Buddy

To the added and appreciated comments above I’d like to add a few more of my own about what I feel was an outstanding weekend of performances . Gillian Murphy is probably as noteworthy for her dance prowess and she is for her artistry. Her artistry seems to get better and better. I mentioned that the difference between her and Hee Seo is that she has a developed artistry whereas Hee Seo is more about inner poetry. I still feel that this is true, but Gillian Murphy also has a fine inner resource that I’ve noticed over the years in six or so of her Swan Lakes. I’ve watched her grow with them. Her White Swan is from a fairytale world of enchanted princesses. I love it. She has a mixture of Pre-Raphaelite beauty and teenage wholesomeness that is very embracing. Her Black Swan has varied in subtlety, but generally has had an artistic dimension that works well for me. Her current Gamzatti shows her artistry as well as I’ve ever seen it. It has wonderful dimension and quality. Hee Seo, for me, is about compelling subtlety. She has a fineness in her interest of character. And it seems so natural. I think that her dancing is lovely, both in its pure motion and in its expression. She radiates poetry. Devon Teuscher, I've mentioned in my previous post. I thought that she gave a very fine and highly commendable performance. Isabella Boylston probably impressed me the most with her sculptural expression. In the Shades scarf dance her backward extended leg had a beautifully turned and formed line. I noticed this shape in all the scarf dancers, but her’s was particularly lovely. Her palace dance had very fine sculptural drama. Misty Copeland also showed some very fine dance articulation. It had character and beauty. She created some lines and sequences that had real interest and drama. This seemed to be her strength and should perhaps be what she emphasizes the most for the moment. The ‘Ballet Chorus’ I would like to say again was outstanding. There is something about the ABT style that shows up best here. It’s that mixture of energy and grace, somewhere between ‘Russian lyricism’ and George Balanchine, perhaps. It’s not the same delicacy that I love so much in Russian ballet, but it’s equally beautiful in many ways and has a definite interest and uplifting quality. In this regard I also noticed the hands. They are very apparent and have a great deal of character. It’s a loser form of expression than I’m used to but very effective and beautiful in its own way. The men selflessly made it possible for the women to shine. Jeffrey Cirio had fine, flowing motion, Cory Stearns did very good partnering and Joo Won Ahn had a graceful athleticism. And as usual there was much more. For instance, every now and then, someone in the ‘Chorus’ would really stand out because of her loveliness. Then there’s the Golden Idol and on and on. But never to be forgotten — Christine Shevchenko. For me, she carries on the aura of Veronika Part and Simone Messmer that I prize so highly. But she’s certainly her own person. What she does she does in her own special way with its own special beauty. I look forward to seeing her perform as much as I possibly can. All and all, an extremely fine weekend of performances.

I feel the same way, Dreamer. There are a handful of ballet artists that excite me enough that I would make special trips or reroute existing ones to see. For the moment some of these would be the Bolshoi’s Olga Smirnova and very young Alyona Kovalyova and former ABT ballerinas Veronika Part (New Zealand Royal Ballet) and Simone Messmer (Miami City Ballet). Of this group I would most closely relate Olga Smirnova and Simone Messmer to Christine Shevchenko. In regard to comparably outstanding Gamzatti performances I would chose that of Simone Messmer and now add Gillian Murphy’s. Thanks also, Josette and Mombink, for your enthusiastic thoughts, which I agree with completely. What could I try to add ? First, I must say that she has to be seen. I find her to be fascinating as well as extremely talented. Her portrayals (yes, plural) were of the highest theatrical standard. She would probably have an outstanding career as an actress. But this is ballet and her ability to infuse this into the highest standards of artistic dance makes it all the more special. When I say “portrayals,” plural, I mean that she creates a multidimensional character. There is nothing simple at all about her Gamzatti. She’s complex and, even more, she’s constantly changing because of what she’s confronted with. The choices that Christine Shevchenko makes are fascinating, at times highly individual, yet completely consistent with the storyline. She can make these choices swiftly, multidirectionally and definitively, which adds wonderful excitement. In addition, she at times seems to create her own situations and realities with interpretations that I’ve not seen before which are totally believable and appropriate. And, as I’ve mentioned, she can express this through pure motion as well as I’ve ever seen. I could go on and on. She’s Remarkable ! For a moment, I would like to get back to Devon Teuscher’s very fine performance as Nikiya. What she did would stand very well on its own. Yet, here she was in the company of an artistic ‘megaforce,’ Christine Shevchenko, and she’s supposed to be, more or less, the star. So how not to get overwhelmed ? She did this by being herself. She didn’t need or attempt to compensate. Her portrayal was compelling and sympathetic. Her dancing was lovely and like Gillian Murphy she showed that she was also capable of considerable dance prowess as she shot across the stage with a final series of speed of light turns. Above all, her own artistic surety, honesty and inner soulfulness made her well worthy of her place on this stage.

