Favorite opening choreography in a program

[iceberg08]

Performances that captivate the audience from the very first second are few and far between. What comes to my mind at the moment is Anissina and Pezeirat's 'Romeo and Juliet' - the drama, passion and emotion all conveyed in movement. I remember being so enamored by it when I saw it as a kid. I really miss this kind of free dance.

I also love Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze's 'Lady Caliph' short program. The connection between the two skaters was very much palpable. Lu Chen's 'Spring Breeze' was delightful as well, reminding me that sometimes the most simple of things can be the most beautiful. She exuded eleganceon ice.

Fumie Suguri's 'Moonlight Sonata' had brilliant choreography - the two Ina Bauers at the beginning really set the mood for the whole program. Miki Ando's 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' had nice choreographic touches to it as well that were really effective. It remains to be my favorite short program of hers. Most recently, Midori Ito's performance to 'Whisper of the River' in Oberstdorf was such a delight to see - I felt honored to be able to watch it (even just on youtube). The joy in her skating has never faded even after all these years.

What is your favorite opening choreography in a program?

[nuge]

Denkova/Staviski Seven Deadly Sins and G/P Arabian FD 97.

[falling_dance]

Chen's Last Emperor LP and Giunchi's Bolero LP.

[orbitz]

MK's debut of Bolero at the cheezefest. I loved the flirtiness of the opening few seconds; It was something that she had not done before in her previous competitive programs.

[sunnysun]

Yu-Na Kim's "Danse Macabre"

She started with a stone face then begin to move her head with the music bits, perfect interpretation for the music.

[Jenny]

The program that immediately springs to mind is Yagudin's Revolutionary Etude SP. He starts in a pose like this, completely still, and then as the music begins, he starts rotating ... but with no apparent effort. A real demonstration of his power on the ice, and the precision with which he used his entire body when he skated. Miss him.

[kwanatic]

Let's see...

I really like Michelle's openings to several programs...geez, there really are too many. Her opening to Taj Mahal was fabulous. That opening move was perfection and then the spiral to the spin and the move coming out of the spin, right with the music. Amazing! I love the opening to Fields of Gold. The sweeping movements and the spiral...simply divine! I loved the opening to Salome too...really set the tone for the program. And finally (before I name every program she's ever done) I'll say the opening to East of Eden (2000). The opening move is very gentle, extended and matches the music so well...

Moving on, I like the opening to Sasha's Carmen program. The spiral, kick, spiral without dropping it down...very strong impression right out the gate. I love Yu-Na's opening to Danse Macabre. It fits perfectly with the music and sets the tone well. Mao's opening to Ballade is exquisite. The gentleness of the opening spirals...no other word to describe it but exquisite.

[briancoogaert]

I love this one by Delobel and Schoenfelder

[JerseySlore]

Denkova/Staviski Seven Deadly Sins and G/P Arabian FD 97.

Second this, and Delobel/Schoenfelder's Piano.

[Jarrett]

Honestly I think one of the main reasons I liked Michelle Kwan were the opening moments of her programs. They always had impact and went with the music so well. My favorite would be Ariane but I would vote for them all if I could. Taj, Romanza, Carmen, Tosca.. etc ALL of them!

[DarrellH]

Paul Wylie's olympic program

[Vash01]

B&S's 'Meadowland' Sp had a commanding starting position and the program was filled with power right from the word go.

I also liked their opening of 'Meditation from Thais' LP. There was a far away look in their faces as they started, then gained speed and went into the sbs triple jumps in perfect unison.

[Sparks]

Honestly I think one of the main reasons I liked Michelle Kwan were the opening moments of her programs. They always had impact and went with the music so well. My favorite would be Ariane but I would vote for them all if I could. Taj, Romanza, Carmen, Tosca.. etc ALL of them!

Rach!

[nuge]

Also A/P The Man In The Iron Mask.

[Jarrett]

Rach!

Yup! One program I wish I could have seen live.

[smarts1]

Lu Chen's 1997 SP to Take Five!

[museksk8r]

Joannie Rochette's Concierto de Aranjuez

[michiruwater]

I love the opening to Sasha's Rach #2.

[Ituriel]

Stephane Lambiel - Carne Cruda

Torvill & Dean - Bolero

The first seconds in both performances are iconic

I loved the opening in khokhlova-novitski 2008 OD and FD (good times *sigh*)

And a special mention to the hottest opening: Voir Latin FD

[zigzig]

I have to echo the sentiments to Michelle Kwan's impactful openings, Taj especially. I loved the way her eyes opened right on cue with the music - it's like a statue coming to life! Absolutely magical.