Alina Somova Rose Adagio

[valeriajonesplease]

I would love to see all the people who rip into this extremely talented ballerina do the rose adagio & make it look that good.

[lovedeluxesd]

I actually liked her Aurora. She's young, beautiful and energetic. Those who criticize her extremely long legs and over-extensions, i'd like to remind that these are often the physical qualities many companies and ballet directors are looking for. Established was this "look" by Sylvie Guillem in the 80's whose extreme flexibility came from an early training as a gymnast. Somova has more difficulties with balance due to her physique. But nothing works better than practice to achieve more control.

[sylphida]

@lovedeluxesd yes! i have been fortunate to see the Mariinsky several times since 2006 and have seen many of Alina's performances on the East Coast (Boston, DC, NYC...) - I don't know how anyone can dispute how much she's improved in that time! let's not forget how inexperienced she was when first thrust into the spotlight, evidently she's worked very hard to bring her dancing to the next level, those who continue to critique her out of habit will miss some great dancing

[KarmaNicole94]

I don't like that her legs look so uncontrolled:/

[lukebccb]

The (I assume) balletomanes and other dancers are ALWAY carping about how Somova "is principal over (fill in the dancer) is unbelievable as she is not deserving".

People Somova is principal because the Mariinsky/Kirov see in her something called "star power". It's why we have actors and actresses that we keep seeing in movies even though their acting leaves much to be desired. The "masses" love them so that's why we keep seeing them.

The "masses" love Somova so thus why she's a principal.

[likeafirstday]

I dont like so much her performance ...I mean absoluty she ıs great but for me the way how she dance I found to much jımnastıc ..and I lıke more from her some solo roles not all ballet ..

[parzifal40]

With all personality issues aside. I enjoyed this performance and think Ms. Somova is a wonderful and beautiful ballerina......Very enjoyable to watch. Thanks for posting.

[ladevotchka]

@sander075 LOL! Olive Oyl is pretty much the perfect analogy. I think Somova has potential and a nice exuberance, but is just so awkward and a bit too floppy. She needs to get those gangly limbs under control! 

[manderson610]

Those grand jetes...good lord. They scare me. And her attitude is just odd. So out to the side. A la seconde-ish. Yes, her flexibility is amazing, but for this role, really, it's so inappropriate. She's very pretty and I have respect for anyone who can survive the Vaganova school, but hopefully she keeps improving. I'm still shocked they made her a principal. I wish her the best...

[parzifal40]

Dama Somova is magnificent. Her turns and extensions are so wonderful. I love this performance and would love to see Simova in person.  Have visited the Maryanski and Bolshoi on several occasions but never had the pleasure of seeing the great queen of ballet. Hope to see her love someday.....love the performance.

[parzifal40]

I love Somova's dancing.  Her timing, balance, extensions, etc. are just wonderful.

[DreamsontheWater]

I don't like the way people keep attacking Alina, but ughh... I don't like the way she oversplits in her grand jetes. I just doesn't suit the character of Aurora. She's a princess for goodness sake!

[sylphida]

@DreamsontheWater I agree completely, and especially about the attacks. Nobody else dances it like she does and a lot of us enjoy it - I agree about certain things like the jetes, but we all pretty much know what to expect from her and she keeps getting better and better as she matures, its been wonderful to see her grow as an artist over the years and these folks are missing out on whats right in front of them, too bad.

[TenduYou]

Her legs are too long for the intricate footwork of the classical choreography. She can't keep up.

[issyballet95]

I need to rant on... It really bothers me how her grand jetés in her entrance are over 180 degrees... She really is not suited for the great classics, IMO, not unless she matures emotionally as well as in her dancing. She just sort of flails her legs about. She needs to wait some years. She should have been drilled longer in the Corps, so she could shine there, and when she was more mature come out as the new Mariinsky star. Not that I dislike her, just some technical things that are bothering.

