At the beginning of 2011 an extraordinary happening occurred in the ballet world: Sylvie Guillem, who had almost given up her pointe shoes and had been focusing on contemporary dance, returned to one of her most celebrated roles, Manon.
Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet had won her praise all over the world, so the 46 year-old was certainly taking a gamble, but one which paid off magnificently. The three performances at Milan’s La Scala were a triumph.
This is the final pas de deux, with Massimo Murru:
Wondrous and better than ever. How lucky we were to have attended at least one of her incomparable performances as Manon at La Scala (mine was for January 27th and I still ahve not descended to earth!). What to say about Sylvie except that her art, her beauty and grace are more precious than ever.
She just came back from a triumphant tour in Japan where she danced a most diversified repertory. At various Galas “Hope Japan” (for the victims of the earthquake and the tsunami) she did Béjarts “Bolero”, “La Luna” and in other programs back to her pointe shoes for the greatest pleasure of our Japanese friends. Pas de deux (bedroom scene of Manon with Massimo Murru) and the entire ballet “A month in the country” by Ashton partnered once more by Murru and…Anthony Dowell as her husband. People who have seen her (unfotunately I was not among these) say she is better than ever (and i can totally believe them after having seen her latest Manon and her new program at the Sadler’s last July). She also did her latest program with choreographies from Forsythe and Mats Ek) and at the end “Eonnagata”. Quite a répertoire!
I do so wish we could also get another chance to see her back at the classical repertory. Next spring the Paris Opera House are reviving Manon. Is there a hope to see “Mademoiselle Non” back where she started her illustrious career? Let us have some hope. Also in May 20 12 they will revive “Marguerite and Armand” at La Scala. On the early dates (beginnings of May) the web site of La Scala indicates that Svetlana Zakharova will portray Marguerite opposite Roberto Bolle). Then 3 dates (I think 18, 20, 22 of May) with Massimo Murru. No names yet as for his leading female partner. Can we have some hopes on that? One problem. On May 19th (so between these performances I believe that Sylvie is scheduled to present her new dance show at St Pollten in Austria. So I do not know whether this will be compatible with the Scala performanes.
Sadly she will not be dancing in “Marguerite and Armand” – although she had been slated to dance the role again, she turned it down (for diverse reasons, depending on which rumour you’re listening to!)
Murru should be dancing on the three days scheduled in May, but not with Sylvie…
It is a great pity indeed that we will not see her as Marguerite in La Scala revival. I have not read anything regarding the diverse rumours or versions why she would not do it (maybe because of her new work and other engagements?). Let us be grateful at least that Mademoiselle Non said “oui” for Manon at La Scala before starting to say “non” again. But I can understand, she is such a perfectionnist and would not do things unless all the necessary criteria would be reunited for her in order to give her very best on stage and to her audience. Still I hope we will have a chance to see her again in the classical repertory. I am not certain about Manon either (I am sure she is not hostile in redoing this especially after her recent triumph in Milan) but it also depends on the Paris Opera House and how they deal with her (I hope at least that they have approached her and tried to lure her back for their Mnaon in 2012).
Somehow when they announced “Manon” at La Scala, I immediately thought that I had to go and see her since this may be the last chance to see her doing a classical part again in Europe and I am certianly glad I jumped on the occasion. Some of the people I know have regrets for not going to Milan to see her Manon at La Scala. I hope that this Manon will not be our last chance to see her in the classical repertory in Europe but even if it was the case we can console ourselves with her incomparable Milanese Manon something to cherish forever.
[..YouTube..] Superb! She reminds me of the older days when ballerinas understood what interpreting a role meant. Here, in Guillem at age 46, is a ballerina I continue to want to watch performing again and would happily pay to see; there are some other, older ballerinas still taking prime roles in certain companies, that should have retired long before 46-ish! Thanks for posting.
[..YouTube..] @moushka26 yeah!
[..YouTube..] Incredible and magnificent! I’ve never had the good fortune to see Sylvie in person so this is an incomparable gift. Thank you for posting.
[..YouTube..] magnifiquement dansé, et surtout interprété par sylvie ! massimo est superbe également !
[..YouTube..] oh mamma da dove sbuca questo meraviglioso video ? grazie grazie grazieè un meraviglioso ricordo per chi come era presente a quella serata indimenticabile
[..YouTube..] It was a most extraordinary event, soething to cherish for one’s lifetime. How lucky we were to witness the return of Sylvie to classical ballet at La Scala in Milan for one of her very greatest parts, Manon. I was there for the premiere on January 27th and it was one fo the most overwhelming and beautiful experiences of my life. Seing A touch of beauty, grace and genious right in front of our eyes. Viva Sylvie, la Divina.
[..YouTube..] Non so come ringraziarti…..meraviglioso…loro due sono meravigliosi!!!!! una delle serate più belle della mia vita ♥!!!!Grazie di cuore 🙂
[..YouTube..] Lovely – best I’ve seen since Darcey Bussell – wish i was seeing it live as I saw Darcey’s! Nan
[..YouTube..] A million thanks for uploading this. She always was and remains magnificent, without equal, and this is a huge gift you’ve given us. Amazing!Thank you!!
[..YouTube..] yeah!
[..YouTube..] Nel stagione scaligera 2012/2013 non compare il nome di Massimo Murru.Vergognoso.
[..YouTube..] E’ danza meravigliosa. They leave me breathless.
E’ danza meravigliosa. They leave me breathless.
Nel stagione scaligera 2012/2013 non compare il nome di Massimo Murru.Vergognoso.
A million thanks for uploading this. She always was and remains magnificent, without equal, and this is a huge gift you’ve given us. Amazing!Thank you!!
Lovely – best I’ve seen since Darcey Bussell – wish i was seeing it live as I saw Darcey’s! Nan
Superb! She reminds me of the older days when ballerinas understood what interpreting a role meant. Here, in Guillem at age 46, is a ballerina I continue to want to watch performing again and would happily pay to see; there are some other, older ballerinas still taking prime roles in certain companies, that should have retired long before 46-ish! Thanks for posting.
magnifiquement dansé, et surtout interprété par sylvie ! massimo est superbe également !
oh mamma da dove sbuca questo meraviglioso video ? grazie grazie grazieè un meraviglioso ricordo per chi come era presente a quella serata indimenticabile
It was a most extraordinary event, soething to cherish for one’s lifetime. How lucky we were to witness the return of Sylvie to classical ballet at La Scala in Milan for one of her very greatest parts, Manon. I was there for the premiere on January 27th and it was one fo the most overwhelming and beautiful experiences of my life. Seing A touch of beauty, grace and genious right in front of our eyes. Viva Sylvie, la Divina.
Non so come ringraziarti…..meraviglioso…loro due sono meravigliosi!!!!! una delle serate più belle della mia vita ♥!!!!Grazie di cuore 🙂
she is 46 years old here!!!!!
This is such a beautiful performance. Thank you for posting.
Incredible and magnificent! I’ve never had the good fortune to see Sylvie in person so this is an incomparable gift. Thank you for posting.
The freedom in those limbs, the grace of those hands, the quality of that movement…living proof that age is only a number.
FOREVER THE BEST