Bavarian 'Swan Lake' reviews? 'Swan Lake' reviews Eichwald in reviews Bottaini in reviews recent Bavarian State reviews more Sonja reviews

She rehearsed Maria Eichwald about who I once read that she saw Plissetzkaja dance while still a child and from that moment knew she wanted to be a dancer, too - don't know if it is true, but obviously for her a dream came true last night.

She was partnered by Alen Bottaini who did not get a lot of corrections but seemed to enjoy it, too - especially when Maya Plissetzkaja marked her part in a pdd and inter-acted with him - he even took her up and swung her full circle in the first encounter Odette - Siegfried, and she looked very much surprised in that moment, then enjoyed being a classical ballerina again at least for a few seconds...

Whole evening was in Russian, Maria Eichwald and Ivan Liska translated the key parts - but I particularly enjoyed two aspects (even without understanding much):

1) Swan Lake seems THE ballet for Maria - she has found her style and absorbed the role of Odette/Odile. I love her arabesques and soft port de bras - her arms do look like wings, but in a very special, individual way.

2) When Plissetzkaja marked the movements - she "only" walked around, but boy, her arms are incredible. Plus she has a very special aura - only a few seconds, she looked tired, but when she "switches on" her stage presence, it's still absolutely fascinating. I have never seen her on stage but do imagine she must have been very special.

Rehearsals:

- First encounter Odette - Siegfried
- white pdd act II
- black pdd act III (pdd part only)
- white pdd act IV

Basically, Maya Plissetzkaja seemed pleased with Maria's way of doing it - she only corrected some basic technical things to improve her lines - plus gave us her ideas about the three pdd: