Juliet

Romeo and Juliet costumes--the production is Boston Ballet's....I haven't seen the whole yet, but I was wonderfully impressed with the bit I saw on Tuesday night of the ball scene. The Juliet nightdress is dreadful..../ nasty shift, unadorned, badly cut skirt. Jason Hartley did Mercutio in the ballroom scene. More when I see it!

I am delighted to note the new sets and costumes!

She taught company class at ABT today. Very glad to see this......

Yes, he is back with Washington Ballet for Romeo and Juliet. Casting has not yet been released.

Of course, if you want to read it before you buy it, it is readily available through your library. Libraries have interlibrary loan service available if they don't own a title, just ask about it. That's how I read it. I am not rushing out to add it to my collection, but I'm very happy that it's now more readily available.

It wasn't budget-priced in Annapolis. (Not much in Annapolis is budget priced!!!) It was relatively simple (yep, hamster wheels.....), lots of unitards as bases and suggestion rather than miles of handwork in the costuming, Queen Mab seen as Figure of Discord/Evil by those who did not recognize her as Mab, strong and lithe bodies and beautiful music----what's not to like? Naivete and youth are good things in an audience, especially for R & J---a great introduction for many, I think. in any case, it was certainly successful!

This was here on Tuesday at the USNA.......all I have to say is that the costumes were beautifully conceived and constructed and that the audience absolutely loved, loved, loved it. Lots of young people and those who had never attended a ballet before. Go figure. The dancers were very, very, very young (except for the man who gamboled as Nurse.)They gave it their all.

"Thanks, treefrog...I am from San Francisco, " Point of info., for those who may not be aware of the existence of the San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum (www.sfpalm.org)--it is definitely worth a visit!!! I assume, Gina, that you've already given them first crack at your collection (aside from the Hartley drawings)? I'd also suggest universities in the area, as well as contacting San Francisco Ballet. Frequently companies have some archival holdings, as well. "...so some of the programs are from performances of major companies at the War Memorial Opera House. Does this make a difference for archival collections...that they want material specific to their location? " Not always, but a local emphasis is obvious for many smaller collections. If you are not particularly interested in keeping the collection intact, there is always eBay. (Librarians love eBay!!!) "P.S. One of my main teachers of my youth, Alan Howard, was from the Chicago area. He passed away in 2003 and I'm certain he must have donated his collection somewhere in that area. I wonder if it was where you suggested?" I would imagine either the Newbery Library, Chicago Public, or a college which would have the wherewithal to store and preserve the collection---not an easy feat in this current climate of electronic information.....

"art as a higher calling in life. Something that people can love and relate to, even if it's three times in one lifetime. What a gift." What a lovely way to phrase it....and it gave me something to think about this morning. Thank you. I enjoyed reading your impressions--agree that T & V was an odd choice for the venue, but glad that you could grasp something of the spectacle even in rush hour!

Also keep in mind that the Opera House is a relatively small house--even last row of second tier is close, by my standards......If I have to go last minute, I always ask for second tier on the sides anad those seats are perfectly acceptable---especially for these large scale ballets.... Go to both.

I saw SVC last weekend, and while the leads did not seem to have Balanchine in their bones, overall it was v. good. I am hoping that tonight will be better and that the performances all weekend will be steely, tensile .....I always picture this work as the cables on a bridge..... Looking forward to seeing the rest of the program ....I would not advise Rite for younger audience members, frankly. The immediacy of the depiction and subject matter might be rather disturbing. Septime Webre has openly stated this and I hope that parents will heed. The sight of men in dance belts is not the issue, here. The weather tonight here will not keep the audience away for the premieres, I hope......it is unfortunate that snowstorms always strike on weekends during ballet season---how inconvenient for us!!!

Yes, I remember this thread--we got quite involved!!!

Wilis are spirits of women who have been betrayed by their lovers before their wedding day. They are not gentle sprits, but vengeful ones. Their very unearthliness, with no room for compassion for their unfortunate male victims makes them even more interesting. The most chilling Wilis I have seen are portrayed by the Kirov/Maryinsky Ballet. Their turning, one by one, to swifty consign Hilarion to the lake is guaranteed to make one shudder. Myrthe, their queen, is implacable when Giselle pleads for the life of her love, Albrecht....when this role is done appropriately it is immensely powerful and a great vehicle for a strong and dramatic dancer.

