BW

I learn about things that I'd never have known about - especially in such a timely manner.

I don't think there could be an unflattering answer. I'm The GashlyCrumb Tinies.

Cricket, if you have a chance tell us how everything worked out from attire to ballet.

Wow! It's about time. :flowers: I can guarantee this will be THE most crowded audition in Manhattan's history to date. One day, folks. Of course, the only downside is that it's prime Nutcracker season and many students may be away at their year round programs. On a more controlled note: Nevertheless, three cheers for this program, long may it wave and grow into a full fledged school.

Joanna, I'd think you might be very interested in this "thread" about Ballet in Warsaw. Click on that link and it will take you there.

Amen! I am going to go out on a limb and say that I just can't stand it that they seem to do the same ballets over and over without interspersing some "new" old classics. I've gotten a major barrage from ABT's subscription department practically begging me to subscribe for the Spring season...with all sorts of bribes. I tried politely to explain that I couldn't possibly subscribe without knowing what the ballets were (at this time they were not published), and then I tried, again politely, to 'just say "No" - but alas I was not direct enough. My fault, I guess. But I'm with you carbo on Les Sylphides. :yes:

Witać! :mondieu: I hope I got that right, Joanna.

Very glad you found your way here and I appreciate your taking the time to respond to this thread. I hope you've checked out the main website of as well. There are two publications that are put out that are well worth the modest investment.Ballet Alert!. Again, welcome.

I haven't looked into this thread in a while...but since I've been touting Lew Christensen's "Con Amore" on another thread, I thought I'd venture back in here. djb, talked about Christensen's "Beauty and the Beast" on that other thread and I started to imagine how fascinating it must have been...thinking along the lines of Cocteau's film version... And the thought struck me that I did like story ballets but just got tired of the same ones season after season... Don't misunderstand, even though I've seen Swan Lake (albeit the ABT version) a number of times, I still do like it... I'd love to see Giselle and Les Sylphides again...but one can get burned out on the same stories, or at least I can. So I cast my vote for some new stories - or revivals of some well done story ballets that haven't been seen in a while. If only we could drop our suggestions into the big suggestion box in the sky. :nopity: :angelnot:

djb, I'm sorry I hadn't seen your earlier post about being a student at SFB and Christensen's "Beauty and the Beast" . Your description of the ballet makes me really wish I could see it - preferably in real life, as opposed to a video tape. And, by the way, I don't blame you for wanting to be a marmoset as I'm sure they were very cute. The website Alexandra posted has quite a bit of information on it. I plan to go back to it and to try to find out about the books that you mentioned Alexandra. The pile by my bedside is growing ever taller. Christensen was obviously highly favored for much of his life, if not all of it. Do you ever think of choreographers to be like fashion designers - in the sense that what was once in, goes out and then comes back in again? It really is too bad that we can't have an online Ballet Alert! History of Ballet class - for a fee of course. It really would be something I'd love to take. I know we've had a thread or two about this sort of thing... I think I'll be putting in on my Christmas Wish List. :yes:

Thanks Alexandra - what a great site! I didn't even think of looking on the Internet. :rolleyes: sandik, if you go to the site Alexandra posted, you'll find a wealth of information along with some great photos. I have to say that the more I read, the more interested I'm becoming. There is a listing of recent performances and some billed as "upcoming" ...perhaps we'll see some performed over here on the East coast sometime in the future. Alexandra, why did Christensen become a "lost choreographer"? When I read his biography on that site, I can't understand it. Kirstein apparently envisioned Christensen as taking over NYCB after Balanchine...but, of course, Christensen had moved to SFB by then... Hmm, I wonder if there's a book about him - or if there will be?

Thanks Mel, I knew you wouldn't fail me. I loved it - hope to see it again, too.

Oh, Giannina, what a wonderfully full ballet life you've had. Did anyone see his Beauty and The Beast? Just wondering what that was like.

Yes, they did the whole thing - the Amazons (dressed as female soldiers, romantic tutu with green and gold soldier jackets, guns, swords, and a pistol or two), the attractive young thief - everyone's heart throb... Scene II The unfaithful "Mistress" her husband and the three suitors and finally Scene III with Cupid and the whole cast. Thanks Mme. Hermine, I bet the performances you saw were great, too. I wonder why it's not performed more often?

