GRAND PAS CLASSIQUE, Marianela Núñez and William Bracewell.

By extreme high demand here is the rehearsal of Grand Pas with Marianela Núñez and William Bracewell.
Filmed during a rehearsal.
Choreography by Victor Gsovsky
Rehearsed by Alexander Agadzhanov
Filmed and edited by Andrej Uspenski(DancersDiary)

[@Vittorina689]

Marianela Nuñez is not only the best ballerina of our time, but she is getting better and better.

[@Emmareads15]

It seems impossible, but she definitely is! Just recently saw her Swan Lake with Vadim at the ROH, they already set a high bar but she just flew over it, she reached another level entirely.

[@santi7616]

She is unique, always perfection and effortless, the number 1

[@mothball5425]

She is 40! Unbelievable 💕

[@Kapojos]

She has no powerful expression

[@moonlightchill4538]

?@@Kapojos

[@cherylzane7215]

Marianela said on Instagram she was "afraid" of dancing this. Girl, what?! This is one of the best renditions of the pas ever.

[@eg5660]

It’s an incredibly testing piece to perform, I can see why she was afraid. They did absolutely flawlessly though!

[@beatapogorzelska1241]

A new Sylvie

[@MarliseMachado]

Well, I understand why she said so: the woman's part is a torment test. It seems Gsovsky plotted against the ballerina rather than choreographing for her. All superb dancers feel tense in this role.

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

The choreography is really mean 😬 These 16 (?) rélévès, followed by the fast manège part 😮

[@owens5737]

@@beatapogorzelska1241no

[@carolenewman2234]

Marianela really deserves to be formally named the assoluta - this video is ample proof. Please do it, powers that be! William Bracewell is excellent. So deserves his new position as Principal Dancer. Bravo!

[@minissa2009]

Hadn't heard he got promoted. Well done!

[@Emmareads15]

She absolutely does!

[@klaas020]

With or without the formal title, she is an assoluta if ever there was one. Everything she does turns into pure gold.....

[@jillgooner]

@@klaas020 ASSOLUTA! YOU BET. THE BEST RB DANCER IN 50 YEARS. A gem, wonderful personality with the loveliest smile since Fonteyn. She lights up the stage.

[@monicacappellini8134]

they're perfect for muscles coreography, St Missing

[@rlatimer10]

Both have reached a level of perfection unimaginable. This performance is beyond beautiful, bravo! Marianela is a true prima ballerina assoluta!

[@Emmareads15]

I would love to see her named assoluta, she is beyond worthy!

[@melissatranfield4054]

She is indeed!

[@wind7899]

@@Emmareads15 Just curious, is there an established procedure for a ballerina to be named assoluta? Can the Royal Ballet name her or is that more complicated?

[@eg5660]

@@wind7899 Sorry for the incredibly long reply lol: So the way that a dancer is recognised as prima ballerina assoluta varies from country to country, but it’s usually actioned by a government or head of state. It’s a fairly symbolic title with no universal protocol. Britain’s most recent assoluta (& the only officially recognised one) is Margot Fonteyn, who had the title bestowed upon her by the ROH and officially sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth at a gala held in honour of Fonteyns’ 60th birthday. As the ROH still operates under a royal charter, it’s likely that they would acquire a royal sanction if they chose to recognise a dancer as assoluta again. While I’m sure that the company could probably obtain this, I’m just not sure they want to. Fonteyn is a massive part of the Royal Ballets legacy, more so than any other principal. For decades now, she’s been championed as the ultimate timeless Royal Ballet ideal that all of their students should aspire towards. As the country’s sole assoluta, she’s this historical and almost kind of mythical figure. Marianela is undoubtedly a world class artist and one of the best dancers to have ever graced the stage, but as it stands it just seems unlikely that anyone but Fonteyn will hold the title at the RB. I will say that times change though, so never say never!

[@Emmareads15]

@@eg5660 Thank you for this information, I had no idea. In that case, sadly, I don't see it happening for Nela, I doubt the Royal would ask and nobody in this country seems to be rewarded in a deserving way. A real shame because she's an assoluta if ever we've seen one.

[@elizzy8754]

All I can do is agree with the praise for this pair. Bracewell's petite batterie is exceptional; Nunez performs the tours en attitude exactly as they should be done; she definitely deserves the Assoluta title.

[@eduardo8586]

Exactly what I thought about her tours en attitude; and the way she moves her head is so beautiful!

[@Emmareads15]

Surely it's a matter of when not if for the Assoluta title? She seems beyond the standard for it.

