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missvjc420

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Posts posted by missvjc420

  1. 'probably stemming from the Russian Kruschchev bonds during the Bay of Pigs/Missile Crisis period'

    Ballet has been a part of Cuban society for a long time- my teachers were of my father's generation (he's 75) and older, who came to Miami to wait out the Revolution. There were classes in La Havana since at least 1931. I'll ask around about pre-revolutionary ballet. From my family's experience in exile, ballet is a huge part of the Cuban "old guard" that comprised the upper middle/ upper class pre-revolutionary society. This has led to it being part of a larger Cuban- American society, most girls take it for a while. When I was younger, I remember girls performing for gatherings in drawing room type situations. I'm 31- my memories date from about 1979, when I started dancing.

  2. ]I think it would take much research to stage even one ballet, and time to get the nuances of the 19th century technique.

    "My problem is the question of whether there is a ballet of the Romantic Age that has come down to us without a filter of the Classical period. After all, we know even Giselle by Petipa's revivals, not through a continuous tradition of performing anywhere. Bournonville comes to us largely courtesy of Hans Beck and others." Major Mel (my quote insert isn't cooperating)

    I think we would just have to do some sort of ballet archeology and talk to our elders; try to glean knowledge where we can. There are bound to be holes in what we know, and we no longer use ropes and pulleys or gaslight either. Perhaps we could check with historians of the great European companies. I know such an undertaking will still be a ghost of what once was, be I feel that if there is a greater concentrated effort, these ballets could be done justice to.

    If one only had the knowledge and the backers for such an enterprise.

  3. As a dancer, I identify more with the Romantic ballets, and was dreaming in my head about an all Romantic repertory, touring, costumes, etc. Giselle, La Sylphide. Les Sylphides- what else would be considered Romantic and who currently dancing would be in the company dancing which roles? I haven't gotten that far in my own musings, but would love to hear what everyone has to say.

  4. Legs: Danilova, Guillem

    Arms: Krassovska (I noticed this in the movie Ballet Russe, when she is running through Giselle with another older dancer)

    Face: Maximova, Dvorovenko

    Feet: Rojo, Ferri,

    Profile: Verdy, Franca

    That's what comes off the top of my head- I'll probably think of more attributes and dancers

  5. A Copelia ice cream store was opened in Miami by some of the Cuban Copelia family after leaving Cuba. I loved to go there because the picture of the dancer was soo pretty to me as a small child, and I love ice cream!

  6. Perhaps Gina Ness will share some of her memories of learning some material from this ballet; she spoke of learning it on another thread, either here or on BT4D. I would love to hear of this or be able to learn the choreography myself. I love to hear stories of dances handed down, it's one of the most beautiful things about the world of ballet. :wub:

  7. This film just opened here in Portland, on Christmas. I found it very moving, and when they stage Giselle as older dancers, I cried. I've never seen a dancer emote so much as Nathalie Krasskova (sp?) did just using her head, shoulders, and arms. I was very impressed by the warmth that radiated from the dancers, palpable even when seen in old films. In the week of classes since seeing the movie, I've tried to find this way of moving within myself. How I wish I could have seen those productions, with that caliber of dancers, sets, and costumes!

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