Tours en l'air

Balanchine and Robbins

2012-03-09T19:38:00.000-05:00

Nice trailer advertising NYCB's visit to Baden-Baden, featuring clips from Dances at a Gathering, Divertimento No. 15, Tarantella, Symphony in Three Movements.

New York City Ballet wieder in Deutschland from Festspielhaus Baden-Baden on Vimeo.

50% off Sleeping Beauty tickets at National Ballet of Canada

2012-03-08T15:12:00.000-05:00

Save 50% on The Sleeping Beauty for March Break! Purchase orchestra tickets for Tuesday March 13 at 2:00 pm or Thursday, March 15 at 2:00 pm and get 50% off the regular ticket price. Use Promo code: BALLETNEWS. Get tickets at http://bit.ly/zJBi7e.

Ballet as an advertisement for...jeans?

2012-03-08T05:45:00.001-05:00

The Korea National Ballet just made this fabulous ad for Levis jeans:

Levis Ballet Commercial - Stretch to Fit Jeans from sungjooz on Vimeo.

Flattened by falling dancers: Tales from the National Ballet of Canada orchestra

2012-03-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

An interesting article about the challenges and perils of being a musician in a ballet orchestra.
Click here.

NYCB in Saratoga Springs 2012

2012-03-05T13:04:00.000-05:00

This is a very important question if you are at all interested in seeing New York City Ballet in Saratoga Springs with Tours en l'air this July. I need to start planning this trip very soon if enough people are interested for me to proceed to the next planning stage. Please let me know ASAP. You are not committing to anything at this point, but I need to have a general idea in order to establish a price. The more people, the lower the cost, so encouraging your friends to come along is in your own best interest!

The program would be as follows:

Tuesday July 17, 8 pm:
Russian Seasons (Alexei Ratmansky)
Sinfonia (Martins)
Moves (Robbins)
Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet (Balanchine)

Wednesday July 18, 8 pm:
Romeo + Juliet (Martins)

Thursday July 19: depart Saratoga

We would have dinner before each program. In addition, the Wednesday performance is billed as a "Girls Night Out". I don't know what this consists of exactly, but last year it was described as follows: "Experience complimentary massages, mini mani-pedi's, yoga, makeup consultations, hair blowouts, nutrition advice, complimentary fine wine, chocolate tastings and more!"

As for last year, we would provide transport there for those needing it, either by bus from Toronto or a train-bus combination (train to Kingston, bus between Kingston and Saratoga). Last year the bus fare Toronto-Saratoga including transfers back and forth between the hotel and the theatre was $200.

My estimated price at the moment for the package (not including transportation) is about $750, but as I said before, I can't give a firm price till I have some idea how many people I should be basing my costing on.

Please let me know if you are interested, and if so whether you would be driving yourself or needing the bus/train.

Casting for Bolshoi live broadcast of Le Corsaire March 11th

2012-03-02T09:34:00.000-05:00

Medora, a young Greek girl, Isaac Lanquedem's ward (including "Le Jardin Anime" and Grand pas des eventails)	Svetlana Lunkina
Conrad, a corsair	Ruslan Skvortsov
Seyd, the Pacha	Alexei Loparevich
Birbanto, one of the chief corsairs	Andrei Merkuriev
Zulmea, the Pacha's favorite sultana	Kristina Karasyova
Gulnare, the Pacha's slave-girl (including "Le Jardin Anime" and Grand pas des eventails)	Nina Kaptsova
Isaac Lanquedem, bazaar-owner	Gennadi Yanin
Keeper of Seyd, the Pacha's harem	Andrei Sitnikov
Eunuchs	Alexander Petukhov Yegor Simachev Vasily Zhidkov
A Negress	Anastasia Vinokur
A Mufti	Alexander Fadeyechev
Pas d'esclaves	Vyacheslav Lopatin Anastasia Stashkevich
Pas de Trois des Odalisques First Odalisque	Olga Kishnyova
Second Odalisque	Anna Nikulina
Third Odalisque	Anna Tikhomirova
Danse des forbans Sоloists	Anna Antropova Andrei Merkuriev
Danse des forbans	Anna Balukova Georgy Geraskin Anastasia Meskova Alexander Vodopetov
"Le Jardin Anime"	Xenia Kern Daria Khokhlova
	Joo Yun Bae Alesya Gradova (Boyko) Yulia Lunkina Svetlana Pavlova
Grand Pas des Eventails	Alesya Gradova (Boyko) Yulia Lunkina Svetlana Pavlova Maria Prorvich Maria Vinogradova Victoria Yakusheva (Osipova)
	Artem Ovcharenko
Conductor	Pavel Klinichev Apparently this will also be live-streamed on youtube starting at 7 pm Moscow time zone.

More about pointe shoes

2012-02-28T13:28:00.000-05:00

An interesting article about major pointe-shoe maker Freed of London. Click here.

New York City Ballet

2012-02-27T10:07:00.000-05:00

Another great ballet-packed day on Saturday, this time with our fix of New York City Ballet. The afternoon performance started off with Allegro Brillante.

Next came Peter Martins' Zakouski, a pas de deux set to four violin and piano pieces by four different composers. The title means “hors d'oeuvres” in Russian, and indeed it is a lively appetizer kind of ballet. Although with Martins ballets I often find that they would be improved by some judicious editing, with this one I was surprised to find myself enjoying it so much that I wished it were longer. Joaquin de Luz was typically a showstopper with his expertly timed turns and beaming personality, matched by Megan Fairchild's flirtatious virtuosity, including three amazing jumps with flexed feet landing on second relevé on pointe. This was a very fun ballet and if you have a chance to see it, you should definitely go.

Next came Fancy Free, a ballet which is enjoyable no matter how many times one sees it. A standout in the cast was Robert Fairchild as the somewhat goofy, dreamy sailor whom the other two take advantage of. Finally, Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3, the “extended” version of Theme and Variations. In the last movement Ashley Bouder was brilliant. Andrew Veyette was a little shakier, especially in the fiendish principal solo, and I find that he lacks polish and could pay more attention to his hands and pointed feet and the steps in between the big moves.

Before the evening performance started, we were treated to a tour of the David H. Koch theatre by NYCB corps dancer Troy Schumacher, whom the entire group found very charming. In passing we also got to say hello to Principal Jared Angle who was escorting another group, and who had been our tour guide on our last trip to see NYCB, in 2010.

Troy arrived already madeup, explaining that as luck would have it for him, he had learned shortly before that he was being “thrown on” in the first ballet of the night, Donizetti Variations, with only a half-hour emergency rehearsal (though he had performed it a few weeks back, though in a different position in the cast). This was also lucky for us, since it's always great to see someone dancing after you've just made their acquaintance.

He told us how he was from Atlanta, with a jazz musician-turned-chiropractor father and a Broadway singer mother. His love for dance, he told us, started out with an obsession for tap, fired by obsessively (his own word) watching Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire movies. Slowly it began to dawn on him that noone was making big Hollywood movies around tap dancers anymore and that the job opportunities in tap were somewhat limited. He wangled his way into an Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker run and thus was exposed to ballet, becoming as obsessive about it as he had been about tap. Interestingly, he said that his original aim was to dance in a company featuring the big story ballets that he watched his idol Mikhail Baryshnikov dancing on his collection of ballet videos, but after joining the School of American Ballet and attending NYCB performances every night he fell in love with the more abstract repertoire, and was thrilled when Peter Martins offered him a job when he graduated (seven years ago now). He explained that NYCB dancers are employed for 38 weeks a year, with 14 weeks of unemployment. As a corps member, he said he gets to dance more often (about 4 times a week) than a soloist or principal, as in addition to dancing corps roles, NYCB corps dancers can often be given a principal role to dance, unlike in some companies where the more rigid hierarchy sees only dancers with the rank of principal dancing the principal roles in a ballet. His favourite role is Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream as it allows him some liberty to invest the role with personality.

As we stood on the stage of the David H. Koch theatre (so now we can all say we have appeared live on stage at Lincoln Center!), he pointed out that the theatre's architect had thought of the theatre as a “jewel box”. We left Troy half an hour before curtain-up, and were very appreciative that he could spare us his time so soon before he had to be on stage.

We learned another story about being thrown on in Donizetti Variations from the interesting “Fourth Position” pre-performance talk given by two enthusiastic docents. Peter Martins was called on to replace the injured leading man in one performance, with a grand total of 15 minutes to learn the role. Having seen how fiendishly virtuosic it is, performed impressively by Ashley Bouder and Andrew Veyette, one is astounded that this was even possible. Kudos to Veyette for managing to perform Theme, Donizetti, and Fancy Free all in one day!

