15 replies to this topic

[sneds]

Apparently Meunier will be joining ABT as a soloist for the 2002-2003. She will DEFINATELY be missed at NYCB, but she'll probably get a more roles over at ABT. Martins better get his act together since he can't afford to lose more principal or soloist women.
Kate

[Leigh Witchel]

Has this been formally announced or is this just a rumor?

Folks on stuff like promotions or projected company moves, PLEASE wait to post until there is a company announcement. It can be harmful to the dancers concerned.

[sneds]

Hi!
I would not post if it was just a rumour. The information came from the DanceInsider mailing list, which is public and open to anyone. I presume they got the info from an ABT press release. ABT is not good about updating it's webpage, BTW.
Kate

[Leigh Witchel]

On something as sensitive as Meunier changing companies, please don't post about it until the company or the dancer in question confirms it, no matter what DanceInsider says. I've heard this one circulating as well, but what if something like this occurs when a dancer is not leaving, or is in fact in the middle of negotiating a move?

I am not going to close the topic, but if there are any further posts on it, they should be from an official source. In this case, that's either NYCB, ABT or Monique Meunier.

[cargill]

ABT has already issued a press release, at least via email, saying Muenier will be joining that company as a soloist, so it certainly seems official. Unfortunately, it doesn't say that she will be dancing 2nd movement Symphony in C! But I hope that is in the offing.

[Leigh Witchel]

Thanks, and my apologies to Kate.

In situations like this, though, I am going to err on the side of caution to protect people's privacy. Please wait for an official confirmation if we're talking about a promotion or a move. It's just better for all concerned.

[sneds]

Hi!
My apologies too..I just assumed that DanceInsider wouldn't have sent the e-mail (not a post, but one of the update e-mails) mentioning Meunier and the ABT promotions if they hadn't gotten an official press release. Now I know to be more cautious!
Thanks
Kate

[Dale]

OK. now I can comment. I'm affraid I jumped right in there without thinking. I guess the good thing is Meunier might get a chance to dance in Symphony in C, 2nd mvt. I'll never forget seeing her in that role at the SAB workshop in 1989. I've been to workshops before and since, but she gave such an extraordinary performance. I think she's a special dancer, one that is alive on stage and makes you feel alive when leaving the theater. I think she had two peak times at NYCB -- the first coming during the Balanchine Celebration when she performed the lead in the first movement of Bourree Fantastique and in Who Cares?, and then a few years ago when she used to team up with Igor Zelensky to tear up the stage in the last movements of Western Symphony and Brahms-Schoenberg quartet. I think she captured Suzanne Farrell's abandon in the gypsie finale of the Brahms-Schoenberg better than anybody else. Her debut as the Siren in Prodigal Son with Hubbe was scintillating. The two were scorching. Well, she did so many rolls well -- Hypollita, Swan Lake, the pas de trois in Agon, the girl in green in Dances at a Gathering, the lead in Cortege Hongrois, Slavonic Dances, the Sugar Plum, Stars and Stripes...

So, I think she will be missed at NYCB as I believe she is a true Balanchine-style dancer. However, I'm hoping she'll get more of a chance to perform and get a nice partner too. I don't see her in Tudor or Ashton, but how about Don Q., Theme and Variations, Myrta in Giselle, Swan Lake, Symphony in C. Maybe ABT will give another shot at Prodigal Son, this time with Meunier as the Siren. Good luck to her.

[Calliope]

Will she be dancing with ABT this spring season?
To me she was so different from the other dancers at NYCB, she really had a presence and made you watch her.

I hope personally and professionally she's happy with her decision to move, maybe now we'll get to see more of her. I'd love to see her do Les Sylphides

[Estelle]

Isn't it a bit unusual for a principal dancer of a company to be hired only as a soloist in another company?

[Calliope]

I think it depends on the company.
When Elizabeth Loscavio left San Francisco Ballet (a principal) and went to Hamburg she was a soloist.

I suppose it might be like a probationary period of sorts for some dancers as well.

[Michael]

Meunier is a Principal Dancer with every inch of her being. I admire her for taking this leap. Her Odette/Odile in Martins' Swan Lake four or five years ago, which I saw several times, was one of the most memorable performances I have ever seen. She has great technical assurance and tremendous dramatic presence. She is not for every role, but who is? One never knew why she fell from favor at City Ballet. Other ABT roles for her may be Giselle or Aurora. They have definitely sold me a few more tickets across the plaza.

[dancergal]

Are you serious??? Aw... is she going to have a farewell performance or anything?

[Ari]

Isn't the timing of this announcement rather unusual? The two companies are performing side by side for the next several weeks, and NYCB still has three weeks of performances after that at Saratoga. Perhaps it was ABT's way of dealing with persistent rumors, but confirming the news just makes it easier to talk and write about. Taken alongside Meunier's demotion, the whole thing has a rather unpleasant scent.

[Calliope]

Well she's cast in Suite 3 next week at NYCB, so when does the ABT contract take effect?