YID

Susan,

6:45 & 8am are indicated by the blue bus i.e operated by Megabus (but then you never know). I bought it (for Saturday though) but should just be ready to hop on Amtrak. I forgot which company it was but when i was using them in Feb to go to Philly, the administrator (of tickets) said that they were bought by someone else. I will need to explore your BOLT.

Helene, Kennedy is designed the way that if your seat is before 6th row (usually M row), you'll need to have a very straightned back to see the tips of point shoes, however, it's great seats. I got my tickets for Sat & Sunay Matinee row M 14 & 12. Susan, will you be in your favorite spot?

This may be coming together, although I won't be able to home from DC Sunday night. If I use the Alaska 15K miles for a discounted plane ticket, the difference should cover the hotel room Sunday night, and I'd have most of Monday to be a tourist.

Many thanks for the advice, nysusan!

Helene, try www. megabus . com. i just got my two round trip tickets for $4.50 (I haven't got the tickets yet for the performances, only to the Burlaka talk and the dress rehearsal). I tried megabus twice, and they are NICE and reliable (conveniently leaving from Penn Station in NYC, and only within 25-30 min WALK from Kennedy center)..... I might gamble and get the Sat & Sund. Matinee and the openning night.

Added after checking their site

they have a 6:45am from Penn Station for $5, 7am from Pike Street for $1, and 8am from Penn for $5.

I am NOT a morning personmyself, but for the russian ballet - i MADE myself get up early several time,,,,,, sleeping in on the bus ;_))

I just received an email announcing the appearance on April 19th of the Russian National Ballet Theatre at a small local theatre in my community. They are doing Cinderella and the press release notes that the dancers "will include stars from the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet". Does anyone have any information about this company? Could there really be "stars" from the Bolshoi and Kirov appearing with them at such a small venue (55 miles from NYC)? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

i have attended them performing at Lehman college in Bronx in March. They were good.

Cinderella was danced by Mariana Chemalina (Perm '98). Fairy Godmother - Nadezhda Illarionova (?). The prince and the dance teacher - got confused in names.

The manager of the theater Elena Radchenko (Valueva) was a principal with Bolshoi, but if my friend is correct, she started with Mariinsky & Vaganova academy.....

Cinderela and Godmother dancing was great, guys were very good. and I guess for the saving of not driving to NYC or Washington or Boston, it's a great deal. Y

Peter the Great: A Tribute to a Legendary Ballet Teacher, New York City Center, April 23, at 7pm

http://www.nycitycenter.org/tickets/produc...r=4325#programs

just grabbed a flier at City Center yesterday and was IMPRESSED by announced cast (Don't kill me if they change it)

Marcelo Gomes, Gennadi Saveliev (ABT)

Natalia Osipova, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Ivan Vasiliev (Bolshoi Ballet)

Mikhail Kaniskin, Vladimir Malakhov (Berlin State Opera Ballet)

Sascha Radetsky (Dutch National Ballet)

Ekaterina Kondaurova (Kirov Ballet)

Karine Plantadit (Broadway star)

Wendy Whelan, Benjamin Millepied (NYCB)

Yuri Possokhov (San Francisco Ballet)

Alicia Matriain, Alexander Zaitsev (Stuttgart Ballet) and

Peter Pestov's graduating class from the John Cranko School of Stuttgart Ballet.

PS: mention YGP when purchasing tickets or code 4591 for 25% off (whoops, i missed it though)

Hello, i am all for meeting up during intermission on saturday matinee.

I went to Wednesday and Thursday - totally agree about Thursday - WHAT a delight, shouted BRAVO numerous times. What a show.

I actually found Somova much more tamed this time. Yes, she's not musical at all (and for that i still have this memory of Tereshkina "playing music" with her feet in releves in last scene, as if it were HER and not musicians who punched the cords. And technically she was MUCH more solid and stronger.

And coming back to Wednesday night - I guess Shklyarov STOLE the show, i could not keep my eyes off him, so much more polished and precise, and what fire and artistry, and balloon in jumps.

A cute detail. His wife Evgenia waited for him after performance and they went to the hotel together. She looked like the sweetest purest kindest and so light of a child in her fur-trimmed hood. Such a sweet person.

Back to Somova, at least she tamed her elevations, and her arm and hands got softer, and no pointedly elevated chin (in most of the parts). there were slipped, but much better than under "tutorship" of Mrs. Vasiev ;_))

hope to see you all on Saturday (god clear the road to and in DC ;-))

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/tix/995079513.html

I would like to sell my ticket to the Saturday evening, $89, row M, seat 10 or 12 (sorry left it at home).

I had seen Ms. Somova on Wednesday.

