ksk04

Please forgive my REALLY somewhat huffy-nose in the air observation...but I can't seem to shake this impression...Orange County is not known as a prominent ballet center. And dancers along with their companies..know this. To risk injury in a obscure venue...... The Bolshois were in So. Cal. earlier this year and I was going to go..but two of the dancers I would consider seeing....cancelled.

Well, no, Orange County is not exactly the dance hotbed of the world, but the Center has drawn big acts here for many years - compared to most places in the US we have been fairly lucky to see almost every year ABT, the Bolshoi or the Mariinsky, and other big companies (the Royal, BNC, etc). However, I think a change must have been made in whoever runs the dance bookings...the seasons have definitely changed direction over the course of the last two years and I think that almost certainly ties in with their apparently cozy association with Ardani Artists (beginning with the Kings of Dance and Diana Vishneva's Beauty in Motion).

Also re: Bolshoi dancers not appearing, Zakharova had a hip injury and Alexandrova had a family emergency preventing their appearances - I think it would be quite rare to find a dancer so smug they would refuse leading performances like that especially when they both have appeared at the Center previously, numerous times. To suggest otherwise is implying Zakharova and Alexandrova are extremely unprofessional, and they are not.

Seriously! I want to ask why they are calling it the 2010-2011 season if there are no actual dates in 2010.

And, really, where is ABT? I was almost certain they had an agreement with them for yearly performances, I can't imagine what would have changed that. I hope the (somewhat) poor selling Giselle run didn't make either party get cold feet.

Helene makes an excellent observation.

Martin's does love to give his dancers high profile, rah rah send-offs. Whether it comes from a genuine respect and admiration for his dancers or from a desire to sell more tickets is unknown. I personally believe it's a little of both.

I do think it's nice to give these retiring dancers their gala, but it does diminish the overall impact of them if to use Arlene Croce's term "utility dancers" get the same treatment as icons such as Farrell and McBride.

It would seem like pressure would come from ABT, no? Kevin McKenzie does great farewell performances for his principals but their rep and star system are more tailor made for this type of thing, when a ballerina can pick Giselle or Romeo & Juliet as their big farewell, but have it still flow seamlessly with the rest of the season. Maybe it's because I am not a NYCB watcher (I don't live in NYC) but it seems like a bit of a bigger mess to create a farewell performance from a triple bill that has to fit within the predetermined programs (up until earlier this week wasn't Phillip Neal supposed to retire with Call me Ben on his farewell program, which pretty much everyone seems to hate??).

I hope they tour with this! You guys are making it sound even more enticing than I already thought it was.

I found this on the Ardani Artists page, I don't believe OCPAC has put out a release of their own yet.

Center’s International Dance Series Features Leading Companies and Artists in Exclusive Engagements and

World and American Premieres

Season features world premiere collaboration with Bolshoi Ballet, first visit by legendary Royal Danish Ballet in 15 years and world’s leading dance stars in Tour de Force II.

Plus the return of Tango Buenos Aires, Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg and Alicia Alonso’s National Ballet of Cuba

COSTA MESA, CA – The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s 2011 Dance Series will feature five acclaimed companies, each the definitive interpreter of its unique style of dance, in an unrivaled season that includes World and American Premieres, exclusive engagements and prestigious productions created by the Center.

The season opens with the passion and precision of Tango from the world's most acclaimed and authentic tango company, Tango Buenos Aires. In a world premiere collaboration with the Bolshoi Ballet, Reflections will showcase the latest generation of phenomenal talent from the legendary Bolshoi. The famed Royal Danish Ballet, the place where the Bournonville style was born and continues to flourish, will offer the lightness, grace and elegance that are the hallmarks of this great tradition. With the National Ballet of Cuba we see how the legacy of the great prima ballerina Alicia Alonzo lives on with her perfectly-trained company from Havana and its uniquely Cuban style of ballet. The inventive imagination of Boris Eifman is brought to life by the extraordinary company of dazzlingly dramatic dancers he has created in the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg.

After the spectacular success of the inaugural Tour de Force in 2009, the Center will produce an entirely new dance gala with Tour de Force II. It will be a one-night-only celebration of unrivaled artistry to thrill dance fans.

The Center’s 2010-2011 International Dance Series is made possible by The Audrey Steele Burnand Endowed Fund for Dance with additional support from Jane and Jim Driscoll and the Segerstrom Foundation Endowment for Great Performances.

2010 – 2011 International Dance Series

______________________________________________________________________

Tango Buenos Aires

January 14 – 16, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

Tango Buenos Aires has become one of Argentina’s greatest cultural treasures, known throughout the Americas, Europe and the Far East as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango. With rapid rhythms and flawless synchronization, leading dancers and musicians from Argentina trace the history of this sultry and invigorating art form in an intoxicating program titled “Fire and Passion of Tango.” The Washington Post raves, “DAZZLING…the dancers boast skill and attitude in equal measure; and the musicians rock.”