[issyballet95]

I saw her last year in Beauty when the Mariinsky came to London. I also had the chance to watch her at the barre. There she looked technically sound, but when I saw her on stage, I was shocked. She doesn't know how to use her extreme flexibility, and doesn't have the strength to manage her extreme hyperextension, arches and long flexible limbs. Her footwork is slightly sloppy, probably because of her proportions. She needs more work, both in her acting and her technique (balance, control).

[Naokun29]

I don't like her hands at all.

[KittyUSF]

lmao i feel like alina was too tall for the gentlement who picked her up arounhan d 4:!5..as well i do believe she did better in this role as aurora but the extreme extensions still to me takes away from the classicism of the piece..and i can read the nervousness off her performance.

[88888Di88888]

now that was SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER than other videos i've seen of her, perfect technique, she is still doubting a bit, but she has improoved a lot

[AnitnelavCoeur]

Alina's feet are a bit sloppy thought her performance is good.

[Briavel1]

Why didn't she try to balance at all during the end? I thought she had amazing balances and this role is the perfect one to showcase them.

[Bnesque]

I saw her yeserday in Tokyo.

Now she is more controled and reserved, yet very lovely and lively.

One of the great Auroras!

[nolacoppel]

i personally like this performace better that zakharova's, it is much more expressive and energetic.

[LaureAnn310589]

oké, Svetlana is more elegant, more charming, more controlled,... But Alina is much younger. Give her some time!

[squinternet1]

I love her and I believe she has a great potential, though I think she is somehow "not finished", a bit immature, a bit rough, unrefined...Svetlana Zakharova is much more elegant, more charming, more controlled...

[5183731]

legs for miiiiiles. so beautiful :)

[luvballet5]

beautiful, but her preperation into the a la seconde turn was not stable at all.

[balletbunhead777]

amazing split leaps!!!!!!

[dancerdafi25]

I can't imagane Alina doing the role of oddete like a real ballerina.

She's amazing, true! No one can take her amazing flexibility from her.. but there's something missing in her dancing.. something that is not coming out of her soul...

[patballerina]

I think they are all different... so no one is better. also, Svetlana Zakharova is way more experienced. Alina has only been in the company for 6 years and at the time of this video 4 years! Meaning she was only about 22!! I think that is pretty impressive! She could gain more strength, but as a current professional ballet student i would be happy to be as good as her when i'm 22!

[SonyaNatalia]

Oh wow.

The Kirov training is just amazing.

[tutugirl4life]

In my opinion, even though its the 21st century I still rather watch ballet dancers with emotion and low extensions than dancers that can lift their leg to 180 degrees with a fake smile plastered on their face. I think ballet isn't supposed to be showy, but more artsy and emotional, and even though I don't hate Somova I still rather watch Margot Fonteyn over her any day.

[SilvreFeet]

Alina is my very favorite dancer. She is even better than Svetlana Zakharova, imo.

[LaKimmois]

She is the worst dancer in the world and now a principal???? Ha. She is atrocious, absolutely atrocious.

[hahaha2531]

She is extremely flexible, even though it could be a good thing since she can lift her leg really high, but she looks more like an eel in a tutu, not Aurora. She does not look graceful at all. I would ask for my money back if I saw that show =(

[calipso1010]

mariinka org has lots of WONDERFUL pictures of Somova. Go to Forum and then click on the title "Mariinsky above the World".

[Tenor0007]

I'd like to see Alina Somova wearing pretty pink tutu and not these rags :(

[cupidforsale]

I like the ballerina very much, but her tutu hmmm, let's just say it doesn't add to her appeal.

[balletbabe1999]

She is my favorite dancer. Please post pictures of Alina on ballet forumotion net

[joshua44170]

Elle est magnifique.

[ballerinina87]

What a horrible Aurora.

[yonjooheero]

She's way too flexible and doesn't even have enough strength to balance. she doesn't know how to use those long limbs yet. :-S

[merluzasfritas]

right adress, right Alina, Calipso, some people have been writing Horrible things about Cojocaru on this Somova rose Adaggio. And You or other people, can say whatever is your opinion, but to be disrespectful about people, about professionals dancers, no, no and no.

[calipso1010]

merluzasfritas, I agree with you whole heartedly. If someone is not capable to offer constructive suggestions or praise, one is not welcome to contribute. Nobody, but nobody has the right to say: "Dancer X is the great, but those who like dancer Y have bad taste". Even worse when someone puts out a video like: "Worst Giselle Ever..." thus masquerades like some higher authority. Let's respect dancers, all dancers! Constructive criticism is fine, trashing is NO-NO!

[ohbudda]

im laughing so hard because you must go onto ballettalk or criticaldance all the time wasting time to read other peoples ballet comments! its the saddest cult. and on top of that you seem to have created your own youtube CULT trashing your fellow ballettalk/criticaldance cult members!

[egomi24]

I could explain that one, Lopatkina has a very good Port de Bras and knows how to use her arms to make them look good. Somova still doesn't know how to use her very long limbs, one can look sloppy.

[puppylove0808]

I am traveling to NYC just to see Alina dance. My dream came true. Thank you for posting the video, even if it is not her best!

[puppylove0808]

I will be in NYC a week from today. Alina is the one I want to see the most. She is my idol!

[calipso1010]

I watched Sizova's Beauty. She has great jump but is hardly an Aurora. Vishneva, yes, she is certainly every inch the Morning Goddess. But so is Alina, although I don't believe that this heavy costume does her justice.

[Firestarjude]

That's funny, I've always found Sizova and Fonteyn to be the very best Auroras in living memory. Somova not so much...with her un-classical lines and extreme proportions, I think she is better in more modern works that don't require such a refined look. But, "to each his own," I suppose. :)

[englishpatient2003]

Alina is the most beautiful Aurora I have seen. Diana Vishneva is good too.

[kirovballet]

Alina is beautiful dancer, but she is not a great actress, she needs to be more artistic like makhalina or lopatkina for example

[arabesque2794]

LeKimmoiserie : just chill out..ur just jealous of how alina is probally a waayy better dancer then u :/..but w/e

[bajaderkaaa]

Sorry, her pas de chat and extension is amazing. I'm not talking about her turn out.

I guess you're jealous?

[LaGiaconda1]

Firstly you moron she doesn't execute a single pas de chat here and secondly pas de chat is dependent on good turn out.

Shut up you Communist hag.

[bajaderkaaa]

omg her pas de chat is amazing!!

[puppylove0808]

Bambi :)

[KBbrown]

That's no compliment you moron.

[x0x0OPx0x0]

i think she has real potential and in her bayadere videos she looks really good but im sorry to say she is not so fab in this. I am certinatly not saying that I am any better than her but form seeing many other live performances of this ballet... her take on it is not so looking so good. but she does have nice extensions!

[sangfroidjen]

Her arms are really long, that's why she's not as 'soft' as some purists like. Not her fault, she can only bend at the elbows so she's limited in ways to make her arms appear softer. She's good, I just don't understand the strong reactions to her on both sides. Yes, she needs improvement still but she's not horrible. Somova's style is idiosyncratic, at least she's not boring! I'd like to see her in Forsythe or Balanchine more, she could play up her angularity with that type of choreography.

[miaculpa80]

Don' see what criticism is all about. She is totally amazing!

[englishpatient2003]

Go ahead and fight online because you don't agree on the performance. Tightlygagged, don't critique balanchinedancer, look in the mirror. Back to the performer. No, she doesn't have the character all together yet, but one can't possibly miss how HUGELY talented she is. Only someone who is unsatisfied with herself can criticize the dancer so harshly.

[tightlygagged]

Overwhelmingly hideous.

Dreadful feet, laughable hyperextensions she seems to think are a virtue, no strength in the center of the body, zero harmony of arms and legs (not to mention hands and feet) every pose made a caricature.

This bears no relationship to the Kirov-Maryinsky.

