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vipa

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Posts posted by vipa

  1. One could reply that Suzanne Farrell was not the only dancer who could've danced her roles, nor was she the most deserving one. The miscarriage of ballet justice in that part of dance history would have left the ballet world so much poorer in memorable moments, indeed, in a memorable era. On the practical side, lots of dancers' noses were out of joint, and Farrell suffered socially because of it. It's just one of those ballet things (or opera things, or theatre things, or.....)

    Marga, I know you have history with Isabelle and are a fan. I agree that she is very talented. That said, to compare her with Suzanne and by implication Ben M. with Balanchine is a little far fetched.

    That said I hope Isabelle isn't suffering socially from being cast in a principal role, and I hope she does well. I just think the Suzanne comparison is really premature.

  2. Ambonnay,

    Agreed -- Ms. Boylston and Mr. Gomes are the first team. So what?

    DeborahB:

    To be clear, what I meant by making the observation that Boylston and Gomes are the first team is to indicate that I don't understand what weight your prior indication that there is an alternate team should be accorded. Obviously, it's desirable to be on any team of a work like this. And it is obviously better to be on the first team than to have the same role on the second team, all other things being equal.

    Also to be clear, I'm not saying Bolyston is necessarily not deserving. Just observing that I personally find it difficult to believe, as cynical as I am, that her being Millepied's girlfriend is IRRELEVANT (ie has no relevance, not even a de minimis one) to her choice as first team ballerina. :wink: It should be noted that Bolyston might (?) not be the only one who is deserving. Nor is she necessarily the most deserving, however qualitative and subjective that assesment may be.

    Agreed, giving a deserving corps member an opportunity is wonderful. Being a deserving corps member who is in a relationship with a choreographer gives you an advantage over other deserving corps (or even soloist) dancers.

  3. Video is very different from a live performance, but the bits of Fonteyn I've seen make me wish I had seen her in the role live, particularly her Odile. Alexandra has described her Odile as a very glamorous, sophisticated woman in a little black dress and diamonds, and most of the Odiles I've seen have appeared rather cheap.

    The best live Odette/Odile I've seen is Veronika Part, with her gorgeous upper body and soulful portrayal. As Odile, she has a devilish charm that she uses to marvelous effect.

    I think there might have been another discussion about this to link to, but I'm not sure.

    I saw Fonteyn live with Nureyev. It had moments that were glorious, but I suspect that this was never her best role.

    My all time favorite - Cynthia Gregory. To me she had all the elements to make it work.

    I don't want to make this a Part love/hate discussion, but for all her beautiful moments, her technical failings ruin it for me. That is just me, and I understand how others can disagree

  4. Sandy,

    Either the law is respected or it means nothing and anybody feels justified in taking the law into their own hands. Lots of guilty people are not held accountable for their crimes. Nothing new about that. But we must at least try to stick to the principles. I would think if it was your child or sister who was the victim of rape you might not have the same approach. I am not for vengence, but why should someone who has admitted to his guilt not pay his debt to society. It's not as if he claimed he was innocent. He just didn't want to go to prison.

    They chased Pinochet until he died an old man and good that they did and bad that he never paid his debt to the people of Argentina.

    Raping a child. This is not robbing a bank, but violating an innocent child. You don't do things like that.

    This whole case raises many questions.

    Is this the best use of our international police efforts? This is a person who poses no threat to society, so aside from vengence what would be the point? Certainly not deterrence. According to what I've read, Polanski has had a home in Switzerland, and has resided there much of the year for quite some time, why go after him now?

    That said, since the victim forgave him long ago and has no interest in pursuing charges I believe in amnesty. Amnesty has become a word much disparaged recently in our country, but I love the word.

  5. As the mother of one of the dancers who was cut from NYCB, Matthew Renko, I can vouch that for him at least, it was shock, as well as to his friends, and even a couple of the ballet masters/mistresses. But one has to be pragmatic, these are tough times, and in tough times the arts are always going to take a hit. Let's face it, it's cheaper to use apprentices and first year corp than second, or third, or whatever. And Matthew has also been pragmatic. As one of the shortest male dancers, no matter how talented, he knows he doesn't have the versitility that a taller male would have. He understands that, although the point was driven home when he was recommended for an audition for the Twyla Tharp "Sinatra" production. He went, was told after the audition they liked his dancing but they were hiring a swing and he wasn't tall enough.

    He's hanging in there, though. He's got a gig dancing in "Aida" and some film thing after that.

    Over the past few years posters have left an occasional favorable comment of Matthew's performance(s). For all you that did, thank you.

    Matthew was a definite stand out in the corps of NYCB, and to be seriously considered by Twyla is a testament to his talent and abilities.

    I wish him the best of luck. Please keep us BTers up to date on his progress and whereabouts.

  6. Part in Dying Swan!! That makes it worth the price of admission even if all the new works turn out to be awful. Yippie. Please Please give Part an opportunity to perform Other Dances too. Does anyone else find it odd that Paloma, Gillian and Michelle are not listed for any roles. I thought they were appearing with the company at Avery Fisher.

    Respectfully disagree about Dying Swan. I think it quite strange that it is thrown into the program. I really don't want to see it with Part or anyone. On the other hand Part in Other Dances would be intriguing.

    I too wonder about Paloma, Gillian & Michelle. Are they not there? Why would Reyes be there and not the others?

    I hate the listing of a cast as "company." Couldn't they please say who is dancing even if it is 8 or 10 or 12 people.

    Looks like good opportunities for Boylston. Good for her. I have loved her in some things and found her not quite up to the task in others, but definitely a talented young lady - one to watch.

  7. I haven't, vipa, but perhaps someone else has. What is The Bad Necessity about, BTW?

    The Bad Necessity: the unmentionable world of human waste and why it matters.

    By Rose George

    I know it sounds like an unreadable book in terms of the subject matter. It is readable, entertaining and thought provoking.

    That said who has some light fiction to recommend?

  8. :) and :thanks: to Mark Goldweber, who secured permission from Kirkland and Chernov to post the film! Gladys Celeste is the pianist.

    Lovely clip, and Gladys was a treasure, bless her soul.

  9. I agree with other posters about - Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? - I loved it.

    One of my favorites is Fog of War. I watched it again, upon the death of Robert McNamara. I think is should be required viewing for all in decision making positions when it comes to waging war.

    I'd strongly suggest - Genghis Blues. This is a film about a blind blues musician's journey to Tuva to compete in a national throat singing competition. Most people that I mention it to have never heard of it, but watch and love.

  10. I would have a hard time hearing "We can't afford to keep you" from a man who earned $686,000 according to 2007 public non-profit records.

    And I agree that it was a horrific idea for the NY Times to ask for advice for these dancers.

    I agree with with the first statement, particularly because the article said that the firings would save 1.2 million. That is less than two years of Martin's salary. I'm not commenting on Martins worth, just trying to highlight the relative numbers.

    It was a terrible, embarrassingly terrible idea to ask for advise for the dancers. These are young, talented imaginative people who will ultimately be fine. There are many other unemployed people I'm more concerned about.

    Because Martins didn't consult with the union to save jobs, my best guess is that he knew it was a good idea to cut costs and he took the opportunity to pare down the company. He got rid of dancers who he didn't find useful, he felt had grown stale and were going nowhere.

  11. Does anyone know what principal dancers will be performing?

    I just got the brochure in the mail.

    According to it, the following will be appearing:

    Herman Cornejo

    Marcelo Gomes

    David Hallberg

    Paloma Herrera

    Julie Kent

    Gillian Murphy

    Veronika Part

    Xiomara Reyes

    Michele Wiles

    Interesting for 2 reasons. Julie Kent is back (frankly I'm surprised) & only 3 principal male dancers, which could mean some nice opportunities for some soloist or corp members.

  12. Miss Kirkland was a dancer that divided opinion and in my time, to keep with the era of this thread, there have been a number of leading female dancers some of whom had famous careers in America and elsewhere, that were definitely NIFM for many seriously knowledgeable and fair minded balletomanes.

    It was complicated because when she was good she was very, very good and when she was bad she was horrid. Some dancers one likes or dislikes, some dancers one likes in certain roles but with Kirkland, she could amaze and bring a role to new heights or make you want to leave the theater in despair.

  13. The strongest visual memory I have is of the petal-plucking episode -- "He loves me; he loves me not." I've never seen a ballerina so grief-stricken when she realized that the flower was telling her "He loves you not." Or so genuinely relieved when Baryshnikov faked a positive response. In the dance that followed, her dancing, though perfect, seemed almost frantic with happiness.

    All of this was expressed by movement, not by "acting." Hers was one of those rare Giselles whose sudden slide into madness, when it occurred, was completely believable. She prepared you for it.

    I wish I could remember her Act II, but that's Baryshnikov's act, in my memory at least. It was the only time I saw them dancing together.

    Kirkland was a very special ballerina. I saw her dance quite a bit at ABT. I agree that her Giselle was quite moving. I do remember the 2nd act. She was unworldly; she used her amazing lightness, elevation and speed to tremendous effect. I also loved her Don Q. I saw one Swan Lake (not so good). The Theme & Variations, that was on TV as part of the great performances series, has some unbelievable moments of phrasing & speed. She really out did Misha in that ballet (not surprising because she was bred to it). There is a youtube clip of a Coppelia variation that is surprisingly unmusical. Unfortunately I also saw some crazily bad performances, particularly with the Eglevsky Co.

    She was a unique talent with a lot to offer. My ballerina of choice, at ABT, was Cynthia Gregory, but I did see Kirkland in many roles.

  14. The NY Times reports that it is selling WQXR in a deal which will move the station's location on the radio dial, decrease its listenership area BUT keep it classical.

    As someone who grew up with QXR in the background, but who now lives far away, I wonder how New Yorkers on Ballet Talk are dealing with the news. What do you think about it? What do you expect will happen?

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/arts/music/15radio.html?hp

    The good news is, as I read today, that WNYC is buying WQXR. I expect the station to continue its classical music mission, but perhaps improve. Personally I've found the programing a bit boring and unadventurous, so this might be an improvement.

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