[@yael9137]

I wish they’d found a slightly slower recording of the music though, it was annoying to see her trying to luxuriate in the movement then needing to rush to catch up the music.

[@elizzy8754]

@@yael9137 I was wondering whether it was a 'random' recording or a recording of the Royal Opera House orchestra. It would make sense for it to be the latter if that is where the performance will take place. Who decides on tempo, in fact? 🤔

[@yael9137]

@@elizzy8754 from what I’ve experienced, a dancer like Nunez would probably have the most say, working closely with the conductor so that she can have it exactly how she wants it; and in a performance the conductor would have followed her and slowed the first two sections of variation down. She shows the tempo she wants with her first piqué. I’d say for publishing reasons, that this recording probably is the Royal Opera House Orchestra, but I highly doubt it was recorded for this purpose. Companies make recordings of rehearsals with orchestra all the time so that they have something to rehearse to if a live rehearsal pianist isn’t available or the music can’t be replicated with a piano. I’m honestly surprised that this wasn’t done with a live pianist instead.

[@hellohannahjennings]

I love how her personality shines through at 7:04 :) She's just the best!

[@alisonfareham5023]

She has the most expressive & graceful arms I've ever seen. Never a 'flap' always meaningful

[@annemariestein7491]

She is on everyone's list of the 10 best ballerinas. Superb. I had the privilege to see her in Giselle with Roberto Bolle. She is Assoluta.

[@jillgooner]

i think she is the most loved ballerina in britain thats for sure. Still performing to the highest standards. Lovelier by the year. Always seems to bring out the best of any partner. If shes not made assoluta its because the rb are twats. Nella is an utter treasure to our dance culture the rb better not forget that

[@rlatimer10]

William Bracewell is a joy to watch.

[@philzmusic8098]

There she is in the background, watching him dance his variation and smiling in admiration--THAT's Marianela!

[@geradinehyatt-williams9897]

Absolutely wonderful by two artists at the top of their game. Never seen it done better .

[@Emmareads15]

Absolutely, the very top of their game, what a performance!

[@rivermountain7315]

The Assoluta of the century has a new partner? Words written nor spoken can convey the brilliance of perfection shown here! Dame Diva Nunez is truly in a league all by herself with no rivals anywhere on planet earth! The Most High Almighty took His time in creating her! She is marvelous in everyway! This young man has been placed in a position of blessings working with her - no doubt!

[@jillgooner]

Definitely. She should be a ballerina ASSOLUTA. Dont matter shes not british that women has been the most consistent performer at the rb and is a joy to watch. She is never ott and doesnt need to be with that heavenly smile and technic. A legend

[@Emmareads15]

I just cannot get over the difficulty yet how much ease they have here. And this is not an established pairing either, but they work so beautifully together too! I'd love to see more from these two together! 😍

[@jillgooner]

I agree. Hes come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and is incredibly graceful. No matter who she dances with it works. She has such a lovely personality and always seems modest when giving interviews. A wonderful performance by both

[@Emmareads15]

@@jillgooner Yes, he's really one of the top principals the Royal have, really a stunning dancer. I think she brings out a lot in her partners and she always has a great connection. She really is, she's a gift to have over here in London

[@jillgooner]

@@Emmareads15 she certainly does bring out the best in all her partners whether established or young. Shes a very thoughtful lady with no sense of grandeur a gem in our mix. I was lucky enough to see her in a performance celebrating 20 years with the rb. We certainly adore her here and we now have some great british male up and coming dancers which is great.

[@jillgooner]

@@Emmareads15 she had a wonderful connection with Acosta. They adored each other. Watch the ribbon dance from.la fille mal gardee. And another up and coming pairing are marcelino sambe and anna rose osullivan. Heaven in la fille as well

[@Emmareads15]

@@jillgooner Yes, they were gorgeous together, both had tonnes of personality on stage too, love their Fille, just wonderful. Yes, we are so lucky to have her here in London. I really like Anna Rose and Marci, I think their partnership is really blossoming into something great, both have a great connection with each other.

[@clairehindrup]

Grand Pas Classique solo variation is probably one of the hardest ones in ballet... and of course Marianela SLAYS it as always

[@user-tk7zf4he9r]

Марианела замечательная балерина, одна из самых лучших в мире. Она особенная, помимо прекрасной техники очень лёгкая, музыкальная, артистичная, невероятно милая, женственная, обаятельная, даже не знаю какие ещё хорошие слова можно сказать. Когда увидела впервые видео с её выступлением сразу поняла, что буду смотреть постоянно, что это выдающаяся балерина. Желаю ей только хорошего, творческих успехов и побед.

