![\"PNB](\"http:\/\/www.irasperipheralvisions.com\/WetPaint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/IMGL0046_resize.jpg\" "\\"IMGL0046_resize\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nOn Sunday night, I had the opportunity to view a live web stream of the Guggenheim Museum’s Works and Process<\/a> from the comfort of my home.\u00a0 The Pacific Northwest Ballet<\/a> (PNB)\u00a0 presented Giselle Revisited.<\/p>\n Before last night I had very little knowledge of the company.\u00a0 I\u2019d seen their Nutcracker on television and that was about it.\u00a0 So it was wonderful to have a chance to see them in this setting.\u00a0 Beyond that, I have never before had the opportunity to see a ballet deconstructed to the extent that the presenters (Doug Fullington, Marian Smith and choreographer Peter Boal) did for Giselle.\u00a0 I was impressed by the extent of their research and the fascinating details that they unearthed and shared with the audience.<\/p>\n They opened by speaking of the history of Giselle and their work in reconstructing the ballet through the use of primary sources.\u00a0 The audience had the opportunity to view images of the original music scores, which had been written in the dance studio, along with pages of Stepanov notation, which had been done for the entire ballet.\u00a0 I\u2019ve spent a fair amount of time in ballet classes and theaters, and I\u2019ve worked behind the scenes with a small ballet company, but before I saw this presentation, I never truly understood the intricacies that were involved in this classic ballet.<\/p>\n The presenters also pointed out voices in the music and what they were meant to say, to accompany the mime and action in the ballet.\u00a0 Mention was made too of this ballet\u2019s influence on Balanchine.\u00a0 He never created a Giselle of his own, but one of the presenters pointed out distinct\u00a0 references to Giselle in Serenade and Baiser de la Fee.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen both ballets several times, but before now I never understood the connection.<\/p>\n The dancers, Carrie Imler, Carla Korbes, Seth Orza and James Moore, were just amazing.\u00a0 Technically, they handled complex and speedy footwork with apparent ease.\u00a0 Artistically, they really became the characters whom they were playing, even during these short little excerpts from the ballet.\u00a0 I was especially taken by the port des bras on the women.\u00a0 Their movement filled the music so beautifully.<\/p>\n This presentation left me with a new appreciation for Giselle.\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to see it again, and now I\u2019m so curious about all the hundreds of little details and references that must go in to the creation of every ballet.\u00a0 I\u2019ll also be sure to see PNB when they come back to New York City.<\/p>\n I am so grateful to PNB for putting together this presentation and to the Guggenheim Museum\u2019s Works and Progress for streaming it over the web.\u00a0 I feel that it\u2019s presentations like these that will keep ballet alive and keep the audience engaged.\u00a0 I also really enjoyed the chat that went on alongside the webstream, which was populated with some of my favorite bloggers and other knowledgeable ballet fans.<\/p>\n The best part of all was that when it was over, I didn\u2019t have to trudge to the subway and look forward to an hour plus trip back home to Brooklyn!<\/p>\n The webcast is archived here<\/a>.<\/p>\n All photos by Jesson Mata.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guggenheim Works and Process – Live Web Stream Pacific Northwest Ballet’s presents Giselle Revisited Sunday, January 9, 2011 On Sunday night, I had the opportunity to view a live web stream of the Guggenheim Museum’s Works and Process from the … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n