FirstChairOboe

I certainly agree with you. I don't think NYCB should attempt any Ashton repertory. From what I have seen, I don't think any of the current dancers could perform it. The only dancers from the company (from my generation) who could have danced Ashton were Diana Adams, Yvonne Mounsey, Jilanna, Violette Verdy and Francisco Moncion. As for Massine, I know he is getting something of a small revival, but not enough in my estimation.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think PBS televised a production of Seven Deadly Sins in 1961. As for Lenya, she was a strange presence, but she rasped and the translation in English never came across. Best to leave it in German. Anne Sophie von Otter recorded it several years ago. Get a copy. You'll be very surprised and delighted. And Gisela Litz's rendition is also worth the price of purchase. And speaking of the revivals that will never happen: Massin'e Boutique Fantasque with Bouder and Millepied (did I spell it correctly) as the can-can dolls. The applause would never abate. Believe it or ot, the early Jerome Robbins ballets were direct descendants of Massine. They relied, not so much on technique, but on great personalities who could express characterization through dance. Think of Janet Reed, Harold Lang, Sondra Lee, John Kriza, Muriel Bentley and Jerome Robbins himself. As well as other really fantastic dancers such as Tallchief, Le Clercq, Mounsey, etc. Revivals that should have happened in NYC Kyra Nichols in Ashton's Ondine and as the Miller's wife in Tricorne. Massine was in a class by himself. Too bad most of you never saw him. He's trashed today, but doesn't deserve it. His ballets are better than you think. The just need PERSONALITY.

Another two things I thought I would add: I would like to see a staging (if anyone remembers the steps) of the Mozart Violin Cocerto No. 5. Having seen Menuhin and Milstein in performance with my orchestra, I always wonderd what Balanchine did the music. Mozart is very ticky and exposed to play, but what did he do with this concerto? I would have loved to see Ashotn's Month In the Country with Kyra Nichols dancing the main part. If there was ever a dancer born to dance this role, it was Nichols. And what would have Verdy done with this part? And what about Ashton's Enigma Variations with Nichols in the Beriosova part. Well, we can dream, even if those dreams are not of this world. And what I said earlier about Seven Deadly Sins. You need a really fine mezzo or contralto in the singing part. A belter doesn't do it.

I was lucky enough to study at Julliard during the 1950s--and also came on visits with my orchestra--so I was able to see many NYCB productions. What I'd like to see revived: Bourree Fantasque -- Why was this dropped? A delightful ballet. And who could resist the Chabrier polonaise? Illuminations -- Strange Ashton erotica. An interesting watch, but I have the feeling people would laugh at it today. Roma -- Another exquisite piece. The pas de deux for LeClercq and Eglevsky was one of the best Balanchine created. A novelty ballet, surely worthy of another look. But who remembers the steps? Lilac Garden -- the Tudor ballet. I know ABT does it, but it was once performed at NYCB. I don't remember much of it other than Yvonne Mounsey's performance. Minkus Pas de Trois and Glinka Pas de Trois -- Patricia Wilde on fire! Seven Deadly Sins - I've read that Balanchine wanted to revive this with Bette Middler singing the Lenya role. Absurd. What this piece needs is a mezzo (I know it was written for a high soprano, but somehow the voice and music never mesh) such as von Otter or Kirschlager singing and a dancer approximating Kent. To see Kent jump through the aluminum (I think it was) window at the end was theatre at its best. The ones that got away: A Musical Joke - I saw this is in 1956 at Stratford, CT. A verly funny variation for Diana Adams. Jones Beach - Silly, but again a wonderful pas de deux for magallenes and LeClercq. And I remember Beatrice Tompkins chasing after the men. Metamorphoses - LeClercq's transforation into the butterfly. Who would not want this butterly in their collection?