Ballet Appreciation Series (2014#5) - Camille

Coach introduced two ballets based on Camille (or Lady of the Camellias), an 1852 novel and play by Alexandre Dumas, fils. 

It was a well-known love story between spoony Armand (a young bourgeois) and glamorous Marguerite (a TB-ridden socialite kept by various lovers). 

Both suites are heavy with body languages and facial expressions, accompanied by simple piano music, just like mime

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Frederick Ashton (1906-88, British) choreographed the one-scene "Marguerite & Armand" (1963) ballet, which is accompanied by Liszt's piano music and lasts only 30 minutes -- a bit short.

 M first meets and charms A.

 M&A breaking up 

What's after the first 4.5 minutes is ritual.

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John Neumeier (1939-, American) choreographed the three-scene "Lady of the Camellias" (1978) suite, which is accompanied by Chopin's piano music and lasts 2 hours. As spoony as Armand, I was head over heels for Marguerite enacted by Sue Jin KANG. 

 Marguerite (Sue Jin KANG)

Two hours is long for those who urgently want to see what happens next to the romance, but right for those who enjoy ballet techniques show-off.

 Or, a full version

Neumeier was especially innovative by incorporating a few scenes of "Manon Lescaut", as play within play, in this suite.