I want to change my life - I want to go into straight theatre. Natalie Dessay announced to Examiner.com's Sean Martinfield. After the summer Dessay is slated to sing Massenet’s Manon in Toulouse, … [Read more...] about Natalie Dessay to say ‘addio’ to opera
Manon
Sergei Polunin on bringing Mayerling to Moscow, and dancing until 50
Sergei Polunin, who famously defected from the Royal Ballet just over a year ago, has found a home at the Stanislavsky theatre, and fame through winning a television dance competition. Settling down … [Read more...] about Sergei Polunin on bringing Mayerling to Moscow, and dancing until 50
New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
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 … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon, Act 1, the bedroom pas de deux with Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru
New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
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 … [Read more...] about New YouTube video: Manon Act 2, the party scene, with Sylvie Guillem
The FT’s Clement Crisp: Manon’s involuntary sexual charm, like Marilyn Monroe
The Financial Times has some, understandable, reserves in an otherwise excellent review: My cheers for the ensemble are as loud as anyone’s, as also my admiration for the principals: for José … [Read more...] about The FT’s Clement Crisp: Manon’s involuntary sexual charm, like Marilyn Monroe
Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
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 … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem’s triumphal return to Manon: the final pas de deux [video]
The Royal Ballet’s Rupert Pennefather talks to The Sunday Times
On dancing the final pas de deux from Manon with Sarah Lamb“The last pas de deux should be risked. There are a lot of throws and falls, so we agreed to take it to the maximum risk factor, to make it … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Rupert Pennefather talks to The Sunday Times
Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Anna Karenina
The fifth offering from the Mariinsky divided the critics. Most had reserves over Alexei Ratmansky's storytelling, but even Kenneth MacMillan's Manon received a hammering on its first outing. The … [Read more...] about Critics round-up: Mariinsky at Covent Garden, Anna Karenina
Lamb and Pennefather – the new ballet dream team at the Garden
Last Saturday was Rupert Pennefather's 30th birthday and the Royal Ballet gave him a wonderful gift: the opportunity to début in Manon with the fellow newcomer Sarah Lamb. The Times' Debra Craine … [Read more...] about Lamb and Pennefather – the new ballet dream team at the Garden
Rupert Pennefather’s turning thirty but still looking good in white tights
The Times talked to Rupert Pennefather on the eve of his 30th birthday and his début in Manon: Never underestimate the importance of looking good in white tights - says Debra Craine - for a male … [Read more...] about Rupert Pennefather’s turning thirty but still looking good in white tights
That’s a lots of Manons – 8 casts, 15 performances and a sold-out notice guaranteed
The Royal Ballet's signature ballet Manon returns next week for a 15 show run. That's a lot for a narrative ballet that doesn't possess a Tchaikovsky score! But it is the casting that astounds - … [Read more...] about That’s a lots of Manons – 8 casts, 15 performances and a sold-out notice guaranteed
Sylvie Guillem’s Manon at La Scala: It is something beyond technique, beyond skill, even beyond intelligence
Sarah Crompton for The Telegraph has written a beautiful article on the power of Sylvie Guillem's Manon; it sums up what ballet is about, and why we love it. I thought of Fonteyn when I went to La … [Read more...] about Sylvie Guillem’s Manon at La Scala: It is something beyond technique, beyond skill, even beyond intelligence
The guile and pathos of Guillem’s Manon: Sylvie Guillem’s triumphant return to La Scala
After concentrating on contemporary dance, and mostly new works, since leaving the Kitris and Odettes with which she made her name, Sylvie Guillem has made a surprise return to the full-length … [Read more...] about The guile and pathos of Guillem’s Manon: Sylvie Guillem’s triumphant return to La Scala