This "Napoli Divertissements", as it is being called, I believe contains the 1st act Ballabile, the 3rd act tarantellas and parts of the 3rd act pas de sept in addition to a brief excerpt from the "Flower Festival in Genzano" pdd. The current second act of "Napoli" dates only from a decade or so ago, and there's not much from there that would be worth or make sense excerpting as the style and thematic content is so different. And frankly, the series of dances for the female corps, get a bit tedious. Pretty, but a tad bland.
But has the Royal Ballet done excerpts before? I don't bellieve they've ever done the full ballet (has any other company besides possibly the Finns or Norweigans done the full ballet?). The only time I can remember excerpts from Napoli was during the gala to open the refurbished Opera House and in Kobborg's "Far From Denmark" program.
Regarding 'La Sylphide'
Quote:
Samodurov’s dancing was excellent, though I missed more joy in his character, as his James was too serious from the very first moment.
Interesting because the two men who are regularly performing the role in Copenhagen, in particular Mads Blangstrup, tend to give the role a more serious quality from the start. They are enjoying themselves, but not with the all out abandon that one would expect before gettting married. I've always sensed that James was content, but not overjoyed with his impending marriage. But my perceptions could be influenced by the dancers. Blangstrup especially, for I've always felt that he's a dancer who is superb in/ suited to the more serious, often anguished dramatic roles, but to me he has always been quite reserved and seemed stiff in lighter roles. Yet he has done Gennaro in "Napoli" to rave reviews, so perhaps his temperament or approach to roles has changed over time...
Julio Bocca, in a talk before one his final performances of "Romeo and Juliet" apparently questioned how one could really deliver a complete performance in the ballet without experiencing life, and in particular loss. Perhaps approaches towards James are tinged by a dancers' own perceptions and experiences as much as the story.
Kate