segunda-feira, 21 de março de 2016

Wiener Staatsballet: Le Corsaire (World Première, Vienna, March 20th 2016)


The long awaited première. Perhaps the highest point of this Season in Vienna:
Manuel Legris' "Le Corsaire".


In contrary to a lady sitting next to me that has started making her notes at the middle of the third act, I have to go back a little in time in order to write not only about the dancers and the choreography but also about the production, the intellectual process and its “coming into life”.

As I have often commented, I like to arrive earlier at premières, as if "soaking" more of the atmosphere would underline more and more the excitement of a discovery, of witnessing something new. Premières are very special evenings, with lots of expectation in the air.

As a kind of “hobby” I like to analyze faces of certain members of the audience before, during and after the show... huge transformations can take place and be seen - depending on the grade of interested that a performance "exhales" and on the individual interest of many.
Extremely interesting.


The audience was full - full and filled with many "names" of the international dance panorama – especially from the Paris Opera - as well as ballet critics.

Some few weeks ago during an official "talk" at the Opera, Monsieur Legris told me personally:
"We are on the right way" - how right he was!
The challenge that Manuel Legris took is a fascinating one. A very honest one. Chapeau.

"Le Corsaire" was not in the repertoire of the Paris Opera, so in this case, as Monsieur Legris put it well, there were no possibilities of influences, just his plain understanding about the work and its complicated, very peculiar dynamic. Also his understanding about the characters should not be forgotten. The characters that we have witnessed yesterday on stage were far away of being just statues in a wax museum but characters with an own drive.
On the top of it all, I have to draw your attention to the point that, “Le Corsaire” is in itself an enormous challenge.
Its story telling-line is a very old-fashioned one, quite difficult to adapt to our present times. Also its constant use of pantomime presents another challenge – not only to dancers but also to the audiences (which are not used anymore to this kind of language). It is, as a full-evening ballet, a very complex piece of work and this regardless of the fact that the main line of the story is difficult to understand, even remember... I have rarely found someone who could "tell the story" of "Le Corsaire" without consulting either the libretto or some other sources of literature about it (or even without contradicting oneself).

Special mention should be made about Albert Mirzoyan, as assistant choreographer. As Mr. Legris put into words: “We are a good combination, the French and the Russian souls”. Mr. Mirzoyan is that kind of gentle character that exhales knowledge about ballet, art, history and is always in full-command of what he is doing. And this "at ease".
Such a blessing for our State Opera and for Mr. Legris to have such a gifted person, such an erudite, among his few co-workers. His work is not only of extreme importance for us but also to the Ballet world. As we have witnessed yesterday.

Lots of praise no Mr. Igor Zapravdin, responsible for the musical arrangements and his brilliant use of music from “L’Écumeur de mer” (also Adam) for the Odalisques and Slave Dances. Merely this distinctiveness turns this production into a “unique” one – without the confusing use of music from up to 11 different composers (like in many other productions), concentrating on Adam’s work – which in the case of “Le Corsaire” is not so brilliant as his “Giselle” but surely much more consistent when treated not so eclectically.

Luisa Spinatelli’s décor and costumes are a beautiful work of art and delicacy – with the only exception of the girl’s flowery headdresses during “Le jardin animé” that, from a certain distance, give more the impression of being hair-curlers than roses – a fact that was confirmed to me by an Stylist friend - especially on blonde dancers like Eszter Ledán or Suzan Oppermann.

Valery Ovsianikov’s conduction was at few times quite irregular. The tempo was either too fast (as during some fouettès that tossed Maria Jakovleva completely out of music) or too a bit too slowly (during a part of Miss Konovalova’s variation in the third act). But still, a brilliant Ballet conductor.

The following performances should be highlighted:

The Waltz on the third act was brilliantly performed by Oxana Kiyanenko, Eszter Ledán, Anita Manolova and Laura Nistor. An interesting, very lively piece of choreography that was beautifully executed by the four of them.


The three Odalisks danced by Natascha Mair, Nina Tonoli and Prisca Zeisel were a simple masterpiece of precision and joy. Three very gifted dancers, splendidly “on style” (as they have proved many times before) in perfect “unison” with each other. Not only a question of talent but also of emotional intelligence. Three dancers that really made their “homework”, thinking about the characters, adjusting to each other, talking about what they were doing. I like that. Congratulations to these exceptional talents.

Firenze/Dato. Copyright: Ashley taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

Davide Dato and Alice Firenze were at their element as Birbanto and Zulméa: motion and fire. Every time they came on stage you had that certain (very well known) feeling of a “show-stopper”. And stop the show they really did.

Sosnovschi. Copyright: Ashley Taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

Mihail Sosnovschi’s Seyd Pasha (another innovation by Mr. Legris that instead of having a laughable character as the Pascha decided for the more logical choice of a good looking man) left no impression. This non-dancing role is not quite adequate for Mr.Sosnovschi. His pantomime is too subtle, too understated, too “small” for that huge stage. He seemed bored. And this is quite unusual with Mr. Sosnovschi.

Kourlaev. Copyright: Ashley Taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

On the other hand Lanquedem, as danced by Kirill Kourlaev, is a character to remember: Mr. Kourlaev’s total command of the stage, his beautiful technique (and of a very good pantomime) just made us sit back, relax and “put our feet up” to enjoy a performance without any fears that the dancer might not “make it”. A pleasure for everyone present. Vitality at its best. A danseur.

Gabdullin/Yakovleva. Copyright: Ashley Taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

Unfortunately there was no chemistry between Robert Gabdullin and Maria Yakovleva.
I simply could not “buy it”, not believe the love story that was supposed to go on between the two of them onstage.
Mr. Gabdullin, an extremely gifted dancer with a very clean technique and beautiful lines, gave us a beautiful, daring and corageous Conrad. In every sense.
His special temperament and dramatization of the character were well idealized.
But there was no response from Médora, who seemed to be dancing alone and for herself: sometimes even giving the impression of walking “through”, allowing once in a while Conrad to touch her, support her.
I am looking forward to Mr. Gabdulli’s future.
Miss Yakovleva was correct as Médora, even without any sign of even trying to perform some pantomime BUT unfortunately with a strong tendency to the inelegance of over-extensions.
Even so a good part of the audience seemed to have liked her.

Konovalova. Copyright: Ashley Taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

The real star of the evening, along with the choreography and production, was Liudmilla Konovalova as Gulnare. Very thin and looking better than ever, Miss Konovalova’s performance was one of pure joy. After having gone through two “turbulences” on the first act (because of bad partnering by the boys) she emerged as the Queen of the night. Complete in command of her technique she enjoyed the role the Gulnare with all its nuances. Such performances are rare. Performances that fill the audience with joy because of their sensibility, delicacy and strength at the same time and musicality (even adjusting without any effort to the wrong tempo, as mentioned above, given by the conductor).



No coincidence, that, during the bows, all of a sudden Miss Konovalova was center stage: the deserving queen of the evening! Bravo!

Mr. Legris work and legacy to the Ballet world, already immense, increased enormously after last night’s world Première. I wonder how long it will still take until this work is “framed” in its definite version.
At the moment it is already a brilliant piece of work - with quite intricate parts in, if I may say so, very good Nureyev tradition. Yes.

Legris/Mirzoyan and the whole ensemble. Copyright: Ashley Taylor (Wiener Staatsoper)

As Mr. Dominique Meyer mentioned during his speech in the after-Première Party: "this is an Opera House but the Ballet is now as important as the Opera..."



To be very honest, which Opera Director would/could not be happy about the financial aspect that is brought to the State Opera with the high occupancy, high percentage of seats sold for the ballet performances since the beginning of the "Legris Era"? Economically speaking this is a wonder - if you think about the sales' problems in the MET...

At this point, and to finish this long review, I would like to quote Dame Margot Fonteyn, a person whose thoughts about art I much admire:
"The first night is the worst possible time to make a hard and fast criticism: the baby never looks its best on the day it is born".

Thinking about that I would still like to add:
If this baby is already looking like this on its first night, so good, it is surely going to be a beauty, a star of first magnitude.


Film Copyright: Delbeau Films (Balázs Delbó)


...and coming soon!


Film Copyright: Delbeau Films (Balázs Delbó)

35 comentários:

Igor Zapravdin disse...

Dear Ricardo! Thank you so much! Kiss Igor

Kirill Kourlaev disse...


Danke Recardo!!!!! I enjoy to dance this performance very much

Prisca Zeisel disse...

