Barbara

FauxPas, I heartily agree! It was the most delightful evening. I love The Dream - I recently rewatched a 2007 video with much the same cast - and looked forward to seeing Hallberg in the Steifel role. I also agree that Hallberg seemed the teeniest bit off - somewhat wobbly in his slow solo yet still holds the stage with such authority. The Titania/Oberon ppd was exquistite. And who could possible outshine Cornejo as Puck - he simply blows everyone away. I look forward to hearing what others think of Siimkin in this role.

This was my first time seeing Birthday Offering and how much do I love Ashton's choreography here. Each ballerina solo showing off each one's personality. A little confusing looking for Kajiya and not finding her - I do think she danced in The Dream but maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps my favorite evening so far!

"Bolle danced yesterday Mats Ek Giselle in Naples. A selective injury."

Oh, I hope this is not the case and don't want to think this of Bolle. Could it be the Ek piece is less taxing than Bolle's remaining roles with ABT? I would hate to see the ABT schedule shaken up and Marcello doing double duty unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks again for your sleuthing, Ambonnay! The Sleeping Beauty clip was tantilizingly brief but the audience seemed to be very appreciative. This is really whetting my appetite for the Met Season.

Thanks Ambonnay - I've been wondering how Hallberg's debut at the Bolshoi was received. Have you heard any reports?

I enjoy reading the occasional tweet - but I was taken aback to read that Ms. Bouder tweets between acts. I would like to think that during a performance a dancer would be fully concentrating on the role or staying in character for a story ballet.

I think it's the namaste hand position from yoga. You see a lot of performers use this gesture - James Taylor and Sting, all the time.

Thanks, Helene. I recently was introduced to Guillaume's work during the King of the Dance tour and enjoyed it very much. I was interested to know more about him and have watched several videos on the NBC site. What a lovely young man, and clearly so in love with his fiance. She's a lucky girl!

Back to the subject of costumes. I have a pet peeve - too much frou frou on the shoulders and neck that shorten the line. Some of the skaters don't naturally possess a beautiful long neck/shoulder line but instead of helping to disguise this flaw with a v-line neck you will often see added business on the shoulder tops, or large collars or too much ornamentation on the neck. Even the choker-style neck pieces on Asada and Kim's costumes detracted from the overall line. Anyone agree?

I also was at the Sat evening and Sunday matinee performances. What a wonderful experience to see my favorite ABT dancers in this kind of program and be introduced to Cote and DeLuz. Definite favorites for me was the Petit pas de deux and Remanso. I don't know if Petit's piece was originally meant to be danced by two male dancers but it works beautifully this way and both casts I saw were exemplary - Hallberg/Matvienko and Gomes/Cote. It was especially effective because of the matched coloring of the two pairs and the intense connection I felt they all had with their partners in this role. Cote especially achieved simply beautiful lines.

I agree about Matvienko in Vestris. Having seen Barishnikov in this piece on tape, Matvienko simply does not have the acting chops. But it's a delightful piece and was a nice contrast to the other more intense solos. I was happy that the audience really showed appreciation for Hallberg's solo (given that it's less flashy than the other pieces) and he was rewarded with the only thrown bouquet at the Sun matinee. And I must admit I couldn't take my eyes off of the beautiful muscular form of Gomes in his solo.

Desmond Richardson without a doubt fills the stage with his presence. I've been wanting to see him dance on stage for many years and was not disappointed. I also thought he must be exceptionally tall until one day several years ago I happened to see him at the Italian embassy where we were both getting travel visas. Only then did I realize that he is short to average height. He was a definite audience favorite and garnered the most applause.

The Grand Finale was such fun and the dancers seemed to revel in it too. The audience on Sat was especially vociferous (me included), so much so that the Kings actually repeated the Finale. They seemed to be having as much fun as the audience. Interesting note - Richardson only did some of the final turns in the Finale on Sat and on Sun left the stage during that portion only to return for the final bows.

And yes, many many Russian attendees and lots of fur

Just wondering if any of the west coast BTers have seen Kings of the Dance and if so, would love to read their comments. I'm going Sat night/Sun matinee this weekend at City Center. I'm excited to see this group of dancers, which includes my ABT favorites, David Hallberg and Marcelo Gomes.

I don't post often, but I read the new posts every single day. I think I would go a little crazy if I didn't have my BT fix. Welcome back, Giannina!

Dream casting for ABT - Nina A and David Hallberg!

This is fabulous Ballet Fan, thanks! My tiny collection are videos taped from tv showings. I've been thinking of investing in a nice dvd collection; little by little over time. Your list will be a wonderful reference.

Wonderful! Look forward to more parts

Thank you Pamela for your translation! I must agree with the critic that Hallberg and Murphy often don't "click" with one another. I also certainly understand your comments about the cost of traveling for performances. I would love to see ABT's performances in Washington DC but cannot for the same reasons you state.

Just wondering if any BT posters in Sweden have seen David Hallberg performing there. If so, please post impressions.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

I've read (in Pointe maybe) about a way to stretch the upper hammies/groin area by placing the front leg on a chair and then somehow inching down below the parallel line. I may have the specifics of this wrong but you get the idea. What I wonder is once a dancer achieves this ultra stretched position if it's difficult to control the legs in order to keep a parallel line in a grand jete. I don't care for the look of this overstretched line either.

I heard a brief announcement last night on So You Think You Can Dance that dancers from ABT would be performing on their elimination show tonight. My guess is the dancers will consist of some of the talented soloists and corps members. Perhaps doing a section of the new Millepied piece? It seems that would fit into the tenor of the show.

With all the talk about Peter Martins less than stellar choreography I've often wondered: What do suppose the dancers feel when they're cast in his work? Do they feel as if they've drawn the short straw? It would be hard to show any dissatisfaction given that the choreographer is your boss. And yet they must need to totally commit to the piece and believe in it if they're to do work they're proud of. I know this is a rhetorical question. Just musing....

In the Millepied piece it was Leann Underwood in for Stella Abrera. I'm also going Friday evening at AFH and wonder if Stella will be replaced again.

This is so frustrating! I've had my Oct 4th Bard tickets for a long time hoping for a Hallberg performance and was delighted to see the casting for Other Dances. After waiting so long to post the Other Dances casting and then to change it overnight - why??? Of course I'm never sad to see Gomes!

Did anyone else think that Juan Martin del Potro could be the younger brother of Marcelo Gomes? In looks only, I can't attest for his dancing skills!

My heart is "a flutter" - you're a lucky woman!

I recall a documentary about the Paul Taylor company several years ago. They were performing somewhere on tour (Italy?) when suddenly mid-performance they lost the audio. The dancers kept on dancing without the music, didn't miss a beat, literally. I remember it being quite thrilling but of course it wasn't planned to be that way.

Another reason to admire Rachel Maddow - well done! Would that those in political power were listening.