Still putting off writing *the* post, so I’m just sharing that I had the most fun in a ballet class tonight because the substitute teacher (Annali Rose Clevenger) used oldies for class music. “In My Life” for tendus, “California Girls” for fondus, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for adagio, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” for grand battements (amazing to have happy music here), “Can’t Help Falling in Love” for reverence. Seriously, why don’t more teachers use something besides piano mixes? I couldn’t help smiling the entire time.
Mariinsky Ballet Swan Lake
I have to admit that I was quite hesitant to attend the Mariinsky Ballet’s Swan Lake at Zellerbach, having seen the ballet roughly ten times live now — so not only was I kind of sick of it, but also didn’t think that there would be much that any company could add, even if it was the Mariinsky (the company which the Petipa/Ivanov choreography was made) — and especially because we were laying down $175 a ticket for some nice seats. But boy I am glad that I was peer pressured into going to the show.
First, I will point out the negatives, just to get them over with. This version of Swan Lake was probably the least emotional and dramatic ones I’ve seen. Seriously, what’s with the happy ending? Isn’t this supposed to be a tragedy? The denouement doesn’t make sense at all without the sacrifice of Odette and Siegfried. In fact, most of the plot elements seem to have been stripped in this version. But oh well, who really cares about plot in a ballet? The ending still gives me goosebumps.
I think a bigger issue was the lack of drama, and a sense of lack of chemistry between the principals Evgeny Ivanchenko and Anastasia Kolegova in Act 2. Maybe it’s the choreography, maybe it’s just the Russian style, but I just didn’t feel the emotional connection there (their partnering was great, however). Kolegova’s Odette, while beautiful, felt too regal and not vulnerable enough. There wasn’t the chase or the heartbreaking sacrifice here (the choreography is probably partially to blame).
Kolegova’s Odile, however, was quite spectacular, maybe the best I’ve seen live. (Conferring with friends, I think Maria Kochetkova might be the best overall Odette/Odile I’ve had the privilege to see live. For just Odette, I think Sarah Van Patten still takes the cake for me.) Technically solid, incredible fouettes, with that slightly sadistic edge to her coquettishness: in other words, nearly flawless. For both the pdd and the variation, I was completely entranced. Although I still think that the Russian style fouettes just look a little weird…
The men and the soloists were okay, solid but not outstanding for a world-class company. Maybe it’s just that after seeing Cuban-trained and Bournonville danseurs, the Mariinsky men just seem to lack that explosive edge that makes things exciting. And the soloists in general were good, but nothing to write home about.
What was definitely worth writing about is the corps. You think that nothing in Swan Lake could surprise you, and then you see just how much the Mariinsky corps blows the rest of the field out of the water in Acts 2 and 4. It’s simply something that has to be seen to be believed: spectacular and magical how together they were. I can’t even imagine how much drilling is required to achieve that level of consistent timing. I don’t think they were off by more than a 16th note during some passages — you could hear 24 pairs of pointe shoes hitting the floor at the same time. Similarly, the four cygnets were impeccable feet-wise, although the head movements were slightly off at times (SFB has had as good cygnets in my opinion). The togetherness of the port de bras on the corps was absolutely unreal. Even the poses were immaculate and uniform, such as their B+ near the wings. It was well worth the ticket price just to see the corps at work. Totally made my week.
I don’t think the show was perfect, but overall it was probably the best Swan Lake I’ve ever seen, mostly because of the corps.
Looking forward
The weather has been gorgeous lately, and this first weekend after the spring show has brought with it some free time to recover before the next set of challenges that lie ahead. Maybe it’s not entirely satisfying, but it sure is relaxing to take three naps on a lazy Saturday afternoon. It’s probably for the best to catch up on sleep and prepare for the weekend of craziness (read: vegas) up ahead.
Saw the movie First Position with some friends, and it was kind of odd/nice that of the dozen people in the theater, half of them were familiar adult students. And Mountain View to San Jose isn’t that close. I suppose a ballet documentary is a niche film. Anyway, the movie was unexpectedly hilarious. Holy crap, Miko’s mom totally stole the show. She’s not just a stage mom, she’s an Asian stage mom. Total insanity. I think the documentary overall was rather well done, and did show the diversity of backgrounds from which these kids grew up. It does make me wonder, though, how some people are able to have this singular passion and focus so early in life.
My expat friend who’s living in Singapore came to visit the bay area on Friday last week. He proposed a rather epic food trip, of which we only managed to hit four locations, which isn’t that bad considering all this was before dinnertime: Tartine (breakfast pastries, SF), Bakesale Betty (Fried Chicken Sandwich, Oakland), Top Dog (hot dogs, Berkeley), and Arinell Pizza (Berkeley). We went for a walk through Berkeley campus as well. It really made me miss the Oakland/Berkeley area. But for the commute, I wouldn’t mind living there again.
Spending so much time within a 3-mile radius is really starting to make me feel claustrophobic. It sounds strange to say it, but I’m beginning to feel that I need to have a longer commute, to live a little farther away from work. Having a bigger place to live would be nice, too. My current living room is essentially dead space, so it feels like I’m trapped in a one-bedroom place. It’s a bit unfortunate that I won’t be able to find a house before my current lease is up. On the other hand, thinking about purchasing a place right now might be too big a distraction on the other things in life I should be focusing on.
The main point of this post, though, was to share the sentiments of my friend’s heartfelt email, which said that it doesn’t really matter where we are or what we do so much as we cultivate our friendships and relationships. I’ll admit that I cried a little when I read his email. Maybe I still have a long way to go before I can be at that stage where I can live for others and not for myself, but I’m trying.