Sorry, "balanchinedancer", but Balanchine never tolerated anyone as moronic as you. Why don't you actually LEARN something about ballet, ballet history, epaulement, position, line, and Balanchine before posting?

[sallysegalene73]

i think from now on you should TAKE A CHILL PILL before posting. who are you to say a prima with the kirov is overwhelmingly hideous? what gives you the right to call a fellow commentor a moron? get over yourself, nobody aggrees with you.

[BryndisSnae]

she has such gorgeous long legs!!! but still her hands are a little bit to swan lake-ish!

Alina is a great ballet dancer!

[balanchinedancer]

I agree with you wholeheartedly, academyballet

It's just that older generation thinks that ballet exist only for them and that other audiences have no right to admire whom they choose to admire. They insist that ballet should remain the same as it was in the time of their youth, like 20-30 years ago. Well, I don' agree. I also happen think that Alina Somova is a GREAT dancer!!!

[mrparts]

A+++ for your comment

[academyballet]

Hyperextended legs create such beautiful lines. There is nothing wrong with her dancing!

[academyballet]

Alina Somova is truely beautiful! Her extensions are amazing and it's such a pleasure to watch her dance and perform.

[TubeUself]

STOCKY????? Cojocaru? No way!

Cojocaru (whose extensions are also too extreme for my taste) is a lyrical, musical dancer with a well-rounded technique. BTW, what ever happened to musicality? Somova sorely lacks it.

[PlanetBallet]

Somova is great inspiration for young dancers. But here, hey, I think her hair-do is kind of old fashioned. A simple ballet bun would have done nicely.

[bobibo2007]

Don't be too hush to judge Catherine Pawlick. She was a failure as a "professional" dancer. She didn't make it as a critic. So what is left for her if not to take dissatisfaction with her self on young successful dancers?

[bobibo2007]

Can't say nothing about Cojocaru and her feet, and this might not be the best recording of Somova, however, it is clear that she is already the best dancer. Her fame will surpass fame of that of Zakharova and Guillem.

[PlanetBallet]

What are you talking about, guys?!?! Of course it is Svetlana Zakharova who is best Aurora of all times. Although Alina is very good here. Youthful, elegant and charming.

[KirovFan]

Oh, yes, Diana Vishneva most certainly has my voice for one of the best Auroras of all times. In fact she runs right after Viviana Durante.

[KirovFan]

Oh, I agree with you here 100%, Sylphida. Although I was not fortunate enough to see Vivian Durante live, the video clip posted on this very site has blown me away. And for the Kirov Fan to recognize superiority of the the RB dancer performing masterpiece of Petipa is not a simple matter. But Viviana so completely immersed herself in the role of youthful Aurora and choreography of the period that all I could say is "wow". Both Alinas have long way to go. im·mers

[balletbabe1999]

You hit the nail on the head, Calipse. Kirov section of the Critical Dance has become snake pit full of poison. Yuk! But I do like Alina Cojocaru, although she is not in my opinion best Aurora. I think Diana Vishneva is. I like Alina Somova best in Swan Lake. She was born to dance a swan with those extraordinary long limbs of hers.

[mel1234123]

This in my opinion was very bad. Sloppy, weak, hardly to none expression and could not control her horrible flexibility which was wayy to much. Also I didnt see a single balance in attitude!. Alina Cojocaru will always be the perfect Aurora in my opinion, she has beautiful extentions and balances, so much expression and looks like she is enjoying herself! Maybe this dancer should take some pointers from her.

[etseng921]

This is very bad. No amount of flexibility can make up for Somova's lack of solid technique. She has none of the charm or musicality of someone like Alina Cojocaru, who also tends to hyperextend, but at least she keeps them relatively under control and technique to go with it. Somova's hands (those nails!) and port de bras are down-right frightening.

[Tenor0007]

Your Cojocaru is dancing atrocity with feet of a pig.

