32 replies to this topic

[YID]

How would you know for sure? may be they are updating the page ;-)) Also, for a different post, regarding openning a separate thread for them - imho, let them proove that they deserve it, it's their first visit to NYC or even US

[abatt]

I happen to be at the Koch Theater tonight for a NYCB performance, and I brought my Mikhailovsky tickets to the box office window for a refund.  They had already credited my account for the full amount of the ticket purchase.  The  person at the box office confirmed that the tour is canceled.  Very disappointing.

[seattle_dancer]

Wow.  I'm shocked.  It would have been so interesting to see how Duato and the Mik dancers blend in the early days, and then follow them as they progress.

I've asked my Russian co-worker to see if she can find any scoop on the Russian websites...

[seattle_dancer]

Hmmm...after reading abatt's note I check but I do not have a refund yet.  I'll keep checking though...

[mussel]

May be MB is eyeing the Met?

[Natalia]

YID, on 08 February 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:

....regarding openning a separate thread for them - imho, let them proove that they deserve it, it's their first visit to NYC or even US

I totally agree.

Too bad for folks who *did* want to see them. Perhaps there's still time to book the Joyce and present a week of 'The Best of Nacho Duato'?

[Cygnet]

mussel, on 08 February 2012 - 08:58 PM, said:

May be MB is eyeing the Met?

Mussel, today's Mik isn't ready for the Met.  Two years ago, reknowned ballet teacher Misha Messerer single handedly whipped the Mikhailovsky's corps de ballet into shape for his redaction of the old Asaf Messerer/Gorsky version of "Swan Lake" for their London tour. It was this production of "Lake"
by which Plisetskaya, (in her prime), ruled and reigned over the Bolshoi Theatre.  Their engagement was at the London Coliseum.  "Cippolino," "Laurencia," and "Giselle" were also on the schedule.  

The tour was a great success, and the majority of the critics lauded Messerer's efforts.  After this, we know that Kehkman hired Nacho Duato as Artistic Director. The repertory now has a modern emphasis primarily of Duato's works, (which makes sense because he's the A.D.)  When Duato began work on his new vision of "Sleeping Beauty," former Mariinsky (Kirov) danseur noble and Mik coach Nikita Dolgushin, declined to participate in the new production (as it began to unfold).  The classical purity, that the former Maly-Mussorgsky (now reverted back to it's Imperial name) Mikhailovsky was known for, has been markedly diminished because of this new modern dance emphasis.  The Mik used to be the second company of St. Petersburg after the Mariinsky and during Soviet era when they were known as the Kirov and the Maly respectively.  Two years ago, Messerer's "Swan Lake" was nominated for a Golden Mask for "Best Ballet Production."   That's how competitive the corps de ballet was just two seasons ago.

For what it's worth, Duato's "Beauty" had it's premiere, and the reviews (in the Russian media, among the pedagogues and the cognoscenti) have been, (politely) deemed in a word, mediocre - at best.  All this, in spite of Kehkman's recent acquisition of Osipova and Vasiliev, not to mention Zakharova's and Sarafanov's participation in it.  Love it, hate it or undecided, Duato's vision of Petipa's masterpiece may be a top recipient of Golden Mask nominations this year.  IMO if they came to the Met in their current condition, they would do best if they brought Duato's works, (not his "Beauty"), and the playbill that they brought to the Coliseum - tried and true crowd pleasers, with a mixed-bill of Nacho Duato.  Finally, I'm  ITA with "YID" and Natalia re establishing a Mikhailovsky Ballet link.  At the moment, they're more Mikhailovsky Dance Co. than "Ballet."

[puppytreats]

"For what it's worth, Duato's "Beauty" had it's premiere, and the reviews (in the Russian media, among the pedagogues and the cognoscenti) have been, (politely) deemed in a word, mediocre - at best. All this, in spite of Kehkman's recent acquisition of Osipova and Vasiliev, not to mention Zakharova's and Sarafanov's participation in it"

What does the acquisition of NO and IV have to do with the premiere of a ballet starring SZ and IS? I am confused.

I thought the ticket sales would be affected by the overabundance of programs of local and foreign ballets, among other offerings, this year.

