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spinning2night

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Everything posted by spinning2night

  1. When I saw that ABT posted that Roderick Cox was conducting, I was really excited!! Crossed paths with him when he was studying for his doctorate, as I worked at the school concert hall. Happened to interact with him during his time in MN when he was with the Minnesota Orchestra before heading to Europe. So obviously, I'm partial to him, but he's definitely a stunning and gifted young classical conductor.
  2. most recent post on ABT's IG is a clip of Elwince rehearsing Puck. SOOOOO happy and thrilled about this casting!!!!
  3. A little surprised to see *this* much movement, but overall very happy and well-deserved for all! THRILLED for Hurlin!!! (But we've all been calling this one for a while...and it's so nice to see a true "homegrown" dancer rise up the ranks and get that principal promotion during Kevin's tenure, and I'm so happy her debuts this season have demonstrated that this most definitely earned. Definitely a little surprised by Zhurbin -- he's among the best of character actors/dancers, and IIRC his promotion to soloist a few years back was also a bit of a surprise to some as he already rarely danced true dancing roles, but he is very impactful in the roles he does perform and ABT is lucky to have him. I'm VERY excited about Camargo joining the company as principal...he's danced as much as any other principal male this season (perhaps aside from Ahn), and filled in several times last minute; when I read his bio at the start of the season and realized he didn't have a home company at the moment and had primarily been a guest artist, I was holding out that he might consider ABT! He's definitely experienced what being a part of ABT as a full-time principal would be like this season, and it seems that he has really enjoyed his time and experience with the company, and I think with the way the company schedule works, he will be able to continue to guest with other companies if he so chooses, but can be committed for the in the Fall/Spring! I have to saw that Granlund & McBride's promotions are not surprising seeing as both have been in featured roles for a few years. Misseldine is without a doubt a star on the rise, and her promotion seems "fast" only compared to prior rate of company promotions...but that has seemed to change in recent years. Han is a strong corps male dancer and I think give the male soloist roster some depth -- for both dancing and character roles. I definitely expected at least 1 other male promotion to soloist, so a little surprised...but perhaps Curley & Frenette could still be fall promotions??? (with the change in leadership, I could see not wanting to rush, but also making sure dancers who have progressed and on the promotion track getting their due). I will agree Park's promotion is a little surprising -- not that I don't think she was on the soloist track, it just seems a little early...I like many would have had my bets on Coker first (I still fully expect this one to happen in the near future).
  4. ah, yes! thanks for sharing, much better quality...it just wasn't clear in the blurry videos i saw yesterday.
  5. yes -- I also caught in other audience videos/photos of the current ABT male principals walk-on/hug, and Aran is present (blue pants with light shirt, but no jacket). Definitely no limp, crutches, or brace -- thinking that pulling out of the mixed bill was precautionary to give him time to rest...also the amount of jumps in T&V 😖 Speaking of which, there were two taller dark haired men who walked on with this group who were very far off to the side. Was anyone able to identify them? There were more men who walked on in this group than there are current men on the principal roster. I think one may have been Camargo but other was taller than Aran...and I just didn't recognize them
  6. Do we know why Stearns is out??? I know he's pretty quiet on the social media front, but I am curious to hear if I just happened to miss something? Definitely quite a bummer that he's likely to miss the whole 5-week season (especially since it seems they have tried to wait as long as possible with each casting update)...
  7. curious to see how T&V for him goes. Rehearsal footage looks SOLID (based on what has been shared on social media -- which I recognize is carefully chosen to be shared. But I have always been a firm believer that you need to be doing it better in practice than you hope to perform in order to bring quality performance to the stage). He is currently the healthiest he has been from an injury perspective in a long time, and the way he is currently dancing Don Q at his age (after all the injuries he has had and come back from), I still think having the opportunity to catch Brandt/Cornejo in this classic should be a treat. (Got a chance to see this pairing when they danced in NOLA in June). With the shortened Met season, T&V won't be presented at the end of a marathon season and rather what is "early" on in the run. Hopefully what we've seen from rehearsal translates to performance. I firmly believe the only reason there would be a "let down" is if you were to compare the technical flash of the Cornejo of today to that of the standards his early career self brought to the stage (and that's really not a fair comparison as I can't think of many male dancers who could even measure up to that even at the prime/height of their careers). Curious to hear more reports on the remaining Don Q performances this week! (Also, is anyone aware of the nature/severity of Stearns' injury?)