I’ve been thinking about Christine Shevchenko’s remarkable performance a lot and have yet not been able to put it into words. What I can say is that when I think of her I think of outstanding ‘expressionists’ such as the Bolshoi’s Olga Smirnova. One challenge with such ability is to keep it in context. In this instance I feel that Devon Teuscher did a very fine job in carrying her weight in light of the exceptional talent of her fellow artist. I can maybe get into this more at another time. Devon Teuscher gave an extremely fine performance. I will say once again that I think that Christine Shevchenko is absolutely brilliant and should have a remarkable future. I hope that they both have much success.

I hope to get back to Christine Shevchenko's amazing performance and try to do it justice. Since fondoffouettes has mentioned this I’d like to comment. I thought that Hee Seo and Gillian Murphy did an excellent job. I totally agree with you, fondoffouettes, about Gillian. It’s probably the best portrayal that I’ve seen her do. The difference between what she did and what Hee Seo did, is that Gillian showed remarkably developed artistry, while Hee Seo showed inner poetry. I’ve seen Hee Seo several times and think that she is a lovely dancer who also has a fine sense of drama and portrayal. She combines all this extremely well. I also find her to be very likable. Gillian did an exceptionally fine interpretation of Gamzatti, one of the very best that I’ve ever seen. And so that we wouldn’t forget about her dance prowess, she threw in a remarkable set of spins ending her fouettes with what looked to be a triple.

One thing that I noticed about the Solor requirements is the difficulty of such things as the jump turns. There are a lot more off center turns, etc., than I'm used to seeing in Russia. It's quite impressive.

Christine Shevchenko — Wow ! And again -- Wow ! Absolutely Amazing ! Probably the best Ballerina-Actress that I’ve ever seen ! For one, I’ve never seen another, ever, translate drama into motion the way that she did. There were many other outstanding performances. Hee Seo, Gillian Murphy and Devon Teuscher. Isabella Boylston did fine and Misty Copeland had some fine moments. As did the men, fine. Jeffrey Cirio, Cory Stearns and Joo Won Ahn did what the men are supposed to do — make the women look incredible and shine by themselves. The Corps de Ballet was Lovely and Mesmerizing. The Entrance of the Shades every night was as fine as I’ve ever seen and they maintained this level throughout the entire evening — each evening equally. Overall an Outstanding Weekend.

