Rosa

Thank you for your reviews, Helene. I felt like I was there (a wish still yet to be granted).

Well, never knew it was possible to almost ruin an Olympic Closing Ceremony. NBC has tried my patience this summer -- not so much due to the tape delay, but more for how it seemed a lot of the sports I enjoyed didn't get a ton coverage. Thankfully, for whatever reason, I've always been more a fan of the opening ceremonies than the closing ones, otherwise I may have thrown something at the TV Sunday night. The only things I enjoyed were extinguishing of the Olympic Torch (which I felt I didn't completely see due to the editing), the final awesome fireworks display (couldn't they have shown that before previewing their show with the monkey?), and the closing credits. Oh, well. Thank you, London, for putting on a wonderful Summer Olympics! I have many memories to hold me over until Sochi 2014.

The only summer movie I've seen is Brave. Stunning animation and music. I liked it about as much as Ratatouille, which is pretty low in my personal ranking of Pixar's films.

http://youtu.be/qb3KIwNhqLY

So young and talented...

Thanks for the heads up, Cygnet. The premiere of Onegin sounds interesting. Any thoughts regarding possible casts?

Lovely video. She made her debut as Odette/Odile at home way back in the beginning of 2009, the same year she guested with the Royal Ballet in their Swan Lake production. I am not sure if the Mariinsky has given her more performances of the role since then or not. Will this be Shirinkina's first time dancing Cinderella?

Such sad news!

The diving competition continues to be impressive, with the Chinses dominating as expected. How wonderful for Troy Dumais to finally win a medal in his 4th Olympics! Gabby was great. Congratulations to her. Felt so sorry for Aly, who has become a favorite for me during these games. Apparently the English National Ballet performed an excerpt from Swan Lake before the Women's All-Around at the O2. Found this very low quality video: http://youtu.be/IdCndyygmME

One of my favorites. Do you know who was the narrator, Kathleen?

What has everyone been reading this summer? *Les Miserables by Victor Hugo *In the Water They Can't See You Cry by Amanda Beard *The Satanic Mill by Otfried Preußler *The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer *The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer *Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl *Do You Think I'm Beautiful? by Angela Thomas

Oh, yes! What a final. Very happy for Team GB. My heart went out to the Ukrainians though, who ended up being pushed to 4th. It was an exciting night of swimming, too! The highlight for me was Nick Thoman winning silver behind his teammate Matt Grevers in the men's 100m backstorke (the 5th straight time USA has won the event, I think), who almost retired after failing to make the Olympic team in 2008.

Agreed! Her reactions were priceless. Enjoyed the 3-meter synchronized diving competition. Congratulations to Abby Johnston and Kelci Bryant on winning the silver!

Found this video of Evgenia's Pharaoh's Daughter debut:

I really enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. The children's literature segment was a highlight. And I thought the lighting of the torch was really cool and original. The men's swimming competition is one of my favorite Olympic sports. Looking forward to it, as well as gymnastics and diving.

http://youtu.be/Zsilo0LdRYQ

for Ms. Seo and Mr. Hammoudi.

Maria Shirinkina recently debuted as Giselle. http://youtu.be/SmT_FdWhUns http://youtu.be/eRf5SotWpac http://youtu.be/uaWV1p5i-_M And as Aurora, too, I believe. http://youtu.be/PQLd0jzkl9U

Finally!

Thanks, innopac. A very interesting read.

It is last month at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Thanks Ray. I remember being impressed by Jermel in the pas de trois in Wheeldon's Swan Lake when he was an apprentice in 2004. Congratulations to all the promoted dancers!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews and recollections. They have been a pleasure to read.

Alice and Jack's two pas de deux in Act II (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Wheeldon).

Neat thread! *'alternative' Odile variation *Odette Act II variation *Raymonda's entrance, Vision and Act II variation *Désiré's Act III variation (The Sleeping Beauty) *Cinderella's second Act I variation and ballroom variation *Fairy of Summer's variation (Cinderella) *Aurora's entrance, Vision variation *Two Wilis's variations (Giselle) *Almost all the Sylph's variations (La Sylphide, POB version) *Siegfried's Act I variation (Nureyev) *Sylph's Mazurka variation (Les Sylphides) *Gamzatti's Act III variation *Rose's Act I variations (Prince of the Pagodas) *Caterpillar's variation (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Wheeldon)