esperanto

Are you referring to the coda of Nikiya's dance with the basket of flowers containing a snake? If so, in my opinion Asylmuratova. does the best coda No one else does it with such verve and speed. I saw the RB version before POB or La Scala and waited for that wonderful bit, but none lived up to Asylmuratova's.

Acosta is very dramatic in his Manon

I saw a clip on balletoman.com from Fille in which the donkey/pony taking all to the picnic just sat down on the stage. No one could move him. Alain tried poking him with his umbrellas while still dancing his variation, but to no avail. I read that in one of the Bolshoi's first visit to California someone stepped out of a painted door right on to the stage where Ulanova was dancing. And a faux pas that I saw was at the old Met in the opera La Boheme. Rulodpho fell onto Mimi's deathbed and the bed collapsed!

From what I remember Franz was danced y Fredrik Bjornson (don't remember the spelling) in NY whenn they first danced there in '60's (?)

Has anyone noticed that one of the dances in Aberderakham's entourage is almost similar to the one in Second Act Bayadere? And that reminds me. Does anyone agree with me that as nice as the Markarova version for RB is,that all of the character dances in the Second Act is sorely missed in her version?

My favorite Lilac Fairy of all time is Deanne Bergsma. I saw her when she apppeared in the role for the first time in NY on opening night. Forget which year. She simply amazed everyone. What do you think of having Lilac as a non-dancing role? I much prefer her to be one of the fairies. I believe I saw one productin (was it the new Bolshoi version?) where she appeared as a dancing role and then later on she came in in a full dress, non-dancing. what do "you all" think ? Esperanto

I don't remember writing this. but I agree with what's written. the two best Coppelias I've seen were 1)the Royal Danes when they first came to NY and the ABT version many years later with Erik Bruhn and Carla fracci.

The whole thing seemed to me dramatically inept and unmusical, and makes me fear for Lacotte's staging of The Pharaoh's Daughter for the Bolshoi. Dear Ari, Don't worry. The Pharoh's Daughter was wonderfully done. It's lots of fun and superb dancing. I saw it on Mezzo, a French station devoted to "culture".

One Sunday matinee many years ago I was lucky enough to see Annette Page and her husband Ronald Hynd in Beauty. They were someting special. One bit that has stayed in my mind ever since was a moment during the Vision Scene where Hynd tried to grasp Aurora but she magically, it seemed, eluded him almost as though she was not real. It was at the moment that the true meaning of "Vision" became apparent. I had never seen such a moment before or after. (And Fontyn was always one of my favorite Beauties, if not THE.) Until that performance I was never sure if Aurora was really there or it was just a vision of her. That clinched it for me

I also saw the Australian Ballet's Coppelia and was rather disappointed in it. I don't remember who was dancing but it seemed "lack luster". The final pas de deux was not very special. Neither was the dancing (to the best of my recollection. It's been a few years, if that's the same one everyone's talking about )

I agree with you, and was going to say so in your previous remarks about Lucia and the convention of hair down signifying madness.

Tery: I also saw Petit's Coppelia (on TV) with Karen Kain. As you say it was very inventive. It took a little getting used to as it looked like Franc0-Prussian era. He did some wonderful things especially in Act II. His steps for himself were amazing. I've since tried finding it on video but no success. Is it available?

Alexandra: IYou reminded me of just how wonderful the Danish Coppelia was that I saw back in the '60's when they first came to NY. Frantz was Frederik Bjornson Swanhilda was Inge S. (I've forgotten the spellings and the names) but it was really great

I saw a docmentary with Alicia Markova and she said that in the Bluebird p.d.d. the female variation is really a princess looking forward to the Bluebird. She herself isn't a blebird. I had always thought of them as a pair of birds coming to Aurora's wedding.

My favorite Lilac Fairy was Deanne Bergsma in Royal Ballet. The first time she appeared in NY she brought the house down. Every one commented on how she seemed to just unfold and unfold in her opening variation. And all commented on how tall she was.

Hello, I'm new here so hope I'm doing the right thing here. I've tried for 2 days to post or to contact someone...anyone! for help but was unable to make any progress. What I'd like to know is what people think of the Bourne Nutcracker. It certainly doesn't live up to his Swan Lake, whatever you may think of THAT. More if there are any replies.