Big thanks to The Australian Ballet for bringing us live ballet after a long year! It was glorious. Haglund watched every minute of it standing up--too excited to sit down.
What an uplifting, splendimagnificmajestic evening. Performing in an arena with the orchestra behind them, the dancers were superb. The excerpt from La Bayadere's Kingdom of the Shades revealed a rock-solid corps de ballet, a lovely Nikiya who possessed an air of mystery, and a handsome and attentive Solor.
The Trio from Filigree and Shadow revealed a Forsythe influence in choreography, music, and costumes.
The PdD from Molto Vivace was clearly a gift to Amber Scott and Adam Bull -- and a gift to us. Such lyrical beauty, amazing pas de deux choreography, and it all flowed like liquid gold.
The excerpt from Lucas Jervies' Spartacus may not have been up to the standards of the rest of the evening, but it was certainly watchable. It was kind of like Muscle Beach Meets the Ballet, but muscle beach ballet as a genre has its fans these days.
Nureyev's Don Quixote PdD dazzled in high speed. At the intermission interview with Basilio and Kitri, we learned that Basilio was so nervously excited when he woke up this morning that he blew his breakfast.
The excerpt from The Merry Widow was quite the tease. It certainly would be nice to see that entire production again.
Aussie Ballet's treatment of Tschaikovsky PdD and the finale from Theme & Variations revealed their good taste for high speed.
All in all, a most enjoyable evening at the ballet, Darling. (Kiss at the door.) Let's do it again real soon. Don't lose my number.
Yes, oh yes! At first I found having the orchestra hovering above the stage a bit disconcerting and I had some issues with buffering. Overall, I really think these live streams are the way of the future. It was wonderful.I want more.
Posted by: Christina Skoski | February 28, 2021 at 11:51 AM
Can someone please provide a link to the Ballet West Facade video performance. I keep getting Rubies from last week. Thanks.
Posted by: Christina Skoski | February 28, 2021 at 11:53 AM
I hadn’t seen live ballet in over 14 months and was in desperate need of it! The Australian Ballet filled the need. It was a lovely variety. I was actually crying in “La Bayadere” sequence. It had been so long and the Australian Ballet Corps performed it beautifully. It was just what I needed. Thank you so much! Bravi to all!
Posted by: MoMo | February 28, 2021 at 07:12 PM
Thanks to your post, Haglund I got a ticket and watched The Australian Ballet a couple of times! It was so exciting to see live classical (mostly) ballet that is done well. So many great pieces, starting with Kingdom of the Shades and ending with Theme and Variations. I hope this company will present more of these live streams and that they will be as good as "Summertime at the Ballet."
Posted by: Georgiann | March 01, 2021 at 08:40 PM
There will be a live stream of the first programme in Sydney in April @ Sydney Opera House - Serenade, the Four Temperaments & a new work by Pam Tanowitz.
Posted by: G.Wray. | March 01, 2021 at 10:02 PM
Looking forward to seeing TAB in Serenade and 4Ts. Should be beautiful.
Posted by: Haglund | March 01, 2021 at 10:29 PM