I adore this variation. It shows Gamzatti is nothing but an unhappy girl who already knows that her hopes are vain. She is sad and reconciled with her fate. Even if someone hates Gamzatti, this scene arouses empathy for her.
Me too. I think a lot of classical ballets, as much as I love them, vilify the “evil” female side character whilst being an apologist for the main male character who really caused the mayhem. Solor, Albrecht, etc; I’m looking at you. I love that this variation shows the supposed villainess’s humanity. Gamzatti was really nothing more than a pawn in her father’s game. It’s sad, frankly.
How utterly timeless is this exquisite performance. The appropriate words tend to almost completely elude me. I will simply refer to Melanie Nix in this; "They say that writing a good review is harder than writing a bad one - possibly because you sit mesmerised and then forget quite how you got into such a hypnotic state...".
The very, very best Temple of Destruction I have seen sofar. A long time ago, I commented about the sheer elegance and beauty of Mme Bussell - renewing my interest in ballet in general. Now I have seen some great ballerina's doing the scene but none as beautiful as Mme Bussell. Next to that she is a supreme showdancer that could have made Fred Astaire standing up from his grave.
Well, I can't resist looking in again on this compelling talent. It's as though this piece were custom made for her.... a timeless grace.... a magnificent elegance.... the people's ballerina.... Darcey Bussell
Love the arabesque and attitude turns on pointe, in this performance...she creates just the right amount of force for appropriate momentum from turn to turn - really spectacular in itself.
I continue to be deeply impressed by this wonderful lady. The perfect "ambassador"for the ballet. The "peoples ballerina". So accessible to all the people....a lasting inspiration...Darcey Bussell....a diamond sparkling in the sun....
Oh my! Not only is she built perfectly to dance but she is technically perfect to watch! What a joy it must have been to be able to watch her before she retired ❤❤❤❤
My absolutely favourite, best-loved ballerina. Although nobody believed she would become a ballet dancer as she said herself being incredibly clumsy in childhood, Darcey Bussell is the top of the best. Her body's perfect and blessed to dance with those long limbs. Her movements are full of divine beauty and grace with flawless perfect lines. Due to her obvious talent Bussell was the most young dancer in Royal ballet's history to be made the principal dancer at the age of only 19.
For the first time after finishing her dancing career 5 years ago people will see Darcey dancing on pointe again at the end of the 2012 Olympic games closing ceremony as Darcey Bussell and Royal ballet's contribution to the Olympics.
Stunningly beautiful and sublime. Thank you, Edmund. I cannot help but believe that those who know little ( like me ) or nothing of ballet would be captivated and carried away by this one performance. In some ways that is a compliment of the highest order.
Mr. St. Austell, Surrounded, as we are by the conundrum that so often defines the human condition, we are, of all people, exceedingly fortunate to behold the indescribable beauty and grace of this national treasure: Darcey Bussell
Thank you for your lovely comments! I absolutely agree with you, and firmly believe that she is one of the greatest of ballerinas, and, as you accurately point out, one of the finest people in general!
The strength it takes to control those beautiful long limbs and her amazing fluidity sets Darcy out as a prima and then she's a special soul too. The world has been blessed by her talent and soul
@EdmundStAustell Thanks for confirming! That's the best version. We had Makarova here in Stockholm about 20 years ago. I think this variation is so poetic and a kind of relief, i. e. before the apocalypse!
It's called Gamzatti's Variation, and it's in the very last act, in what is commonly called the Temple Destruction Scene, just about 10 minutes before the end of the ballet.
Hei everyone! just a few months ago there was the same version done by Marianela Nuñez and Natalia Osipova. It was very interesting to see how they 3 did this variation tremendously beautiful but different in their own way. Unfortunately someone have took off the videos!!!! could you PLEASE put them online if you have it or send me the link?! They just disappeared ! PLEASE!
Osipova's is still available on RU-vid (I've just seen it) and Marianela's is available on Facebook (just tap Marianela Nuñez Gamzatti through Google and you'll find it easily)
@MelanieAF Yes, her arms are very long, as are her legs. It's a fascinating and beautiful body. She was quite tall. She soared over six feet when she went up on point. There weren't many partners she could find that she looked really good with. Roberto Bolle was probably the best...he was also tall.
