Eva Kistrup

Young Colts and Old Warhorses

The 2015-16 repertoire for Royal Danish Ballet combine a substantial numbers of new creations, well-known house favorites and a very limited dose of Bournonville.

Swan Lake Take 4 - Winning and Losing Strategies

Nikolaj Hübbe & Silja Schandorff:

“Swan Lake”

Royal Danish Ballet

April 10 2015

The Opera

 

 

 

A continuous theme in reviewing Nikolaj Hübbe and Silja Schandorff’s “Swan Lake” have been the discussion of whether putting six casts on a run of only 17 performances was a good idea. There have been many good and even outstanding performances to back the strategy, but there has also been performances where it was clear that some of the casts would have benefitted from more rehearsals and more coaching. There had even been strong arguments for more casts, as several dancers has shown here or previously that they also deserved a place in the lineup.

The final couple in the run Gregory Dean and Amy Watson is only the second of the casts where both are principals. Both are veterans from the previous RDB “Swan Lake” by Peter Martins, so the audience should rightly expect a top-notch performance.

Swan Lake Take 3 - Swans Plural and Singular

Nikolaj Hübbe & Silja Schandorff:

"Swan Lake"

Royal Danish Ballet

March 31 - April 1 2015

 

 

The RDB “Swan Lake” sets new standards for what we can expect of our fine female corps de ballet. It is simply breathtaking to watch the flow, the musicality and the precision of the corps. They dance as one body. You do not even notice the individual dancers.

It therefore seems strange that none of the five casts as Odette/Odile seen so far scores the perfect ten. All of the casts comes to the role with a good resume from dancing leading roles in classical and neo classical ballet. Yet the role eludes them. Part of the reason is probably that it also eludes the directors.

The changes made to the plot, although they strengthen the performance in others areas, weakens the relationship between Siegfried and Odette. The conversation and explanations falters and the relationship are tapped for meaning.