Great Dutch National Ballet pix

2012-02-25T09:16:00.002-05:00

Great slide show of pics from Dutch National Ballet's recent two programs of world premieres here: http://www.for-ballet-lovers-only.com/hnb-presents-2012.html

Kings of the Dance

2012-02-24T22:46:00.000-05:00

Our New York trip is off to a fantastic start with a Kings of the Dance performance. I was already excited when Natalia Osipova sat down just two seats over from me but this was nothing compared to what happened on stage. The highlight of the evening for me was Ivan Vasiliev's performance in Patrick de Bana's Labyrinth of Solitude, which was not just a display piece for his astoundingly high jumps (of which there were plenty to admire) but was invested by Vasiliev with deep emotional commitment. The night offered a variety of dance styles, from very jazzy and contemporary Mauro Bigonzetti to more neoclassical Marcelo Gomes. David Hallberg's beautiful classical line was well in evidence in a few jumps. Hand twitching, however, seems to be a very trendy trend at the moment, and though Guillaume Cote's fluttery hands were very impressive, by that point I was rather thinking, "If I see another hand twitch...". Jorma Elo's Still of King was typical of his choreography, with classical positions morphing before one's eyes into something off-kilter; it was very entertainingly performed by Marcelo Gomes.
Worth the price of admission for Vasiliev alone.

Mathieu Ganio interview

2012-02-23T22:13:00.000-05:00

Interview (in French) with Paris Opera Ballet star Mathieu Ganio (with some great pics). Click here.

Why travel to see ballet?

2012-02-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

Both Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dutch National Ballet have presented programs in the last few days which have earned absolutely glowing reviews which you can read by clicking here and here. In addition, The Stage called David Bintley's Hobson's Choice "a production with a feelgood factor that is almost off the scale" (click here for full review). But you would have had to be in Birmingham or Amsterdam to see them! As notoriously hard-to-please dance critic said of the BRB performance: "David Bintley's Hobson's Choice is surely his very best work, unmitigated pleasure for the spectator - an innocent, beautifully executed period comedy full of atmosphere, good characters, a perfect emotional arc and a perfectly brilliant musical score. ...It's lovable, it’s joyous and down-to-earth, it's worth a long journey to see."

Beautiful Ballet Films

2012-02-22T21:59:00.001-05:00

I just spent the evening being reminded what beautiful ballet films Norman McLaren and others created for Canada's National Film Board. It's definitely worth posting them for a new generation who didn't see them the first time round. The evening was ably hosted by James Neufeld, whose updated history of the National Ballet of Canada, Passion to Dance, is available through amazon. Click here to order:
In "Ballet Adagio", McLaren takes the choreography of Asaf Messerer's Spring Waters and films it performed by Canadian dancers Anna Marie Holmes and her husband David Holmes, to spectacular effect in slow motion, set to Albinoni's Adagio.

a striking contrast with the original (possibly the world's shortest pas de deux!):

McLaren is perhaps most famous for this stunning film, "Pas de Deux", choreographed by Grands Ballets Canadiens founder Ludmilla Chiriaeff:

Preparing pointe shoes

2012-02-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

Dancers spend an amazing amount of time preparing their pointe shoes (even though they are usually already custom made for them). And then the shoes last at most a week, sometimes only a performance. In this interesting video from West Australian Ballet, a dancer shows what she does and how long it takes.

Upcoming possible ballet trips: Your input required!

2012-02-16T07:43:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year when the repertoire for summer festivals and the 2012-13 season is starting to be announced, so please let me know if you would be interested in any of these possibilities.

1) New York City Ballet in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga was hugely popular last year; you can read all about it here:
http://toursenlair.blogspot.com/2011/07/ballet-binge-in-saratoga-springs.html.
It looks like this year we will have to make it a mid-week excursion rather than a weekend, dates Wednesday 18-Friday 20th July. Performances are Peter Martins' Romeo + Juliet and a mixed program, rep to be announced (doubtless including some Balanchine!).

2) Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur (Quebec)
This would be August long weekend, Friday 3rd - Monday 6th. You can read more about Saint-Sauveur here: http://toursenlair.blogspot.com/2011/08/festival-des-arts-de-saint-sauveur.html.
Rep is still to be announced but I hear that the Hong Kong Ballet will be participating.

3) National Ballet of Canada in London
As you may know, the NBOC will be presenting Romeo and Juliet at the Sadler's Wells Theatre, April 17-21, 2013. Doubtless there will be other ballets on either at the Royal Opera House or the London Coliseum, or possibly a short day trip away. Please let me know if you would be interested in a trip to "cheer on the team", so to speak.

4) Japan!
Yes, you read that right. I'm just back from my sixth trip to Japan. It is really a fabulous place with some great ballet performances, and I would love to take a group there. I'm thinking of May 2013, when the gardens would be a blooming riot (except nothing is ever riotous in a tranquil Japanese garden). Please let me know if you have any interest in a trip to Japan.

New Wheeldon Cinderella for SFB and DNB

2012-02-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

Christopher Wheeldon will be creating a new Cinderella for Dutch National Ballet and San Francisco Ballet in 2012-13. Click here for more details.

National Ballet of Canada Sleeping Beauty casting

2012-02-15T15:15:00.003-05:00

Princess Aurora/ Prince Florimund/ Lilac Fairy/ Carabosse/ Principal Fairy/ Princess Florine/ Bluebird/ Diamond Woman/ Diamond Man

March 10, 2 pm: Sonia Rodriguez/Piotr Stanczyk/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Rebekah Rimsay/Elena Lobsanova/Jillian Vanstone/Keiichi Hirano/Chelsy Meiss/Nan Wang

March 10, 730 pm: Heather Ogden/Guillaume Côté/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Rebekah Rimsay/Alexandra MacDonald/Elena Lobsanova/Naoya Ebe/Stephanie Hutchison /Brett van Sickle

March 11, 200 pm: Greta Hodgkinson/Evan McKie/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Alejandra Perez-Gomez/Elena Lobsanova/Tina Pereira/Skylar Campbell/Stephanie Hutchison/Brett van Sickle

March 13, 200 pm: Jillian Vanstone/Zdenek Konvalina/Stephanie Hutchison/Rebekah Rimsay/Juri Hiraoka/Stacey Shiori Minagawa/Keiichi Hirano/Jordana Daumec/Giorgio Galli

March 14, 730 pm: Heather Ogden/Guillaume Côté/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Rebekah Rimsay/Alexandra MacDonald/Elena Lobsanova/Naoya Ebe/Stephanie Hutchison /Brett van Sickle

March 15, 2 pm: Sonia Rodriguez/Piotr Stanczyk/Stephanie Hutchison/Alejandra Perez-Gomez/Adji Cissoko/Jillian Vanstone/Keiichi Hirano/Chelsy Meiss/Nan Wang

March 15, 730 pm: Greta Hodgkinson/Evan McKie/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Alejandra Perez-Gomez/Alexandra MacDonald/Tina Pereira/Skylar Campbell/Stephanie Hutchison/Brett van Sickle

March 16, 730 pm: Jillian Vanstone/Zdenek Konvalina/Stephanie Hutchison/Rebekah Rimsay/Adji Cissoko/Stacey Shiori Minagawa/Keiichi Hirano/Jordana Daumec/Giorgio Galli

March 17, 200 pm: Heather Ogden/Guillaume Côté/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Rebekah Rimsay/Alexandra MacDonald/Elena Lobsanova/Naoya Ebe/Stephanie Hutchison /Brett van Sickle

March 17, 730 pm: Sonia Rodriguez/Piotr Stanczyk/Lise-Marie Jourdain/Alejandra Perez-Gomez/Juri Hiraoka /Shino Mori/Skylar Campbell/Chelsy Meiss/Nan Wang

March 18, 200 pm: Greta Hodgkinson/Evan McKie/Stephanie Hutchison/Rebekah Rimsay/Elena Lobsanova/Jillian Vanstone/Keiichi Hirano/Jordana Daumec/Giorgio Galli

Fab pic of muscular Matthew Golding

2012-02-15T14:28:00.000-05:00

Very cool poster from Dutch National Ballet featuring Matthew Golding.
How could anyone in their right mind look at this and think that ballet is wimpy and unmasculine?
(pic by Erwin Olaf)

National Film Board free events for NBOC 60th Anniversary

2012-02-14T13:52:00.001-05:00

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA Archival Display

From February 21 through February 29, discover the rich past of The National Ballet of Canada with an archival display exploring its history, traditions and triumphs in the NFB Mediatheque's Interactive Lounge, 150 John Street in Toronto.

Free screenings with special guests from the world of dance!

February 21, 2012 at 7pm -

Celia Franca: Tour de Force

A penetrating profile of the founder of the National Ballet of Canada with some wonderful archival vintage film footage shot in the fifties during the early days of the National Ballet of Canada. Watch a clip here.