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a program put on by the Barnard College Department of Dance. Specifically, I wanted to ask about both Lew Christensen and his "Con Amore" - and say from the outset that not only I, but the whole audience, really enjoyed this performance last night. It was staged by Virginia Johnson and the Rehearsal Director was Barbara Sandonato. Music by Gioacchhino Rossini; libretto by James Graham-Lujan. In this case the costumes and background were courtesy of Boca Raton Ballet. If you're not familiar with this ballet - it's really a slap stick comedy with classical dancing. Very funny and apaprently "patterned after the Opera Buffa made popular by Rossini" - is this ever performed anywhere anymore? It should be - it's a fantastic introduction to the nonballet audience because it's fast moving, both witty and funny, pokes fun at itself (ballet in general) and has great dancing. Very entertaining. The cast last night did a great job - all but two dancers were Barnard dance students. Guests were Ted Thomas, currently one of their Artists in Residence and Michael Patterson an apprentice with Pennsylvania Ballet. The program's notes about Mr. Christensen were a really well done. What an interesting and impressive background Christensen had. Are other works of his performed, if not this one? Mel, and others, I'm counting on you for some comments here!

Oh, vagansmom - what a perfectly wonderful post! I'm laughing even now as I'm typing! You're so much more honest than I in your memories - I thought it was pretty stilted, too and oh those pointe shoes clopping! :rolleyes: Fortunately, I went back again!

Balletmom, I think you've expressed yourself very well indeed and I love the story about your being entranced in the wings. Cliff, Marianna, Garyecht, Jaana, Mel, Paul - everyone, from psavola on who has posted has brought something different to the table. You've all gotten me thinking about what impressed me most initially and what my experiences are like now, as an audience member. For me, it was the big picture - music, sets, lights, action, costumes and faces. I wouldn't have truly known if someone was truly a good dancer or not. It was all in the feeling for me - my feelings, that is. I want to become not just unaware of my "own worries and troubles" but unaware of anything else around me when I'm watching a ballet.

Yes, good topic. For me, because I don't have a baker's dozen of ballet years under my belt, I think my second thoughts have been more due to what companies I've seen perform the same ballets. As in say, ABT and NYCB performing Symphony in C... Didn't love ABT's at City Center a few years ago - I liked it but it wasn't a revelation or anything... But I felt as though I'd had an epiphany when I saw the NYCB perform it at the New York State Theatre. Was mesmerized by the Bolshoi's Kingdom of the Shades, but could hardly sit through ABT's in their most recent production of La Bayadere....though I would have given my soul to Alina Cojocaru! The more ballet performances I attend - and the more different companies I have the chance to see, the more I feel I'm able to really "see", if you know what I mean. I'd also have to guess that some of the "likes" or "dislkes" on first or second blush, are in part a matter of taste.

Thanks Alexandra, I'd seen this topic but hadn't read it yet. Now I have subscribed to it. :yes:

Well, I'm glad my post helped, FF. But I'm even happier to learn Ms. Farrell had only one hip replacement at that time!!

Just wondering if anyone out there in Ballet Talk land has any plans in the works for this season, where you live or where you might be traveling...? Thus far, I've had the good fortune to see Suzanne Farrell's company when the made a stop in Brooklyn, NY...and then caught ABT's Master Works program last Wednesday. Had hoped to make it to Pennsylvania Ballet's Dracula but got waylaid. Next on my agenda is a series at NYCB. That's something I know I'm going to attend - though one never knows for sure if one might have to tinker a bit with the exact dates. ;) I also plan on taking a road trip to see Washington Ballet after Christmas sometime... Ballet NYC is another definite in January at Symphony Space..and then I'm 100% sure that we'll be heading on down to Philadelphia for Christopher Wheeldon's Swan Lake with the Pennsylvania Ballet...come hell or high water! What about you - are you a planner or more spontaneous in your activities?

Another revival - it must be the full moon.

Just doing a bit of digging tonight and thought I'd bring this one up for air.

Glad you found your way here too, Adrienne. Ballet Talk's software has gone through a number of incarnations since its birth...and, though I haven't been around since the beginning, I agree this board is set up very well. It makes a huge difference if you're really interested in finding things and following threads - the advanced search function is especially helpful.

OK, cricket - we're all waiting to hear: 1. How you all felt about the performance? 2. And what the kids wore!!?!?!!??? I'm guessing that we'll hear back from you in a few days after you've fully recovered.