Solnishka79

I'm not too sure-I tried GMs once while I was still dancing and found them very difficult to work with. I couldn't feel the floor through the box, couldn't get the shanks to bend where I wanted them to, other issues also. I wore them twice in rehearsals and put my Russian Pointes back on. I think they work well for some dancers but don't for others-mainly students. (I don't let any of my students wear them and nor do many of my other friends who instruct/direct schools.) I'm sure they are more comfortable to wear when performing day after day due to the wads of padding placed inside(like the Mariinsky right now) but they don't look good on some-mainly our blonde gymnast. The shoes tend to create a slim profile, something our higher arched dancers shouldn't worry about. But again, pointe shoes are subject to personal choice.

P.S. Thank you to everyone for your continued posts on the NYCC season! I wish I could have been there! I'm glad to hear about Big Red's triumphs and look forward to seeing her here in DC again soon.

Very, Very nice to see a young dancer perform this variation with control and precision. I am so tired of seeing this variation performed at competitions (or on youtube) as if it were a gymnastic exhibition with legs flailing, arms whacking, no placement, etc. It makes my eyes tired. Brava!

I will not be able to attend however two of my students are participating in the YAGP workshop and will attend the Gala. I have told them that they are to report all details of Natalia's performance to me..... and have been threatened with the punishment of a second year Vaganova class if they don't give me a perfect account! (They're 15 and 17, second year is soooooo slow.)

The Unmusical Gymnast/spokesmodel for Carefree Panty Liners at the last minute.

How perfectly described!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to watch too much of the junior/senior catagories as I was running around backstage and also because of the crazy power outage but what I did see was impressive. I saw a lot more of the pre competitive group from the audience than other groups and the winner of the Hope Award was very nice. She has the whole package (feet, turnout, extension, turns, and stage presence) and (if she keeps it up and doesn't burn out in a few years) will be in a major company someday.

I also love her books. She writes in a style that enables the reader to visualize her subject matter easily. If you like her, you'll also like Carolly Erickson. She writes both biographies (Her Marie Antoinette, Alexandra, and Josephine bios were wonderful!) as well as historical fiction. I recently read The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette and couldn't put it down. I used Erickson as a source when I wrote my thesis on the revolution of Russian ballet. (My professor was surprised to see her listed on my references; apparently they are friends)

I'm voting for simple t shirts and maybe lanyards. Start small-grow big.

I've not used Cafe Press myself but have heard positive things from others. I may use them this year; my Nutcracker shirts were outrageously priced last Dec!

I just checked the Kennedy Center's website and it looks like the Mariinsky will be bringing "Don Q." next season and the Bolshoi will be bringing the revamped "Corsaire". (I was still hoping for Raymonda from the Mariinsky but maybe 09-10....)

(I'm clapping because I'm excited to have them both here in the same season!) I'm really interested to see Corsaire!

Okay, this is going to sound completely lame. Yes, I do cry at the end of Romeo and Juliet, Manon, normal dark ballets. I also cry from beauty. My lameness-I always cry when the orchestra begins the opening overture. I have no clue why-I am moved by music normally but perhaps the music coupled with the anticipation of what I'm about to see just gets me. My husband always laughs at me while giving me tissues.

I've thought of a few more!

Sleeping Beauty Act II Vision Pas

Apollo

Agon pas de deux

In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated-think Sylvie

Satanella-for cuteness.

Les Sylphides was mentioned and I completely agree!

This is such an interesting topic and I'm sure all of us could keep going for months as we recall various pas

When Peasant Pas is part of the entertainment for the hunting party's visit (surprisingly it isn't always ), it makes just as much sense, IMO, as the national dances in Act III Swan Lake. And if you get a wonderful pair of dancers, ... I've seen a few Giselles where the PPdD was the high point of the night, and while that does not sound like a good thing, in some instances it was.

I actually like Peasant Pas but if it isn't in correct context (like the hunting party, etc.) it's like a random piece inserted. I think it would be a wonderful concert piece and it's a shame it's not used in that sense more often.

Does anyone have any recent info on one of my favorite ballerinas, Yulia Makhalina? I know she recently won a state award but what about her dancing? Coaching, retiring anytime soon, family??

I absolutely love Gamzatti and Solor in Bayadere as well as Nikiya/Solor in Shades. (I'm a big Bayadere fan-sorry!!) I also love the Balcony Scene pas from MacMillian.

