Giselle05

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Susan-

Is the book you have a souvenir book, with Guillaume Graffin and Alessandra Ferri on the cover?

dirac-

You think so? I thought it might be that...but then, it says 167 pages...? And its pretty pricey

Under "other editions"- it says "Calendar"- with an appropriate price listing. I thought maybe this *book* features some of the calendar photos...and is not being widely released anymore...? Anyone have any more information?

*From one of the sellers:

Comments: A nice clean paperback copy of the 1998 American Ballet Theatre edition. No marks to text. 144 pp. Scarce as such. Ready to ship.

I was looking through Amazon and came across this book:

American Ballet Theatre (Unknown Binding)

by Nancy Ellison

Product Details

Unknown Binding: 167 pages

Publisher: American Ballet Theatre (1995)

Language: English

It seems rather hard to come by, as on Amazon, you have to either get a used copy or purchase from independent sellers. There are no reviews or customer reviews up. It was released in 1995. I'm very curious...does anyone have any information regarding this book?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...2814725-7417435

These look like small works; I've never seen THOU SWELL - does it have a corps?

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Thou Swell is one of my favorite Martins' pieces! It is mainly for four women and four men, but as I recall there is also a small quartet of girls (mainly corps)..and perhaps a few more small roles.

EvilNinjaX-

There is a DVD that just came out, featuring Ferri and Murru in Roland Petit's "La Chauve-Souris", with music by Johann Strauss. In the descriptions it says it is based on Johann Strauss's 'Die Fledermaus'. Is this what you are talking about? I've wanted to buy it for some time now, but somehow have had my doubts about it.

Amazon- "La Chauve-Souris"

*Here is a link to a German website which sells it- it has the a picture of the cover of the DVD:

"La Chauve-Souris"

I clicked on the link you posted to the video clip of the Act Three Pas de deux, but alas, it doesnt work . Is there anyway you could link me to the page directly? I'd love to see it.

Personally I can't imagine Giselle with something before it! It is my favorite full length ballet, and I like to sit down and prepare myself, and as soon as I hear the strains of those opening measures, I am transported into a different world. :-)

Bournonville Gala 2005

It lists Nina Ananiashvilli as performing, but she had stated previously that she'd canceled all of her performances in 2005. In fact, Alessandra Ferri had been scheduled to perform, (according to Julio Bocca's website), but apparently she has canceled due to her injury.

If anyone finds out any more information regarding program, dancers, and telecasts ( ) , please post!

Thanks so much for your help, rg! I have written to the merchandising director at the Stuttgart (contact information found on website) and will be awaiting a response!

Does anyone know if it's possible, and if it is, where I can get a recording of Eugene Onegin, with music by Tschaikovsky (as used in the full-length ballet), without the opera vocals (just the music). It would really be appreciated, thanks a lot in advance!

I'd like to ask what the music is, and who the composer is for the pas de deux between Conrad and Medora at the end of the second act, after the departure of Lankendem with the rose, beginning from their entrance into the cave together. It is so beautiful!

Thanks for the opportunity! (I may be back with more)

Dansuer85, you've got a subscriber! Now, may I be your emerging choreographer? I've got an absolutely beautiful pas de deux in my mind to music from the movie "Amelie"...

Giannina, play anyway~!

This is fun . I want to do some more.

Program 1:

Giselle

Ansanelli, T. Angle, Pastor, Bouder/Cornejo, Part, Fang/Arthurs

Program 2:

Who Cares?