I will be at Kennedy Center for the Saturday matinee, if you need to pick up the ticket in advance.

Please contact me via the craigslist thread, since i have my b-berry with me all the time.

Kind regards,

I wasn't sure where to post it, but still had to share. I went and watched it yesterday.

And....... GOSH, i wish Somova was NEVER coached by Chenchikova & Vaziev (she had great lines, great Vaganova style while graduating from school and first year with the company). Her chick was kept down, arms softly curves, hands - elegant and not sticking. There was softness in her moves........ and ..... well, you all see what happened before...

... Also, i learnt that I prefered Zakharova's dancing style while she was in St. Petersburg.

Great movie (I saw bits of it on u-tube)....

PS: hopefully, Tatiana Terekhova will improve the newly minted Principal.

Hello, i didn't plan but managed to tune in the show. I did see Maria Kochetkova and was pleased but not impressed (and sorry it's hard to be after seeing that variation 5-6 times last April and many many times before (performed by Kirov and Bolshoi). She was very very very nice, but i sensed why she's with San Fran and not Mariinsky for that matter.

And I'd agree with a quote, why not bring Moiseev Dance or Osipova or Obraztsova ;-))

For those in NYC

I just wanted to share a link to an interesting event.

https://tickets.filmlinc.com/php/calendar.p...mode=0&org=

Ballet Then and Now

Series: Dance on Camera 2009

Ballerina

Bertrand Normand, France, 2007; 77m

French director Bertrand Normand explores the concept of the St. Petersburg ballerina through interview and performance footage of Alina Somova, Svetlana Zakharova, Diana Vishneva, Ulyana Lopatkina and Evgenia Obraztsova. An intimate look at six of the Kirov's rising superstars. Normand will introduce and answer questions following the screenings.

screening with

Play: On the Beach with the Ballets Russes Gillian Lacey, UK, 2008; 23m Gillian Lacey edits together archival footage of Ballets Russes dancers frolicking on the beach in Sydney, Australia, during their 1936-1940 tours. Ballet Russes dancer Betty Low will answer questions after the screening on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

ABT posted a calendar with partial cast listing for NYC engagement.

NATALIA OSIPOVA

Performing in:

Giselle 6/13/2009

La Sylphide 6/17/2009, 6/20/2009....

not relevant to this thread but Simkin is promised in two ballets so far ;_))

Hi there -

Just wanted to add that you may also want to try the Megabus service. emi

OMG... thank you EMI...... i might just take a chance and buy $1 or $5 tickets to go to DC - omg, so cheap.... thank you.

.... and sorry for turning the thread into a low-cost bus options - sorry about it...

Wow, thanks, YID! I looked for Chinatown-type buses when I was down there recently, but there were so many bus lines, I never did find one with a suitable departure time. Do you remember any company by name? Greatly appreciated!

As for walking from KC to Chinatown, I'd likely opt for the Metro, which shuts down for the night well after the performance is over.

www. gotobus. com

Todays leaves at 11:18pm

www. 2000coach. com/schedules.html - leaves at 11:30pm.... and I am the walker ;-)) (unless the weather forbids ;-))

Ride home wanted:

My friend Sheila is seeking a ride back to Manhattan after the Saturday evening performance. Willing, of course, to pick up a share of expenses.

I can vouch for her honesty and for the pleasure of her companionship.

Please contact her directly: [address removed, as no longer necessary] .

Ok, i'd suggest it only because (me-crazy) i did that and will do it again. I'd take a chinese bus back to Manhattan. $20 - one way, $35 round trip. I did it several times going to openning nights, then hopping on a bus, there are 3 or 4 companies with departures from 11:30 to 11:45pm and going to work next morning ;-)) Chinatown DC is not scary, and I always like a nice brisk walk throug the GW university campus, then by the White House and to the Chinatown (30-40 min).

........but I'll see her as I plan to be at each and every performance. Also, Somova's Basil, Korsakov, can be a delight when he is "on".

+100 to Natalia's opinion (though i prefered Tereshkina DQ at City Center to Vishneva's. big time)

I am looking forward to Obraztsova+Shklyarov.

Natalia, I "envy" you, going to every performance ;-)) (though i will do my 5, definitely skipping Somova ;-)) hope they'd keep the announced cast)..... will the forum readers do as they did at City Center? meeting to "put the faces to the forum names"? Susan are you heading down to DC?

Alina Somova--good as her performance in the except from La Bayadere is, now I know why some balletomanes don't like her--her gymnast-like movements can detract from her overall performance at times. I for one (in my humble opinion!) would love to see her put under the same coach that trains Ulyana Lopatkina, because Somova reminds me in terms of body build of Lopatkina but just a tad shorter and could use a coach that could properly take advantage of Somova's physical build.