Thank you, Ricardo!

Cristina Martinelli disse...

Parabens Ricardo por nos traduzir com riqueza de detalhes esta extraordinária noite da estreia do Le Corsaire.
Infinitas vezes comentei aqui sobre minha admiração por Legris,sua importancia no cenário mundial da Dança,colocando definitivamente Viena no centro mundial da Dança.
Abençoada geração de jovens bailarinos que recebem,ano após ano,tamanho legado.
Na verdade,o trabalho de M.Legris,torna-se um legado de valor mundial e inestimável.
Registro tambem sua apurada sensibilidade e inteligencia na escolha da sua equipe como voce tão bem nos relata.
Enfim...que noite.que estréia.que crítica!
Bravos a todos!

Natascha Mair disse...

Thank really nice written!!!

Nina Tonoli disse...

Thank you! :-)

As Tertulías disse...

Cristina querida, voce me compreende e conhece, por isso sabe exatamente como me Sinto. ser testemunha desta fase, desta era aqui na Ópera de Viena é incrível - como dou Valor a este momento e como agredcido sou de ser espectador e poder dividir minhas opinioes, por mais simples que sejam, com Tantas pessoas... sim, sou muito grato. Ainda teremos alguns anos de seu trabalho aqui - mas depois nao se sabe.. já está na Hora de voce vir nos visitar para vivenciar tudo isso ao vivo! Nao acha??? Sim, este "legado" é inestimável... acho que ontem, o "sucesso" deste Corsário, abriram-se novas portas - imagino que Legris um dia poderia viver só de encenar seus próprios trabalhos... se bem que nao o imagino "fora" das paredes protetoras de uma casa como a Ópera (daqui, de Paris... ). Nao o vejo (ainda) como um free-lancer... Fiquei feliz que voce "vibrou" conosco! Beijos Ricardo

Iris disse...

Meu caro amigo, se fosse eu uma bailarina, estaria agora a lhe fazer reverencia por tão boa crítica, tão completa e refinada, com delicadas e deliciosas palavras, gentil e sublime no que concerne a uma visão otimista e ampla de uma equipe, regida por um talento mundialmente aclamado, que investe na carreira de todos e agrega nomes importantes à casa vienense, fazendo o nome do ballet sobressair no cenário internacional e crescer em qualidade equiparada aos nomes das grandes empresas e Óperas Estatais do continente Europeu.
Parabéns pelo trabalho dos dinâmicos e grandiosos corpos artísticos que tornaram e estão a tornar esta premiere inesquecível!
E Toi Toi Toi ao meu caro Vladimir Shishov que faz hoje seu belíssimo Conrad! SUCESSO!
Grande abraço!

As Tertulías disse...

Obrigado querida, por este lindo comentário. Estou vendo se consigo uma entrada para ver Vladi no dia 28...

Iris disse...

Faça com que esta tentativa chegue ao conhecimento de todos do backstage para que eles e nós, que admiramos e respeitamos suas palavras, tenhamos uma visão ainda mais completa e todos sintam-se criticados por quem tem verdadeira paixão pela arte da dança, assim como a compreensão necessária dos elementos para a transformação de um espetáculo inesquecível e impecável, beijos.

Isabelle Guerrin-Fröhlich disse...

Thank You !!

Unknown disse...

Thank you Ricardo! It's an honor to be part of such an important moment of the ballet history!

Unknown disse...

Thank you Ricardo! It's an honor to be part of such an important moment of the ballet history

Regina Ferraz disse...

Ricardo muito querido.Quando ví este vídeo

não tive dúvida do seu entusiasmo e descrição

sobre essa perfeição balletica.... Quase gritei

dentro de mim.Tão lindo!!! Lindo!!! Maravilhoso!!!

Todas as minhas expectativas sobre dança e ballet estão aí nesse video e conteudo maravilhoso!!! Meus parabens de pertencer a um paiz de cultura e beleza.

Você mais do que ninguém poderia ser um grande regisseur....Amo também a anos acompanhando os passos e a direção e tudo que ele fez, o grande Manuel Legris.Você é fantástico!!! Beijos dos amigos que de longe lhe aplaudem Regina e Roberto.

Alice Firenze disse...

Thank you Ricardo!!!!

Robert Gabdullin disse...