I have a question. Around 2000 I watched a tv broadcast of La Bayadère and I believe it was by The Royal Ballet. I'm from France by the way and my mother and I would watch ballet often (on tv ,)) and I remember being really impressed by the dancer's performance. Could it be Darcey? Was she dancing at that time? It could very well be her, as I remember being impressed by not only her overall technique etc but by her feet, such strong arches and powerful legs... I'm eager to know ,) Merci/Thank you
2000 aurait été de sept ans avant de prendre sa retraite, et La Bayadère est un de ses ballets préférés, donc oui, je dirais, sans savoir avec certitude - qu'il est très probable que c'était elle!
***** Merci beaucoup Edmund et bravo pour votre français ! Cela fait des années que je cherche cette danseuse ! Et je l'ai trouvée un peu par hasard je dois le dire. Je trouve que tous ces danseurs (hommes et femmes) ont énormément de talent (ma mère a eu la chance de voir Monsieur Noureev à l'Opéra Garnier), j'adore Marie-Claude Pietragalla, Sylvie Guillem et bien d'autres mais cette Darcey Bussell m'a impressionnée avec ses pieds aussi, c'est peut-être bizarre ,))) Un beau cadeau que de l'avoir retrouvée car je suis malade depuis deux jours, à la maison, merci mille fois.
@ABallet2013 Yes, I have read that she was right at 5'9'', and of course on point she soared over six feet. Most partners--with the exception of Roberto Bolle--found themselves looking up at her. Personally, I loved it....it makes the feminine goddess of ballet even more grand!
For this variation, I like Marianela Nunez's better, though I agree Darcey Bussell is a great ballerina. There is always more taste in Marianela Nunez's dancing, needless to say her superb technique and natural musicality.
The Royal ballet's most promising "golden girl" she quickly became British ballet's first lady, Britain's the most esteemed ballerina alongside with legendary Margot Fonteyn, and even more - all over the world highly acclaimed and renowned prima ballerina. Incredibly strong, beautiful and lyrical ballerina with powerful technique, musicality and charisma. And her Gamazatti's dance is the evidence of this.
I am like a schoolboy in love when it comes to Darcey Bussell. So beautiful, so elegant, such a fine dancer. I've watched her filmed ballets until I have memorized every step, I think:-) I have always adored her. Another great favorite of mine is Diana Vishneva. These are goddesses:-)
She has not yet been qualled. I am deep in La Bayadère now. Lopatkina comes close but Darcey has some charismagnetics ( I misspell this word intentionally) that are found in very, very few dancers. I discovered that she writes also very nice books for young girls.
Wow she is amazing. Love her lines. And the fluid way she does all her adagio type work. It looks weird to see her legs without tights. I really regret I never got a chance to see a live performance :(
Why is this Hindu temple overseen by a colossal Buddha? I have never seen a Bayadere production which bothered to reproduce a magnificent classical period Indian HIndu temple.
I don't know much about ballet though I love it, but I'm watching this video repeatedly because I'm fascinated by her arms. They look like seaweed waving in the water, they are so long and limber. I've never seen anything like it.
If your student has the strength to do it, it will be a very attention-getting variation, as I do not believe it is done that often in competition. Best of luck to her!
I bought the last version of this with Rojo, Acosta, Nuñez and Martin, and was delighted with it. Obviously I need to buy the previous version as well. Thanks for sharing!
Oчень хорошее исполнение! Для не русской исполнительницы просто волшебно, потому что танцует не только тело но и душа! Она полна страсти , и это слишком технично вариация наконец обретает должный смысли показывает страптивый и своенравный но полный страсти, любви иогня порыв Гамзатис..
Hope that I am getting through to you Mr. St Austell. In the world of the fine arts - as magnificent as it is - ballet has become a kind of "huricane" of appreciation within me. I am a passionate fan. Not only is Darcey Bussel the consummate artist but she seems remarkably "accessible" and unaffected as a human being. I am on the front row with you shouting "bravo, bravo !"