[etseng921]

Is that really necessary? Cojocaru cannot control the fact that she has bunions. No they are not attractive, but she makes the most of what she possesses. Somova is severely lacking in the classicism that should be exalted by the Kirov. This is something she can control, and should work on with the proper coaching. For an example of Kirov style, see Lezhnina.

[aharper12]

Well I must say as a dancer that is 6'2" she controls her extremeties very well. I know how hard it is to be very tall and long. She just needs time she is doing well...

[Mashka8888]

I normally like Alina's dancing, but here she looks like she is performing some odd, experiment that went wrong. She is flapping her arms like in Swan Lake when the choreography clear calls for more restrained canonical port de bras. I don't like either the costume or the hair. Neither suite much her delicate frame. I enjoyed her life performances, though and audiences love her do death!

[balletbabe1999]

Lovely!

[ondine217]

Horrible! Flapping and flopping around with a hyperextented body she does not really control. Sleeping Beauty is the height of classicism and should not be submitted to such experiments. Especially this production which is a reconstruction of the original.

To all who say this is good please go see Vishneva, Ayupova, Cojocaru etc Or the older video of Kolpakova (not the 1982 one - she's 50 years old in that!) Ballet is not about extention. More is not always better!

[balletbabe1999]

How old was Alina when this video was made? I was fortunate to have seen Somova her when she traveled to So. California with the rest of the Kirov company. I thought she was absolutely breathtaking as Aurora! Her freshness and sincerity melt my heart. Bravo!

[marim27]

This girl has a long way to go. Perhaps with some more life experience, her dancing will develop some heart and soul. Perhaps she will gain control over those impossibly long limbs and stop just throwing them around. Perhaps she will learn that strength is more important to technique than over-the-top extensions. As here she shows little strength or balance. Isn't that what the Rose Adage is supposed to be about... those incredible balances?

Alina, try less gymnastics and more dancing!

[NeLii91]

not enough technique for the rose adagio and too much extension which is not bad but if it's used with no lyricism interpratation and technique makes the dancer look like an acrobat but she's young she has the time to improve her skills

[academyballet]

She is such a beautiful dancer! Her extensions are impressive and she dances so delicatly.

[dj080607]

Yes, everything about her is too much. Too slim, too long, too light, too flexible, too hyperextended... but Mama Mia - she is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!

[madydance]

She is really to much flexible... It looks "too much" for this ballet, and for ever other one... Her right foot is a little bit weird I think. She can't control her boddy...

[calipso1010]

I saw her life on stage in the same exact role. I told myself then that Alina was the very beast Aurora that I had ever seen. But here, something fails to click for me. Perhaps the production is different, or the costume does not suite her too well.

[rogerhoede]

...but isnt this ballet not all about a young princess with full off energy and grace? thats her.

[mydiorella]

I think she's beautiful. I prefer to see her as odette/odile though. I like her dancing. I like seeign how different dancers so different roles. Traditionally, the over extension is too much for classical ballet, But I enjoy watching her. Maybe because she's so beautiful & Limber, I don't know.

[sophinette75]

As a Kirov lover, I would day this dancer is a nightmare to me. The problem is not even at first her terrible extensions, ugly and totally inadequate in that piece, but the general weakness of both body and technics: no jump, no balances..., it's actually a problem! I prefer not to talk about the style and the way of performing "la belle".

[calipso1010]

Somova has no jump?!? This proves that you haven't seen her at all. Somova has it all - charm, grace, lyricism, technique, incredibly light jump and most of all charisma. She is GODDESS!!!

[sylphida]

for better or worse, i feel like there must be something to her for her to cause quite this much controversy

[AML32FOUETTES]

My third favorite dancer LOL. I saw her live with the Kirov in Swan Lake. (I thouht I was flexible before I saw it.) I don't like her Aurora as much as her Swan Lake. Still good though.

[medorah]

No soul, no art, no elegance. Alina Somova it's a little bit of a mess!

[littlefairyballerina]

qbendanny shut up she's better than you are.

[march86]

on boarders on being rhythmic gymnastics. sports belong in a stadium not on a stage. if she approached the role with as much determination as her extensions then it might actually be worth watching. instead it makes me cringe!