Thank you Ricardo!

Laura Nistor disse...

Thank you Ricardo!

Davide Dato disse...

Thanks a lot Ricardo!!!;)

Eszter Ledán disse...

:-)

Natascha Mair disse...

Thank you

Tindaro Silvano disse...

Maravilha de montagem. Quem sabe faz à cores e posta em HD. Viva o Manuel Legris!

Tindaro Silvano disse...

Maravilhoso!

Liudmilla Konovalova disse...

Thank you so much!!!
Yes,I liked it really!of course!

Tíndaro Silvano disse...

Sim,moro isso meu comentário, elogio!,,,,
Maravilhoso!

Balázs Delbó disse...

Dear Ricardo!
Thank you! Great critic, even if I am not completely on your side on some cases. Maybe I am too much involved in the production....
Congratulation to your review!!
It's good to ready something from someone who understands ballet so well...

silvia caminada disse...

Maravilhoso Ricardo! Que prazer, que privilégio poder ver isso tudo ao vivo! Bju querido amigo.

Regina Ferraz disse...

Ricardo querido.Não há palavras pra tanta beleza.

Que maravilha!!!! Bailarinos fantásticos!!!

Vibrantes!!! Tecnicas perfeitas!!! Espalhada em toda

essa grandiosidade muita emoção junto com a minha.

Agradeço esse presente nos oferecido com amor e carinho....Muitos beijos Regina e Roberto.

Mary Castro disse...

Imagino quão maravilhosa foi essa première.



Pena que, por vir a tertúlia toda em inglês, só pude acompanhar por alto, pois o meu entendimento da língua é só, mais ou menos.

Bjs.

Thomas Schulz disse...

lieber Ricardo - vorerst einmal: ich bedaure sehr dass wir nicht mehr als drei dutzend worte wechseln konnten aber diese ballett-premieren sind jedes mal so hektisch ;( naja wir werden das vielleicht ganz gepflegt nachholen.... deine rezension war wieder eine wonne!! so klug, so differenziert, so gar nicht blablabla wie es in den meisten kritiken auch diesmal wieder der fall war. das geschwätz dieser "kritiker" ist nicht auszuhalten, substanzloses geschreibsel. inhaltlich fühle ich mich animiert doch auch einmal eine vorstellung aus dem saal anzusehen und nicht von der seitenbühne. man hat ja doch komplett andere eindrücke, verständlicherweise. Legris wird dich küssen für deine warmen worte ihn betreffend ! die zweite vorst. war weniger glücklich wie ich gehört habe.... superfoto von dir mit Eszter !!! liebe grüsse und good night !

Facebook disse...


Flávia Shishov
Iris Braga Ferreira
Ramon Oller
Natascha Mair
David Evans
Laura Nistor
Albert Mirzoyan
Liudmila Konovalova
Suzan Opperman
Eszter Ledan
Lourdes Bastos
Gloria Gregor Maass
John Kerrison
Josef Hochleitner
Jane Mutch
Igor Zapravdin
Tristan Ridel
Andrada Ion
Guilherme Scheliga
Petra Sittig Opperman
Józsefné Balog
Add Friend
Theresa Zander Huntington
Yuka Takahara
Suzan Ömer
Rozália Gácz
Add Friend
Christine Miffek
Katerina Joumana
Balazs Szijarto
Gabriella Fava
Chiara Firenze
Natasha Kusch

liked this on Facebook

Facebook disse...

Vera Mayerle

likes this on Facebook

Facebook disse...

Tamara Pavlova

likes this on Facebook.

Albert Mirzoyan disse...


Thank you Ricardo for your warm words of my work !!!

cecilia disse...

Querido, obrigada por compartilhar conosco esse tesouro da arte q, não fosse vc, não chegaria a essa pobre inculta tupiniquim.
Do Legais eu já esperava ,mas essas novas gerações de bailarinos não param de me surpreender ! Pena q não tive acesso ao ballet completo,nesse pequeno trecho todos me pareceram excelentes tanto na técnica qto nas interpretações e pantominas. E essa Konovalova? Q físico, q beleza, q tudo !
Bjs

Marilda Azevedo disse...

Espetacular!!!! Deve ter sido uma noite maravilhosa!!!!!
Bjks e obrigada por esse momento!!!!