[California]

According to this new blog posting in the NY Times, the Mikhailovsky cancelled as ABT exercised the no-compete clause of their contracts with Osipova and Vasiliev:

http://artsbeat.blog...s-summer-plans/

[YID]

California, on 09 February 2012 - 01:20 PM, said:

According to this new blog posting in the NY Times, the Mikhailovsky cancelled as ABT exercised the no-compete clause of their contracts with Osipova and Vasiliev:

http://artsbeat.blog...s-summer-plans/

Thank you for sharing. Well, (still a bit confused how moved/altered to late July dates would trigger the no-compete clause, i TOTALLY understand it with the prior dates engagement)... but the irony is that Osipova & Vasiliev move to Mikhailovsky was for more artistic freedom, which in this case resulted in ABT making them "golden slaves" and hurting the rest of the Mikhailovsky troupe. If that's the only or a major cause for scapping the tour, guess, what "hospitality" they deserve from their new host (Mikhailovsky) company? Alas.

[nysusan]

Their initial tour dates were during ABT's Met season. Danilian had to be out of his mind to think ABT would be ok with them skipping back & forth across the plaza, OF COURSE it would dilute ABT's box office. Don't know why the change in dates didn't work out. Perhaps it was too much logistically at this late date...

[abatt]

Danilian's arrogance in this matter is evident.  Instead of blaming Kevin McKenzie, he should be blaming himself and his lawyers for thinking that they could wiggle out of the non compete clause problem.  It's also interesting that the Mikhailovsky management didn't think they had enough talent without Osipova and Vasiliev to warrant a tour to NYC.   I hope this feud does not cause Osipova and Vasiliev to avoid signing up with ABT in the future.

[Ilya]

From the NY Times article:

Quote

The tour was announced before the two Russians were hired, but Mr. Danilian said it was planned with the expectation that they would join the company. He indicated he was aware of the no-compete clause in the dancers’ Ballet Theater contracts, but expressed disappointment nonetheless.

So Mr. Danilian was gambling Mikhailovsky's entire NYC tour on (1) Osipova and Vasiliev joining the company; (2) ABT releasing them from their contract.  And he never even bothered to check with ABT beforehand.  This is astonishingly reckless and unprofessional.  And this comes on the heels of his patently unprofessional handling of the aftermath of Osipova and Vasiliev's transfer to the Mikhailovsky.  One wonders if both they and Mikhailovsky---and we their audience---might perhaps be better off with a different agent.

[Natalia]

I'm with you, Ilya!  Danilian pretty much represents the 'big three' St. Petersburg companies (Mar, Mik & Eifman), among which there are 'odd liaisons,' shiftings of dancers, etc. For example, I was quite surprised to read Mariinsky 'Deputy A.D.' Yuri Fateev's printed biography in the playbill for the just-completed Kennedy Center tour, stating that Fateev is actually a co-producer/co-presenter of 'Kings of Dance,' 'Vishneva Dialogues,' and other such Danilian touring ventures. This may explain some of the curious 'rumblings and shifts' and marketing tactics of late.One wonders about potential Danilian influences in recent hirings/firings, repertoire ins-and-outs, etc, at the Mariinsky, including the abyssmal new modern-dance-emphasis for the upcoming Mariinsky Festival in April (with only TWO full-eve Petipa nights; more Dialogues, more Le Parc, Bejart acquisitions...but cancellation yet again of Balanchine's Midsummer). In other words, the 'malaise' runs deeper than just the Mikhailovsky troupe. Let's keep our eyes on this one.

[Cygnet]

puppytreats, on 09 February 2012 - 01:16 PM, said:

What does the acquisition of NO and IV have to do with the premiere of a ballet starring SZ and IS? I am confused.

SZ and LS (not 'I' confused with Ivan Vasiliev, but 'L' for Leonid Sarafanov) danced the second performance of Duato's "Beauty."  Perren and LS (Sarafanov) danced the premiere.  NO and IV danced their debuts in the ballet after their first two performances as new Principals.  This was NO's Russian debut as Aurora, as she made her American debut with ABT.  This was IV's debut as Desire.  Here's the thing:  They both wanted this production because they were  vehemently denied the roles at the Bolshoi.  As for SZ, it's a mystery (to me) why she's even bothering with it.