Gina Ness

Here is my ballet student since she was a very young girl... Congratulations, Aubrey! http://www.sonomasun.com/pub/a/2224?full=1

How very sad...so young...I always admired his skating.

Gee, Mel...Bah, Humbug...

Oh, dear...I feel sad for their family. I just can't even imagine losing two loved ones practically within a month of each other. How difficult...

I've known several professional dancers over the years who transitioned to ballet after gym, my husband being one of them. Sometimes, his gym background was a disadvantage for him. On several occasions, he was asked to do a gymnastic move in some piece of original ballet choreography that other dancers wouldn't have been capable of attempting. Gymnasts work on a sprung floor which has much more give than any ballet floor. This eventually led to some knee trouble...

Yes, I agree that Malakhov would be perfect for the role. Bejart's Firebird character needs to be an exceptional dancer with flexibility; impeccable line with great fluidity and clarity. There is no Prince character. The ballet begins with the partisans searching for something...you sense rebellion, perhaps a resistance movement. One of the partisans casts off his clothes to reveal himself in red as the chosen one. The partisans are in awe and follow his every move. The theme is rebellion, revolution, war (the firebird is slain), then rebirth with the appearance of the Phoenix (who is dressed exactly the same as the Firebird). The only pas de deux might be some symbolic partnering of the Firebird and Phoenix (one lifts the other aloft...or, holding each other tightly, arms stretched allongee, hips connected, etc.) It was a long time ago that I performed this ballet, but the "partisans" had a lot of technically challenging choreography which required an intensity of focus and emotion. I'm trying to remember if there were more "red suits" coming on at the close of the ballet....many more Firebirds...I'm a little foggy here. The ending is very triumphant/victorious, which reflects the score beautifully. I liked this ballet.

I danced the role of a partisan in Bejart's Firebird. Jan Nuyts staged the work for SFB during the 70s. It was very satisfying dancing, as I recall...extremely intense and athletic. Men and women shared this athletic and visual equality in the ballet (and in our blue jumpsuits, as well...). I like the fact that the Firebird is male. I can only imagine how wonderful Paolo Bartolucci must have been as the Firebird. The music (Stravinsky) is just so fabulous...and dancing to a live orchestra...fantastic!

It's strange...I've been thinking of her this week after viewing (yet again!) The King and I. I even Googled her earlier this week to see if there was anything current on her...I really loved her! I was so surprised to hear of her passage today...What a remarkable woman and actress...

I have two books on Pavlova not mentioned: The Flight of the Swan...A Memory of Pavlova by Andre Oliveroff as told to John Gill published in 1932; and Pavlova by Walford Hyden, Her Former Musical Director published in 1931. Neither of these books claim to be official biographies, but there is a lot of biographical material in them... P.S...I am very excited to read about a Bruhn biography to come! He was, is, and will always be my idol...

If a dancer pays for a costume, they own it. When a dancer performs as a guest artist often, it is worth the price of a costume (tutus, for example, can be very expensive). This way, you have what you need when you need it, and what fits and looks good on you. Sometimes, dancers can borrow costumes if it works out that the costume might not be needed, but one can't always count on that....Generally, companies do not like to loan costumes.

It was always fun being the "Snow Queen" for the final Nutcracker of the run during the years I danced with SFB. During the final pose at the end of the Snow Scene, the crew let all the remaining "snow" come tumbling down in a final massive blizzard/avalanche drop!

How about Gina Ness and Anton Ness (my younger brother) who danced with SFB from the late 60s through the early to mid 80s? I loved dancing with my brother, Tony! We danced Snow Pas in Lew's "Nutcracker", Second Theme in Balanchine's "Four Temperaments", and fourth movement principals in Balanchine's "Symphony in C" to name a few roles we performed together during the 70s.

I met Josefina Mendez when I was a little girl in San Francisco. She and five female dancers came to guest with the school and company of my youth, Ballet Celeste. Our director, Merriem Lanova, had a relationship and connection with Alicia Alonso. Two of the other "Jewels" also guested with us, Loipa Araujo and Aurora Bosh (I remember Aurora was the youngest!) These six lovely young Cuban dancers performed the "Six Princesses", Miss Lanova's version of the Swan Lake Act 3 variations. I was one of the pages of the Princesses. It was a really BIG DEAL that these dancers appeared with our company! I am very sorry to hear of her passing...

I've heard (or read somewhere) that the rehearsal studios in Russia are slightly raked to match the rake of the stage. Is this true? I've always been curious. I've danced on a raked stage in South America and it was very challenging when you are not used to it!

I have heard (from a dear dancing friend from this era) of a ballet by Andree Howard which was premiered by Ballet Rambert in 1934 called "The Mermaid". It featured a stunningly beautiful Pearl Argyle...I wish I knew more about it... Here is Pearl Argyle (photo by Baron): http://balletbookstore.com/ballerina/pic/argyle02.jpg

On some other thread, probably on Soloviev, I mentioned that Yuri Soloviev was an amazing "Bluebird". I was very young when I saw him perform this role, but it lives in my memory as one of the most exciting performances I've ever seen. rq...thank you, as always, for the photo of Soloviev and Sizova...I have a pair of Soloviev's "Bluebird" shoes that my then 10-year-old brother, Tony, "lifted" from a box at the SF Opera House when he was appearing as a "Grasshopper" in the Kirov's "Cinderella"! By the way, the costume designer for ABT's new "Sleeping Beauty" is octogenerian Willa Kim. Isn't this just remarkable! Willa and Tony Walton are an amazing team of designers, and ABT is so lucky to have their talent gracing the production. I can't wait to see it whenever I have a chance....

Hello, Ingve! Nice to see you here. I learn some things about the ballet world from the other side of the footlights here...And, you must check out rq's photos in the ballet history section!

Yes, Amy...

Michael was my director at San Francisco Ballet the entire time I danced with the company...from 1973 (I joined in 72) to 1985...we left the same year. He was more than a director to me...he was a friend. He was a genuinely nice person. I remember the early days of his co-directorship with Lew Christensen at SFB. It was an exciting time. There was such a feeling of comradery among the dancers. It was Michael that brought that feeling of exuberance, creativity, and excitement that totally revitalized SFB in the early 70s. We began full spring seasons at the Opera House in addition to our annual Nutcracker run and touring. I worked with Michael a few times in the 90s as a regisseur, staging his "QAV" (I was an original cast member) as well as excerpts from his "The Tempest." Last year, when I attended his May season in the city, his brand new "Symphony of Psalms" was on the program, dedicated to his long-time friend and supporter Bill King. This was one of his best works, I thought to myself. When I saw him afterwards, I told him how beautiful his new ballet was and how much it moved me. He seemed so excited with a sense of fullfillment about his ballet. He told me,"Gina, I think I finally got it right!" I remember thinking what an amazing thing to say, after all his ballets, musicals, movies...his huge body of work. He finally got it right... I attended Smuin Ballet this past February in the East Bay. I hadn't had the opportunity to see his company in a while, and I enjoyed the performance so much. I hooked up with Michael afterwards. We hugged a huge, long hug and talked. He was always so happy to see me, and I, him...He looked well. He looked happy. His company danced beautifully. We reminisced about a revival on the program that I had been an original cast member of some thirty years ago! We talked of being survivors...of feeling good. The dance world lost a huge talent and force today. He was too young...I am so saddened at his passing and can't believe he is gone. I am so sorry for his lovely family...I am so sorry for his beautiful dancers and devoted staff....I am so sorry for his many, many fans. He loved what he did, and he did it so well...He lived up to his full potential, amazing talent, creativity, and ability. He was very dear to me...a larger than life person! I shall miss him greatly. May he rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon him. He will always dance on in my heart....

What I would give for a video of Mac Millan's "Romeo and Juliet" with Lynn Seymour and Christopher Gable! How about Cranko's "Taming of the Shrew" with Marcia Haydee and Richard Cragun?

Oh, how wonderful! I'm also excited about "Ondine". I attended a performance as a child in San Francisco when the Royal Ballet toured there with "Ondine" during the 60s. I can still remember how beautiful and otherworldly Fonteyn was as she danced with her shadow. I also remember a shipwreck scene that, to me, at that age, was a really moving and exciting bit of theater...

Cool... :cool2:

A friend of mine, who is a well-known teacher in California and was a featured principal dancer in "Children of Theater Street", Tamara Statkoun, lists Alla Shelest as one of her most revered and influential teachers. So, this remarkable dancer, Alla Shelest, was also a huge factor in the training of the next generation of Kirov dancers...

The Secret Garden; Wind in the Willows (I read this every summer for years sitting under my neighbor's apricot tree); Raggedy Ann books; the Wizard of Oz. During my teen years (and to this day!), The Lord of the Rings...Now, I look forward to reading this whole thread for new ideas!

Beautiful photo!