My warmest congratulations to Alina! I can't wait to see her during RB's US tour. And 19 is really young...she must be truly exceptional.

As we have an earlier topic on Alina I have copied the last two posts there. Can I suggest that we carry on with 'Giselle' here and discuss Alina's promotion in the other topic:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000578.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000578.html</A>

<B>As Giselle, Alina Cojocaru showed that she's a star in the making - and Tamara Rojo showed she's one already.</B> <P>By David Dougill in The Sunday Times<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Sylvie Guillem and Dar-cey Bussell are the top ballerinas of the Royal Ballet to the public at large, their performances probably the most sought-after by people who go to the ballet for names. They are, of course, both superb artists. But both are currently out of action: Guillem injured and Bussell awaiting her first baby. So has their absence left the company short of star quality? Certainly not, in the case of recent performances in Giselle and Romeo and Juliet by two exquisite dancers, Tamara Rojo and Alina Cojocaru.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR> <A HREF="http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/04/22/sticuldnc02002.html?" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/04/22/sticuldnc02002.html?</A>