Part 13 of 15 Kirov Mariinsky Ballet Raymonda Lopatkina Korsuntsev Osmolkina Ostreikovskaya

[palubob]

Nureyev, who learned the ballet at the Kirov after all, insisted on the loud clap. Perhaps it was done that way back in the '50s and early '60s. It was Raymonda's way of announcing " Now I am a Princess (or whatever) and I have arrived!" I think that the loud clap is just fine.

[tutus4life]

oooooof Danila is gorgeous!! gaah what a man they look spectacular together such class and refinement. This is Lopatkina's ballet, her variation is done to perfection

[Pearlaceous]

Martynyuk has such stage presence - lovely variation!

[lopatkinalover]

Valeria Martynyuk is really perfect. Just simple and lovely!

[russianjewels]

Ulyana is simply... imperial! She's the Dance itself!

What year is this performance from?

[russianballetvideo]

2007

[russianjewels]

Thank you!

[looovecats]

It was really nice variation by Martynyuk! So light, fast and delicate! And she has enchanting smile.

[bachandbark]

Lopatkina's Hungarian variation is exactly as it should be - some dancers make a sound when they pass the hands in a 'clap' suggestion - just my opinion but I think that a Hungarian princess would be so, so much above that. I do not like the dancers who make a sound at that point - it seems crude - Lopatkina understands the role perfectly. I really enjoyed watching ths- thank you!

[Parcq]

I take it that you mean the POB dancers who clap their hands. That's part of the Nureyev's choreography, not their interpretation. I doubt anyone would call the POB Raymondas crude

[bachandbark]

Not the POB dancers in particular - no, I was thinking in general - as I said , It is my opinion and I love Sylvie Guillem's interpreation of this and she does NOT make a sound in any of the videos that I have seen of her doing this variation. I suspect, in any case, that there is some leeway for dancers to interpret the choreographer's use of mennerisms in their own unique way......again - my opinion - interesting to read yours.

[huibonhoa]

@bachandbark actually, in Sylvie's POB performance, she makes a very loud clap--numerous times. The videos you have seen might have edited out the sound.

[looovecats]

@Parcq

After seeing Marie Agnes Gillot I think I would call her crude but not only because of clapping but because of her stage presence. In her variation she seems so agressive that if I were Jean de Brienne I would be more afraid of Raymonda than Saracens.

[theamazingsoter]

@looovecats I agree Gillot was a bit too agressive as Raymonda, but that's just her personal interpretation of the role. Other POB dancers I've seen dancing the Hungarian variation (Guillem and Pontois on video, and Aurélie Dupont live) danced the role differently, though they all make loud claps. Guillem and Pontois both look serious and regal (not angry), but Aurélie's interpretation stays closer to Lopatkina's. I love them all.