My llllleeeeeeaaaaasssttttt favorite pas is Spectre de la Rose. I just can't stand the premise, the music, the costumes, the choreography. My vote for "most unnecessary pas" is Peasant Pas in Giselle.

Oh my. Isn't someone very full of herself.

I was just at YAGP in Philly last weekend with a few of my students and had the chance to see a few of the Rock students. Esteban was wonderful-it was amazing to see so much stage presence, fire, and technical ability in such a little guy. Sara Michelle Murawski did very well also and is doing a nice job of getting her lankiness under control. Overall, the Rock students were very strong and promising, nice performers. I would have liked to have seen more epaulement to complete the package.

Lezhnina

Sizova (Still gorgeous)

Karsavina

Fracci

Ferri

Whomever dances the third shade variation on The Kirov in London tape with Chenchikova. Wonder where she is now.

3rd shade is Olga Likhovskaya. I also wonder where she is now.

Sarafanov was very indulgent in the opium on Sunday.....

When I danced in Bayadere, our Solor drank-I guess opium toking is a bit too taboo...

I was just wondering....(and please move this thread around if it's clogging up space)...but those of you who have seen Somova live, knowing what you know about her capabilities and her style of dancing, if the Mariinsky toured with some more modern pieces, especially Forsythe, would Somova fit better into those? All I have seen is her Rose Adiago so I don't really know what she's suited for.

Also, is Makhalina retired? I've seen bits and pieces of her dancing, and I've just fallen in love with it. Beautiful extensions AND art!

Although I thought Somova did perform Nikiya well, I do think that she'd be absolutely wonderful in Forsythe or Balanchine. Maybe even some Roland Petit. She reminds me of a "Balanchine" dancer-super long, super thin, super flexible, with angularity.

She is considered a "classicist"? I shall use my husband's ballet class favorite retort, "If she is classicist, I am tri-angle."

Makhalina is one of my all time favorites and so beautiful. I'd love to see her one last time on tour before she retires. Please, please, please!!

I also vote for Raymonda as the next installment in the annual Kirov-Mariinsky visits to the Kennedy Center. However, let's not get our hopes up too high; the K-M has not toured this production in-full since the 1960s or so. The presents sets are incredibly frail, though the costumes have been refurbished. The miracle is that they'll be performing Act III at City Center this April.

I have a strong suspicion that we may be getting Don Quixote next year -- huge popular fave of the Kennedy Center, which was last performed by the Bolshoi in the 2006/07 season...and it usually makes an appearance every other year on this stage...and we have yet to see the Kirov version in DC, after all of these years of annual tours.

Also, the Kennedy Center is getting its first complete Raymonda in 20-odd years next month, when the New National Theater Ballet of Tokyo presents what is, in essence, the Kirov-Mariinsky/Petipa-K. Sergeyev version, with a few little changes. I doubt that the Kennedy Center would program two Raymondas , in same K. Sergeyev version, on consecutive years. But we can dream & hope.

If not Raymonda, then how about Flora's Awakening as part of a triple bill (which would alternate with a full-evening ballet)? This would, in part, make-up for Flora having been promised, then yanked from, the upcoming New York/City Center tour.

I'd like to see Don Q. as I missed the Bolshoi last year. (Sniff-Osipenko). Please no Somova as Kitri...I'd like to see Obraztsova. She's so cute and adorable, I'm sure she'd be a lovely spanish coquette. Flora would also be a nice change from the norm.

These reviews are making me wonder if I should give Somova another chance. Note I only say 'wonder'.... hmmm.

Hopefully no long fingernails as Nikiya....

I also did not notice the long daggers. I'd like to see her in a few more roles before I make up my mind. And I agree with Natalia-she is 22 yrs old. Look at another 22/23 year old, Obraztsova. She is divine and supreme in her classical presentations. I never have to worry when I see her cast in a role like I do with Somova.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I would love to see Lopatkina as the title role.....could we coax Makhalina? (I never had the chance to see her live and would love to see her before she completely retires.) Tereshkina would also be impressive with those exotic looks and commanding presence. I'll never forget her Myrtha.

Bayadere is my favorite classical ballet and the Kirov is my favorite classical ballet company. I must say that I absolutely enjoyed the performance this afternoon (Sun. 1:30). The corps were supurb despite being exhausted by now, I'm sure. Just impeccable-each foot exactly placed, heads just so, arms on the same lines, legs at the same degree. Who can compare?