[@susannakomminoth-stamm3736]

Just absolutely wonderful! I could watch Marianela again and again ..I wish her all the best for the future !

[@joannesimmons4586]

I’ve seen this PDD many times danced by many dancers, but this is absolute perfection from these two great artistes - a complete merge of music and dance

[@D.A.A.321]

5:34 when she does those turns it’s like the video is put on slow motion, so graceful and perfect ❤️

[@jillgooner]

Everything she does is exquisite and makes it look so natural. Our greatest dancer at the rb since fonteyn. She should be ASSOLUTA.

[@gemfrancheskabadua259]

When can Marianela Nunez be promoted as an Assoluta? She is getting better and better. You can really see her joy when performing and her technical skills that are so great. I love Nela so much😘

[@bentoucourt]

I am impressed by her variation..... the piquet attitude at 5: 34..... with this tecnick..... I thought only Sylvie Guillem could do it this way ! :)

[@jillgooner]

I always think of this pas de deux as sylvie guillems but she is heaven my favourite dancer for years. She has everything. Wonderful actress but with class and a technic beyond belief. A beautiful women.

[@anewsortofgramophone]

Both amazing, but Marianela’s solo here is superlative. It was a “oh this is how it’s supposed to be danced” moment!

[@owens5737]

Good but not as good as Sylvie. Too many Nelaisms. Grand pas is suppose to be clean clean, she over expresses as usual.

[@minissa2009]

@@owens5737 Could you elaborate? Because to me, she's telling a story or having a conversation with the audience. If you've seen the comparison vid with Sylvie and Elisabeth Platel, one thing I adored about Sylvie is the way she seemed to just hang in space with the attitude turns (starting at about 8:38 here), and Nela right there is like Sylvie on steroids (in a good way---she just holds the balances and does the arm switch with such languid grace and musicality, I was sighing in involuntary delight). I realize she's a natural turner, but there's something appealing about someone you know can do 7 just doing 2-3 perfectly centered enough to do those 7. Agree to disagree (that's why it's art, different things speak to different people!) But yeah, could you explain Nela-isms?

[@owens5737]

@@minissa2009 she’s completely off the music, especially in the attitude turns. Just because you can hold something longer doesn’t mean you should. It’s not musical. Nothing about her solo is. Yes she has good turnout and everything is nicely placed but the clear crisp concise musicality combined with steely control and artistry of Sylvie is the best there is. Nelaisms, every dancer has their own isms, but Nela does it at the expense of the music.

[@minissa2009]

@@owens5737 Interesting. I would have said this was phrasing. And a lot of people, myself included, look at GPC as being a bravura piece so full of tricks and references that schmaltzing a little on the timing seems in keeping with its spirit. Overall, I would have said her musicality is superb and gives her dancing character. But, yeah, art.

[@coastalonyx]

@@owens5737 Out of curiosity, what constitutes a “Nelaism?”

[@klaas020]

This is very exciting! And Marianella Nunez' variation is just fabulous. Those suspended piques in attitude.......

[@marymohagheghi4875]

The PUREST classist of this time … my word she is magnificent 💐

[@gillianashley1820]

Oh, my word. What phenomenal, classical dancing. Bravo.

[@katiefulton9456]

Speechless. Nela. Gracious, she & her entire being, her balletic technique & artistry as well ages like a fine wine. 👏👏👏💕 I adore this woman- also the nicest person on the planet. We all love, admire & aspire to dance like Nela! #thebestGrandPasClassique

[@annadee2669]

Masterful and exquisite! The control Marianela Nunez has is breath taking. They are beautifully paired as well.

[@xuefensun1117]

Absolutely phenomenal ❤️❤️ They are so in sync together; legs in arabesque same height same time, beautiful

[@maryhughes3686]

Admiration for both Marianela Nunez and William Bracewell. It is such a gift to be graced with such talent and artistry. Thank you to all the staff and artists of the Royal Ballet.

[@sassy1970sy]

The stamina and focus to be able to dance like that takes years and years of total dedication and practise. They are some of the greatest masters of the art of ballet and it’s absolutely thrilling to watch 💗💗💗

[@gussy1964]

Gracias dancersdiary!!!!!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@DancersDiary]

I hope you enjoy!

[@micheladessanti4278]

Da brividi : apoteosi di tecnica, controllo e stile al servizio dell'arte e dell'emozione. Marianela PERFETTA!!!!!!

[@marcelajatoba1520]

Simply amazing!! Marianela's control and balance is out of this world. She also has such a wonderful and captivating smile.

