The only thing really old-fashioned about La Dame aux Camélias is the cheering applause, as if you were in Milan's Scala. And it's not even premiere night. Director Ted Brandsen did a hit with this classic with the Dutch National Ballet. We have proof of it. With Periscope.
I once suggested to Rudi van Dantzig that he and John Neumeier, the two last great storytellers. Both also loved for their classical works and admired for current, sometimes curious productions. Rudi expressed uncertainty about the success of the project. The fact is also that he never put a work by Neumeier in the repertoire. It would arise too much from the psyche and less from the heart. Tonight, 16 April, was memorable, however.
Becoming Traviata
For ballerinas, Marguerite is a role that allows you to define yourself. National ballerina Igone de Jongh yearned to do this classic and, under coaching from former dancer Rachel Beaujean, became an elegant courtesan who turns out to have a lot of love and compassion in her. De Jongh gets emotional afterwards. While the audience was shedding tears long ago.
Love ballet
The menacing sound of Chopin's waltz lets you know that blissful love is not permanent. Not because, with three kids and a row in your marriage, you no longer have the zest for it, but because fate strikes. In the form of a fatal illness, or a gruff father who sees better opportunities for all. Remarkably, the ballet with the sad couple in an empty stage picture ends strongly in minor. You don't often see it that fatalistic. The only consolation is that we share the feeling of being doomed. For a moment, hitting bottom together.
Marijn
As recently as October, De Wereld Draait Door announced something exciting to: Dutchman Marijn Rademaker, who danced in Germany, became first soloist with the Dutch National Ballet. That entrance was well deserved. You can tell from Rademaker that he has danced with international stars: he fills the auditorium with his charisma. He performs the demanding role of lover Armand entirely credibly. And even though there is a lot of excellent dance work by others: Marijn rushes out four pirouettes without hopping, stays standing on a piqué arabesque and shoots full of energy with legs maximally extended in a series of jumps in a circle (and riding school). Success is in the family.
Rich cultural production reflects rich culture
A richly performed production like La Dame can only be produced in or by a rich country and bears this out. As a representative of the affluent Netherlands, the Dutch National Ballet is capable of performing this kind of work at an impeccably high level. It is watertight to see pianist Ryoko Kondo to be heard and seen playing with great feeling, an imperturbable melody of his own from the left hand next to the right, while on stage the whirling, languorous dancing couple carries that same music.
I Amsterdam
Italian dance acquaintances who came to visit therefore think The National Ballet is the best company in the world. But where are the Red Light District, they immediately asked. Culture too, but double and opposite. Like the courtesan who sincerely loves. Or as the identity of Mata Hari (to be seen in 2016). Salonfähig or not, we do simply look at the oldest profession in the world in La Dame. A profession for the sake of men but yes/no Against the will of women. We Amsterdam.
Periscope
But then. Periscope! An exciting new way of making and watching video. Because it's all live and interactive: from your phone or tablet. How good of the Dutch National Ballet to permission gifts to film. No fear of the unknown. Because it still is. Jeroen Pauw, for example, is already busy with it: in front of 2,000 followers, he cycles through an Amsterdam park while filming. Before the evening Pauw broadcast, someone sends a message in the pretalk on Periscope that this is much more fun than the broadcast itself. Angela Groothuizen pioneers it and retweets that we are filming the Dutch National Ballet. And a popular So You Think You Can Dance-choreographer see you log on to watch our report live.
But judge for yourself and watch a few videos with Periscope (saved after live streaming) below:
Or read a explanations and tips How Periscope works.
She took someone who had never been to ballet before
https://youtu.be/aJ288KZtIkY
His reaction after the performance
https://youtu.be/IjWLrhl-lNI
Comments from English-speaking audiences who also came for the first time
https://youtu.be/YlhANhI6FkM
A tour backstage
And the proof of success (short extract)
And will Periscope become tough competition for real filmmakers? Not yet:
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