In brief (well,brief-ish) I liked it but I wasn't overwhelmed. I thought some of it seemed a little bit disconnected, especially early on. I couldn't quite work out whether this was the choreography, the music or the conducting - I don't think it was the dancing. The sets and costumes were quite atmospheric, and there were some lovely tableau-like moments, like the ball scene. Pity about the noisy pointe shoes, which I find very distracting.

Adam Cooper was born to play Onegin - he is capable of holding the audience when standing still, and there's a lot of that. Alina, of course, was marvellous - since I'm one of the few able to remember Markova, I'll say that she reminds me of her a little, not in personality, but in lightness and general look. I thought Ethan Stiefel looked wonderful and danced well. Rojo I was not quite sure about. I do find her face rather inexpressive, though you can't really fault her dancing. She only seemed to me to get going in the last act - again, this could be the construction of the ballet. To cast Muriel Valtat as the Nurse seemed to me an absolutely appalling waste. I thought the corps danced well throughout, and they have some nice stuff to do. I agree about the grand jetes!

I have to admit I indulged in a bit of fantasy casting. It is very easy to imagine what Fonteyn and Nureyev would have done with these roles, and (just to show I do know something about today's dancers) I would have liked to see Jonathan Cope cast as Onegin.

I'd love to know how people who've seen it several times thought this performance compared with others they have seen - and any other views, of course.

I thought Cope would make a good Onegin too and Guillem would be a fabulous Tatiana - maybe the summer cast may see some alternative casting?

Tewsley was good too, and Adam Cooper played third fiddle with considerable charm.

Going back to the earlier post about Guillem: I can't say I agree as Guillem stopped being convincing in teenage roles some time ago, IMHO. Witness her Giselle this year which I for one just couldn't believe in. I'm not saying she isn't a great dancer, but there are some ballets (such as Cranko's) that require convincing acting as well!

Regards,
PhilipB

Anneliese,

I think you and I share an admiration for Irek. I agree that he would have been a wonderful Onegin! And also Cope.

Speaking of Irek, have you read his biography? Wonderful!

I really wish Cope had been cast and would love to see others in it like Guillem over the summer. But will Reid Andersen have any say over future casts or is the RB more or less free to cast as it likes after this first run?

And I'm looking forward to Galeazzi and Tewsley on the 10th!

How full was the auditorium on Wednesday for Galeazzi-Tewsley btw?

Regards,
PhilipB

Whilst Rojo and Cojacaru were utterly delightful, for me the stars were Cooper and Stiefel. Cooper has got his old style back, no doubt the result of working with someone with the technical abilities of an ABT dancer. And of course his partnering and acting were absolutely spot on. And Stiefel was everything I expected.

But the most interesting thing was that the distraction caused by those noisy pointe shoes was all the more noticeable in contrast to the utterly light and silent dancing of the men. And it wasn't just because they weren't on point - I have heard some male dancers land with a great thud

Oh, and I did wander round the Floral Hall trying to spot likely ballet.co people - to no avail of course since I've never met any of you. Needle in a haystack! Next time, I'll announce my coming....

Ann and others - I would have emailed you if I had dared, but I was afraid of spreading/getting the current virus (computer, not flu!). Glad you got there.

I thought I did hear one heavy landing from Stiefel, but that's a quibble - he was excellent. The scoring seemed rather thin at some key moments, which cruelly exposed the noisy girls - some thunderous bourrees!

Virginia
vpreston@icbh.ac.uk

It would be hard to find a better cast for the performance I saw. Adam Cooper is perfect for rather darkly attractive Onegin. Rojo gives a remarkably powerful dramatic performance. The scene where Onegin tears up her letter is heartbreaking. There can be no doubt from this performance that Olga is the younger sister! Alina was absolutely delightful in this role. She also demonstrates her brilliant technique to the full. Steiffel might be the best dancer on the stage but he does not have the stage presnece of Adam Cooper. But he really comes into his in his solo variation.

I was very impressed by Cranko's choreography. The integration of dance and drama was more effective then MacMillan. There seem to be far less padding esp in the corp de ballet dance. But the pas de deux, superb as they are, are not quite as good as the best of MacMillan. But I often find that MacMillan goes in for overstatement. I found Manon quite over the top in sleaze and squalor. Onegin in contrast was subtle, introspective and more human

I am very surprised why this ballet has not been done before by the RB. It is perfect for a very strong dramatic company with a relativey small auditorium. What would I give to see the likes of Viviana Durante, Leslie Collier and Irek Mukhamdevetc in these terrific roles. Another triumph for Dowell (not!)!!

Virginia

At huge expense I finally made it to Onegin on Tuesday night. Was it worth all the time, effort and money? Definitely.

And whilst greatly admiring Rojo and Cojacaru (especially the latter), I did actually think that the men came off better, particularly in one respect (see below). Cooper has got his old style back again, no doubt influenced by working with someone with the technical ability of Stiefel. His superb partnering, acting and command of the stage were, as always, faultless. Stiefel danced beautifully, though his acting seemed a little subdued.

However, one thing that struck me. What was particularly noticeable was the fact that, in contrast to the clonking of pointe shoes from the ladies (which, like Helen, I find most distracting) the two male leads landed from the highest of jumps, featherlight and silent. Yes, I know, they weren't wearing points, but I have heard some thumping landings from other male dancers in the past .

I did wander around the Floral Hall during the intervals in the hope of trying to spot ballet.co people, but useless of course since I've never met any of you. Next time around, I'll announce my coming....

Oops, sorry - posted twice. Thought the first one hadn't taken!