I’m on my way tomorrow to see the La Bayaderes. Ballerinawise. I’ve seen Isabella Boylston perform one beautiful Swan Lake. I also saw her fall once as Gamzatti and recover as if she owned the place. Something that I really appreciated. I’ve seen Hee Seo in Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. She had a remarkable combination of dance and character. Gillian Murphy, I’ve seen many times in Swan Lake. Almost all of them were outstanding, comparing very well with the amazing Veronika Part ( now Principal with the New Zealand Ballet — Great ! ). I’ve seen former ABT ballerina, Simone Messmer ( now Principal with the Miami City Ballet — Great ! ) do the most remarkable Gamzatti that I’ve ever seen. I’m sure that Gillian Murphy can also do a very special one. After one of her Swan Lakes, I wrote that “she could be the ambassador for womankind.” Misty Copeland, I’ve never seen in a major role. I look forward to her Gamzatti. Christine Shevchenko, I saw more than five years ago and thought that she would have a wonderful future. She also has that ‘Russian’ aura. I’m not sure where she’s from but a name like that is usually a very good sign. I’m really looking forward to seeing her. Devon Teuscher, I know nothing about. I hope that she’s great. In fact I’m hoping that they all are wonderful. I grew up in the west LA area and haven’t been back in years. I’m going to try to revisit as many of my childhood memories as possible. Friday, July 13 @ 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14 @ 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 15 @ 2:00 p.m. Isabella Boylston Hee Seo Devon Teuscher Jeffrey Cirio Cory Stearns Joo Won Ahn Misty Copeland Gillian Murphy Christine Shevchenko Added: I probably won't have my computer with me so it might be a few days before I can post.

What you say makes good sense, Birdsall. I also liked him very much as a performer and from two brief chats at receptions and an interview as a person. But things can go wrong, possibly. It all seems rather sad. For the moment, out of court 'justice' has reduced his image and prospects considerably. If matters support it, more information should come to light and be dealt with. Same with Peter Martins, perhaps. Hopefully all will be handled justly and fairly.

Just watched a video clip twice of a recent performance by Oxana Skorik of the “Swan” (Fokine). I’m more convinced than ever that she is probably the most beautiful ballerina today in terms of pure motion and sculpture. I’ve watched a video clip of Anna Pavlova over and over doing this in slow motion. Probably the most beautiful dance experience that I’ve seen on film. I saw Alina Somova perform perhaps the most compelling version I’ve ever seen (not captured well on video). This video view of Oxana Skorik is the closest I’ve seen to my Anna Pavlova film experience. Absolutely gorgeous ! Added: Having just watched my artificially reproduced video of Anna Pavlova in slow motion, nothing that I've seen on film or stage has come close. Yet Oxana Skorik's 'Real' performance on video is probably the best that I've seen. Added added: The video of Galina Ulanova's real performance is probably the closest I've seen to my Anna Pavlova experience. Both represent an other worldly beauty of expression that will be hard to touch. Olga Smirnova remains in my mind the most capable today of coming close. In terms of pure dance Ulyana Lopatkina may be one of the best ever. Oxana Skorik still remains in my mind the most beautiful today in pure dance.

I moved this brief praise of Oxana Skorik to her own discussion topic. https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/36167-skorik/?page=20

At first glance, I would agree with this completely, Sandik.

Quiggin, Picasso seemed to do fine with corners here. 😊 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso#/media/File:Pablo_Picasso,_c.1911,_Le_Guitariste.jpg One thing that really impresses me is that he could go back and forth between that and this. https://www.wikiart.org/en/pablo-picasso/child-with-dove-1901 I'm pretty selective about the Picassos that I like, usually based on subject matter, but I do feel that he was a genius. HIs overall impact on art is what I most equate to George Balanchine.

Hi Menacenani Glad to see that you're on the road again. The inclusion of Veronika Part is also very interesting, as I consider her to be one of the finest if given worthy material. She can be magical. I'm curious as to what they'll give her since this seems a one woman's showcase.

Hi Sandik. How inventive, modern, abstract (at times), important, brilliant, etc. he was, for starters.

I don't get to see the Royal Ballet very much and am not really familiar with its dancers but I do like Marianela Nuñez very much. I did see a young dancer in The Winter's Tale who made a very fine impression in a brief appearance with her lively and fine performance. Anna Rose O’Sullivan, maybe ? Anyone know whom I might be thinking of ?