Irina Chistyakova is Uliana's coach nowdays - they have a great friendship and partnership ;-))

Since i haven't been to CA to watch in person (can be sure), i was still very much disgusted by the NASTIEST review by Rachel Howard at SF Chronicle (she only praised Somova (omg ;-(( and Sarafanov)...

Novikova and Sarafanov are at this moment the best Don Q couple you may get at the Mariinsky. Tereshkina is about as close to Kitri as Lopatkina is to the Blue Angel. As for Giselle, I'd rather buy that second ticket of Don Quixote instead.

IMHO, i saw Tereshkina dancing (parts) of Kitri in NYC, in April, you know - and I loved it. I MUCH preferred Tereshkina's Kitri to Vishneva's over-acted one. What's astonising about Viktoria (Tereshkina) is her capacity to get into various role - she's (one of) the BEST actresses (besided her stunning technical virtuoso)....

also, about Lopatkina and Giselle, I love Ulyana, and I admit, i was sceptical of how she'd be as Giselle, but then saw this, and my mind was changed - I'd prefer Uliyana to Diana in that video (officially posted on Chicago's Auditorium site - it's a comment for administrators)...

http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org/wb/media/...Kirov_2008.html

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=6425619

the latter one shows Lopatkina and the live Sheshina & Stepin

Ok, I treated myself to 3 performances (don’t be envious, I don’t own a house or much assets, just collect my visits to the Russian ballet performances ;-)) In June 2006 I saw 3 Giselles (Golub+Fadeev; Novikova+Sarafanov, Pavlenko+Kolb) at DC.

On purpose, I went to see : a) Novikova +Shklyrov (on Sat. matinee), Tkachenko as Myrtha; b) Nioradze+ Ivanchenko (Sat. night), Kandaurova as Myrtha; c) Vishneva+Kolb (Sunday), Tkachenko as Myrtha. There was an unexpected bonus, on Sat. afternoon they had a Q&A with lead dancers, Danilyan translated (and I am not a huge fan of his) – what a treat!!! And thank you Susan for recommending the row P – great deal.

I loved them all, and had I have to choose, would still go to see all 3 ;_)). They were all a bit different and all wonderful. (A disclaimer – I am not a big fan of Ivanchenko).

Novikova & Shklyarov – wonderful chemistry, Olesja was probably the best technically, and I adored her extensions, which she holdes for a second at the highest elevation, so marvelously graceful (totally not Somova gymnastics). She was the most reserved in expressing her emotions (no overacting I mean), but still very warm, and enough contrast between a live girl and a loving ghost. Shklyarov was my most favorite this time. He replaced 4 chasses with most wonderful jumps (?Entrechat six) 8 times ? when Albreht pleaded Myrtha. Tkachenko was a good Murtha, but I preferred Kandaurova (still my most favorite ever Myrtha remain Tereshkina, whom I saw several years ago at DC).

Surprisingly, neither Novikova nor Vishneva let their hair loose in the mad scene, only some streaks came out (don’t know if it was on purpose or not). I’d say that Olesya grew tremendously compared to that ’06 DC performance.

I also loved Irma Nioradze (it’s my only second time watching her dance live). That was such a treat – 3 red heads in one ballet. Nioradze, Kandaurova & the peasant solo girl Elena Sheshina!!! Nioradze played a bit girli-er Gizelle in Act one and a bit more alive in act 2. Fully loose burning red hair in the mad scene. A couple of short cuts in turns and those jumps on the point. But great arms, great plasticity. And I’d say that both Novikova and Nioradze portrayed a classical Kirov Giselle.

Vishneva looked a bit reserved with left leg extension at the beginning of the ballet, then warmed up perhaps. Lovely first act, but to my taste she over-dramatized some gestures and her mad scene was very different from other two. And her second act play was least ghostly of them all. Great chemistry with Kolb – who was great as usual ;-)) She had a sun-tan costume, which slightly distracted (I am used to the blue one;-))

I loved them all (with only one disclaimer, Vishneva ‘retained’ being in the role even after the performance, still ghostly like, very slow, and she looked kind of green-ish compared to the rest).

I have to comment on the peasant solos. I’ve seen on-line the duet of Sheshina and Philip Stepin (Chicago channel showed them). So, when I saw what was listed as Yulia Kasenkova, she was very rigid (almost not like Kirov). But since I forgot my binoculars, and being semi-blind, I don’t know for sure who she was. Sheshina was very good. Both Philip Stepin and Alexey Timofeev were great, but I still had a memory of Shklarov dancing this role back in Chicago with Osmolkina – that was something. Both Hans’s Pykhachev and Zverev were good and convincing.