[vanesaablueyes]

OOOOH Bambi on ice strikes again LOL!I guess in Russia there is no such thing as too long(AND THIN) of limbs or too much flexibility!Those extensions passed the level of amazing reached the level of grotesque!

[fornolina]

Exactly!!! What happened to Mariinsky ballet? Where is elegance, subtle perception of style, or, at least, good taste?

[ECBarnes3]

I agree its so sloppy,

[sylphida]

evgenia obratzova?

[Mashka8888]

This is not Obraztsova!!! Evgenia is a very petite dancer. But yes, another Kirov charmer.

[sylphida]

oh i was answering the question "Exactly!!! What happened to Mariinsky ballet? Where is elegance, subtle perception of style, or, at least, good taste?" ... i did know it was somova, seeing how i posted the video and all ;)

[calipso1010]

What happened to appreciation of dancer's hard work, may I ask. And what happened to respect for other people' preferences? It's OK to express admiration for one's favorite artist. It is not OK to belittle one dancer in order to elevate another. And I find it downright despicable to go from one site to another and deliberately belittle the artist and justifying it with: "oh, but I own the house in St. Petersburg". And yes, I too stopped visiting both, the Critical Dance and Ballet-Alert.

[TubeUself]

Whatever happened to STANDARDS? Classicism has STANDARDS, but apparenly Somova's only concern is how wide she can open her crotch.

[dj080607]

I don't agree. What is art if not the reflection of life. And life is bigger, higher, faster! Look at Osipova - one can easily take her for an athlet. Alina is infinitely more lyrical.

[vanesaablueyes]

"Bigger,Higher,Faster"?You forgot to add Sloppier,more uncontrolled and scarier LOL!I might be able to stomach those overdone and outsized extensions(In something more modern) if she had one ounce of control over them,plus her feet are a disgrace!If you are going to show off that much extension,you need to at least have nice feet to continue the line!Look at Zakharova ang Guillem,these ladies overdo the extensions,but it can be pretty because they have control and nice feet!

[vanesaablueyes]

Oh and for Osipova.I dont find her to be an athlete just because she has an unbeleivable jump!No is not a Lyrical ballerina(Shes also not 6 feet tall LOL!),she is more of the soubrette type!I actually find her kind of a breath of fresh air among Russian ballerinas today!She reminds me of a cross between Maximova and Plisetskaya!

[dj080607]

Yes, both Gyillem and Zakharova have more control over their body. But Somova clearly has charisma that Zakharova has not, although she IS the most beautiful ballerina ever! Never understood fascination with Osipova, though. Oh well, to one its own :)

[vanesaablueyes]

Yeah I think its cool that two people can see the same two ballerinas and have such different opinions,but still not call each other names or disrespect!I think we both can agree that Somova and Osipova are both two very young ballerinas that are moving up very quickly in their own companies!

[dj080607]

Wonder where they both be 5 years from now? Another sign of excelling times is that public is always eager to embrace younger and fresher talents. And novelty. But what? Extensions have nowhere to go as they clearly reached the maximum acceptable 180 degrees. Longer limbs than Alina are hardly possibly in nature. Perhaps the jumps, proving that all old things become new again. Back to Nijinski

[sylphida]

i agree entirely with vanesaablueyes!

[icarrus4u]

Her a la seconde is sickning.

[calipso1010]

Très magnifique! Bravo!!!

[mydiorella]

I LOVE her! She's so beautiful. I wish I could find her entire swan lake performance somewhere!

[qbendanny1]

The Rose Adagio in concept is a bravura piece d' occasion for a princess on her 16th birthday joyously showing off her balances as she flirts with suitors...That did not take place here.

[sylphida]

::chuckles:: I really like how you put that.

[puppylove0808]

Bravura is not necessary here. Instead I see here a delicate young girl, 16 or thereabout enjoying her first grown up ball.

[succotashmybalzac]

her extensions are scary