[@reanimato1]

her control and precision never cease to amaze me

[@ap7832]

This is gold! Thanks for sharing

[@lynnebennett6842]

Wow! Breathtaking dancing and such musicality. I am in awe. Bravo to these amazing artists! Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelsefi3790]

The best 8:38 minutes I've spent in many days...!

[@Emmareads15]

Just superb, thank you so much for this gift!

[@DancersDiary]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@BalletomaneM]

William is one of my favorite dancers and he looks marvelous with the beautiful Nela! Thank you for sharing this with us!!!

[@laravictoria5899]

Idk if it’s just me, but I smiled rlly widely when I saw the look of happiness on nela’s face when she nailed the fouetté sequence like ‘YES I MANAGED!’ Just made me remember the fact that even professionals make mistakes/have bad dance days

[@annaiuga]

Best balerina of our time! They are pure joy to watch!

[@luciandebellis]

Marianela is just amazing!

[@dsanchezbrett]

the grace and elegance of both is immeasurable. It makes it seem as if they can float in the air at will. wonderful!

[@jacquelynramirez1365]

Marianela Nunez is the person who inspired me to dance at a very young age

[@daniilsimkin]

bravo ❤🎉

[@horcruxfinder1]

such a gorgeous piece for both of them

[@anastasialenkova-molchalin5874]

I hope she's made the assoluta soon.

[@dianasantamaria4002]

It is such a difficult coreography and they make it look easy!! Just wonderful!

[@minissa2009]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was trying to bribe a friend who's doing a summer term in Japan with tickets if she would go and surreptitiously film with her cell phone. The info on the website is a little confusing and I think they haven't yet said who's going to perform what which night. Just exquisite, who needs lights, curtains, and costumes? Bracewell's jump is so buoyant, and there was one section at the close of the adagio that was so fluid it was as if they were singing---just hadn't seen anyone make something novel and beautiful out of those few phrases. Nela's variation was superb. It's like time is stopping on some of those turns. I could just run on the whole night about how good this was and how grateful I am to you for posting. Was considering seeing what it would cost to fly to Tokyo!

[@karinpope7940]

About £800 ish…

[@minissa2009]

@@karinpope7940 OK, probably not then...

[@gucynthia]

Marianela showing her tongue at the end of her variation 🤭😂 so sweet

[@lynnegunn3478]

She truly is the greatest of all dancers, and he too is superb! So subtle was technical prowess easily danced! Could watch them for hours, thank you very much indeed. 🌟🌟🌟

[@elizardo3612]

wow nela is amazing , perfect

[@Nancy-it8uc]

Hermosa Marianela y profesional excelente! Me encanta, ejecuta pasos increíbles con una naturalidad tal que parece flotar en el aire, como si no le costara nada ser una de las mejores bailarinas del mundo 💖 mis felicitaciones!!!!!

[@alisonbrown2614]

Oh my goodness. Bravo!! Marianela said this was the hardest pas de deux and it is, but they make it look like a walk in the park. Exceptional! Anybody know where they'll be performing this?

[@DancersDiary]

Yes I know! Hahah that would be in Japan, Tokyo

[@alisonbrown2614]

@@DancersDiary What a shame. Not for those in Japan, obviously! Hopefully they will do it in the UK one day too.

[@judycameron474]

Another great pairing with lovely lines together!

[@danzaterapiagm9633]

Marianela es maravillosa bailarina , bella tecnica y muy expresiva . Mis felicitaciones para ella⚘️⚘️⚘️⚘️

[@kdub10009]

INCREDIBLE, what else can I say?

[@susanmuir286]

Superb Marianela, wonderful to see her

[@mallorygaudion1051]

This message is a message from a dancer to paris opera baller (grand pas classique was created on stage of paris opera ballet by Yvette chauviré and wladimir skouratoff) in 1949 and 1964 Be careful at the version and style In case of doubt the references movie is with Sylvie Guillem and Manuel legris directed by Yvette chauviré themselves 👍

[@jillgooner]

Nunez is a different generation and can dance anything. Humour, drama, subret. ANYTHING. Guillem is my idol but so is nunez a lovely, modest, and has an incredible stage presence.

[@excession3076]

This is a rehearsal, not the finished product. All those saying slightly off the music, well that's what you do when you are learning something. You try things out, you get the "feel" and then you hone what you are doing. I've watched a lot of rehearsals on YT, it's quite amazing the tiny adjustments that are made, I used to play the violin, same thing. The finished product takes hours of practice to get just right, and actually getting things a bit wrong gives you knowledge of what you have to do to put them right. If it's perfect right from the beginning, then what do you learn? Anyway, I thought this was amazing, beautiful dancing. I loved it, I loved that it looked like dancing rather than a perfect performance.

