I don't think I have ever seen such elegance in a variation before this. Gillian Murphy is exquisite and her partner provides just the right counterbalance. I can only wish I had been there.
What a partnership. This is a spellbinding rendition of one of ballet's greatest pas de deux. Please don't compare them with anyone else. Their chemistry is unique, truly a joy to watch.
Absolutely exquisite. Here is a ballerina who shows us swan qualities right down to her fingertips, there's no holding back and his passion coupled with such tenderness for her, simply provides complete light to the ballet's choreography. I have seen so many swan queens who miss the gentle nuances of a swan, yes they flutter their arms but look at her bourres in the beginning, she give them flight as bird would, they are so small yet so quick, look at her supple back such flexibility and her swan like quality enchants her partner. One of the most magnificent performances ever.
I’ve seen Gillian Murphy several times and I have my ticket for the met again with Gillian as Odette/Odile. She is beyond exquisite. She is a prima ballerina. If you haven’t seen her perform with a ABT, try your best to catch her performance. She’s one of the very best!❤
The best part about this video is actually reading the comments by 13-year old almost-dancers critiquing one of the world's best. People who know the difference between ballet and gym class appreciate this as the art it is.
Gillian Murphy is spellbinding. She doesnt move with the same flexibility and precise form as some of the Russian dancers, but she inhabits both Odette/Odile so naturally and easily, its like she was born to play them, and from what I've seen, none of the Russians have that. I know some of you hardcore ballerinas hate Black Swan references, but that's exactly what that movie's about! One act she's the graceful white swan, the next she transcends into the seductive black. effect? "It was perfect"
my gosh! this is SO beautiful! they seem so, in touch with each other. odett is so shy but is willing to trust siegfried, and he's like, well, so in to her! lol
Really? One of the best things about Swan Lake is that the corps actually gets to get to move around during those 8 minutes instead of just standing there thinking to yourself "do not move, do not move, I know your legs hurt but do not move." And it looks absolutely beautiful.
This is an ok version. The elegance and emotional aspects are imitated from the Russians but of course was not achieved at a high level. At multiple places, the orchestra and violin overshadowed the pair, especially the white swan's movement. The least you want to see on a live stage.
@choustonlv Believe it or not, they’re a lot better in this video than they used to be. The scruffly, scraggly ABT corps de ballet used to be the joke of the ballet world. Compared to days of old, they look pretty cleaned up here. If you want to see a corps de ballet dancing in truly impressive unison, collective expressivity, and with powerful theatrical presence, look no farther than the Maryinsky/Kirov in the white acts of San Lake. THEY are a wonder to behold.
i honestly don't like zakharova very much because when her 'wow' factor wears down, i think she's all flexibility and feet, kicking her legs up behind her head whenever she gets the chance, with the emotional/artistic flair of a brick wall. but i would agree that lopatkina's is probably my favourite variation of this pas de deux.
@@sheenee2192 the best Odette/0dile. This ballet was composed by a very great Russian composer, P.Tchaikovski And she being also Russian easily captures his emotions and soul in her dancing.
Yes she's not as gymnastic as Zakharova, but if you compare her to Lopatkina, who is also not as gymnastic as Zakharova, you'd still find something more with Russians
Ballet dancing would have been built in France in 1657 by King Louis XIV. France introduced this marvellous dance throughout European capitals such as Russia...
Not exactly right... If Lous XVI intouced ballet at his XVIIIth century court, it was centuries of evolution before Swan Lan Lake, so your comment is gratuitous.
This is the most hyperkinetic Odette I’ve ever seen. Technically a beautiful dancer but, too much going on. Nothing some serious and wise coaching couldn’t fix.
