Comments on: Polina Semionova and Vladimir Shklyarov in Makarova’s Swan Lake http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/ Thoughts on theater in the Bay Area Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:09:26 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jolene http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-304 Jolene Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:57:58 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-304 Of course, you have illustrated one of the reasons why I started this blog, to promote dance by discussing it. It's always great to see more ballet, so you can decide for yourself and choose what you like and what you don't like. Thanks for your comments, and maybe I'll see you at the SF Ballet?? :) Of course, you have illustrated one of the reasons why I started this blog, to promote dance by discussing it. It’s always great to see more ballet, so you can decide for yourself and choose what you like and what you don’t like. Thanks for your comments, and maybe I’ll see you at the SF Ballet?? :)

]]> By: Sara http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-303 Sara Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:35:45 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-303 Thanks for your comments Jolene. I see your point that maybe they didn't have the sizzling chemistry of some other pairings, but I think it was the innocence with which S. played the prince that moved me. When more manly/mature types have played the role, I would have found it less touching. I guess it's all subjective. Anyway thank you for your review and providing an opportunity to discuss. I am now interested in attending and learning more about ballet! I have already watched a bunch of videos on YouTube, including Polina and Shkylarov and even a video of Yuan Yuan and Tiit in Giselle! :o) Thanks for your comments Jolene. I see your point that maybe they didn’t have the sizzling chemistry of some other pairings, but I think it was the innocence with which S. played the prince that moved me. When more manly/mature types have played the role, I would have found it less touching. I guess it’s all subjective. Anyway thank you for your review and providing an opportunity to discuss. I am now interested in attending and learning more about ballet! I have already watched a bunch of videos on YouTube, including Polina and Shkylarov and even a video of Yuan Yuan and Tiit in Giselle! :o )

]]> By: Jolene http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-302 Jolene Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:14:02 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-302 That's great that he was your cup of tea! You're entitled to your opinion as much as I am mine. He had beautiful lines and was a beautiful dancer with great skills, but in my opinion, lacked the "love at first sight" chemistry with her and wasn't the best match in terms of a partner for her in this piece. Of course this could all be due to a multiple other reasons, such as cramped staging, not enough rehearsal time, but in this given performance that I saw, these were my impressions, one viewpoint amongst an audience of many. I definitely saw seeds of greatness though, with lovely lyricism and poetry albeit a slight (not drastic) lack of finesse, and it'll be exciting to see where he'll be in a few years with more experience. This definitely wasn't a bad Swan Lake by any means. I guess I'm trying to say is that I've seen better interpretations of the role, and in general, much better onstage chemistry between couples, such as the sizzling unity of Yuan Yuan Tan and Tiit Helimets in Giselle. That’s great that he was your cup of tea! You’re entitled to your opinion as much as I am mine. He had beautiful lines and was a beautiful dancer with great skills, but in my opinion, lacked the “love at first sight” chemistry with her and wasn’t the best match in terms of a partner for her in this piece. Of course this could all be due to a multiple other reasons, such as cramped staging, not enough rehearsal time, but in this given performance that I saw, these were my impressions, one viewpoint amongst an audience of many. I definitely saw seeds of greatness though, with lovely lyricism and poetry albeit a slight (not drastic) lack of finesse, and it’ll be exciting to see where he’ll be in a few years with more experience.

This definitely wasn’t a bad Swan Lake by any means. I guess I’m trying to say is that I’ve seen better interpretations of the role, and in general, much better onstage chemistry between couples, such as the sizzling unity of Yuan Yuan Tan and Tiit Helimets in Giselle.

]]> By: Sara http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Sara Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:38:51 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-299 Yes Polina was ravishing but I think you are too harsh on Shklyarov. I found his performance deeply moving, and I like the way he played the prince as somewhat spoiled and a little Hamlet-ish. His youthful take on the character made his love for Odette all the more touching. Also I admit I'm not an expert but I found his dancing very lovely and expressive, and I liked his attentiveness and gentlemanliness towards Polina. Yes he bobbled that one jump, but what's live performance without a little excitement? Yes Polina was ravishing but I think you are too harsh on Shklyarov. I found his performance deeply moving, and I like the way he played the prince as somewhat spoiled and a little Hamlet-ish. His youthful take on the character made his love for Odette all the more touching. Also I admit I’m not an expert but I found his dancing very lovely and expressive, and I liked his attentiveness and gentlemanliness towards Polina. Yes he bobbled that one jump, but what’s live performance without a little excitement?

]]> By: Jolene http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Jolene Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:37:57 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-301 Thanks for your comments! That's amazing you were sitting behind Makarova. It's funny how Polina wasn't really flashy or ostentatious, but great solid dancing with passion and emotional depth. haha I remember exactly what you're talking about, when Prince Siegfried was sitting next to the queen, pouting. His tour really had me worried, although he had beautiful lines as you said. He looks so much more comfortable in the youtube video that I linked, where he's Romeo. He has great potential though, and he might mature into a gorgeous more complete dancer. Thanks for your comments! That’s amazing you were sitting behind Makarova. It’s funny how Polina wasn’t really flashy or ostentatious, but great solid dancing with passion and emotional depth. haha I remember exactly what you’re talking about, when Prince Siegfried was sitting next to the queen, pouting. His tour really had me worried, although he had beautiful lines as you said. He looks so much more comfortable in the youtube video that I linked, where he’s Romeo. He has great potential though, and he might mature into a gorgeous more complete dancer.

]]> By: justanotherdancer http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2008/03/polina-semionova-and-vladimir-shklyarov-in-makarovas-swan-lake/comment-page-1/#comment-300 justanotherdancer Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:11:46 +0000 http://saturdaymatinee.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-300 Wow...I was there sitting right behind Madame Makarova and her husband. The stage was so cramped, at one point those dancers running into one another, and the staging needed a lot of work. However, Polina was stunning. I agree with most everything you wrote, the Prince 's acting was ridiculous in Act 2. He pretended to be bored and sleepy whilst sitting next to the Queen, but it was over-acted. His jumps was impressive but lack of controls, his second double tour en l'air was off center and he had to hop to the side to save himself..I was holding my breath. He has beautiful natural lines though, but not a match for Polina. Polina danced with such confidence, during her pas de deux, the stage was so cramped that she actually moved past the curtain lines, and finished her steps so close to the Orchestra Pit, but she didn't look worried, she moved on like nothing. WOW. Wow…I was there sitting right behind Madame Makarova and her husband. The stage was so cramped, at one point those dancers running into one another, and the staging needed a lot of work. However, Polina was stunning. I agree with most everything you wrote, the Prince ’s acting was ridiculous in Act 2. He pretended to be bored and sleepy whilst sitting next to the Queen, but it was over-acted. His jumps was impressive but lack of controls, his second double tour en l’air was off center and he had to hop to the side to save himself..I was holding my breath. He has beautiful natural lines though, but not a match for Polina. Polina danced with such confidence, during her pas de deux, the stage was so cramped that she actually moved past the curtain lines, and finished her steps so close to the Orchestra Pit, but she didn’t look worried, she moved on like nothing. WOW.

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