Ballet anyone?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 3:24pm

Are there any ballet fans out there?

American Ballet Theatre is currently in DC and I attended 2 of their performances of Giselle. What amazes me about ballet in general is the power of both music and choreography. Although I have seen this ballet countless times, I am always moved. The audiences for both performances were extremely attentive and appreciative. Jose Manuel Carreno danced the two times I saw it. He partnered Julie Kent and Paloma Herrera. They were all wonderful both in the dancing and acting department.

Just wanted to share.

[camerangel]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 3:28pm

I was never a fan of ballet until I actually worked on one. I had never actually seen one live.. But let me tell you after working with a pro ballet company I would love to see one.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 3:30pm

I am always amazed at how effortless the dancers make it look, but I know otherwise!!!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 3:31pm

I adore ballet and have seen most of the standard repertoire at City Ballet and ABT. I try to see two or three ballets a year, but would like to see more.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 3:36pm

I love watching ballet.

Especially male ballerinas...

There is nothing more attractive in the world than a man dancing like that...

[kim1061]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:25pm

me myself doing ballet is a horrid site but yes i love how they make it look so easy!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:34pm

I love going to the ballet... though I prefer when it's a collection of dances rather than a full lenght ballet. I tend to get bored during full-length ballets.

The first professional company I saw was the Bolshoi in the early 80's in Costa Rica, where I grew up. I saved for months and invited my parents. We were in the nosebleed section of the National Theater. It was spectacular!

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:39pm

I'm a also a balletomane. Absolutely adore it -- especially the classic Petipa repertoire. I'm a sucker for a SWAN LAKE or a GISELLE or COPPELIA or SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Love the score to CINDERELLA. Prokofiev's work -- especially the waltz -- is so haunting. However, I hated the San Francisco Ballet's version of it that was aired on PBS. I thought Evelyn Cisneros was less than impressive in the lead.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:40pm

I'm a huge fan (not to mention I also dance ballet). I love "Firebird" and "Sleeping Beauty". Those are definitely my two favorites.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 4:42pm

For some reason, I'm not a Balanchine fan.

I was trained in Russian and Italian techniques, so that might have something to do with it.

[Chloe]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:03pm

I sort of had to learn to love Balanchine. I can see a parallel with Sondheim in that they both departed from the conventions of their genres and created works that are more astringent and less romantic.

[ElTico68]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:06pm

I guess. It's just one of those things. In Seattle PNB is very Balanchine influenced, and I've TRIED to enjoy them, to no avail. Of course, that's not to say that I'll always feel that way.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:07pm

I like a little of both, story ballets and short pieces. Some of my favorite short pieces are Symphony in C (Bizet) and Etudes (Riisager).

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 5:59pm

I love ballet...it is so graceful, yet athletic...I would LOVE to be able to dance like that...but the sight of me in a leotard would send people running away in fear..so...

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 6:53pm

As a child, my mother took me several times to Lincoln Center to the ballet. My favorite will always be the Nutcracker. I also took ballet for about three years when I was in elementary school. Ok, I was the worst klutz in my class , but I looked adorable in my tutu!

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 8:34pm

Ballet? Sheesh!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 8:57pm

I have never seen a live ballet performance. But I really have always loved it and wanted to try my hand (or feet, as it were) at it.

[cturtle]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 9:10pm

"everything ... is beautiful ... at the ballet ..."

ballet music has always been my favorite form of classical music. the tchaikovsky scores, especially SLEEPING BEAUTY, are just terrific. and prokofiev's ROMEO AND JULIET - brilliant.

seeing the movie THE TURNING POINT back in the 70s really "turned" me on to watching dance. (and i see that it has FINALLY been released on DVD! yay!)

ATLANTA BALLET has a good company. too bad their repertoire is limited. seeing MISHA in atlanta years ago was such a thrill. i FINALLY saw ABT for the first time a couple of years ago. ethan was hot. one day i'll see NYCB!!

Updated On: 2/7/05 at 09:10 PM

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 9:17pm

If you get a chance to see the Cranko version - Stuttgart Ballet or Joffrey Ballet - of Romeo and Juliet, don't miss it.

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 10:14pm

Dottie -- I am pretty certain the NYC Ballet is coming to DC this winter/spring -- if you can get tickets to see a performance with "Thou Swell" -- DO IT!

It is a great piece -- about 15 - 20 Rodgers and Hart songs (with a full orchestra) and spectacular choreography....

Ballet is a perfect eveing regardless of the program...a perfect combination of art, music and things the body does for pure joy!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 10:51pm

Oh, Glebby! Sheesh, indeed!

Dottie, I have a subscription series to the NYCB. Fall. Winter. Spring. It's heaven to me. Pure heaven.

We'll chat about it when I see you soon! (a well placed hint for you...)

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 2/7/05 at 11:44pm

I love ballet!!!! It's so beautiful. I just wish I had better feet. Yeah, it's just great.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 2/8/05 at 2:09am

Dottie-
Funny you should ask. I'm a theater/opera queen, but was taken to see Coppelia by friends while on holiday in Ft Lauderdale this weekend. It was fun to see Edward Villella and the Miami Ballet. The production was competent and the Performing Arts Center was beautiful, but ballet just doesn't speak to me. I miss singing/voices/talking. It didn't help that there was no orchestra-blasphemy!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/8/05 at 12:01pm

Midtown, it's all about the live music. Too bad it was pre-recorded. If you get an opportunity, try ABT. They are wonderful.

KMF - I plan on seeing NYCB when they're in DC. I'd like to see the West Side Story suite. They were here last year as well (for the first time in about 17 years). Thanks for the suggestion.

Addy - I hear you!!!

Updated On: 2/8/05 at 12:01 PM

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 2/8/05 at 12:13pm

I am a season ticketholder for The Pennsylvania Ballet. Their staging of Slaughter on Tenth Avenue this past November was superb. I'm very excited to see La Fille mal gardee coming in March.