I must have been at a different performance ...... Yes, Ferri is not the same technnically that she was 15 years ago, but I thought her performance very, very fine nonetheless. She and Bocca have been doing these roles for a while and they have worked out so many bits of stagecraft and involvement together that I found myself seeing new things, especially in the first act. They are shaping the movement differently and not going for the whizbang technical fireworks......I thought the interplay and tenderness between them very touching. Yes, this is a tired and dated production --especially the first act. I keep hoping, year after year, for it to improve, but that splintery cart is still unadorned and poor Giselle's Harvest Queen wreath looks like a dusty reject from the clearance bin. I must single out Susan Jones' performance as Berthe--she took a small part and rounded it out so it was a real character, a mother. Her mime was excellent, and her acting as well--I haven't seen anyone as good in years. Anna Liceica was lovely in her Bathilde garb and gave the proper flounce to her departure after the public betrayal by Albrecht. Bocca was better than I expected him to be--I haven't seen him do this role for at least ten years and have gotten used to his firecracker exploits, rather than a more romantic role. I felt the interplay between him and Ferri quite interesting in the first act--especially her still going toward him at the last moment when her heart is broken.....I thought they were very much connected-- And Ferri....this was a generous, generous performance, Yes, she is expansive in her upper body, and I love her strong acting....(the feet I find beautiful, frankly.) Her second act was not filled with quicksilver footwork, shall we say, but the purity and spiritual nature was immediately evident--she was light as thistledown (and Bocca is a great partner here); she is a dramatic artist and I find this one of her best roles. Veronica Part. I have not seen anythiing over the years that she's been at ABT to equal her performances when she was with the Kirov. I was IMMENSELY disappointed in her Myrthe last night. She couln't hold a balance, her arabesques were sketchy, upper and lower body disjointed, the power and spookiness of the role were completely, utterly absent. And this from a dancer whose training and first company have Giselle in their heritage more than any other company? I am sorry, but I kept wanting to appreciate her in this role, but evidently she was having an off night or I was on another planet. I so much wish that Meunier could pare down--she outdanced everyone, even in the minor Moyna role (what a a jump) and would have ground Hilarion and Albrecht into the swamp as Myrthe. Tired, faded first act. Good corps, however, in both. Boring production.....better than the San Francisco one, however that has all the first act women in brown headscarves over their Wili hair.....it is like a convention of washerwomen.

Going tomorrow--anyone else?

Soloists: Tess Reichlen, Daniel Ullbricht, Adam Hendrickson Principals: Ashley Bouder, Megan Fairchild, Janie Taylor, Joaquin de Luz, Stephen Hanna a toast to all of them for their artistry and hard work! May they stay healthy and grace us with many more years of wonderful dancing!!!! Eight cheers!!!!!!!!!!

I think we all share in our gratitude to Alexand4ra for the work she put into establishing and maintaining this clearinghouse for us all. I hope to remain involved (slightly more than I have been able to in the last year) and know that we will all work to make this a site for lively discussion, timely and pertinent information, and thoughtful and considerate discourse. Here's to the future!

Ooooooh, this is interestiing! Keep going! I agree about Ballet Imperial, though--I'd prefer to see that....Much as I love Vishnyova in that, I am not particularly enamoured by the rest of the kirov presentation of this. It is still a piece and style that is not worn comfortably--I don't go to the Kirov to see Balanchine. There is so much more in their repertory which I would prefer to see them performing.

It was charming, and a nice change from Candy Canes every year. The trepak music was familiar, jaunty, and the use of all the different characters nice for children watching the parade to identify.

They are so lucky to have him....... Yes, he teaches the Adv. Men's class at SAB, and I am sure some reshuffling will occur..... So sad, but happy for his good fortune.......

Great news! All good wishes to them both--

I'm with Farrell Fan on this one. Not to disparage others who liked it, however!!! I like your description, FF

There's a Cafe Rouge nearby (well, there are Cafe Rouges nearby everything) and it is quick, not too costly (for London) and you'll see lots of dancers, if that's a criterion. Ballerina is nice for after a show--I don't generally eat too much beforehand...there are plenty of stalls and quick places to grab a quick bite, though.

Not to mention La Sylphide next March, don't forget!!!! and there's a good Balanchine program coming up....... there are TONS of good places to get food around the theatre district, quick and relatively inexpensive. I find it a wonderful place to wander....and there is always The Pink Slipper sign on a side street which I gave high marks for Special! (No, not pink slipper as in ballet.... )

Rasta will be dancing Albrecht for the Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday night performances. Giselle for those shows will be Michelle Jimenez. Of interest to DTH fans, Duncan Cooper will do Hilarion on Saturday night. Another favourite of mine, Jonathan Jordan, will do peasant pdd on Wed., Thurs, Saturday and Albrecht for the Sunday matinee. And a very young and beautiful dancer, Kara Cooper, will do peasant pdd on Sunday. Watch for her in future.......