Bocca, Kistler, Vishneva, Sylve

Dim Lustre

Kent, Woetzel

Black Swan Pas de Deux

Scheller, De Luz

Program 3:

Serenade

Ananiashvilli (Russian girl), Part, Zakharova, Gomes

Marguerite and Armand

Ferri, Bocca

Other Dances

Ringer, Woetzel

Program 4:

Gaite Parisienne

Ferri, Corella

Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote

Ananiashvilli, Carreno

After the Rain (pas de deux)

Whelan, Soto

Program 5:

Carousel

Ansanelli, Woetzel

Pas de Trois from Act 2, Le Corsaire

Vishneva, Carreno, Corella

Slaughter on Tenth Avenue

Kowroski, Hallberg

Program 6:

Romeo and Juliet

Ferri, Bocca, de Luz, Woetzel

Thanks carbro! :-)

Gelsey Kirkland was obsessed with the acting component of her roles, according to her autobiography.  She brought in acting coaches to help her, although some believe she carried it too far--witness Robert LaFosse's autobiography wherein he recounts a time when he and another male dancer were to enter as Kitri and had no other part in the ballet.  She didn't think they were relating properly to her (they were onstage for maybe a few seconds) and had them analyze their roles, relation to her, et cetera with her acting coach.  LaFosse and the other dancer thought it was ridiculous, so two other dancers were brought in to do the parts when Kirkland danced Kitri. 

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CygneDanois

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I know this is from wayyy back, but I was looking through the forum and came upon this post. I'd be interested in reading Robert La Fosse's autobiography- I searched amazon and found nothing. Could someone tell me what it is called and where I could possibly find a copy? Thanks.

Thank you, naomikage! :-D

naomikage, did you make it to the performance? How is the state of things in Japan?

If you went, how was Julio Bocca's last Don Quixote?

And Herman Cornejo's first?

Alexandra, I just watched Marguerite and Armand with Fonteyn and Nureyev, and I thought it was so beautiful. Has it ever been danced by anyone else, and is that a possibility? I, too, have some dancers in mind.

I was thinking about this the other night upon returning from the Bolshoi's Don Quixote (Zakharova). The Bolshoi ballerinas are technically brilliant (not in the way, say, Murphy is technically brilliant <which is not the standard by which I compare>, but brilliantly strong with gorgeous lines, extensions, etc.) They are all beautiful, long, thin, with gorgeous faces. I, too, would love to see Zakharova in ABT's Giselle. But something about them made me really miss ABT ballerinas, and some NYCB ballerinas as well. There was not that risk, that spontaneity that I encountered so often this season at ABT. They are all very similar, and dance very similarly. What I loved about ABT was never knowing what to expect, and how individual, unique and different every ballerina was from eachother. One performance would be completely different from the other- and not only was Kent totally different from McKerrow, she was also totally different the second time around. What I felt with the Bolshoi ballerinas is that everything is very rehearsed- even their reactions, their facial expression..they all looked identical! What I feel with many ABT ballerinas is that the coaches and ballet masters allow them to develop their own characters and they really develop it from their hearts, and each time, their performance is different, depending on what they are feeling that day. They may not have the incredible extensions, but there is something else that the Bolshoi ballerinas, IMO, do not have.

I did see Zakharova as Nikiya when she guested with ABT, and that was a heart-stopping performance, one that will always stay imprinted in my memory. I think that role was more suited to her than that of Kitri. In Don Quixote especially, a certain fire and temperament is necessary (a latin temperament ).

I admit I stuck with my favorites this season, missing out on what were apparently great debuts, so I guess others will fill in.

Highs

- Intense Carmen Pas de Deux- Ferri, Bocca- setting the stage for a wonderful season...and the Onegin Pas de Deux with these two

- Bocca's final Don Quixote- nostalgic, bittersweet, and absolutely hilarious- this was a suicide like I've never seen before- he signaled to the conductor to stop the music, spent about two minutes arranging and re-arranging his cloak on the floor, checked to make sure no one was looking, then took his time lying down, remembered there was a ballet to dance, woke up, signaled to the conductor to keep going, and lay back down. Gotta love a guy who stops for a drink in the middle of a bravura variation (manege- sp?). Ten to fifteen minutes of ovations and pouring flowers- this was the role that started it all- Bocca in Moscow, winning the Gold at 18 in 1985.

- Revival of Petrouchka- I loved it. Colorful set, costumes, music, wonderful acting and brilliant portrayals.

- Maria Riccetto stepping in for many of the injured principals- so dependable, and such a strong and lyrical dancer. She should be so proud!

- Contrasting pairing of Riccetto and Hallberg (Les Sylphides)- who was absolutely amazing as the Poet- statuesque, loving, and mysterious.

