aurora

I think she's fantastic and wish they used her more. I saw her for the first time last year in Swan Lake-- I don't think I've ever been moved to tears in the first white swan PdD before, but she was just incredible. There was less flash in her black swan than in Annaniashvili (who has been my favorite Odette/Odile for many years now), but she was just magnificent. I also saw the Vishneva Giselle which was categorized as one of those performances that blow you away. I have to say, it didn't for me, but Part's Swan Lake really did. She's doing one Swan Lake again, a matinee on weds. I'd recommend going and seeing for yourself

I think there is a continued emphasis on port de bras in Russian training that we just do not see in the states. Feet, legs, movement are emphasized, arms are largely ignored. In my view this is especially true in the Balanchine tradition, but that is based purely on personal experience and might not be true in the greater scheme of things. Arms that look like they are draped over yokes, or stretched on clothes hangers are just not attractive.