The Fire and Passion of Tango – An insider’s look at the evolution of Tango

Reflections – Bolshoi Ballet Partnership| World premiere

January 20 – 23, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

Center audiences have seen the Bolshoi dancers ignite the stage before, but they have never seen them like this. Reflections will showcase the unrivaled Bolshoi artistry like never before. The Center partners with the famed Bolshoi Ballet to continue its tradition of presenting world premiere dance events that showcase today’s most acclaimed dancers and choreographers. The Center is proud to present Bolshoi-trained dancers Maria Kochetkova of the San Francisco Ballet, Yekaterina Krysanova, Natalia Osipova and Yekaterina Shipulina of the Bolshoi Ballet, Olga Malinovskaya of the Ballet Estonia and Polina Semionova of the Berlin Staatsoper Ballet plus special guest appearances by Bolshoi stars Alexander Volchkov, Viacheslav Lopatin, Denis Savin and Ivan Vasiliev. World premiere pieces will be created for this dance event by famed choreographers Mauro Bigonzetti, Wayne McGregor, Karole Armitage, Lucinda Childs and Yury Possokhov. The program also features works by Nacho Duato, Susan Marshall and George Balanchine.

Part I – Remansos by Nacho Duato

Part II – works by Karole Armitage*, George Balanchine, Aszure Barton, Lucinda Childes*, Wayne McGregor*, Susan Marshall, Wayne McGregor*, Yury Possokhov*

Part III – FIVE by Mauro Bigonzetti*

* = world premiere

Co-production by the Orange County Performing Arts Center and The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia in association with Ardani Artists.

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg | Southern California Premiere

April 26 – 29, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

For its sixth visit to the Center, the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg returns with the Southern California premiere of the company’s Don Quixote. Artistic Director and Choreographer Boris Eifman is known for creating original dance and theatrical adventures, utilizing classical ballet infused with the spirit of contemporary choreography. Eifman has added new twists and inventive takes to Don Quixote,which is based on an episode from Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. The Los Angeles Times calls Boris Eifman’s creations “dynamic, theatrical, visionary works that delve into characters’ lives in the most exciting, probing, titillating, and wondrous ways.”

Don Quixote - Boris Eifman takes a new look at this most famous Russian ballet

Royal Danish Ballet| Exclusive Southern California Engagement - 5 American Premieres!

May 24, 25, 27 – 29, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

For the first time in 15 years, the Royal Danish Ballet returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Under the helm of its new artistic director, Nicolaj Hübbe, the Company will bring five American premieres created for the Royal Danish by renowned Nordic choreographers Kim Brandstrup, Johan Kobborg, Pontus Linberg and Jorma Uotinen as well as a beautiful new production of Napoli byHübbe. With a revered history dating back to 1748, the Company is steeped in the great dance tradition and style of August Bournonville, but as it heads into the future, it is taking a fresh and bold approach to the classics. Dance magazine proclaimed Hübbe’s new production of Napoli, which received its American premiere at the Center, “a TRIUMPH!”

Program I: May 24, 25

Nordic Choreography Project – A unique program of new works created by four great Nordic choreographers: Kim Brandstrup, Johan Kobborg, Pontus Linberg and Jorma Uotinen

Program II: May 27-29

Napoli - The company performs one of August Bournonville’s most beloved comic ballets in a brand new production by artistic director Nicolaj Hübbe

National Ballet of Cuba

June 14 – 19, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

In its two previous appearances at the Center, this remarkable, internationally acclaimed company dazzled audiences. The National Ballet of Cuba returns with a special program called The Magic of Dance, with beloved scenes from classic works that include Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty and more. Founded by legendary prima ballerina Alicia Alonso, the Company has produced many of the world’s greatest dancers noted for their virtuosity and charm. “Brilliant dancers seem to be the norm in the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, which regularly produces international stars,” notes The New York Times.

The Magic of Dance - Classic scenes from Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty and more.

Bonus Event

______________________________________________________________________

Tour de Force II

April 28, 2011 in Segerstrom Hall

Tour de Force II follows in the illustrious footsteps of the inaugural Tour de Force in 2009. This gala evening of spectacular dance features some of the world’s reigning dance superstars performing a program of beloved classics and contemporary works. The Orange County Register called Tour de Force “an effervescent evening of unforgettable excellence” and “… on a scale of 1 to 10, Tour de Force easily rates an 11.” Tour de Force II will be another evening of astonishing dance and an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Artists scheduled to perform include Bernice Coppieters, Natalia Osipova, Tiler Peck, Polina Semionova,

Diana Vishneva, Guillaume Cote, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Joaquin De Luz, Giuseppe Picone,

Gil Roman, Ivan Vasiliev and special guest Savion Glover. Plus members of the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg and Cirque de Krakatuk.

