Irina Kolpakova & Sergei Berezhnoi - Le Papillon

[emperoroberon]

This is a beautiful performance. It is from an old VHS tape called The Kirov in London. I wish that this would be re-released in DVD or blu-ray format. This old tape is full of magnificent dancing with brilliant artists, just like Irina Kolpakova

[nanarinauk]

Such a tragic connection to this Pas de deux and Emma Livry, it seems that fate almost had a hand in what happened. In those days the medical treatment for burns would have been non exsistant, and sadly can be considered as the agony that was endured for their art.

[nihil1]

The way she jumps from 3:26 to 3:40 seems physically impossible! :) Very, very beautiful

[passionofpersephone]

Lovely, but do we really know whether this is Taglioni's actual choreography, or an imagining of what it MIGHT have been? Sad story behind this -- Taglioni came out of retirement to coach Emma Livry in this role, seeing herself in her protege. But Emma tragically died young, when her costume brushed too close to one of the gas jets that were then used for lighting, and it caught fire.

[goldenidol]

You know, Now I am not sure if this is her only surviving choreography. The Paris Opera had Emma Livry sign a prepared statement that if anything happened to her (because of her refusal to wear fire proof treated muslim), the Paris Opera would not be held responsible. This item appeared recently on eBay. I'm not sure of its autheticity, but it was still a fascinating item!

[aircat29]

just divine...!!! offenbach's music is amazing!

[SilverInsanity]

The music is beautiful, yet so much of it isn't used. The music for the pas de deux itself is about 13 minutes long, I think, but this is only the adagio.

The choreography is exquisite. Thank you so much.