Pas de Deux

For all who enjoy ballet, Pas de deux presents an insight into the dance that only dancers ordinarily see. It is an engaging film portrait of the Canadian husband-and-wife team, Anna Marie and David Holmes (also seen in the McLaren film, Ballet Adagio). We see their busy lives as international dance stars, their private interests and, above all, their dedication to the absolute refinement of ballet movement.

Grant Munro | NFB | 1972 | 50 min

Ballet Adagio

A slow-motion study by Norman McLaren of the pas-de-deux adagio, one of the most exacting and difficult dances of classical ballet. A ballet originally choreographed by the Russian ballet master Asaf Messerer is performed for this film by the internationally known Canadian pair, David and Anna Marie Holmes, to the music of Albinoni's Adagio. A film to heighten the aesthetic appreciation of classical ballet and to afford observation of the technique and mechanics of the adagio movements.

Q&A session with former Principal Dancer and Filmmaker Veronica Tennant following the screening.

February 22, 2012 at 4 pm - Tour en l'air & Ballet Adagio

February 22, 2012 at 7pm - Flamenco at 5:15

This Oscar-winning film is a visual and emotional thriller. It is an impressionistic record of a flamenco dance class given to senior students of the National Ballet School of Canada by two great teachers from Spain, Susana and Antonio Robledo. The film shows the beautiful young North American dancers--inspired by the flamenco rhythms and mesmerized by Susana's extraordinary energy--joyously merging with an ancient gypsy culture.

Cynthia Scott | NFB | 1983 | 29 min

Ballet Adagio & Tour en l'air
Q&A session with writer and historian James Neufeld author of Passion to Dance, the updated history of the National Ballet, following the screening.

February 23, 2012 at 7pm - Tango in a Cold City

While grateful for the prosperity and security of their adopted country, many immigrants to Canada feel the need to define themselves through a return to their roots. For Argentines, the tango will always recall the land they left behind. But it's not only Argentines who gravitate towards tango. Vietnamese barbers, Scottish engineers, Russian violinists, American executives and even native-born Canadians can become entranced by the romanticism of this most sensual of dances. This film introduces us to some of these people and delves into their passion for a dance that has transformed their lives. As the great Argentine dancer Gavito says, "Tango is a feeling, a feeling between a man and a women."

Dance Class

Performer (Part I)
Q&A session with writer and dance historian Carol Bishop-Gwyn author of The Pursuit of Perfection, the first full biography of Founding Artistic Director Celia Franca, following the screening.

Good news for Jerome Robbins fans!

2012-02-13T15:30:00.000-05:00

The Paris Opera Ballet's "Tribute to Robbins" DVD featuring the sublimely beautiful In the Night, the hilarious The Concert, as well as In G and Benjamin Millepied's Triade, is now available in North America. You can order it through amazon.ca by clicking here.

National Ballet of Canada Fille mal gardee casting

2012-02-13T12:51:00.000-05:00

Principal Casting

Lise/Colas/Widow Simone/Alain
Feb 29, 730 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Mrozewski/Stephen
March 1, 200 pm: Pereira/Hirano/Bowles/Campbell
March 1, 730 pm: Vanstone/Ebe/Mrozewski/Stalzer
March 2, 730 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Mrozewski/Stephen
March 3, 2 pm: Pereira/Hirano/Bowles/Campbell
March 3, 730 pm: Vanstone/Ebe/Mrozewski/Stalzer
March 4, 2 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Mrozewski/Stephen

Ballets Russes on TV

2012-02-01T08:23:00.002-05:00

The fascinating documentary about the Ballets Russes will be broadcast on British Columbia's Knowledge Network Wednesday, February 15, 9-11 pm Pacific Standard Time (ie starting at 6 pm Eastern Time). Repeats Thursday February 16 at 1 am. Outside BC, if you have Bell satellite TV, this is available on channel 268. Well worth watching, and recording as the DVD is no longer available.

Trivia Quiz Answer

2012-01-30T12:51:00.001-05:00

What choreographer and ballet director changed his name from Abdullah Jaffa Bey Khan?

d) Robert Joffrey

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2012-01-29T12:46:00.004-05:00

What choreographer and ballet director changed his name from Abdullah Jaffa Bey Khan?

a) Kenneth MacMillan
b) George Balanchine
c) Serge Lifar
d) Robert Joffrey

Ballet is for the birds

2012-01-27T10:49:00.002-05:00

Fun collection of great bird moments on Birmingham Royal Ballet's website. Click here.

History of Ballet Course

2012-01-27T07:39:00.000-05:00

NEW!!!! History of Ballet Course (Origins to the late 19th century):
Feb. 21 - April 3, 2012, 6-8 pm
No class March 13 (March break week)
Conference room of The National Ballet of Canada's offices at the Carsen Centre, 470 Queens Quay West.

6 weeks, $199 incl. HST.
Week 1: Origins to Romanticism (Taglioni, La Sylphide)
Week 2: Giselle
Week 3: Petipa (Le Corsaire) - this is a bit out of order, but I'm doing it this week because the Bolshoi broadcast of Le Corsaire is on March 11)
Week 4: Ivanov (Nutcracker)
Week 5: Bournonville: La Sylphide
Week 6: Coppelia

Half-price tickets for National Ballet of Canada Sleeping Beauty

2012-01-25T17:53:00.000-05:00

As in years past, the NBOC is offering a great "March Break Special" :
Purchase four orchestra tickets to The Sleeping Beauty on Tuesday March 13th at 2:00 pm, Wednesday March 14 at 7:30 pm or Thursday March 15th at
2:00 pm and save 50% off the regular ticket price.

March Break Special Prices
Orchestra section 1.1 – 4 tickets for $364.00
Orchestra section 1.2 – 4 tickets for $320.00
Orchestra section 1.3 – 4 tickets for $264.00

The offer is for four orchestra seats and must include at least one child 15 or under.
To book your March Break Special tickets call 416-345-9595.

Trivia Quiz Answer

2012-01-23T09:33:00.000-05:00

In which country were police officers ordered in 2008 to take ballet classes with the aim being to “develop an ability to regulate traffic and achieve elegance in their movements, which will not only be agreeable to the eyes but could also help drivers waiting at a red light get rid of their stress or sadness”?

b) Romania

Ballet Trivia Quiz

2012-01-22T09:31:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Mr. B.!

2012-01-22T02:49:00.000-05:00

In honour of Balanchine's birthday today I am posting this short clip from Boston Ballet with a really cool clip from Symphony in 3 Movements:

Steven McRae learns Ashton's Les Patineurs

2012-01-20T08:55:00.000-05:00

A fascinating video about Ashton's Les Patineurs (one of the first ballets I saw live as a child watching the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and which contributed to my balletomania!), featuring Steven McRae of the Royal Ballet being coached in the role of Blue Boy. Just because great dancers make this stuff look easy in performance, don't for a minute think that it is!

A treat for @Guillaume Cote fans

2012-01-19T21:42:00.001-05:00

<br>D

Don't forget, you can see him and the other KINGS OF THE DANCE live on our New York trip!

In Memoriam Rudi van Dantzig 1933-2012

2012-01-19T08:34:00.001-05:00

Dutch National Ballet announced today that one of their founding choreographers, Rudi van Dantzig, who made great contributions to ballet in the Netherlands and worldwide, died this morning in Amsterdam. DNB produced this excellent tribute video:

Kings of the Dance in NY - still 1 spot available

2012-01-18T18:55:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in our Kings of the Dance/New York City Ballet trip, there is still one spot available. Please get in touch (toursenlair@gmail.com) ASAP. And here's something to whet your appetite:

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2012-01-16T15:11:00.001-05:00

“How many tacks are there in a classical tutu?”

d) about 300

A tack is used to make the layers stay together, with the tutu hoop, which make that flat crisp look on a classical tutu. You use a long needle and thread and start on the lowest under layers and work your way to the top layer.

Thanks to Boston Ballet's blog, Footnotes, for this!

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2012-01-15T15:09:00.006-05:00

How many tacks are there in a classical tutu? (that's "tacks" in the "stitch" sense, not in the thumbtack/pushpin sense!)

a) 30
b) 100
c) 200
d) 300

Stuttgart Munich Ballet Trip now booking - Deadline Jan 30

2012-01-12T15:09:00.000-05:00

Carlson Wagonlit Victor Travel

101 - 8800 Dufferin Street, Concord, ON L4K 0C5

TICO Ontario registration #1892647

presents

Tours en l'air

Ballet Holidays

escorted by

Canada's Word Lady, Katherine Barber

Stuttgart and Munich

20 - 30 April 2012

11 days, 10 nights

6 ballet performances

Sightseeing in beautiful southern Germany

and ballet masterpieces performed by Stuttgart Ballet,

Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Bavarian State Ballet

Fri. 20 April: STUTTGART

Arrive Stuttgart; check in to 3-star City Hotel, 10 minutes walk from the opera house. **Upgrade to 5-star Schlossgarten Hotel, 4 minutes walk from opera house, available on request.

Sat. 21 April: STUTTGART

Morning: private guided walking tour of historic Stuttgart, including the weekly flower market. Afternoon at leisure to visit one of Stuttgart's renowned art galleries, visit the Mercedes-Benz or Porsche museum, or botanical garden and zoo. Evening: Welcome 3-course dinner followed by performance of

Stuttgart Ballet, The Lady and the Fool (Cranko), Gaité Parisienne (Béjart).

Sun. 22 April: STUTTGART

Day excursion by train (½ hr) to the palace of Ludwigsburg, the Versailles of southern Germany. Private guided tour, visit to the costume museum and magnificent “Blooming Baroque” gardens. Evening: 3-course dinner.

Mon. 23 April: STUTTGART

Morning: Watch Stuttgart Ballet company class.
Rest of day at leisure. You can relax in one of Stuttgart's mineral baths, stroll in the lovely Schlossgarten, or have some classic coffee and cake at a cafe.

Tues. 24 April: STUTTGART

Day trip by private luxury coach. Morning: the beautiful medieval university town of Tübingen (45 minutes from Stuttgart). Private guided 2-hour walking tour, then leisure time for lunch and more exploring. Afternoon: transfer (45 minutes) to Schloss Solitude. Private guided tour of the castle.
Visit to John Cranko's grave.
Return to Stuttgart (25 minutes). Evening at leisure.

Wed. 25 April:

STUTTGART – AUGSBURG – MUNICH

Morning: check out of hotel. Private transfer by luxury coach to Augsburg (1 hr 40 minutes). Watch Ballet Augsburg company class. Watch rehearsals (subject to scheduling) or visit the historic city of Augsburg at your leisure. Lunch with Ballet Augsburg Artistic Director Robert Conn. Private transfer to Munich (1 hour). Check in to 3-star Domus hotel, 10 minutes walk from Nationaltheater. **Upgrade to 4-star Platzl Hotel, 4 minutes walk from theatre, available on request. Evening:

Birmingham Royal Ballet: Take 5 (Bintley), The Dream (Ashton), Checkmate (de Valois)

Thurs. 26 April: MUNICH

Morning: private guided walking tour of the historic centre of Munich and private backstage tour of the Nationaltheater. Rest of day at leisure. Suggested activity: visit the adjacent palatial former residence of the Bavarian monarchy, with its jewel-like 18th-century theatre. Evening:

Bavarian State Ballet: Gods and Dogs (Kylian), Goldberg Variations (Robbins)

Fri. 27 April: MUNICH

Morning: Our private luxury coach transports you to the beautiful Bavarian Alps, where you will visit the exquisite Linderhof castle and grounds, one of “Mad” King Ludwig II's numerous building projects. Visit the picturesque town of Oberammergau, then the spectacular baroque monastery of Ettal. Return to Munich for the evening performance of
Bavarian State Ballet Illusions – Like Swan Lake, John Neumeier's version of Swan Lake, which interweaves the stories of Ludwig and Tchaikovsky with the traditional story of the ballet.

Sat. 28 April: MUNICH

Morning: Private guided tour of Nymphenburg castle in Munich. Afterwards, stroll at your leisure in the beautiful surrounding park, or visit the nearby Botanical Garden. Rest of day at leisure. Evening: Bavarian State Ballet: Scènes de Ballet, 5 Brahms Waltzes, Voices of Spring (all Ashton), Song of the Earth (MacMillan)

Sun. 29 April: MUNICH

Day at leisure. Suggested activity: visit one of Munich's celebrated art galleries and museums. Evening: 3-course farewell dinner, followed by
Bavarian State Ballet: Wherever he looks (Mannes), Daphnis and Chloe (Kohler)
For videos of the Munich repertoire, click here.

Mon. 30 April: MUNICH

Check out of hotel and depart Munich.

REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT DUE DATE: 30 JANUARY 2012

GROUP SIZE LIMITED! DON'T DELAY IN SIGNING UP

Total Package CA$3,499 per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement: CA$500

** With hotel upgrade $4,399 per person double occupancy,

single supplement $800

All prices valid till 30 January 2012

LAND-ONLY PACKAGE allows you the flexibility of arranging

travel from your most convenient departure point,

on the dates and times you prefer,

and to extend your stay if you wish.

Victor Travel's experienced agents will be happy to

assist you with flight arrangements.

Package price includes:

5 nights twin share accommodation in the centrally located 3-star City Hotel in Stuttgart and 5 nights in the 3-star Domus Hotel in Munich

(travellers wishing to share will be put in touch with one another)

Daily breakfast

Premium orchestra seats for 6 ballets

Stuttgart Ballet and Ballet Augsburg company class

Private guided tours of Ludwigsburg Residenzschloss, Schloss Solitude, Nymphenburg Palace, Linderhof Castle, Nationaltheater opera house in Munich

Private walking tours of Tubingen, Stuttgart, and Munich

Top 10 Munich pocket guidebook and map

Transportation by public transit between Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg

Day excursion by luxury coach to Tubingen and Schloss Solitude

Day excursion by luxury coach to the Bavarian Alps (Linderhof, Ettal, Oberammergau)

Three 3-course dinners; one 3-course lunch

Ballet enrichment program: ballet notes and informal pre-performance talks and post-performance reviews with tour leader

Please note that this program must be sold as a package.

We cannot offer individual components separately

or break the package into shorter installments.

Not included:

Airfare

Meals and transfers not specifically mentioned in this itinerary

Beverages with meals

Items of a personal nature, e.g. phone calls

Cancellation and hospital/medical insurance

Terms and Conditions:

Non-refundable deposit of CA$1750 per person is required at time of registration, no later than 30 January 2012, to secure your space for this package**.

Single supplement and optional cancellation and hospital/medical insurance are also payable at this time.

Final payment due 5 March 2012, and total package price is fully non-refundable.

All cancellations must be received in writing at Carlson Wagonlit Victor Travel to the attention of Lucy Nati (lucy@cwtvictortravel.ca).

RBC out-of-province health insurance and trip cancellation insurance are available through Victor Travel and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Price will vary according to birthdate. Premium must accompany the deposit and is non-refundable.

For more information: toursenlair@gmail.com

416.693.4496

GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE WITH TOURS EN L'AIR

**The deposit is fully refundable in the event of cancellation of the trip by the travel agent

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2012-01-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

What young dancer new to New York City Ballet did Jerome Robbins describe as "a lamppost with feet and teeth"?

c) Jacques d'Amboise

Interesting article about tutus

2012-01-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

Click here for an interesting article about tutus recently posted on the blog "Ballet to the People".

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2012-01-08T09:28:00.002-05:00

What young dancer new to New York City Ballet did Jerome Robbins describe as "a lamppost with feet and teeth"?

a) Edward Villella
b) Ib Andersen
c) Jacques d'Amboise
d) Damian Woetzel

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

A treat for fans of Sue-Jin Kang

2012-01-07T07:47:00.000-05:00

The new book about Robert Tewsley, a favourite partner of Sue-Jin Kang, is out, and promises to be a real treat for fans of the Korean ballerina.

The book contains 22 pictures of Kang, many of them full-page images, as well as several pages of text about Robert Tewsley’s very special partnership with her.

Tewsley was Kang’s favorite partner at the height of her career. Together, they formed a legendary pair, starring in classic dramatic ballets including “The Lady of Camellias,” which became a signature work of the couple.

“What was so special about Sue-jin is that every time we danced together it was different. There was this unspoken trust: we knew that whatever happened, the other would react and adapt. We could be spontaneous,” Tewsley recounts in the book. “From the very beginning, we understood each other without words.”

The book contains some gorgeous and rare pictures of the couple, particularly notable being a scene from Swan Lake.
It can be ordered from anywhere in the world from amazon.de. Click here.

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2012-01-02T13:37:00.000-05:00

Which rock star takes ballet classes to improve his balance?

b) Mick Jagger

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2012-01-01T13:30:00.001-05:00

Which rock star takes ballet classes to improve his balance?

a) Bono
b) Mick Jagger
c) Sting
d) Pete Townshend

Power struggles in Russian ballet

2012-01-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

A fascinating article by Luke Jennings about what's really going on with the Mikhailovsky Ballet, Nacho Duato, Osipova and Vasiliev etc. Click here.

@BRB Cinderella on TV

2011-12-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

David Bintley's fabulous new Cinderella with Birmingham Royal Ballet will be broadcast on British Columbia's Knowledge Network Wednesday, January 11, 9-11 pm Pacific Standard Time (ie starting at 6 pm Eastern Time). Repeats Thursday January 12 at 1 am. Outside BC, if you have Bell satellite TV, this is available on channel 268. Elisha Willis and Iain Mackay star, and the costumes by John Macfarlane are magnificent. Well worth watching!

Why the Sugar Plum Fairy has nothing to do with plums

2011-12-22T15:47:00.002-05:00

Click here to find out what sugarplums really are.

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-12-19T16:14:00.001-05:00

The classic so-called “Giselle arms” crossed in front of the chest with the palms facing up, were in fact first used in La Sylphide by the most famous ballerina of the Romantic era, Marie Taglioni, who adopted this pose because

b) crossing her arms in front of her body disguised the fact that they were disproportionately long

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-12-18T16:13:00.001-05:00

The classic so-called “Giselle arms” crossed in front of the chest with the palms facing up, were in fact first used in La Sylphide by the most famous ballerina of the Romantic era, Marie Taglioni, who adopted this pose because
a) while doing a pirouette with her arms in the classical position in front of her waist at one performance, she quickly had to cross them to avoid whacking her partner, who she realized was standing too close to her, and a reviewer praised it as beautiful choreography
b) crossing her arms in front of her body disguised the fact that they were disproportionately long
c) she felt it best conveyed the ethereal quality of a disembodied spirit
d) it was a secret signal to one of the wealthy patrons of the Paris Opera that she would meet him in her dressing room afterwards

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Robert Tewsley book now available!

2011-12-15T14:10:00.001-05:00

For all fans of Robert Tewsley, who danced with The National Ballet of Canada, Stuttgart Ballet, Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, and guested with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, Vienna State Ballet, Bavarian State Ballet, Ballet of La Scala and many others: a BOOK about him has come out today (bilingual English/ German), including over 200 pictures, many from his time in Canada! For immediate delivery you can order on www.verlag-koenigshausen-neumann.de/advanced_search_result.php?XTCsid=a73a7437fdd2cfad5a17f565efb3b0a8&keywords=tewsley&x=0&y=0, available very soon on amazon.

Ballet for the visually impaired @BRB - it can be done!

2011-12-15T09:17:00.000-05:00

Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Hippodrome recently joined forces on a fantastic initiative to make ballet accessible for the visually impaired. Read more about it by clicking here.

Duato's new Beauty live via internet

2011-12-14T16:03:00.002-05:00

Nacho Duato's new Sleeping Beauty for the Mikhailovsky Ballet will be live-streamed on the internet, December 20th at 7 pm Russian time (1 pm Eastern standard time).
Cast:
Princess Aurora — Svetlana Zakharova
Prince Desire — Leonid Sarafanov
Lilac Fairy — Ekaterina Borchenko
Fairy Carabosse — Rishat Yulbarisov

http://www.mikhailovsky.ru/en/afisha/shows.html?date=2011-12-20&sh=926

NYCB performs Balanchine's Nutcracker on TV

2011-12-14T09:54:00.000-05:00

New York City Ballet performing Balanchine's Nutcracker is on "Live from Lincoln Center" on PBS. Check www.pbs.org for local listings, but if you're in the Toronto area, here are the listings for our PBS stations:
Rogers Cable: WNED Buffalo Thursday December 15 @1130 pm (because so many little kids are awake wanting to watch a kiddies' ballet at that time of day!) and Sunday December 18 at 3 pm
Bell Satellite: WGBH Boston Thursday December 15th at 9 pm
KCTS Seattle Tuesday December 20th at 8 pm PST (ie 11 pm EST)

Great Nutcracker backstage video from Nat. Ballet of Canada

2011-12-13T13:27:00.000-05:00

Here are some great backstage shots, featuring Tina Pereira as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Etienne Lavigne as Peter/The Prince

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-12-12T16:12:00.000-05:00

What event during a performance of Giselle was an important turning point in the career of Vaslav Nijinsky?

b) He refused to wear shorts over his tights, and the Maryinsky fired him.

Neumeier's Mermaid on TV

2011-12-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid (definitely not the Disney version!) will be broadcast this Friday, December 16 on PBS. Check www.pbs.org for details.

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-12-11T16:11:00.001-05:00

What event during a performance of Giselle was an important turning point in the career of Vaslav Nijinsky?
a) He lost his mind during the mad scene and spent the rest of his life in an asylum.
b) He refused to wear shorts over his tights, and the Maryinsky fired him.
c) He tripped over his sword and cut his calf muscle, thereafter not being able to attain the elevation for which he was famous.
d) It was the first time Sergei Diaghilev saw him dance.

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Heather Ogden and pointe shoes

2011-12-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Nice clip here, with footage of Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden in the National Ballet of Canada's Nutcracker.

Dancebelt stuffing? Fun interview with Guillaume Côté

2011-12-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

Check out this fun interview with Guillaume!
Don't forget, you can see him and the other Kings of the Dance, as well as New York City Ballet in some great Balanchine and Robbins, plus meet an NYCB dancer and more, on our trip to New York in February. Signup deadline is looming!

Funny and Clever intro to Modern Dance

2011-12-08T08:10:00.002-05:00

Ever went to a modern or contemporary dance concert and felt completely lost? Gesel Mason (dancer) and Cheles Rhynes (narrator) offer this hilarious, but true, primer called "How to Watch a Modern Dance Concert or What in the Hell are They Doing on Stage?"

Celia Franca biography

2011-12-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

“The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Celia Franca” written by Carol Bishop-Gwyn, launches Saturday December 10! This penetrating biography of Celia Franca, founder of The National Ballet of Canada, is the perfect book for anyone interested in dance, the arts or Canadian institutions. Meet the author at a book signing Saturday 2:30 to 3:30 pm at TheatreBooks (11 St Thomas St).

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-12-05T16:10:00.000-05:00

Most modern productions of Giselle follow the original in having a German Renaissance setting, which was chosen because

d) The Opera wanted to save money by reusing sets and costumes from other ballets

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-12-04T16:08:00.000-05:00

Most modern productions of Giselle follow the original in having a German Renaissance setting, which was chosen because
a) the librettist Théophile Gautier felt it was the most romantic possible setting
b) other ballets set in the German Renaissance had been big moneymakers for the Opera
c) a wealthy patron of the Opera was a huge fan of the German Renaissance
d) The Opera wanted to save money by reusing sets and costumes from other ballets

Inspiring! Ballet for the blind, deaf, and mute

2011-12-04T14:10:00.000-05:00

I just found this amazing photo gallery about the Association of Ballet and Arts for the Blind, in Sao Paulo. The association was founded by ballerina and physiotherapist Fernanda Bianchini in 1995, when she decided to teach classical ballet to the blind for free.

Jump! Pacific Northwest Ballet shows how

2011-12-03T13:52:00.001-05:00

Great 3e etage trailer - Paris Opera Ballet dancers

2011-12-02T12:50:00.000-05:00

I'm really enjoying this trailer from the 3e étage group (dancers from the Paris Opera Ballet). You can read my review of their performance at last year's Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur by clicking here.

David Hallberg and Stephen Colbert

2011-12-02T08:37:00.001-05:00

Don't miss David Hallberg on The Colbert Report next Wed, Dec 7, 11:30pm EST on Comedy Central.If you want to see David performing live, check out our trip to New York in February to see him and the other Kings of the Dance, PLUS New York City Ballet!

See the interview here (if you are in Canada):

and the dancing here:

Kings of the Dance, NYCB in New York Feb. 24-27 Sign up by Dec. 19

2011-11-30T13:07:00.011-05:00

Carlson Wagonlit Victor Travel

101 - 8800 Dufferin Street, Concord, ON L4K 0C5

TICO Ontario registration #1892647

presents

Tours en l'air

Ballet Holidays

escorted by

Canada's Word Lady, Katherine Barber

New York

24 – 27 February 2012

4 days, 3 nights

2 ballet performances (+1 optional)

Guillaume Côté and the Kings of the Dance

New York City Ballet

See 5 of the hottest male ballet stars in the world,

PLUS the world-famous New York City Ballet performing its signature repertoire,

meet an NYCB dancer and visit the NYCB wardrobe

New York City Ballet Donizetti Variations. Photo © Paul Kolnik

Guillaume Côté and David Hallberg, photo © Nikolai Krusser

the mind-blowing Ivan Vasiliev

Friday 24 February

Arrive New York, check in to the 4-star Park Central Hotel, steps from the City Center theatre. Evening: 3-course welcome dinner. Performance: Kings of the Dance: Opus 3 showcases the power, athleticism and artistry of five of today’s most celebrated male ballet stars:

Guillaume Côté (National Ballet of Canada)

David Hallberg (American Ballet Theatre, and now the first American to join the Bolshoi Ballet)

Ivan Vasiliev (Mikhailovsky Ballet, formerly Bolshoi Ballet)

Denis Matvienko (Mariinsky Ballet)

Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre)

Program (subject to change, casting subject to change):

ACT ONE

JAZZY FIVE (Choreography by Mauro Bigonzetti)

Performed by David Hallberg, Marcelo Gomes, Guillaume Côté, Ivan Vasiliev, Denis Matvienko

ACT TWO

KABURIAS (Choreography and Costume by Nacho Duato)

Performed by David Hallberg

TUE (Choreography by Marco Goecke)

Performed by Guillaume Côté

GUILTY (Choreography by Edward Clug)

Performed by Denis Matvienko

LABYRINTH OF SOLITUDE (Choreography by Patrick De Bana)

Performed by Ivan Vasiliev

STILL OF KING (Choreography by Jorma Elo)

Performed by Marcelo Gomes

WHO I THOUGHT I WAS (Music by Guillaume Côté; Choreography by Marcelo Gomes)

Performed by Leonid Sarafanov

KO’d (Music by Guillaume Côté; Choreography by Marcelo Gomes)

Performed by David Hallberg, Guillaume Côté, Denis Matvienko, Ivan Vasiliev, Leonid Sarafanov

Saturday 25 February
Day at leisure.

Optional afternoon performance of

New York City Ballet:

Allegro Brillante: a bravura piece set to Tchaikovsky's 3^rd Piano Concerto about which Balanchine said: "It contains everything I know about the classical ballet in 13 minutes."
Zakouski (Martins)
Fancy Free (Robbins)
Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3 (Balanchine, includes Theme and Variations)
Evening: 3-course dinner, then

meet a New York City Ballet dancer who will give us a tour of the David H Koch theatre, followed by a “First Position” discussion before the New York City Ballet performance of:
Donizetti Variations: Balanchine's cheerful and sunny tribute to Bournonville

Agon: one of the major ballets of the 20^th century, Balanchine's homage to modernism Fancy Free: the entertaining story of three World War II sailors on shore leave that launched Jerome Robbins' career as a choreographer and formed the basis for the musical On The Town.
Sunday 26 February
Day at leisure

Monday 27 February

Visit to New York City Ballet costume shop.
Check out of hotel and depart New York.

Total Package CA$1199 per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement: CA$250

All prices valid till 19 December 2011

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT DUE DATE: 19 DECEMBER 2011

LAND-ONLY PACKAGE allows you the flexibility of arranging

travel from your most convenient departure point,

on the dates and times you prefer. Extend your stay if you wish.

CWT Victor Travel's experienced agents will be happy to help you.

Package price includes:

Excellent orchestra seats for 2 ballet performances

Pre-performance talk and tour of the David H Koch Theater by an NYCB dancer

“First Position” pre-performance talk

3 nights double-share accommodation (one king or two queen beds) in the Park Central Hotel

3-course welcome dinner with wine

3-course pre-performance dinner

Visit to New York City Ballet costume shop

Hotel porterage

Ballet enrichment notes and informal post-performance reviews with tour leader

All taxes, service fees, and surcharges

Not included:

Airfare

Items of a personal nature, e.g. phone calls

Meals and transfers not specifically mentioned in this itinerary

Ticket to optional 2^nd NYCB performance

Beverages with meals

Cancellation and hospital/medical insurance

Terms and Conditions:

Non-refundable payment in full of CA$1199 per person is required at time of registration, no later than 19 December 2011.** Single supplement, optional second NYCB performance ticket, and optional cancellation and hospital/medical insurance also payable at this time.

All cancellations must be received in writing at CWT Victor Travel to the attention of Lucy Nati (lucy@cwtvictortravel.ca).

RBC out-of-province health insurance and trip cancellation insurance are available through CWT Victor Travel and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Price will vary according to birthdate. Premium must accompany payment for the package and is non-refundable.

For more information, please contact me: toursenlair@gmail.com or 416.693.4496

**The payment is fully refundable
in the event of cancellation of the trip by the travel agent.

For preliminary information on our April trip to Stuttgart and Munich,
please click here.

Some videos to whet your appetite:

Kings of the Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65vH34pKLU8

Agon: (snippets here, though the soundtrack of the video is not the music for the ballet):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO9Cq-n_zp0

Fancy Free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ_KFv8XVjI

Allegro Brillante http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIoDt5gdYbw

Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3 (the expanded version of Theme and Variations, seen here performed by Dresden SemperOper Ballet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGDC5ZA0vRI

BALLET MAKES LIFE BETTER - GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE

Stuttgart and Munich in the Spring

2011-11-29T17:19:00.006-05:00

I'm very excited about a trip I'm currently planning to Stuttgart and Munich at the end of April. Stay tuned for details, but it's shaping up like this:
Friday April 20th: Arrive Stuttgart
Saturday April 21st: Morning: Walking tour of Stuttgart, including a visit to the Saturday morning flower market. Afternoon at leisure to visit Stuttgart's art galleries or the Mercedes-Benz Museum, have a soak at one of Stuttgart's mineral baths, indulge in some coffee and cake, or stroll through the beautiful Schlossgarten.
Evening: Stuttgart Ballet performance: The Lady and the Fool (Cranko), Gaité Parisienne (Béjart)
Sunday April 22nd: Visit to the Versailles of Baden-Wurttemberg, the castle of Ludwigsburg
Monday April 23rd: Evening: Stuttgart Ballet performance: 3 new works by Mauro Bigonzetti, Edward Clug, Marco Goecke
Tuesday April 24th: Day excursion to the picturesque university town of Tubingen, followed by a visit to Schloss Solitude and John Cranko's grave
Wednesday April 25th: Transfer by luxury coach to Munich (approx. 2 hrs), stopping halfway to visit the old town of Augsburg. Watch Ballet Augsburg company class. Walking tour of Augsburg. Lunch with Robert Conn, Artistic Director of Ballet Augsburg.
Evening: Birmingham Royal Ballet performance: The Dream, Checkmate, Take Five
Thursday April 26th: Morning: Guided tour of the Bavarian State Ballet's home, the Nationaltheater; Walking tour of Old Munich.
Evening: Bavarian State Ballet performance: Goldberg Variations (Robbins), Gods and Dogs (Kylian)
Friday April 27th: Day excursion to the Bavarian Alps, visit to one of King Ludwig's castles, Linderhof, the baroque monastery of Ettal, and the town of Oberammergau.
Evening: Bavarian State Ballet performance:Illusions -- Like Swan Lake (Neumeier's Ludwig II -themed version of Swan Lake)

(translation of German parts to come)
Saturday April 28th: Visit to the Nymphenburg Palace, Munich
Evening: Bavarian State Ballet performance: Scènes de ballet, Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan, Voices of Spring (all Ashton), Song of the Earth (MacMillan)
Here is Voices of Spring, performed by the Royal Ballet's Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg

and Scenes de Ballet, performed by Miyako Yoshida:

Sunday April 29th Evening: Bavarian State Ballet performance: Daphnis and Chloe (Kohler), Whichever way he looks (Mannes)

(translation of German parts to come)

For some cool pics of Bavarian State Ballet ballerinas in locations around Munich, visit the Ballerina Supremacy website.

Ballet is not for the faint of heart!

2011-11-29T16:46:00.001-05:00

"Robert Tewsley puts Tetley’s Rite of Spring at the top of his endurance list. “It’s 30 minutes of relentless dancing where you have to push yourself to the limits of your strength to achieve what the ballet is trying to say: dancing to death and then rebirth,” says Robert, who even broke his finger and knuckle in one performance."

Read more about the physical demands of dancing in this great article by Canadian Stuttgart Ballet Principal Evan McKie:
If you're interested in seeing Evan dance (which you should be!) why not come along on our Stuttgart Munich trip in April? Preliminary info here.

"Never be afraid to push harder than you think you can." Robert Tewsley living up to his word in Tetley's Rite of Spring. To order the book, visit amazon.de: http://www.amazon.de/Robert-Tewsley-Dancing-borders-Grenzen/dp/3826046064/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319129396&sr=1-1

Steven McRae guests in National Ballet of Canada Nutcracker

2011-11-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

The Royal Ballet's Steven McRae will be guesting in the role of Peter on Dec 11 at 5:30 pm and Dec 15 at 7:00 pm.

Complete National Ballet of Canada Nutcracker Principal Casting as follows (to see casting by date, scroll down)
The Sugar Plum Fairy
Heather Ogden
(Dec 10 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 11 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 5:30 pm)
Sonia Rodriguez
(Dec 10 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 14, 17, 20 at 7:00 pm)
Greta Hodgkinson
(Dec 11 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 15, 16 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 18 at 1:00 pm)
Elena Lobsanova*
(Dec 17 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 22 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 27, 29, Jan 3 at 1:00 pm)
Tina Pereira
(Dec 18, Jan 3 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 21, 23 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 1:00 pm)
Stacey Shiori Minagawa
(Dec 24, 31 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 29 at 5:30 pm)

Peter/ The Nutcracker
Guillaume Côté
(Dec 10 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 11 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 5:30 pm)
Piotr Stanczyk
(Dec 10 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 14, 17, 20 at 7:00 pm/Dec 24, 31 at 1:00 pm/Dec 29 at
5:30 pm)
Steven McRae+
(Dec 11 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 15 at 7:00 pm)
Aleksandar Antonijevic
(Dec 16 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 18 at 1:00 pm)
McGee Maddox*
(Dec 17 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 22 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 27, 29, Jan 3 at 1:00 pm)
Etienne Lavigne
(Dec 18, Jan 3 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 21, 23 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 1:00 pm)

Snow Queen and her Icicles
Elena Lobsanova, Nan Wang, Brett van Sickle
(Dec 10 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 10 at 7:00 pm)
Stephanie Hutchison, Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie
(Dec 11 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 16 at 7:00 pm)
Elena Lobsanova, McGee Maddox, Aarik Wells
(Dec 11 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 15 at 7:00 pm)
Stacey Shiori Minagawa, Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie
(Dec 14, 17 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 27 at 1:00 pm)
Jenna Savella, Nan Wang, Brett van Sickle
(Dec 17 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 22 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 29, Jan 3 at
1:00 pm)
Alexandra MacDonald*, Brendan Saye*, Ryan Booth*
(Dec 18, 24, 28, 30, 31 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 20 at 7:00 pm/ Jan 3 at 5:30 pm)
Stephanie Hutchison, Nan Wang, Brett van Sickle
(Dec 18, 29 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 21, 23 at 7:00 pm)

Baba, Marie and Misha’s Nurse
Alejandra Perez-Gomez
(Dec 10, 17 at 2:00 pm, Dec 11 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 15, 20, 22 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 27,
29, 30, Jan 3 at 1:00 pm)
Lorna Geddes
(Dec 11, 18 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 16, 23 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 28, 30 at 5:30 pm)
Lise-Marie Jourdain*
(Dec 10, 14, 17, 21 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 18, 29, Jan 3 at 5:30 pm/ Dec 24, 28, 31 at
1:00 pm)

Uncle Nikolai
Jonathan Renna
(Dec 10 at 2:00 pm/ Dec 11 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 18, 28, 30
at 5:30 pm)
Robert Stephen
(Dec 10, 15, 17, 20 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 11 at 5:30 pm)
Jirí Jelinek*
(Dec 14, 21 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 24, 31 at 1:00 pm/ Dec 29 at 5:30 pm)
Noah Long+
(Dec 17 at 2:00 pm / Dec 22 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 27, 29, Jan 3 at 1:00 pm)
Kevin D. Bowles
(Dec 16, 23 at 7:00 pm/ Dec 18, 28, 30 at 1:00 pm)
* Debut.
+ Guest Artist

Casting by date: Sugar Plum/Peter/Snow Queen/Icicles/Baba/Nikolai

December 10, 2 pm: Ogden/Côté/Lobsanova/Wang/van Sickle/Perez-Gomez/Renna

December 10, 7 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Lobsanova/Wang/van Sickle/Jourdain/Stephen

December 11, 1 pm: Ogden/Côté/Hutchison/Lavigne/Lavoie/Geddes/Renna

December 11, 530 pm: Hodgkinson/McRae/Lobsanova/Maddox/Wells/Perez-Gomez/Stephen

December 14, 7 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Minagawa/Lavigne/Lavoie /Jourdain/Jelinek

December 15, 7 pm: Hodgkinson/McRae /Lobsanova/Maddox/Wells/Perez-Gomez/Stephen

December 16, 7 pm: Hodgkinson/Antonijevic /Hutchison/Lavigne/Lavoie/Geddes/Bowles

December 17, 2 pm: Lobsanova/Maddox/Savella/Wang/van Sickle/Perez-Gomez/Long

December 17, 7 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/Minagawa/Lavigne/Lavoie/Jourdain/Stephen

December 18, 1 pm: Hodgkinson /Antonijevic/MacDonald/Saye/Booth/Geddes/Bowles

December 18, 530 pm: Pereira/Lavigne/Hutchison//Wang/van Sickle/Jourdain/Renna

December 20, 7 pm: Rodriguez/Stanczyk/MacDonald /Saye/Booth /Perez-Gomez/Stephen

December 21, 7 pm: Pereira/Lavigne/Hutchison/Wang/van Sickle/Jourdain/Jelinek

December 22, 7 pm: Lobsanova/Maddox/Savella/Wang/van Sickle/Perez-Gomez/Long

December 23, 7 pm: Pereira /Lavigne/Hutchison/Wang/van Sickle/Geddes/Bowles

December 24, 1 pm: Minagawa/Stanczyk/MacDonald/Saye/Booth /Jourdain/Jelinek

December 27, 1 pm: Lobsanova /Maddox/Minagawa/Lavigne/Lavoie/Perez-Gomez/Long

December 28, 1 pm: Pereira/Lavigne/MacDonald /Saye/Booth /Jourdain/Bowles

December 28, 530 pm: Ogden/Côté/Savella/Wang/van Sickle/Geddes/Renna

December 29, 1 pm: Lobsanova /Maddox/Savella/Wang/van Sickle/Perez-Gomez/Long

December 29, 530 pm: Minagawa/Stanczyk/Hutchison/Perez-Gomez/Jelinek

December 30, 1 pm: Pereira/Lavigne/MacDonald /Saye/Booth /Perez-Gomez/Bowles

December 30, 530 pm: Ogden/Côté/Savella /Wang/van Sickle/Geddes/Renna

December 31, 1 pm: Minagawa/Stanczyk/MacDonald /Saye/Booth /Jourdain/Jelinek

January 3, 1 pm: Lobsanova /Maddox/Savella/Wang/van Sickle/Perez-Gomez/Long

January 3, 530 pm: Pereira/Lavigne/MacDonald /Saye/Booth /Jourdain/Bowles

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-11-28T16:08:00.000-05:00

The original production featured which elements:
a) a live horse
b) Wilis flying on wires
c) Albrecht reunited with Bathilde at the end
d) all of the above

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-11-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

The original production of Giselle featured which elements:
a) a live horse
b) Wilis flying on wires
c) Albrecht reunited with Bathilde at the end
d) all of the above

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-11-21T16:06:00.001-05:00

Adolphe Adam, the composer of Giselle, also wrote which famous Christmas carol:

c) O Holy Night
(called "Minuit, Chrétiens" in French)

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-11-20T16:05:00.000-05:00

Adolphe Adam, the composer of Giselle, also wrote which famous Christmas carol:
a) Joy to the World
b) Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
c) O Holy Night
d) Jingle Bells

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

$5 off Cineplex Bolshoi Ballet Broadcasts

2011-11-18T19:49:00.000-05:00

Visit the Front Row Centre Events facebook page to download a coupon entitling you to admission for only $14.95.

Behind the scenes at Ratmansky's Romeo

2011-11-17T09:46:00.005-05:00

Click here for great rehearsal footage of the National Ballet of Canada's new production, including Guillaume Cote, Jiri Jelinek, Elena Lobsanova.
http://www.cbc.ca/live/video-behind-the-scenes-at-the-national-ballets-romeo-and-juliet.html

and some live performance footage:

Scenes from The National Ballet's Romeo And Juliet from Douglas Brown on Vimeo.

Review here.

Great video about pointe shoes from Australian Ballet

2011-11-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-11-14T16:01:00.000-05:00

Giselle's librettist Théophile Gautier was in love with the first Giselle, Carlotta Grisi, but ended up marrying her

b) sister

Osipova Vasiliev quit Bolshoi for Mikhailovsky

2011-11-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

A report in today's TASS reads:

"Virtuoso young dancers have decided to pursue a career in the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, reported today Bolshoi spokesman Katerina Novikova. Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev resigned last Sunday - she said."

More details here:

If you're a fan of Ivan Vasiliev, why not join us on our trip to New York to see him and the other "Kings of the Dance", enjoy a New York City Ballet performance or two, and other ballet-themed events. Click here for more info.

Edward Villella pushed out at Miami City Ballet

2011-11-14T07:51:00.002-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/arts/dance/edward-villella-and-the-miami-city-ballet-board.html?_r=1

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-11-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Giselle's librettist Théophile Gautier was in love with the first Giselle, Carlotta Grisi, but ended up marrying her
a) niece
b) sister
c) daughter
d) understudy

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Interesting interview with Mikhail Baryshnikov

2011-11-09T07:31:00.000-05:00

http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/mikhail-baryshnikov-dances-his-way-to-tel-aviv-1.393685

$1 tix for Love Lies Bleeding

2011-11-07T20:15:00.000-05:00

For special offer for Alberta Ballet in Toronto November 9th or 10th, click here:
http://www.mirvish.com/enews/2011/llb/index.html

Ballet Trivia Quiz answer

2011-11-07T15:57:00.000-05:00

The word “Wili” is derived from which English word or expression:
a) will o' the wisp
b) willy-nilly
c) give someone the willies
d) none of the above

The word is ultimately from a Croatian word vila (nymph, fairy, spirit), which came into English via German and French.

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-11-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

The word “Wili” is derived from which English word or expression:
a) will o' the wisp
b) willy-nilly
c) give someone the willies
d) none of the above

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Conversation with Guillaume Cote

2011-11-03T07:38:00.000-04:00

http://balletnews.co.uk/cupcakes-conversation-with-guillaume-cote-principal-national-ballet-of-canada/
If you want to see Guillaume and the other "Kings of the Dance" strut their stuff, don't miss our New York trip in February (for details click here)

National Ballet of Canada Romeo & Juliet casting

2011-11-02T15:48:00.004-04:00

Romeo
Guillaume Côté (Nov. 16, 19, 23 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 26 at 2:00 pm)
McGee Maddox (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Aleksandar Antonijevic (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)
Naoya Ebe (Nov.19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
TBA (Nov. 27 at 2:00 pm)
Juliet
Elena Lobsanova (Nov. 16, 19, 23 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 26 at 2:00 pm)
Heather Ogden (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Greta Hodgkinson (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)
Sonia Rodriguez (Nov.19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
TBA (Nov. 27 at 2:00 pm)
Mercutio
Piotr Stanczyk (Nov. 16, 18, 19, 23, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Jonathan Renna (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Keiichi Hirano (Nov. 19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
Benvolio
Robert Stephen (Nov. 16, 18, 19, 23, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Christopher Stalzer (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Dylan Tedaldi (Nov. 19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
Tybalt
Jiří Jelinek (Nov. 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Etienne Lavigne (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)
Kevin D. Bowles (Nov. 19, at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
Paris Brett van Sickle (Nov. 16, 18, 19, 23, 24, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Patrick Lavoie (Nov.17, 22, 24, 25 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 20 at 2:00 pm)
Lord Capulet Etienne Lavigne (Nov. 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Kevin D. Bowles (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)
Jonathan Renna (Nov. 19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
Lady Capulet Joanna Ivey* (Nov. 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Stephanie Hutchison (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)
Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Nov. 19 at 2:00 pm/ Nov. 22, 25 at 7:30 pm)
Lord Montague Aarik Wells (Nov. 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20, 26 at 2:00 pm)
James Leja (Nov. 18, 22, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 24 at 2:00 pm)
Lady Montague Juri Hiraoka (Nov. 16, 17, 19, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Lise-Marie Jourdain (Nov. 18, 22, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 24 at 2:00 pm)
Duke of Verona Peter Ottmann (Nov. 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 24, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Rex Harrington (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Friar Lawrence Tomas Schramek (Nov. 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 24, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Peter Ottmann (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Nurse Lorna Geddes (Nov. 16, 19, 22, 23, 25 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 19, 26 at 2:00 pm)
Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Nov. 17, 24 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 20 at 2:00 pm)
Rebekah Rimsay (Nov. 18, 26 at 7:30 pm/ Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm)

Bolshoi Live Sleeping Beauty casting

2011-11-02T10:47:00.000-04:00

For the live broadcast on November 20th, Aurora will be danced by Svetlana Zakharova and the Prince by the Bolshoi's new American recruit David Hallberg. See what all the fuss is about!

Ballet Trivia Quiz answer

2011-10-31T15:54:00.000-04:00

The ballet master in Degas's famous painting The Dance Lesson is which of Giselle's choreographers?
a) Jules Perrot

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-10-30T15:51:00.003-04:00

The ballet master in Degas's famous painting The Dance Lesson is which of Giselle's choreographers?
a) Jules Perrot
b) Jean Coralli
c) Marius Petipa
d) Peter Wright

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Fabulous Manon images

2011-10-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

Robert Tewsley and Akiko Tachiki in Noriko Kobayashi Ballet Theatre's performances of MacMillan's Manon in Tokyo, August 2011.

Bolshoi reopening gala

2011-10-29T09:40:00.000-04:00

(starts at 2:20, actual gala starts at 7:00) narration in French: http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/Gala_de_reouverture_du_theatre_du_Bolchoi_a_Moscou/
article in English: http://www.thefastertimes.com/dance/2011/10/29/love-thy-opera-house%E2%80%94the-bolshoi-reopens/

An important Fille mal Gardee performer in his "dressing room"

2011-10-27T09:57:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Steven Monteith of Birmingham Royal Ballet for this adorable picture of the pony awaiting his star turn in La Fille mal Gardee outside the theatre in Plymouth where BRB is currently performing.
For more about this particular star pony, visit BRB's entertaining post on their touring blog. and this post from the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

German TV spot about Roberto Bolle

2011-10-27T08:53:00.007-04:00

http://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/hamj14265.html
The beautiful Ballet Man
Many of the posters of Roberto Bolle advertising the performances of "Orpheus" at the Hamburg Ballet have been stolen. What makes the dancer so popular? We met him during rehearsals.
Since he has been dancing on the world's ballet stages, it's become clear: seldom has ballet been so sexy.
His charisma is so appealing. His style is so virtuosic. Roberto Bolle has enchanted Presidents, the Queen, and the Pope. Now the Hamburg audience can swoon over his Orpheus.
Since the age of 7, he has danced. He doesn't smoke or drink and follows a strict diet.
"My whole life always revolves around dancing. Even when I'm on holiday by the sea, I work out, even if it's just swimming."
Two years ago, John Neumeier created on him the role of Orpheus, a mythical story of fate, confronting love and death. Then he injured his back and had to cancel his performances. Once he was back on his feet, he was so busy with engagements around the world that only now can he find his way back to Hamburg to carry on with this particularly emotional choreography, where every movement is imbued with feeling. Yet the worry that he could still injure something remains.
"A ballet dancer is an athlete. We always have to deal with injuries and pain. But you learn that quickly, right at the beginning of your career, you just have to live with physical pain."
Only the icy autumn wind is too cold for this Italian. Besides, in Hamburg he's happy he doesn't have to hide behind a hat and sunglasses. In Italy everyone recognizes him. Of course he is pleased by that but on the other hand he enjoys the moments where he can do what he wants in peace. For example, forbidden things. His only vice: dark chocolate.
"Of course there are moments when I let myself go. For example Christmas... panettone, cream cakes. I break the rules with a clear conscience!"
He buys two chocolate bars. He could eat them all at once. But he'll make them last for two days.

Ballet Trivia Quiz Answer

2011-10-24T09:14:00.000-04:00

The music for Giselle's first-act solo is by:

b) Ludwig Minkus

Miami City Ballet on PBS October 28

2011-10-23T11:42:00.000-04:00

Balanchine's "Square Dance" (music by Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli) and "Western Symphony" (music by Hershy Kay) and Tharp's "The Golden Section" (music composed and performed by David Byrne). Miami City Ballet Dances Balanchine and Tharp airs Friday, October 28 at 9 p.m. as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival
http://video.pbs.org/video/2151623251#
Check your local PBS station for times.

Weekly Ballet Trivia Quiz

2011-10-23T09:13:00.000-04:00

The music for Giselle's first-act solo is by:
a) Adolphe Adam
b) Ludwig Minkus
c) Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer
d) a wealthy patron of the Paris Opera

Answer will be posted tomorrow.

Almost 2000 ballet performances in Europe and N America

2011-10-22T13:30:00.000-04:00

Check out my master calendar, now updated to include La Scala and Rome 2012 season and ABT spring season, by clicking on the "What's on in Ballet" tab.

Interview with Christopher Wheeldon

2011-10-21T14:52:00.002-04:00

http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2011/10/18/wachtel-on-the-arts---christopher-wheeldon/

Robert Tewsley book now available to order through amazon

2011-10-20T12:53:00.000-04:00

To order, click here: http://www.amazon.de/Robert-Tewsley-Dancing-borders-Grenzen/dp/3826046064/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319129396&sr=1-1
In my experience, amazon shipping charges from Germany to North America are very reasonable.