And my highest admiration goes to the chore-de-ballet, I saw Selina, Ivanova, Shirinkina, and I cried at every performance – was so moved and touched… Thank you Mariinski

Special Distinction and trophy winner Whitney Jensen appears in 43 photos (so far) from Esmeralda, with partner Albert Davydov, here:

http://sportnitanci.com/webga/thumbnails-1924.html

sorry for being off topic a bit - Albert Davydov dances with NJ Ballet, and the NJ ballet-mistress, Luba Gulyaeva assisted Valentina Kozlova in "molding" Whitney.

To some other poster - i did hear "not-possitive" remarks of Whitney's legs, but her artistry and properly picked choreography managed to "mask/ make-up" for it (and don't start the list of Dancers with "imperfect" legs who have the DIVA/STAR lapel on their sholder ;_))

The view from the less expensive side boxes is pretty poor – they are very close to the stage and you see way into the wings – which I found really distracting. I thought they were much worse than State Theater side arm seats or side parterre box seating at the Met. The 1st Balcony center is way far back, I sat there for one performance and it felt like you were in another zip code! The orchestra is very well raked so I think that once you get past about mid orchestra your view is from above stage level. There is also 1 particular row (I think it's row P) that is raised more than the others. I usually avoid orchestra seats but these would definitely be my first choice in this theater.

Susan

Thank you Susan. I am flying Delta, in case if you wanna pretend to be my checked in luggage (just kidding). I will miss your company and opinions ;-))

Looking for your recommendation on the seating at Chicago Auditorium Theater.

Do they have any great secret seating that is a great bargain or which row in the orchestra doesn't cut of the view of the points (like Kennedy does in the first 6 rows).

I got my plain-tickets and am flying there ;_)) (will be going Sat & sunday, if i buy bargain tickets ;-))

This is not classical. It is not neoclassical.

http://www.geneschiavone.com/gallery/v/Pri...SC1939.jpg.html

The only thing that comes to mind here is a broken arrow. Interesting how in achieving such an extension, the line is actually shortened.

sorry this thread is turning to everything but discussion on Mariinsky at NYCC ;-)...

I was holding my comment for 1/2 day. I found the pictures in the two galleries (I checked Somova/Sarafanov in Bayadere, & Tereshkina in Diane &Ahteon) very non-complimentary to the dancers. Their faces look SO WEIRD and almost UGLY (when I saw them in person and saw other artwork of other photographers)....

what was STANDING OUT in Mr. Schiavone's work, is the emphasis on capturing "THE ACROBATICS" and not the beauty of the dancers..... had I seen the galleries and not seen performances, I would start hating my BELOVED Mariinsky.... just my personal opinion of the artwork

I noticed that he has a website which is only in Russian........www.ivanvasiliev.ru/. I believe it may list his future performances; but I wonder generally how others participating here alert themselves to when/where their favorite dancers will be appearing, if the dancer has no website which we can follow.

Welcome and THANK YOU for the link to the site ;-))

Nope, Ivan's site doesn't list his future performances and looks like someone else posts for him (judging from how his biography is narrated), and it doesn't list the most recent performances...

From several Russian dancer's web-site, i am aware of only Vishneva posting her schedule...

To moderator, feel free to move the posting to another thread, if found innappropriate here.

Was I alone in secretly wishing for a last-minute addition to the YAGP Gala in the form of Big Red?

I was missing KK too ;-))

Did Semionova and Bollet perform? It was supposed to be Semionova's American debut.

She didn't move or emote me. I watched her and was MISSING KANDAUROVA (big RED)....

The program includes a listing for Hee Seo and Ivan Ortega in Goyo Montero's Godspeed. I have absolutely no recollection of it. Did I zone out completely?

you echoed my thoughts - i don't REMEMBER seeing them (well, they skipped an Osipova Solo, may be it was another "skipping").... PS (off-topic, it was nice meeting you at the Kirov's "get together")

Did Semionova and Bollet perform? It was supposed to be Semionova's American debut.

She did and

sorry, it's just MY personal impression/opinion, She didn't move or emote me. I watched her and was MISSING KANDAUROVA (big RED).... Besides, "the Beatles" Osipova & Vasiliev, i was not impressed and greatly disappointed (after almost daily attending the Kirov tour)... but it's just my humble opinion.

Also, again, just my personal opinion, I found the program VERY INAPPROPRIATE for the gala where there were so MANY CHILDREN. Could someone sensor what was to be performed on the stage? There are other places in NYC to watch "love making" then the children's competition.....