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.
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.
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