vipa

I see by the more complete casting at the ABT site she's 1st cast principal for On the Dnieper. Seo is second cast lead.

Yes agreed. Basically in Russian fouettes the working leg goes directly side and then to the knee, and the more common form has what can be described as a stirring motion with the working leg. I prefer the non-Russian way, I find that it generally lends itself to a smoother less jerky motion, but either can be beautiful if done well.

I saw Coppelia on Wednesday. Megan Fairchild was wonderful. I hadn't seen her for a couple of years and remember being not taken with her, well times change. Her first solo was so musical and lovely that it set a wonderful tone and expectation for the rest of the ballet (that she then fulfilled). For me, in respect to her performance, there was a second here and there that was not perfection, but I don't think you will find a better overall performance of the role. Moments of the wedding pas were heart stoppingly beautiful. She really carried the ballet. I liked De Luz and La Fosse made a very sympathetic Dr. Coppelius. I've never seen the NYCB Coppelia before, and found the character dances weird. Some mighty tall peasants!! I thought Kathryn Morgan lovely in the Hours, but was disappointed in Dawn & Prayer. Reichlen seemed strangely unco-ordinated in Dawn. Her upper body didn't match her legs. Krohn didn't seem to get Prayer. She didn't have the amplitude and fullness of movement that the music asks for. I did enjoy Faye Arthurs Spinner and Bar and Hendrick in War (which seemed very Monty Pythonish to me). I really enjoyed the ballet and the main revelation to me was Megan Fairchild. I fell in love with her (my husband did too). Anyone else go? I'd love to hear.

That's strange because the bios usually include only the ballets in which the individual has a principal role. Maybe they are old links that had dates that were removed. I have no ideas why the link would still be there but that's a possibility.

Thank you for the information, nice role for an apprentice. BTW of the four I thought Lydia Wellington was outstanding. Again, I am interested in everyones thoughts (I suspect it will be a different topic strand)

If this is the wrong place I apologize. I just saw Coppelia. I'm interested in everyone's opinions. My question - there are 2 dancers who danced Jesterettes who don't seem to be on the roster. Kristen Segin & Callie Bachman. Who are they? Or am I just wrong?

No flaming here either. Fonteyn had beautiful proportions in a classical sense. Just beautiful and pleasing to look at. Photos of a young Fonteyn reveal a South American look (in my opinion) that was not so apparent as she matured. I still vote for Alexandra Ansanelli (a useless fantasy)

YES - Any maybe act it too. I have not idea if AA can act but she has an elegant quality the Fonteyn had & is beautiful.

I won't be there so I look forward to BTers reports. I'm sure V Part will be wonderful in Preghiera. 2 things of interest to me - Beloserkovshy with Herrera (I've only seen him partner Dvorovenka) and closing with Lane/Simkin the last movement of Theme. The partnering in the last movement of theme is tricky. I am sure that each will be up to the solo parts - but the partnering? I hope so. It's funny that Simkin isn't scheduled to do Theme during the season but is doing the finale at the gala. Again, I look forward to your reports.

I wish she'd guest with ABT again.

You never know. Barbara Bears returned to Houston Ballet after "retiring." Perhaps the management at Royal Ballet could be so kind as to make some sort of "if you ever decide to dance again, you still have a place here with us" arrangement. I'm old enough to remember Cynthia Gregory's retirement and come back. Cynthia had just had it with being a dancer for a lot of reasons. After a time away she came back and was great. I'd be sorry to not see Ansanelli dance again. Interesting to note she started late and ended early!!

I think this is a new role for her.

Boy, I would love to see Sarah in Giselle. If you don't mind my asking, who was her Albrecht? I just bought my ticket to see her Theme at the Met (she was the reason I chose the performance).

I just noticed that Sarah Lane is cast in Corsaire on May 27 & 29. I think this is a new role for her. June 10 La Sylphide is still TBA.

I'm a little disappointed that I don't see Bouder's name.

Funny idea. Didn't the Stravinsky festival come shortly after PAMTGG?

I checked out youtube and agree that Osipova seems to be able to combine artistry with technique in a wonderful way. I was convinced enough to buy tickets for Sylphide. I am typically not a fan of Russian dancers (Nina Ananiashvila being the exception on the woman's side). I look forward to post performance discussions.

Thank you, the links are much appreciated. It seems that the Corsaire reviews are better than the Swan Lake reviews. I think ABT made poor choices in terms of the ballets they took to London. I think they should have taken Tudor ballets. I know that they probably wanted to show off their classical virtuosity and that big ballets usually sell better. On the other hand, since they got mixed reviews and half filled houses, maybe rep nights would have worked out better. I also read that Kevin M. didn't know in advance that they'd be competing with another Swan Lake; if he had known he might have made different decisions.

Thank you so much. I've never had the pleasure of seeing her live, but some videos are positively heart melting with her combination of beauty, technique, musicality and the blend of it all. I wish she'd guest with ABT again. I didn't get the opportunity to see her when she did.

Thank you -- yes = Murphy, Irina, Part, Pas de Trios etc.

Has anyone seen Murphy, Dvorovenko or Part? Also, does any one know who has been doing the Pas de Trois?

I don't really see Michele as a Balanchine dancer. I believe that the Balanchine ballets you named require personality, individuality and a very musical attack. These are the qualities that Wiles most lacks. She is a very accomplished dancer who I can't name a perfect role for. Maybe she will be the all purpose principal who no one adores but few people avoid.

Thank you for saying that. You've put into words what I've felt, but couldn't verbalize. I've seen Wiles in both Sylvia and Tch ppd and would say I enjoyed them well enough, but wouldn't buy a ticket to see either again. On the other hand, if she was a last minute replacement I wouldn't tear my hair out in despair. She always has quality moments and can turn on the technique, but there is something not quite there. I found in Tch ppd she went for cute instead of finding herself in the piece. I guess that is the overall problem (this may be presumptuous). I feel she tries to fit an idea of what a piece should be instead of finding herself in a role. It's almost as though she doesn't try to make a role her own, but instead picks an interpretation to imitate and then does as much technique as she can - which can be a lot. That's my take anyway. Oddly enough I enjoyed her in Etudes more than in anything else, she just looked like she was having fun.

Funny thing about T&V--which was originally created for Alonso, who was, indeed a great Romantic dancer and also classicist. T&V in 1947, when it was created, had a much softer look (something that was missing with Kirkland). It was years before I saw that look again in a performance by Asylmuratova. I did see Kajiya's T&V and I am looking forward to seeing her again this season in the role, and watching her develop. I hope she doesn't loose the softness; the 'manner' will come with maturity. I've never seen Alonso live but videos show a very accomplished technician. Her Black Swan variation was pretty flashy for the day. I've studied with teachers who danced with Alonso, and they admired her ability to be classical & romantic but also her technique. Yes T&V is about style, and presentation but it is also about using the choreography to express that style and presentation. Kajiya fell short as did A Stafford in NYCB in presenting the ballet. Cynthia Gregory did a wonderful T&V with a softer quality, Kirkland had more attack, but both did the choreography. Frankly I am not looking for an improved "manner" with Kajiya, I am looking for the steps.

The "folk dances" are always fun. Mazurkas etc. They get you moving fast, to fun music and no pressure!