Ondine

[glebb]

I'm not sure, but I think there is, or is to be a reconstruction of "Ondine" performed in Russia.

Has anyone seen the Washington Ballet (pre-National Ballet of Washington) version, with Mimi Paul as the doomed Naiad?

[glebb]

Has anyone seen any version of "Ondine?"

[Alexandra]

Not live, alas. There is a tape of the Royal Ballet's Ondine -- a condensed version (Fonteyn and Somes) -- which I like very much. It has Fonteyn's Shadow Dance, which is lovely. And the opening, where the movement of the dancers standing on the deck of a ship suggests the movement of the waves, is striking.

Glebb, I think there may have been some discussion of Ondine when it was revived. You might want to do a search on the Royal Ballet forum. It was interesting that when the ballet was new, people felt that the music was unsuited to the theme -- expecting Ashton to make an old-fashioned, neo-romantic ballet. Fifty years later, many felt that the music and choreography were fine, it was the fussy designs that made the ballet seem dated.

[grace]

glebb, i was in london at the time of the revival of ashton's ondine, and saw most performances (late 80's). what was it that you wanted to talk about? (sorry if i have been too dumb or too distracted to work that out... )

[glebb]

Thanks Grace and Alexandra. I was searching for descriptions and impressions.

I like Alexandra's recollection of dancers as waves. I am also curious about the famous shadow dance. The original Ondine was Cerrito, correct? I seem to remember reading that she did her own choreography.

We discuss many ballets here and "Ondine" seems a bit of a mystery. B)

I'll try to get more out of Lynn Wallis this spring.