Exams are like exams everywhere... maybe not.

I just finished up my finals, so now two weeks of freedom and then back to the U.S.

It seems like my last few posts have been about either ballet or the cat... but I shall entertain you with a few more cat photos :).

Lily looks exhausted. NO MORE STUDYING. I agree.

Close-up. She didn't even budge whilst I took photos (making strange noises, like turning on a camera, usually gets her attention).

"No, really, how much can you study? I give up."

Not studying so much would have been a wise choice. Because the professor asked questions on topics he never mentioned in class. But that's not the fun part.

I was entertained by the student sitting next to me who didn't know what seminar section he was in, what his professor's name was, nor when he went to class.

The professor left the room about 10 times... during which the final quickly became a group exam. Don't know the answer to a question? Ask your neighbor!

Or be resourceful (pull out a reference book).

I can now get back to leading a more interesting life.

A day in the life...

Katie and I had a mini-picnic at the Jardin de Tuileries, then visited three exhibitions at the Jeu de Paume Gallery, and went for a walk.

Tuileries ducks and ducklings.

View of the Place de la Concorde (with the obelisk in the center, National Assembly behind it, and Hôtel des Invalides behind and to the right).

Our reflections in a music store shop-front.

It was a very warm day, so we were trying to find ice-cream. Turns out that there's some kind of environmental, "buy-a-tree"-type deal going on at the Champs Elysées, so we had a fun time getting through the crowd. So many people! (And no ice cream...they ran out.)

Upon returning, I was greeted by Mme Lily who took over my chair.

La Bayadère 3

Cast -- Claire-Marie Osta, Karl Paquette, Emilie Cozette

Yann Saïz and Claire-Marie Osta.

Saïz was excellent as the High Brahmin (I also saw him on opening night). It was interesting to watch him even when he "wasn't doing anything." Just standing. Just being present.

Osta and Paquette.

I think Osta's Nikiya was the most "human" of all so far, the most tangibly happy and not so "ballerina-detached."

Cozette, Phavorin, Osta, Bridard.

Madin, Dayanova, Révillion.

Cozette and Paquette.

Osta.

La Bayadère 2

Cast -- Aurélie Dupont as Nikiya, Nicolas Le Riche as Solor, Dorothée Gilbert as Gamzatti.

First scene.

"Djampo" Dance.

Gilbert and Dupont.

One of the people helping with the carriage, waiting to go onstage.

Solor arriving on an elephant.

Le Riche really made it interesting - he arrived, looked over everyone, and only then descended. (The other Solors have been somewhat preoccupied with getting down.)

Dance of the Golden Idol.

Fakir & Indian Dance.

Le Riche after solo.

He is always sincere and in the role, and his dancing has a 'free' quality. All the ballet vocabulary seems to come simply and naturally.

After Wedding PDD.

Gilbert was an interesting Gamzatti, with an aristocratic presence.

The apotheosis was excellent -- and I had a good view at the top because I could see the sun/flower-like circle-within-circle, with Gamzatti doing fouttés in the center.

The tutus are beautiful.

Dupont.

Shades PDD.

Her jump was probably one of the best I have seen -- light, silent, with really long "air-time."

Final pose.

Bows: Gilbert (as Gamzatti), Carbone (as the Golden Idol),

and Mallem, Zusperreguy, Dayanova (as the three Shades...I don't know them so I'm not sure what order they stood in)

Gilbert, Le Riche, Dupont

La Bayadère 1

Opening night cast -- Letestu, Martinez and Cozette.

Overall impression was very positive, though I'm not entirely sure why I was so happy (more like ecstatic).

Minkus' music is absolutely lovely. All the solo musical parts (flute, violin, harp) were wonderfully played. The orchestra as a whole, however... firstly, there is no need to play it like we're all hoping to get out of there ASAP. Secondly, logic, where is the logic?? I've noticed a general tendency to play music "in the moment," phrase by phrase, without maintaining an overall idea. For example, the overture went something like this: "ooh, happy, boom boom boom, oooh mourning, looong drawn out sad note, yay happy shades!!"

The very beginning was quite good, although no one will ever compare to the 6-foot Mariinsky men marching across the stage. I also liked the Brahmin -- heartfelt, and acted very well. Letestu and Martinez had good chemistry.

I don't have any photos from before the wedding. The "wedding procession" itself was a bit fast. Seriously, what is the rush? I liked the elephant that Solor rides onto stage, but he was rather preoccupied with carefully climbing down the stairs. Then there was the plush tiger bobbing up and down...

The backdrop was absolutely stunning.

Pas de quatre 1.

Golden Idol (Mathias Heynmann) -- I enjoyed his dance quite a bit! Amazing jumps.

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Fiery, with an incredible amount of energy. There were feathers flying...!

Wedding PDD - Cozette & Martinez.

Cozette.

Letestu.

Letestu smiling (!). She acted pretty well, and I enjoyed this part, although I'm usually hoping that it will end differently.

Beautiful scenery. And Martinez danced in a very heartfelt way.

Dear Shades,

I love your entrance, and I know that you are all tired. But that doesn't mean that you need to look like robots. Arabesque, sit in plié in fourth position with head down for longer than anyone should ever spend in that position, swing arms, walk, walk, repeat x32. You are shades, ephemeral beings...

...speaking of logic, rather than being ephemeral, or continuing on their robot-ness -- Parisian shades later became little white clouds happily skipping around... It's a different interpretation of Shades, but I'll take it.

Letestu & Martinez.

Martinez is happy, apparently.... they were happy during the entire PDD. Happiness and Shades doesn't seem to go together for me, but hey, why not. If they're happy, why not be happy?

I know it's the choreography... but really, doesn't it strike you as entertaining that Solor just couldn't bear watching his beloved and decided to dance with her? Goes with his little "solo" just before the Shades scene that consisted of baby pas de chats and baby emboîtés. Solor should not be doing little pas de chats.

Victory?

Bows.

Overall, pleasantly surprised by Letestu, and really enjoyed Martinez's dancing. He is one of the few who soar in jumps, and have a reserved and noble demeanor.