Drew Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Did you all think that Smirnova's variation at the Mariinsky was good? [. . .] As noted above, I thought it was uneven...some parts quite off (in part, I assume, because the variation is new to her) and other parts quite lovely such as the turns in attitude en arrière, still other parts in-between...I thought she danced much better in the Bolshoi version of the "black" act when she danced in New York this past summer (those two performances I saw in the theater). Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 In this case Smirnova's problems may have been partly physical. She has been replaced in all her Moscow performances so far this season, and she has just been withdrawn from the company's Japanese tour, which starts next week. These may have not been the best circumstances under which to make her Mariinsky debut. Link to comment
Helene Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Laura Capelle tweeted the news and replacements: Olga Smirnova is apparently injured and will be replaced by @DancingAlina in Lady of the Camellias @BolshoiOfficial (w/ Ovcharenko) on Sat. https://twitter.com/bellafigural/status/532268964215529473 Smirnova is also out of @BolshoiOfficial's Japan tour. Krysanova replaces her in Swan Lake & Bayadère + Nikulina gets an extra perf as O/O. https://twitter.com/bellafigural/status/532269599472222208 Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 The rub is that Alina Cojocaru was not, strictly speaking, available to dance in Moscow on Saturday afternoon. She had been scheduled to dance in Swan Lake with English National Ballet that day. https://twitter.com/ENBallet/status/532493721645109248 Link to comment
Helene Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Cojocaru danced in Moscow, and Ismene Brown weighed in today: http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/culturehousedaily/2014/11/english-national-ballets-star-ballerina-infuriates-fans/ The devil’s advocate might argue that ENB was thrust into a difficult position when the Bolshoi rang. The world-renowned Neumeier is allowing ENB to give the UK premiere of one of his ballets at its showcase Sadler’s Wells programme next spring – starring Cojocaru. ‘It’s a dream come true,’ she said in the company announcement. So did ENB’s artistic director Tamara Rojo put relations with an important choreographer and an insistent star ahead of relations with English fans? It's not that I don't get the disappointment in not seeing Cojocaru, and would be angry if I bought a ticket because of the publicity machine that said Cojocaru would be performing. but I can also appreciate having both Neumeier and the Bolshoi owing you one, and since the company would have an audit trail of many of the tickets sold, ENO might be able to turn it around by scheduling Cojocaru in Milton Keynes in the future and offering a pre-sale and discount to those whom missed her the first time, but, instead, got to see a rising young star. Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 I don't blame Cojocaru. I'd be willing to bet money that Neumeier insisted it had to be this way. He's very particular and tends to under-cast his ballets, which sometimes leaves companies, including his own, scrambling in the event of an injury. But the caveat would be that Smirnova had been in dubious condition for some time, so the situation did not arise out of the blue. It might have been possible to devise a better contingency plan. Link to comment
abatt Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Well, now Alina fans on two continents can be angry about her cancellations of Swan Lake performances. She cancelled her Swan Lake last minute at ABT last season. That was the second consecutive season she had cancelled SL at ABT. Instead we got Hee Seo as her fill in. Alina has not been invited back to ABT for the 2015 season. Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Instead Liverpool will get to see Cojocaru in Swan Lake twice. https://twitter.com/ENBallet/status/535078132290961408 Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I know part of ABT's audience is keeping an eye on Smirnova's condition, so I'll note that the Bolshoi has published casting for April, and there is still neither hide nor hair of her. It will have been nine months since she last performed with the company. Link to comment
Amour Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 At David Hallberg's gala "Legacy" in April, Obraztsova will be dancing with Chudin. I have a feeling that that's the pairing we will see at ABT and that unfortunately Smirnova will be out. Link to comment
Natalia Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Sad for Smirnova but NY can cheer to have divine Obraztsova not just as Juliet but also as Nikiya! (Has anyone seen her gorgeous Nikiya in recent Nureyev Gala DVD? WOW!) I will buy a ticket for Obraztsova BAYADERE in NY minute. I so pray that you are right, Amour. Link to comment
abatt Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I also think that Smirnova will not be able to appear for her Bayadere at ABT. However, I wouldn't assume that Obratsova would be available to take her place. Bolshoi is doing several Swan Lakes during the time period of Bayadere, and they may need Obratsova at her home company. I hope I'm wrong. We'll have to wait and see. Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Obraztsova has yet to dance Grigorovich's Swan Lake. Of course it's possible that one day the Bolshoi will relent and cast her in it, but thus far she hasn't appeared in the production. Link to comment
abatt Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I had no idea that Obratsova hadn't done SL at the Bolshoi. Wonder why. Would love to see more Obratsova in NYC. Bring it on! Link to comment
Natalia Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 She danced it at the Stanislavsky in Moscow, with Chudin, back when Filin was AD of that theater. So it may well be Grigorovich, not Filin, who stands in her way. Link to comment
Mashinka Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Saw her dance SL with RB this evening. Let's just say I now understand why the Bolshoi would prefer her not to dance it. Link to comment
volcanohunter Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The RB forum anxiously awaits your assessment. (I've sworn off throwing fire bombs for Lent, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy reading them. ) Link to comment
Drew Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Saw her dance SL with RB this evening. Let's just say I now understand why the Bolshoi would prefer her not to dance it. Edited to say: Never mind--I came in mid-conversation and didn't realize discussion had morphed to Obraztsova... Link to comment
Buddy Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Before the discussion gets morphed back to where it should be I just returned from Evegenia Obraztsova's London Swan Lake this evening and she was Magnificent ! She was Precious ! One of the most beautiful Swan Lakes that I've ever seen. Link to comment
Mashinka Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Too fond of the lady to post an assessment, let's just say its not her role and return to discussing Smirnova. Link to comment
Buddy Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I think that you'll have to admit that the audience was very enthusiastic, Mashinka. Her's was a highly poetic rendering, a one of a kind. I thought that it was great ! Link to comment
Mashinka Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Was so disappointed I walked out after act three so no idea how the audience responded. Personally I'd rather not list the technical errors, perhaps you would care to. Link to comment
Buddy Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Mashinka, I don't really pay attention to such technical things if they don't effect the flow and my enjoyment of the performance. She did step out at the end of the Odile fouettes but continued beautifully. If the technical aspects, which I didn't notice, effected your enjoyment, then I can understand that and am sorry. For me she did just beautifully ! I even waited at the stage door, something I seldom do and with a plane to catch the next day, to tell her so. Link to comment
Buddy Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Please delete this duplication by mistake. Link to comment
Meow Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Was so disappointed I walked out after act three so no idea how the audience responded. Personally I'd rather not list the technical errors, perhaps you would care to. I have been eagerly waiting for reviews, and am sorry your experience was not positive. I thought her SL at the Stanislavsky was superb as far as characterization, and was really looking forward to her developing more in the role. Link to comment
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