24 replies to this topic

[sandik]

The company hasn't sent out an "official" press release, but you can piece together the details from the promotional materials at the theater during this last program.  The dates for the individual reps are on their website -- here's what I know about the actual programming:


rep 1
Romeo et Juliette  (Maillot)

rep 2
Petit Mort (Kylian)  **
New Caniparoli
West Side Story Suite  (Robbins)
Mopey  (Goecke)

rep 3
Sleeping Beauty

rep 4
Suspension of Disbelief (Quijada)
Vespers  (Dove)
Red Angels  (Dove)
Serious Pleasures  (Dove)  **

rep 5  
Serenade  (Balanchine)
Four Temperaments (Balanchine)
Square Dance (Balanchine)

rep 6  
Coppelia (Balanchine/Danilova)  **

** new production

(there may be another Balanchine in there somewhere)

There are some interesting choices here.  No Morris, and no Tharp, but a Kylian (first one for PNB)  Three program-length ballets, which certainly cuts down on the number of different works they can do.  Romeo was very, very popular when it premiered, and I'm sure the company hopes that they can build on that momentum.  A new production of Coppelia, so I'm pretty sure we won't see the Stowell choreography again.  

(edited about 20 minutes after it was first posted, to correct a couple errors)

[Helene]

I'm fairly sure in one of the renewal mini-brochures or letters PNB advertised the Balanchine "Coppelia".  It's such a wonderful production.  From the "Balanchine Catalogue":

Quote

Note: Balanchine and Danilova collaborated to reproduce parts of Petipa's choreography for Coppélia, which they had learned while students at the Imperial Ballet School; Danilova had later become a leading interpreter of the role of Swanilda. Balanchine created entirely new choreography for Act III, and for the mazurka and czardas in Act I, and made slight revisions in other dances in Act I. Using music from Sylvia, Balanchine created a male variation for Act I and a complete pas de deux for Act III, in which the male variation is taken from his Sylvia: Pas de Deux [273].

http://balanchine.or...rchMethod=exact

In her book "Dancing for Balanchine", Merrill Ashley describes how Balanchine created the "Dawn" variation for her.

Starting with "Romeo et Juliette" is an interesting way to kick-start the season.  I always think of R&J as a winter ballet, and if we're lucky when it is performed we will be in Indian Summer.

I'm assuming "Sleeping Beauty" is the Hynd production.

Is "New Caniparoli" a new work made for the company, or a revival?

[sandik]

I've only seen the Balanchine/Danilova Coppelia once, on television, but I remember it as very sweet, and of course, intensely musical.  And since the score is so very, very lovely, that makes it even better.

When I first heard the idea floated, the company was hoping to get Iole Allessandrini to design (did the sets for Carmen, did that big installation outside the theater with the mesh and the lights) but I don't know if they're still planning for that.

I think, near as I can tell, that "New Caniparoli" means new altogether, not just new to the company.  

I agree about R&J -- I always think of it in the winter, when I need something rich and sweet.  It will be different to see it in the autumn, though I think the last time the company did the Stowell version it was early in the season.  I'll have to go back and look at my notes...

[Helene]

Moira Macdonald's season announcement article was in today's Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes....rt02ballet.html

The new Val Caniparoli piece is a world premiere named "The Seasons".  The "Sleeping Beauty" is a revival of the Hynd, and "Coppelia" is Balanchine's version.

sandik, you hit the nail on the head!

[PeggyR]

I need some advice from veteran PNB watchers.  I'm planning a weekend trip to Seattle for the 2010 PNB season (have to start planning now since it will take me a full year to work up the nerve to get into an airplane ).  

These are the programs I'm interested in:  3 - Sleeping Beauty, 5 - All Balanchine, or 6 - Coppelia.  Based on comments above, Coppelia is the front runner, but I'm open to suggestions.  Thanks.

Peggy

[Helene]

With "Coppelia" you get a full-length and Balanchine in the same show!

[Chocomel]

I personally think you need to reconsider and come for the Romeo & Juliette.  It was honestly the best version of Romeo and Juliet I've ever seen in any form.  So moving!

[sandik]

Our recommendations are all over the place -- if it were me, I'd come to see the Balanchine triple bill, since I'd get a broader view of more of the company, with three different groups.  Plus it's 4Ts -- my all-time favorite ballet.

But really, it depends on you.  Do you love big story things best, do you want to see a big variety of performers, do you want something you already know so you can make some comparisons, or do you want something you don't get to see at home...

[SandyMcKean]

I'd echo sandik's sentiments (it's too personal a choice).  Like her, I'd pick the all Balanchine program (because that's what I like best).  OTOH, Coppélia might be a great choice because as helene says you get a "two-for" and it is a brand new production with all the excitment (and risk) that brings.

Perhaps a better question would be: "Is there any reason one of these programs would not give me insight into PNB?"  My answer to that is: NO.

IMO, PNB is excellent in all modes: romantic, classical, neo-classical, and modern.  Perhaps the Balachine program would best serve to display this vesatility to you since it contains the range of the 4T's (perhaps my favorite ballet also, excepting maybe Agon) and Serenade.

[Helene]

If the casting carries over from the last run, PNB has multiple excellent casts in "Square Dance", which I could watch three times in a row.

[tutu]

Quote

rep 1
Romeo et Juliette (Maillot)

I'm so glad to see this return--and even more so because I'm itching to see the extraordinary performance I anticipate from Carla Körbes.  Now, if there was also an opportunity to see Rachel Foster take on the role, I don't know how I would be able to contain my cumulative happiness.

[sandik]

I'm hoping they cast more than one Juliette.  I know the role is a taxing one, but I kept watching Noelani Pantastico during the run, and she seemed to be increasingly tired at the end of each performance I saw.  

(to be fair, they tried the last time, but injuries got in the way)

I'm wondering who else might get a chance at it...

[Helene]

I'm hoping for three Juliets, especially since it's the beginning of the season, and I hope there's an understudy.  I think Rachel Foster would be terrific; I'd also love to see a tall Juliet.  Young teenage girls are often taller than the boys.

[Chocomel]

sandik, on May 6 2009, 11:31 AM, said:

I'm wondering who else might get a chance at it...

My wish list (hey! a person can dream, right?):

Carla Korbes (I'd say probable barring unforeseen circumstances)
Maria Chapman
Rachel Foster
Lindsi Dec
Sarah Orza
Liora Reshef

[sandik]

Chocomel, on May 6 2009, 10:50 PM, said:

sandik, on May 6 2009, 11:31 AM, said:

I'm wondering who else might get a chance at it...

My wish list (hey! a person can dream, right?):

Carla Korbes (I'd say probable barring unforeseen circumstances)

She learned the part when it was first staged, but got injured and had to withdraw.

Quote

Maria Chapman

She'd be an interesting choice, but her Rosaline is so good I don't know that they'll think of her as Juliette

Quote

Lindsi Dec

The tallness thing would be interesting here.  So far the Romeos they've fielded have been medium sized.

Quote

Sarah Orza

Hadn't thought of her, but can see it.  She's having a lot of opportunities this year.

Quote

Liora Reshef

I can certainly imagine her learning the part this time around, but don't know that she'd get to perform yet.

I'm thinking that Mara Vinson might get a turn at this.