I ravaged Nureyev’s Nutcracker choreography in a prior post, but I came across this rehearsal with Ines MacIntosh and Paul Marque and the dancing looked so much better, at least these brief sections. (there are more that I didn't upload.) It makes me realize just how ill-suited Tsikaridze is for that choreography.
Still not a convert, but this is at least watchable and I dare say….enjoyable! 🎄
Video: TG @Dance Writer's World (Vita Khlopova)
Also, of you’re not following @laurynjohnson20 on IG then hop on it! She's a dancer, dance historian, designer and all around delightful presence at Lincoln Center where she also works as an usher. She posts a trove of images from the NYPL of Performing Arts, NYCB, and the Balanchine Foundation along with brief histories. It’s a great intro to all things NYCB. She’s been doing a deep dive of Balanchine's Nutcracker all month long.
Gelsey Kirkland & Edward Villella. Kirkland's debut as Sugar Plum. Photo by Fred Fehl, 1969. (via IG @laurynjohnson20)
Footage of Gelsey Kirkland is rare, but from what I've seen, her technique and expressiveness is on par with top Mariinsky dancers of today. She really was that damn good.
Le Petit écho de la mode, no. 9, vol. 20, 27 février 1898, Paris. 1. Toque de tulle et toque de fleurs. Modèles de Mme Marchand, 96, avenue Victor-Hugo. Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney
1. Toque drapée en tulle illusion, draperie et coques en velours, boucle en strass posée sur le côté, sous un chou.
2. Toque en fleurs et feuillage. Col en mousseline de soie blanche avec pans devant. (Modèle de la Maison Jeanne d’Arc, 203, rue Saint-Honoré.)
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1. Toque draped in illusion tulle, velvet drapery and shells, rhinestone buckle placed on the side, under a cabbage.
2. Toque in flowers and foliage. White silk chiffon collar with panels in front.
That moment when you find a new video of Hugo Marchand and get super excited but then realize it’s a Mats Ek piece and you’ll just want to gouge your eyeballs out the entire time because not even Hugo can save Ek.
It’s okay, I’ll just rewatch the video of him being named Etoile for the billionth time because HIS REACTION AND SMILE WERE SO CUTE AND PURE AND HAPPY AND I CANNOT STILL EVEN AFTER 5 YEARS it’s a sweet video!