Joseph

I love the scenes involving Carabosse (I've said this on some other post as well.)The music is so exciting and fits her character so well! I strongly feel that the scenes involving her really need to be executed with great artistic skill and acting capabilities. If I go to see (or see on a video) Sleeping Beauty, I really want Carabosse to scare me and send chills up my spine. It is easy in some versions to get bored with her (or him.) For instance, the Kirov version (DVD with Lezhina.) I think that Carabosse is boring and that there is not enough acting. He/She is not scary enough. I guess in my personal opinion, I would rather a woman than a man to play this part. I like how in the Dutch National Ballet's production (DVD with Sylve,) Carabosse is more of an "Evil Queen" like figure - meaning, pretty and a sort of mirroring image to the lilac fair, only evil. (Even in the Disney cartoon, it looks like she has some makeup on) Ha Ha The scenes that she is involved in - I say the more special effects the better. Thunder, Lightning, Wind, Smoke, Green Lights, etc etc etc. It should, in a way be a Halloween like scene. (Again, these are all my opnions, maybe I am nuts) A lot of times, in productions, and actually I have yet to see...Carabosse's death in Act II is not really understood (does she die?) I think there should be more of a dual scene between her and the prince rather than him just being able to slip by her and kiss the princess. I think there should be a well choreographed fight scene in which she uses some magic or something to try to stop him. Maybe something like in "The Phantom of the Opera," (the musical) Act II when the phantom uses pyrotechnics to try and harm Raoul. Also, I know that Act III can be technically called "Aurora's Wedding," but I wish there was some way that the story could actually be continued and not just be all over and spend a whole act on the wedding. If and when I produce a full lenth SB, hopefully someday :-), I am going to find a way to keep the story line going and yes, like Mel suggested, invite Carabosse, or even have her storm in at the end, to try one last time to ruin Aurora's life because of her bitterness about the invitation. I don't know, something though...Without totally changing the beauty of the third act divertisments, etc etc. As far as pointe / no pointe, I guess it depends. Pointe is good, but the female has to obviously be extremely technically talented and have superb acting skills. Even on pointe, the production can still use all the scary sets and props, along with lighting designs. Oh yeah that is another thing, I think she should have at least four attendants, these costumes need to be scary as well. Ok, enough for now... I can't sleep and I saw this thread so I thought I would write a bit. Goodnight!

Live: Boston Ballet Ballet Internationale Moscow State Ballet Video / DVD: Ballet Santiago De Chile (Bujones) Het Nationale Ballet Kirov Ballet The Royal Ballet

I just bought "Dancer's Dream, The Great Ballet's of Rudolf Nureyev." (Sleeping Beauty) It is very good, however I wish that there would be some more focuss on Carabosse. The backstage / rehearsal footage is very good and it would be a great video to show to any beginning ballet class (adult pref) or dance history class as it gives some history on the ballet, Petipa and Tchaikosvky. There is some beautiful videography from St. Petersburg. It is worth the $24.95 at Borders. Has anyone seen the "Raymonda" version? And, is there still a Sleeping Beauty full length DVD available from POB? (I know at some point there was)

Yes, I have this version as well (with Legris and Loudiers.) The dancing is very good, but I am not crazy about the choreography and production. Ah, too tired to go into detail now, but I would not reccommend this either. Try to find Paris Opera Ballet's Paquita or Don Quixote - these are both excellent!

Wow, I would really be curious to see this whole ballet. Is City Ballet the only company that does the whole thing?

Hey Ed, I have this DVD, maybe there is a way to burn the music. When I was in high school I did this because I really liked the music; I put it on a cassette tape though and have misplaced it somewhere. I hope your break is going well...

Thanks everyone! I have seen Miami City Ballet perform the "Elegie" section of this piece, but I have yet to see the waltz and scherzo. I have seen Theme and Variations a few times by ABT, Boston and Miami. When the whole suite is performed, do they keep one set or do they change it? I remember "Elegie" had a different set than "Theme..." did.

I have a question- Is the elegy, scherzo, waltz and theme and variations all put in the same ballet? I always thought that the ballet "Elegy" was a total seperate piece, and a totally different feel than Theme and Variations. How does this ballet work as a whole with all four parts? Do they change scenery / costumes? What exactly is it?

Thanks Mel!

Yeah, you asked me to get you the mariinsky version of the cd, but it is out on loan still. Did you end up getting a copy???

Thanks! So, who should get the credit for it afterall in a program, or does it matter?

i was wondering about that too, solor... i am still looking for my swan lake cd, did you ever get a copy of it???

I am pretty sure he didn't, but I may stand corrected. In a recent performance (of Nutcracker) program, it was noted that the Grand Pas De Deux was choreographed by Marius Petipa. Did he in fact choreograph a Nutcracker or even just the pas de deux??? The only version I have from Kirov is Vanomin's version (in which case the male variation is the same as I saw the other night.) But, I don't think I have seen a full length or rather any version of Nut... that credits Petipa.

No problem, any time!!!

ABT is doing it this year at the MET

I saw a version performed by Boston Ballet. It must have been February of 1995, actually yes it was, it was Valentines Day! The choreo and production was by Enrique Martinez... (sp?) But I really enjoyed it! It had some great scenery and special effects. I own the Vinogradof version and have mixed feelings on it.

There is a cd actually (and I am not sure if it is still in print,) I have it. It is called "Ballet Gala." It also has the ballets Etudes, La Sonumbla (Night Shadow,) Flower Festival Pas De Deux, and excerpts from Napoli. VRS is right though in that the tempo will be too fast but as you said, you can alter it. Unfortunately, it is at another address now so I wouldn't be able to get a copy to you until mid-January. I believe the label is "Sephrim." ???? Here is an amazon.com link to it. It is listed as Pas De Deux by Drigo. (but it is the Corsaire arrangement as heard in the ABT version and the Kirov version.) Hope this helps! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...459025?v=glance

great thanks!

Wow, thanks. Yeah I have seen it on the website as well. Do you know who wrote the music and what exactly the piece of music is called??? Would love to see it live also!

Oh, I have a question - Does anyone here know the name of the ballet that Sylve is seen dancing in her special feature section.? She is in a green tutu...

sounds interesting, do you know where I could get further information???

what is baden - baden? (sorry if this is a dumb question!)

I just got my dvd yesterday; I really enjoy it! Two good friends of mine are in it For me it is the best recording, quality of a Sleeping Beauty dvd / video I have seen yet. I like the thunder and lightning in the scenes with Caraboose. The pas de quatre in Act III is also nice, it has some good variations for the men, I particularily like the first male variation. I am not really crazy about the scenery in Act I, "The Spell." It is a little too orange for me. But, I recommend this dvd to everyone here at Ballet Alert, or at least to take a look at it. The special features with Sir Peter Wright and Sylve are interesting as well. One other thing I like is that a lot of the music in Act II was kept and restored. Some versions tend to cut this out. (When the prince gets to the palace to try and find Aurora.) Oooh, and I like the costumes too. I think that Caraboose's goblins costumes are cool! (creepy kind of)

I saw his Romeo and Juliet at Boston Ballet and remember loving it! I was only 10 years old... The sets and costumes were gorgeous as well!

VRS suggestion: "Classical Ballet Technique for the Male Dancer" by Tarasov, is a great, thorough book on pedagogue. I did a small study on pedagogue while in high school and used this book frequently as a reference point. It contains excellent information and is easy to read. You also learn about a lot of historical facts and historical figures in the ballet world. You can see my final report and notes if you want. :blush: