Full Version: Kirov in Orange County
They are dancing Don Quixote and Giselle if you could see one which would you see?
They open tomorrow night, and I'm seeing both 
. But if I had to choose one, I'd choose "Giselle."
. But if I had to choose one, I'd choose "Giselle."
I am definately seeing Giselle! I wish I could see both though... Last time they were at the OCPAC, I saw them perform Swan Lake. Alina Somova was Odette/Odile, and she did an amazing job! I think what's most amazing is the corps de ballet. Not a single person was out of line or off the music. It was perfection! Definately looking forward to seeing what they can do in Giselle! 
I took my son last night to see Don Quixote. I wish I had bought tickets to see Giselle.
It was enjoyable, but not what I expected of the Kirov Ballet. I'm usually not a critic, but this just didn't sit well with me.
Act I was fine, Act II was disappointing, Act III was okay.
The high points were Cupid and the Matador's Girlfriend(?). They were the only ones IMHO that showed true artistry.
The costumes in Act II were disappointing. They looked like something purchased from Curtain Call Costumes. It was hard to distinguish who was Queen of the Dryads until her variation. Her extension was incredible, but again IMHO, it is not about what you do, but how you do it, and the artistry just wasn't there. I remember the man behind me commenting how good she was because she could extend her leg to her ear. I'm a dance teacher, and that just doesn't impress me. I've got fourteen year olds that can do that.
It looked like many of the dancers were having an off night. Of course, Kirov dancers having an off night are still worth watching.
All that being said, my son (10) loved it and during one intermission was trying to do Italian Fouettes on the balcony.
Don Quixote is my favorite ballet. I saw it live by ABT with Patrick Bissell as Basil. When I was a teenager, I watched ABT's version on tape almost every night.
I think I'll stick to ABT on this one.
It was enjoyable, but not what I expected of the Kirov Ballet. I'm usually not a critic, but this just didn't sit well with me.
Act I was fine, Act II was disappointing, Act III was okay.
The high points were Cupid and the Matador's Girlfriend(?). They were the only ones IMHO that showed true artistry.
The costumes in Act II were disappointing. They looked like something purchased from Curtain Call Costumes. It was hard to distinguish who was Queen of the Dryads until her variation. Her extension was incredible, but again IMHO, it is not about what you do, but how you do it, and the artistry just wasn't there. I remember the man behind me commenting how good she was because she could extend her leg to her ear. I'm a dance teacher, and that just doesn't impress me. I've got fourteen year olds that can do that.
It looked like many of the dancers were having an off night. Of course, Kirov dancers having an off night are still worth watching.
All that being said, my son (10) loved it and during one intermission was trying to do Italian Fouettes on the balcony.
Don Quixote is my favorite ballet. I saw it live by ABT with Patrick Bissell as Basil. When I was a teenager, I watched ABT's version on tape almost every night.
I think I'll stick to ABT on this one.
When they were in Chicago I posted a few personal responses to Vishneva's Giselle:
http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=28096
If any other BTers see this version of it, I'd be glad to read theirs. I can't believe she's not fully recovered, BTW.
http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=28096
If any other BTers see this version of it, I'd be glad to read theirs. I can't believe she's not fully recovered, BTW.
QUOTE (ToThePointe @ Oct 9 2008, 11:30 AM) 
It was hard to distinguish who was Queen of the Dryads until her variation. Her extension was incredible, but again IMHO, it is not about what you do, but how you do it, and the artistry just wasn't there. I remember the man behind me commenting how good she was because she could extend her leg to her ear. I'm a dance teacher, and that just doesn't impress me. I've got fourteen year olds that can do that.
The Queen of the Dryads last night was Alina Somova. 'Nuf said.
Giselle was absolutely amazing! Diana Vishneva had a pretty good performance, though there was one time during her variation where she stumbled a bit on her toe hops... She's such a great artist though, so it didn't really matter. The corps de ballet was perfect - always together. I am always in awe of the corps for this company. I don't remember who danced the part of Myrta, but she was perfect in the role. Overall it was a very good show!
I found the link to this video at Mariinsky.org (primarily Russian), but since it has such terrific footage of rehearsals (oh that strong great corps de ballet !!!), and Sultry Big Red (Kandauorova) dancing a spanish dancer, and Oganesian, and rehearsal of Nioradze and Tereshkina..... at Orange county PS: and Lopatkina in Giselle - wonderful.......
only sad that Fateev adores NY City ballet "leg" work as he said... (though in my first viewing i watched and not followed his words).....
Enjoy, i surely did
http://www.dancechanneltv.com/index.php?op...&video_id=9
only sad that Fateev adores NY City ballet "leg" work as he said... (though in my first viewing i watched and not followed his words).....
Enjoy, i surely did
http://www.dancechanneltv.com/index.php?op...&video_id=9
I have asked a few of the people that I go to ballets with which one they would see out of Don Quixote and Giselle and everyone has said Giselle but i would rather see Don Quixote.
I don't know why but i seem to be totally unsupported on this
I don't know why but i seem to be totally unsupported on this
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.