Why, oh, why another run of another version of Don Quixote?!?!

I'm a little perturbed by the absence of ABT (I can't remember last time they were excluded from a season) and the Mariinksy (usually the Bolshoi and Mariinsky switch off years and this would be the Mariinsky's year on). Maybe they will be included in the full release from OCPAC and these are only the people associated with Ardani Artists. I was also hoping for La Sylphide from the RDB, but oh well.

It took ABT too many years to give Herman Cornejo the part of Basilio but there was a lot of competition. Frankly, I think that Sascha Radetsky and Daniil Simkin (who has done the role) are the more appropriate choices for Basilio.

Sascha went back to the Dutch Nat'l Ballet this year and danced Basil in Ratmansky's production for them, so he has also done it. I mean no offense to Cory, but it seems ridiculous to have him debut in almost every major male role in the same season - especially when, at ABT, the heft of the season is not spread out very well. I think Kevin is doing himself a disservice by not exploiting the male talent better. He got lucky with the last generation of guys - they would have been stars no matter how he developed their talent, but it won't always be that way.

Also there's no reason why Sarah Lane couldn't dance Kitri with either Daniil or Herman.

Isn't T&V on for the Royal next year too? Did Kevin forget to check the schedules again!?

Announced today:

Ballet Nacional de Cuba is the ultimate expression of Cuban pride. Combining classical romanticism with a Latin boldness, it is one of the most prestigious ballet companies performing today. The company presents the classic "Don Quixote" featuring the fearless strength of its dancers and Alicia Alonso's inventive choreography.

"In Cuba...many talented dancers end up in the Ballet Nacional. There they combine a Russian-style classical training with Latin flair, and are in demand the world over."

- Guardian.co.uk

PERFORMANCE DATES/ TIMES

Thursday, June 23, 2001 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 24, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 25, 2011 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 25, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 26, 2011 2:00 p.m.

Link to Dororthy Chandler page

How exciting. I will hopefully be recovered from Don Quixote overload by then.

Looks like they will also be in LA at the Ahmanson Theatre Nov 5-7, 2010! They will perform a rep program of "works by choreographers as Christopher Wheeldon, Clark Tippet, Stanton Welch and the flamenco dancer and choreographer María Pagés" So I guess pretty similar to what City Center got.

Just announced today:

A mainstay in the Music Center's dance series, American Ballet Theatre returns with the company's West Coast premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's "The Bright Stream," set to music by Dmitri Shostakovich. A comic ballet in two acts, it tells the story of the members of a Russian farm collective in the 1930's and their humorous interactions with a group of visiting performers during the harvest festival. With its technical precision and undeniable grace, ABT will leave audiences joyful and invigorated.

"...his [Ratmansky] "Bright Stream" is the best evening-length story ballet since MacMillan."

- New York Times

PERFORMANCE DATES/ TIMES

Thursday, July 14, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 15, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 17, 2011 2:00 p.m.

Dorothy Chandler Homepage

Sounds great! I was hoping we'd get this either at OCPAC or the Music Center. I guess OCPAC didn't want it again since they had it on the original Bolshoi tour??

Is a current principal(s) leaving?

I would have thought they had enough male principal dancers.

No offence intended to Nehemiah Kish.

I would assume Samodurov will be off the roster at the end of the year from what I've read in a few places, at the least.

Thrilled to see Veronika and Marcelo get an outing together! Will be there with a huge grin for them (and with sunglasses to tone down the garish costumes/sets)

Well I'm thrilled for Orange County! This will certainly break up our two year dirge of DQ's and Giselles. I hope we get to see a few items and not just Sleeping Beauty's for a whole week!

Well this is only for one year, hopefully the money they bring in from the Nutcracker will enable them to do a little longer season in the fall than their usual 2 1/2 week run.

Does anyone know what kind of opportunities it might give to company members? By that I mean are are there roles for a number of principals & soloists or is it more of a 2 or 3 person show?

There are two principal women and two principal men, I believe. There are some great clips of Maria Alexandrova and Nikolai Tsiskaridze (in drag as a sylph) on youtube if you do a search.

Wow, I hope OCPAC gets in on this for a tour here again. I loved it when the Bolshoi brought it here around when it premiered

I thought the portrait of Wheeldon that emerged was less flattering. I probably would have been as frustrated as Tsiskaridze (though perhaps with different, less vain reasons!) with how Wheeldon was handling the rehearsal process. However, I appreciate Tsiskaridze as a good old-fashioned diva, among many other reasons.

The LATimes mentioned a flubbed catch and an ensuing snit in the 3rd act. I saw a flub, not in a lift but in a move in which Vasliev balances Osipova on his hip using no hands (don't know the balletic name); he tottered a couple of steps before gaining control. I missed the snit altogether but then I was in the 3rd Tier with opera glasses. Dang; nothing like a snit!