- First sighting of Zhong-jing Fang in Les Sylphides.

- Herman and Erica Cornejo, and Xiomara Reyes in all the Pas de Trois and Pas de Deux- enough said.

- Sascha Radetsky/Jesus Pastor emerging as wonderful character dancers with great interpretations, characterizations, mime, etc. (Hilarion, etc.)

- Pairing of Kent and Bocca- almost last minute, but how magical! I guess there is a bright side to everything (withdrawals), although I hate to say that!! (Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, Giselle)

- Kent as Odette/Odile- especially as Odette

- All- Star Cast- Le Corsaire

Bocca, Corella, Cornejo, Carreno, Kent, Reyes

+ Three Odalisques- Bystrova, Part, Riccetto

Definetely a performance to go down in the books. Sheer star power, animal magnetism, the ABT men...hispanic testosterone

- Beautiful Raymonda set- costumes and decorations

- Gomes- especially as Von Rothbart and as the Moor in Petrouchka

- Hallberg- daring, after all the hoopla about Gomes' affecting Rothbart to give an entirely different performance, also magnificent in its own way.

- Part's Myrtha- glamorous, intimidating, regal, queenly

- Warm sendoff at McKerrow's farewell

- Mustn't forget the orchestra pulling through hours away from Opening Night!

- I have to agree that Rockwell's reporting this season was very good. I agreed 99% of the time!

To add on, one of the highs for me this season were the many beautiful and *large* pictures in the New York Times- waking up to them in the morning and recalling the previous night allowed me to bask in it some more

Lows

- Polovtsian Dances- IMO, wasn't fitting to ABT's repertoire, poorly placed programming-wise, unnecessary and unaffecting

- Cornejo cast in demi parts (Swan Lake, Giselle)- he could have led these ballets all on his own, it's time to give him the chance to grow as an artist because he is totally up to it!

- Above all, the absence of so many dancers, especially many beloved principal dancers, including Ananiashvilli and the long awaited by many Giselle performances of Ferri (and Les Sylphides)- best wishes to her! ...The heartbreaking ABT News column on the left hand side of their website

- Not many (if any?) sold-out performances- theater not always well-filled- a pity, for this was a season to remember.

My favorite run this season was of Swan Lake.

I wish ABT would start a new photo gallery at their website- its about time!!

I also think some talks with the Dancers would be nice- like NYCB does it.

What'd you think, Bart? :-)

ABT is in Tokyo this week..would LOVE to hear reports! Any BalletTalkers currently in Japan?

Giselle05, I totally agree with you: a Ferri/Bocca would be wonderful!  I have that Weisman's documentary "Ballet", which has the balcony and bedroom scenes with those two and everytime I watch it I wish I had the whole thing on tape!

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Actually, as soon as I posted, I went and put it into my VCR. I think it is the most incredible piece of dancing I've ever seen- you really believe they are the real thing, they seem so committed to eachother. I've always wanted to see a tape of Bocca's last Romeo with Ferri- it was the most special- a farewell to a great chunk of their dancing history together. I think it'd be the most terrible loss if it wasn't recorded. Is there anyway we could, like, write to McKenzie? seriously. Ferri/Eagling, Ferri/Corella, but no Ferri/Bocca...ARRGH.

So...just to clarify:

Standing room tickets go on sale only the morning of the show, even if it has already been all sold out?

McKenzie, if you are listening....when oh when will we be seeing an entire Romeo and Juliet with Ferri and Bocca? (If of course it has been TAPED!!! How often do companies tape performances for themselves, anyway? I've always been curious.) I know of too many people to count who would pay any money for it!

The Ferri/Corella DVD, IMO, just makes one appreciate the Ferri/Bocca partnership even more. Ferri and Corella are both just..okay in it.

I, too, am curious about Nina performing there. Alessandra Ferri was in fact supposed to be dancing there with Julio Bocca (that's what it said on Bocca's website) but I guess due to her injury, Nina has stepped in?

Will anyone be attending this gala? I'd love to hear about it.