Though purity in this world is a dubious concept, Evelyn Cisneros strives to challenge our cynicism. As San Francisco Ballet's senior ballerina, Cisneros brought to the stage a rare sparkle that seemed nothing less than purity of intention backed by love. If this statement seems too grand, just w

Charming, Composed, Contemplative, Sensual, Sincere

Alexandra Danilova was the first of George Balanchine's lifetime of muses. Balanchine created 18 ballets for her, the first of which was 1921's "Poeme." The partially spoken-word piece was one of the first "modern ballets" -- and positioned Danilova as the first of the "modern" ballerinas. Born to

Charming, Elegant, High modernism -- ballet in america, Sensual, Serene, Soviet ballet: the bolshoi and the kirov

In 1941 (or so he insists), Plácido Domingo was literally born into Zarzuela, Spain's popular operetta tradition. His father, Plácido Domingo, Sr., and his mother, Pepita Embil -- both Zarzuela stars -- moved the family from Madrid to Mexico to create their own Compañía de Opereta y Zarzu

Charming, Epic, Grand, Opulent, Pathos

Out of the cross-dressed history of Japanese Kabuki and Noh theater comes Takarazuka Revue, a butch/femme drag show of mammoth proportions. The 86-year-old revue renders Western musicals in an all-girl extravaganza of romance and chivalry. In 1914 Ichizo Kobayashi, a Hankyu railway magnate, founded

Charming, Ebullient, Grand, Sexy