did enjoy his buoyancy, is it just me or does he seem to wind himself up like a corkscrew in his pirouette preparation? On the whole, it was a fabulous and moving performance of "Swan Lake". I'm ready for the Vishneva/Gomes "Romeo and Juliet"

What a great night of dancing at the Met last night. Natalia Osipova's light and soaring jumps were incredible. She also created a lovely character in the first act. I also loved Veronika Part's implacable Myrtha and Leann Underwood's solo wili. But I have to agree with some of the other postings- for me, it was not a moving "Giselle", which was disappointing because I believed that Osipova and David Hallberg had established a romantic rapport in the first act. In the second act, however, they seemed to be dancing for the audience and not each other- Osipova was especially guilty of this. I never believed that she was trying to save him. I would love to see their pairing in a few years' time. For now, Vishneva and Malakhov remain the gold standard for me.

What about a release of Ashton's "Cinderella" with Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg? Didn't the BBC broadcast it a few years back? I've seen some lovely clips on Youtube.

I've been watching some beautiful clips on YouTube of Yvette Chauvire coaching Monique Loudieres and Marie-Claude Pietragalla in the ballets of Serge Lifar- "Les Mirages", "Les Deux Pigeons", and "Nauteos". It's such interesting and spicy choreography- very different from Balanchine, Ashton or Tudor- and I would love to see more of it. I know that the Paris Opera performs his work from time to time- indeed, "Suite en Blanc" is programmed for next season- and since they are my favorite company, I might have to plan a trip! But why isn't Lifar's work performed by American companies? Were his ballets ever performed in America or has he fallen out of favor recently?

Thank you for the information. I knew that Ballet Talkers would have answers Volochkova I haven't heard about her since her weight scandal! I'm not sure I want to see her dance, but I'm happy that she is still dancing. Mashinka, what's wrong with their version of Swan Lake?

Hi, I'm going to St. Petersburg at the end of July- my first trip! I had tickets for the Vishneva Gala at the Maryinsky Theatre, but I found out today that that has been cancelled I should have known- I'm a New Yorker, and I've been following her casting news on this site. So, apparently, the Yuri Grigorovich Ballet Theatre will be replacing the Vishneva Gala. They're performing "Swan Lake", "La Bayadere", and "Romeo and Juliet". At this point, I'll see anything at the Maryinsky but I can't find any information online about this company. Has anyone seen them dance? Are there any "names" among the soloists?

Hello! I was at the Met last night for Xiomara Reyes' and Angel Corella's "Manon". I've only seen these two dancers paired up in "La Fille mal Gardee", so it was a definite change to see them as MacMillan's desperate lovers. Xiomara's frame is tiny and childlike- her Manon was a victim of her brother's machinations and a corrupt, sexually rapacious society. I kept comparing her to the only other Manon I've seen in person- the POB"s Isabelle Guerin. Guerin was sophisticated and utterly in control of her sensuous powers- not a sex kitten, but a tigress with lovely arched feet and expressive arms. By contrast, Xiomara was definitely the young girl on her way to a convent- when she first entered I heard Manon's first aria "Je suis tout etourdie" in my head. She danced sweetly, innocent in her love for Des Grieux and then like a pleased child in the second act, enjoying the gentlemen's attention and her new finery. In the last act, she was pathetically fragile and powerless against the Jailer. Angel Corella as Des Grieux portayed a kind of moral seriousness and gravity that I hadn't expected from him. He is such a sunny, carefree dancer. I could see how his Des Grieux could be destined for the priesthood until catching sight of the lovely, innocent Manon. Corella's clean technique and attack showed the impetuousness of his love, but I missed some of the languorousness and poetry especially in his first solo. Both dancers had great chemistry and they were completely involved in the tragic ending. At their first curtain call, they were clinging to each other. I also loved Erica Cornejo's bright, playful Mistress. I did not like the dancer who played Lescaut- he was neither slimy nor enough of the young scamp for my taste. I'm looking forward to Malakhov and Vishneva- his stretched arabesques and her flamboyant sexiness. I enjoyed their Bedroom pas de deux on the Great Dancers DVD!

Has anyone seen Matthew Bourne's new piece at BAM, "Play without words"? Any comments? Is it worth catching?

Along with Aurelie Dupont, Marie-Agnes Gillot is absolutely gorgeous!