naomikage

Natalia, Yes, Fairy is also a good shop for Ballet Lovers. Sorry I forgot to mention. You can buy back numbers for Dance Magazine, and also many beautiful ballet books and wear. If you are staying in Shibuya, HMV's classical floor has also many Ballet DVDs, and discount on some on of them.

Natalia, Maybe Yamano Music might not sell magazines, although you can get some free magazines on Classical music. Anyway, you can buy Dance Magazine at most bookstores. And I think the ballet DVD section of Yamano is large. Ginza is a very high-class, fashionable town and you are sure to enjoy there. If you are in Japan on March 4th, Alina Cojocaru and Manuel Legris' Giselle will be broardcasted on TV. Channel 3, 10pm. And there is a library at the New National Theatre that has an archive on previous Ballet and Opera performances. You can watch footage for no charge. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/about/te...rary/index.html

Here　is one very large music shop in Ginza、 heart of Tokyo. Yamano Music http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2764...o_music_tokyo-i You can buy many classical and Ballet DVDs there. If you are going to New National Theatre, you can buy some DVDs there. And Chacott as mentioned before is a good choice. Japanese Dance Magazine is a magazine filled with many beautiful ballet photographs. You can buy at New National Theatre or the bookshop at Yamano Music, Chacott. http://www.shinshokan.co.jp/dance/index_dance.html

Sergei Polunin is a student of the Royal Ballet School and also won the Prix de Lausanne.

I think Birbanto in that photo is Carlos Lopez.

Abigail Simon appeared on stage in the Japan tour, but Monique was absent and she did not appear in the Japan tour brochure.

ABT performances in Tokyo has ended successfully. One sad news is that Marcelo Gomes was injured and the Espada role was replaced by Gennadi Savliev. He will not be dancing in the Osaka gala and Raymonda in Ohtsu. I will go to these peformances but Abderahman will be danced by Jesus Pastor. Also, Maxim will not be dancing in Osaka. Yesterday, for the Don Q tickets were completely sold out and the performance by Angel was dazzling. His support was perfect and he did more than 10 pirouettes each time. It was just amazing and the audience went crazy with him. All of the audience stood up at the curtain call with a huge applause. Each Don Q performance was great but yesterday was the climax. To tell the truth, I did not think that Paloma's Kitri was so good on Tuesday, as sometimes she lost control, but she was much better yesterday. Angel's Basilo was very cheerful and bright young fellow and everyone likes him. Also, Gamache by Julio Bragado-Young was so funny and playful and elegant. He is a true actor. Today, Jose Manuel Carreno was a much mature Basilo and was elegant. His one-arm lift in Act 1 was very firm and lasted very long. His pirouettes in Act 3 was so beautiful and accurate. And of course, Herman's Lead Gypsy was so airy and his leaps were so light and he was bouncing in the air as though no gravity existed. The audience was astonished by him and maybe couldn't believe what was happening before their eyes. Amazing! Sarah Lane's Amour was delightful and fresh as the morning dew. It was a pleasure to see her.

The typhoon did not hit Tokyo luckily, and I could see Julio's last Basilo and Herman's Basilo debut. Both were just terrific! Julio was powerful and sexy, and his pirouettes were very clean and beautiful. His Basio was a bit naughty and very humorous. He asked the orchestra to stop playing when he commited the fake suicide, and it was very very funny. At the grand pas de deux in the 3rd act, he took a drink in the middle of his maneges but was very fast and accurate at the same time. And his talents as an actor cannot be replaced by anyone. Very emotional. The partnership with Paloma was good and I could see that they belived in each other. It is so sad that this is his last time, when he can dance so well. Many people rushed to the stage with flowers at the curtain call, and the promoter made a big sign on the stage to thank him for his wonderful work. The cupid by Sarah Lane was so delightful and crisp. Herman's lead Gypsy was like a flame and stole everyone's hearts. Herman's Basilo was great as all of his other performances. His character matches Basilo very well, but was more elegant than I thought. Speaking of him, gravity does not exist. He was so light and he floated in the air during his Tour en l'airs. No sound of his feet could be heard at all although I was sitting in the third row. His outstanding technique is always featured, but I thought he is a very good actor at the same time and he made his original Basilo. Not just a optimistic young fellow but a man with responsibilities and trust. The partnership with Xiomara was tight and they made such a sweet couple. I think you can all see his Basilo net MET season, as it is so fantastic. Erica's Mercedes was also terrific, with her beautiful arms and glamorous charm. I also saw Jose and Gillian's Don Q this evening and they were also great. Gillian's fettes went more than triples and all the audience loved her. She looked so gorgeous! I saw her Swan Lake at the MET but she is evolving more and I must see every performance possible of her. Jose was noble but was charming and sweet and his techniques are also marvellous. One sad thing is Gennadi not appearing today as Espada and was replaced by David due to injuries. These happy days with ABT Don Q will last for only 2 days...

Too many things are happening this time. A typhoon is approaching tis evening when Julio Bocca dances his last Basilo. I am going to see this but am worried I can make to the show. Of Sunday night's Raymonda, it was a disaster. So many dancers tripping over the stage, including Veronika tripping at the 2nd act variation (one with the piano solo). Anyway, I am very excited to see Herman's Basilo although sad to miss Maxim's.

Today there was a large earthquake in Tokyo and all the trains stopped. The show started 45 minutes delayed, but many people could not make it to the theater, which is so sad because the show was good. The performance was great. It was my first time to see ABT Raymonda and it was really entertaining. Angel Corella was making firery pirouettes and the audience really loved him. Gillian Murphy may not be in her best condition, but was beautiful and powerful as always. At act 2, she was bursting with energy and blloming in beauty. Jesus Pastor's Abderahman was a bit small in statue but was emotional and sensual. By the way, as for tomorrow's matinee, Maxim was scheduled to dance Jean but was replaced by Jose Manuel Carreno.