[@piros100]

OMG, Nela is a real goddess 😍😍😍

[@Jules-ix9ih]

What a great performance; Marianela and William are sharp and confident. Her technique is flawless and she keeps on the beat. He has wonderful elevation and I liked his arms. They didn't overdo anything and maybe we'll see a real performance of this sometime too. Thanks from Australia.

[@edoardomariarusso]

Omg! Amazing! 😍😍

[@davidalfredmorgan3212]

Bravo Bravo Bravo I hope they perform this ballet live at the ROH Covent Garden very soon so we the public can show our appreciation of the magnificent dancing / this partnership : > ) Regards David

[@annabelcharles2938]

Absolutely fabulous! Thank you!

[@peitacooke5353]

So amazing!!! Brilliant!!!

[@Princess_Starry]

Hi Andre, thank you so much for posting this! ❤

[@mundamadi--moucheamadi7147]

Flawless, Beautiful, thank you Marianela. Also William ' s dancing was amazing!!👐😍💕💖💓💜🌺🌹💐

[@rlatimer10]

Thank you for sharing this amazing performance!

[@lahire22]

Crystal clear! So beautiful !

[@baguacat1]

Amazing. Just lovely. Perfection.

[@jillgoldman447]

That was GREAT!

[@snabeyratne]

Simply brilliant!

[@DiegoLima-yw8kz]

Just phenomenal !

[@moyrawoodward2291]

Glorious. A beautiful partnership. Thank you.

[@marychapman7000]

Such lovely fluidity with each phrase completely filled.

[@cathleensibley1679]

Astounding. Thank you for sharing! Brava.

[@user-kd3uf9zu6r]

Breathtaking. Wonderful.

[@Susanmuir2]

Marianela is as perfect as ever, her expressive arms are unlike any other. William is a great partner for her and their technique together is faultless.

[@eduardoalbertinopianista2380]

Fantastic!!!👏👏👏

[@kevinsimmers7594]

Brilliantly performed - Stunning technique.

[@olivierpatey1329]

Marianela is one of the greatest Ballerina I have ever seen, incredible purity in the technique, softness and impressive strengh. And this is the most authentic version, that Yvette Chauviré and Wladimir Skouratoff (the creators) have been teaching from Victor Gsovsky to almost all the greatest french Etoiles ans Soloists, Claire Motte, jacqueline Rayet, Dominique Khalfouni, Elisabeth Platel etc.

[@jillgooner]

Platel was incredible not mentioned enough i feel. But nevertheless a lovely performance by 2 incredible dancers of a different generation.

[@jillgooner]

Pure class!

[@brendastevens9077]

Wow!!! This is Breathtaking. I could see the joy that was flowing out of you, toward the end. That feeling of accomplishment!!! Fantastic, Beautiful Dancing.😊❤❤❤

[@anilu3021]

Beautiful!

[@llanoslozano5896]

Simplemente BRAVO!!!! Qué maravilla!!! 👏👏👏🌹🌹🌹🙏🙏🙏🌼🌼🌼

[@janicebone6191]

Wonderful!! thank you

[@somewhereinmontana3405]

Wow. They are perfection!

[@conannethegrammarian]

Utter pure joy.

[@julidekavak5639]

I still remember from my youth long time ago that those ballones in the variation to be the absolute calf killers. This is the hardest pas de deux evver. She just made it her own.

[@marymohagheghi4875]

What a gift🥰

[@brassitaschannel-tu5yw]

Simply breathtaking

[@voraciousreader3341]

William Bracewell is _AMAZING!_ So elegant and athletic, and he has so much strength! Glorious to watch! Marianela Nunez is a beautiful dancer, too, but for this ballet I cannot get the image of Sylvie Guillem as a 19 year old out of my head….she was just iconic. And also Olga Smirnova is another with such an intense presence of classicism, it rises above mere talent and beauty. And, for myself, there is such an advantage to a ballerina to have long legs, which Nunez lacks, and which is the only thing she lacks for me, bc she has every other quality.

[@fabiocardoso904]

OMG incredible!

[@gabriellalerario8005]

watch this make me so happy

[@stuartblack758]

I love this partnership! I hope they dance a lot together.

[@passionballettopfru]

Just great.

[@rogiordanob]

incredibly beautifull, both of them!! luckley I won't be on the theatre to watch the show, because i'd scream like crazy at the end hahaha they are amazing

[@mirygalas6508]

Thank you!

[@bonniehawkins2979]

Splendid.

[@anaperalta1968]

Beautiful

[@cristinapalermo3569]

Perfection❤