Corella’s final performance alongside Paloma Herrera - theirs is an enduring partnership - was just as one would have imagined it: ardent, joyful, and full of charm. He gave and gave...
Tag - American Ballet Theatre
The seven works I saw over two nights started with Aureole and ended with Esplanade, and even in these less than perfect circumstances it's impossible to resist the enchantment of these two masterpieces. Aureole especially seems to me the essence of Paul Taylor...
How can a company make good impression with just a few performances of one or two programs? The pieces have to be representative, interesting, and show the company in a the best possible light. It’s not easy, as the recent Lincoln Center performances of Australian Ballet have shown.
Sometimes the second time is the charm. This seems to be especially true when it comes to new ballets by Alexei Ratmansky. Often, they’re not easy to take in on first viewing, indigestible as an over-rich meal. But then, something in us changes, our eye evolves.
And yet, even on its own terms, it leaves one wanting, despite the performances of two excellent casts... And it does not blossom with repeated viewing. Much to the contrary. What are its short-comings? First, the music...
...with Cojocaru the steps are sublimated into the character and the situation. She seems to be experiencing the ballet anew, moment by moment, with the audience. No surprise, then, that her mad scene is hypnotic, and changes from performance to performance...
And I’ll close with more praise of Maina Gielgud. I’ve never seen a ballet she’s set that hasn’t been absolutely first-rate. Boston Ballet has performed her Giselle for many years now and it’s easily my favorite Giselle, just as this production is now my favorite Don Quixote.
It's said that for financial reasons there will be no more performances of Lady of the Camellias here after this run – that would be a little tragedy of its own: these dancers deserve the chance to grow in their roles and their audience deserves the opportunity to see them do it. Let's hope some way will be found to make it happen.
So what has made her a ballet legend? The simple fact that she lives, breathes and demonstrates the finest techniques of Russian classical ballet. She is fastidious in her footwork, has the most beautiful pliable back, expressive arms and has perfect proportions and great sensitivity...
And I also love the fact that the city built this huge building to recognize classical ballet. Here in Texas we have the biggest monument to classical ballet in North America. That’s very cool. It was funded completely by private giving — from people who love the art, people who love classical ballet. That’s so exciting!
With its new program titled Twyla Tharp: All American, the Washington Ballet paid homage to the high priestess of American dance...
At the end the curtain came up once again, and Brigitte Lefèvre (artistic director of the ballet) and Nicolas Joel (director of the opera as a whole) emerged to announce the promotion of the evening’s Solor, Josua Hoffalt, to the ultimate rank: étoile. There were buckets of tears, from Hoffalt, Gilbert, and Dupont. In fact, it was the high point of the evening. An uncontrolled release of emotion...
An important event yesterday – the Royal Opera House annual press conference – with Kevin O’Hare announcing his first season as incoming Royal Ballet Director. He takes over from Monica Mason in the summer. I found myself Tweeting before (on reading the press releases) and during the press conference – on #roh201213. Here is the stream in all its contorted Tweetiness and...
The ballerinas who made the greatest impact were Uliana Lopatkina and Tamara Rojo: regal, gracious, seemingly effortless...
Press Release London Coliseum to host tribute to Anna Pavlova Russian Ballet Icons Gala and Dinner 2012 Celebrating a centenary of Anna Pavlova making her home in London, at Ivy House The Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2012, a grand gala evening in honour of Anna Pavlova will be held on the 4th March on the stage of the English National Opera in London. Part of the Russian Ballet Icons series, the...
I went to the final get-together of the Rural Retreat on Monday at the House of Commons. I’ve been to a few of these wrap-up sessions now and they are good for the soul – all the participants are high as kites from sorting out how dance can go forward, filled with amazing ideas from the inspiring speakers they have heard and their own brain-storming. If they achieve half of what they...