Having not seen this discussion, Here, I posted this, There. (New Royal Ballet Swan Lake, page 3). Having liked what I saw on a video clip very much I’ll post it again, Here. Cheers., Thank you, Katia. Not knowing Yasmine Naghdi at all, but unable to resist comments like this, I looked at the only video I could find that shows much dancing. She has lovely long lines that almost float at fully extended highlights. I look forward to seeing her some day. Here is the video as posted by The Royal Ballet. Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball rehearse The Sleeping Beauty (The Royal Ballet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7em0GEsBQ Here’s an interview posted by a ’sponsor.’ She seems quite charming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxfsOx0jkpU

Thank you, Katia. Not knowing Yasmine Naghdi at all, but unable to resist comments like this, I looked at the only video that I could find that shows much dancing. Among other fine qualities she has lovely long lines that almost float at fully extended highlights. I look forward to seeing her some day. Here is the video as posted by The Royal Ballet. "Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball rehearse The Sleeping Beauty (The Royal Ballet)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7em0GEsBQ Here’s an interview posted by a ’sponsor.’ She seems quite charming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxfsOx0jkpU

I don't recall the content of this discussion very well from years ago, but this seems like as good a place as any to offer a question. I’ve been watching an art history program and this came to mind. In Western art, If George Balanchine could be somewhat compared to Pablo Picasso, whom could ‘classical’ dance be compared to. I’m not sure. For me, it’s the lovely, dreamlike quality as well as the refinement and intellectual that defines ‘classical’ dance, in particular ballet. Rembrandt was perhaps the most soulful. https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/digital-collection/01.+Paintings/43400/?lng=en Raphael could be lovely. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paintings_by_Raphael#/media/File:Tempi_Madonna_by_Raffaello_Sanzio_-_Alte_Pinakothek_-_Munich_-_Germany_2017.jpg Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the best example of the intellectual, refinement or detail. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_a_Woman_(Leonardo)#/media/File:Lascapigliata.jpg Van Gogh could get pretty dreamlike. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starry_Night_Over_the_Rhône#/media/File:Starry_Night_Over_the_Rhone.jpg Watteau https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/L'Embarquement_pour_Cythere%2C_by_Antoine_Watteau%2C_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg Maybe a Rembrandt/Leonardo/Watteau hybid? Can anyone else come up with some names? Added: Perhaps I should have looked at the discussion first. Botticelli? (closer?) https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-birth-of-venus/MQEeq50LABEBVg?hl=en And to carry this beyond Western culture, here's what the same site proposes. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/maple-viewers/oQF0nQM_PVBZeQ?hl=en

Laurent, as I feel compelled to do, I'll ask you to substantiate this although it doesn't really go to the essence of the situation, nor does my quote. I think that it is perhaps time not to belabor every detail of the last few years of Nicolai Tsiskaridze unless pertinent to the immediate situation. It's all been very thoroughly covered in the press and elsewhere.

I feel that I should remove my post because I'm unable to find any articles to substantiate what I read (I'm certain in the press) at the time. I apologize but I'll keep searching. Added: From Dancing Times, this is about the best that I can do for the moment: (If not considered appropriate, moderators please remove). Ilya Kuznetsov, who wishes to stand against Tsiskaridze for election as rector, says that it was impossible for Asylmuratova to work with Tsiskaridze. https://www.dancing-times.co.uk/asylmuratova-resigns-from-vaganova-academy/

You were a step ahead of me on this one, Drew. I recall the condition that Altnai Asilmuratova was in when she 'left' the Vaganova.

Hopefully she's a very good and effective influence. Maybe a lot more in the picture then we would think. Women can do that sort of thing. 😊

Drew, this is a very good question. And others like her as well. And if not in leadership then at least in the exceptional artistic development.

Let this photo be what ever it is. I know how it effected me when I first saw it. My only real concern for the moment is how he treats the students. Let the rest of his 'saga' play out as it will, hopefully with justice and compassion.

Wow! The formatting of my last few comments has been scrambled. I'll try to find out why. Added: My posts have reappeared. Maybe a computer glitch somewhere.