Now to the main roles. Sarafanov. A master technician, he soared and wowed the audience. If he were in a boy band, he'd be as popular as Justin Timberlake with those cute looks. (I had a little elderly lady next to me that "aaahhhed" at everything he did. Starting from when he walked on...it was amusing at first and then old by Act III) His double assembles entournant were absolutely amazing-he actually assembled his legs in a moment of suspension and then turned! Even my husband was impressed. (A retired Russian dancer himself, he is more critical of male dancers than me) Sometimes I felt that he did too much technique. Act II for example. His grand pirouettes were going well, he threw in a few repeated double tours, slipped, and then messed up his final pirouettes. It didn't go with the music-was it really necessary?

Alina. She actually did better than I expected her to. Her back and arms were very expressive. She and Sarafanov had almost a school crush sort of pas de deux in Act I. Her extensions were fairly controlled throughout Act I and Act II (there were even a few 45 degree arabesques....wow...) In Act III, there were moments of uncoordination and angularity of arms. She is just so tall and long. She is maturing and maybe in a few years will reach a maturity that will make each performance shine. Maybe if she were coached by an old-school Vaganova/Kirov mentor instead of Perm Chenchikova.... Anyways, I was impressed with her growth and enjoyed her performance over all.

Osmolkina was very regal and aristocratic and very well cast as Gamzatti. She danced very cleanly and braved the super slow tempo of her variation. I'd like to see her as Odette/Odile.

The Shades were wonderful! Novikova seemed to be having a rough day-she seemed heavy and slightly spastic in her variation. I'm sure she's exahausted. Kondaurova was sublime. So smooth, so silky. She had the most expressive epaulement of the three.

The Grand Pas was also very good. Did anyone else notice Androssova today? She seemed like something was wrong-maybe she wasn't feeling well or something. She didn't smile the whole time and almost seemed to be going through the motions.

Another great moment for me was seeing Tatiana Terekhova in the audience just rows from me! I grew up idolizing her and was so happy to see her in person.!

Bravo to everyone onstage tonight! Now they can all go home and rest a bit after this greuling week of performing one of the toughest ballets in classical repertoire. What's next??? How about Raymonda or a Gala?

Unfortunately, I will be submitted to Somova's Bayadere. Bayadere is my all time favorite "Petipa" ballet-this should prove to be an interesting experience. At least the corps will be worth the ticket money. I saw an open dress rehearsal of Nutcracker a few years back at the Kennedy Center and have vivid memories of Vasiev yelling over the microphone repeatedly, "Alina! Line! Somova get in line!". I am excited about seeing Sarafanov and Osmolkina.

Do you know if they'd have a dress rehearsal this year? it would be so nice ;-))

... and I am happy, I'll be going on Tuesday, Wdn, Thusday, hopeful that they still stick to the announced cast, Vishneva, Lopatkina, Nioradze, and my favorite Fadeev twice....

I haven't heard anything about an open dress rehearsal but perhaps a phone call to the Kennedy Center could rectify that. I really enjoy dress rehearsals more than performance; as a retired dancer, I love the "behind the scenes" aspect. Some of my students are also attending the Somova performance and I'm hoping that they don't start idolizing her. I did check out her youtube Bayadere and it was nowhere near as bad as her Sleeping Beauty. Maybe there is hope!

I'd love to see Lopatkina and Vishneva. Fadeyev was wonderful in "Giselle" a few years back.

Has anyone heard any hints on next years' tour? What production?

Unfortunately, I will be submitted to Somova's Bayadere. Bayadere is my all time favorite "Petipa" ballet-this should prove to be an interesting experience. At least the corps will be worth the ticket money. I saw an open dress rehearsal of Nutcracker a few years back at the Kennedy Center and have vivid memories of Vasiev yelling over the microphone repeatedly, "Alina! Line! Somova get in line!". I am excited about seeing Sarafanov and Osmolkina.

Hi everyone!! After browsing BT for several years, I've finally registered. Sorry, I'm a slacker. I'm a retired ballet dancer-retired due to baby and severe scoliosis (and wanted to finish my college degree). Now my hubby (a ballet dancer from Russia also now retired) and I have opened our own ballet school in Va. We love it! I'm a Maryiinsky Ballet fanatic! I'm happy to be a member now and talk about ballet with other balletomanes!