Yes I saw that too, I think the writer got confused because it was coming down from the press lift into the fish. I didn't see the snit either or whatever snarling was supposed to be happening and I was in the front of Tier 2. I even thought Vasiliev kissed her cheek after her put her down as an apology and they went on their way.

I really liked Lobukhin's expressiveness and energy, but did not care for the chemistry between him (mostly non-existent, IMO) and Ryzkhina.

I agree, they seemed to be concentrating on getting through the partnering rather than emoting together. However they probably had a max of a two days or so rehearse together and it's not like they've had an opportunity to dance together before to know each other styles as Lobukhin just switched to the Bolshoi.

Just back from tonight's show. I give complete credit to both Ryzkhina and Lobukhin for putting on a great show despite the last minute casting changes, and in the middle of it I remembered how nervous Lobukhin must be as this has to be his first show with the Bolshoi since the switch! They each had a falter or two in the first act and we lost Marianna for a bit in a duel with the scrim in the second, but they definitely pulled through and gave a great show. Ryzhkina is a very, very different ballerina than Osipova - for one she is probably at least 15 yrs her senior - much more lyrical with one of the most beautiful arabesques I've seen, she shined in the Dream Scene. She is also the queen of the props, deploying more throughout the ballet than I thought were possible (castanets galore, a tambourine, fans in both her third act variation and for her fouettes). I hate to use it as a qualifier, but for her age she is in fine form - nice high light jumps and beautiful balances - she really went for the fouettes too, which I wasn't expecting, throwing in doubles with fan action.

Lobukhin was not at the level of dancing that I saw him at last year when he partnered Vishneva in DQ, though I will chalk that up to nerves and I would expect them both to get more comfortable over the next two shows this week. He still gives one of the best faux suicide scenes around. Aside from a weird lift in the first act, he seemed to partner her quite well - she really threw herself at him and they did some interesting variations on the overhead lifts that I know are trickier to pull off, especially with someone you just started dancing with.

If the casting held as in the program, Anna Leonova was a superb street dancer, I would love to see her Kitri.

And now I can hopefully retire Don Quixote for a season, though with how well the run sold I wouldn't be surprised if we get stuck with it for a third year in the row.

Well the crowd clearly loved Osipova and Vasiliev last night, I have never seen so much clapping and bravo'ing. Of course, they are technical whiz kids - they have power to burn and have great chemistry together, but after watching a full ballet with them (I've only seen them live in gala setting) I find myself liking Osipova a lot less. She is engaging and quite exciting on stage and a lot of what she does is truly a marvel but I find some of her characterization too broad and her feet and legs are often quite ugly, left as an afterthought to whatever trick she is trying to pull off. While this is all fine in Don Quixote (let's be honest not the most serious of ballets), I don't think I would want to see her Aurora or Odette, for example. So though the show was a fun ride, truly worth seeing (I dropped my mouth in awe more than a few times as Vasiliev's huge jumps), I am not sure I am fond of so much spectacle in my classical ballet.

Hats off to Kristina Karaseva as Mercedes who did some of the most beautiful, melting back bends in her tavern scene dance. And I hope Anna Nikulina warms up a bit as the Queen of the Dryads, since she is scheduled to perform in this role at every show during the run (a feat in itself I'm sure). She was most definitely upstaged in the Dream Scene by Nina Kaptsova as Cupid, who was infinitely more relaxed and exuded warmth.

Disappointing, but understandable. I will miss seeing her quite a bit.

Just to update, I've heard student rush may be only available on weekdays due to how well it's selling. Who knows, that may just be a PR move...they certainly don't like to leave seats unsold if possible and I've never not seen a rush during a ballet residence.

Like I guessed, Osipova/Vasiliev will be on the first night to replace Zakharova. With how deep the ballerina ranks are at the Bolshoi (or are in my estimation) this is almost disappointing.

Well cinnamonswirl posted this article in the Kennedy Center thread, so I'll throw it in here as well since it concerns this visit: Zakharova injured. I bet we'll see one of the existing casts move to opening night and another new cast put on one of the weekend matinees. I'd imagine they want a "name" for the reviews. I called OCPAC today and they don't know who will be replacing her yet.

As far as I know, Maria is one of the most reliable dancers around...I rarely hear about her missing a show or being out for injury, so I wouldn't worry about her being able to do both shows. However I am no expert! I don't even know which day I'll be going yet (though probably Friday night and the Saturday matinée for Osipova), though I will certainly be on board for her as she is a favorite. Lobukhin is fantastic as well...I saw him in DQ with Diana Vishneva last year, and from youtube clips he has only gotten better and better since then. I think they will be great together.

Maybe with him as director someone will actually tour with his lovely reconstructions!