  8. I didn't want to start a new thread, but wanted to quickly report back on seeing Brandt/Cornejo in Don Q in NOLA last night. What a return to this city after almost half a century! They brought the house down multiple times last night and there were several audible gasps in the audience. She is a star! Cornejo doesn't have as clean technique as he once did...but he is such a reliable partner and together her and Brandt are going to sell tickets. Brandt not only can deliver the dance from a technical side, but she approaches it all with just enough to be on the edge of reigned-in/reckless abandon and she can back it up with the acting/artistry. While diminutive, she dances "big." Cornejo, at his age and with his injury history is still dancing very well (his only nemesis likely being his past success and our knowledge of "the dancer he once was") -- but I want to make it very clear that he is definitely still one of the best, complete male principals from his dancing & acting to his partnering. So glad I got to see him in a true leading male principal role (previously I'd only seen him in featured/soloist roles). Trenary scheduled to dance Mercedes/Queen of the Dryads (and I was really looking forward to it) but she had a minor injury and subbed out (Luciana Paris - Mercedes/Katie Williams - Queen of Dryads)...the injury doesn't sounds major so I think she should be back for the Met. Some other standouts, lead gypsy couple was danced by Elwince Magbitang (current apprentice in his debut in the role) & Zimmi Coker. OH MY GOODNESS. Magbitang is 100% one to watch - if he had other featured role opportunities during the Met season, 1) the audience is in for a treat, 2) I fully expect him to be joining the main company (and based on his bio, we might have Stella Abrera to thank for getting him on the ABT radar!). As other have mentioned previously, Coker is a firecracker and I hope she continues her progression to promotion one day soon. Also, Kanon Kimura as Amour...LOVED her! -- I found that she stole the show during the dream act. Looking at the current roster, there are soooo many new faces. The last time I saw ABT live was at least 6 years ago, so the company I "know" is not the one we see today. However, based on what was presented last night, ABT is looking to be on very solid foundation for many years to come. There are fewer "big names" -- but I feel the dancing and artistry is on par with and in some ways better than what I'd seen previously. There seems to be more energy and spark among the company. Obviously there are still the departures in the next few years we'd expect due to retirement, but wow I'm looking forward to getting back to watching ABT (I usually try to make it to NYC every other summer). Was really tempted to to snag a ticket to today's cast as well (Hurlin/Ahn/Fang/Hoven), especially after hearing Hurlin's successful debut in the role earlier this year. But my schedule couldn't make that happen & personally, I think I'd prefer to see Hurlin/Bell as they will be cast at the Met. I'm personally excited to see how Ahn develops as a partner in the next few years. Hurlin is 100% being principal-tracked. The urgency to see today's cast definitely was tempered by knowing that Hurlin & Ahn should be around for a while. I've seen Fang and Hoven many times in other performances. Personally, I'd try to catch Murphy if you can while you can. I don't know where her technique is these days, but she's such a secure technician that even if she has "toned down" the crazy turns/technical tricks (I still laugh at the absurdity of watching her turns as Medora in Le Corsaire for Ethan's retirement). In all the times that I have seen her, she delivers clean, pure dancing. She has had injuries and a tough pregnancy/recovery in recent years, but I think she is a dancer who benefitted from the pandemic to heal and relearn how to dance with her new body. She's not a dancer I can see coming back in roles that she is not comfortable performing -- and what I have caught on social media/videos the past year, she is still a dancer who can deliver (I would have said it's been a while since she's done a full-length like SL, but I always remind myself that these dancers put in so many more hours in class/rehearsals that stamina shouldn't be an issue). Side Note: post-performance ran into Kevin McKenzie between the door and the company bus. Stopped him to congratulate him on his retirement and wished him and the company the best for the Met run. Didn't chat long, but definitely thanked him for for what he has done for ABT. I like many have criticized him on some of the choices that he has made in years past (an over-reliance on big names/guest artists and promotions that didn't always make sense...which led to dancers leaving, etc), but the ABT I saw on stage last night is also a byproduct of his work. ABT is feeling like a homegrown company again (likely as past company members are teachers and integrated in the development programs for ABT/coaching current dancers in their development) -- there's a "continuing to learn" approach in the current roster that I think will payoff in the coming years.
  9. ^^ all of this makes me hope that ABT will do Manon for many more upcoming seasons. I’ve been hoping to see this ballet for years and I’m thrilled to hear that the company has very strong casting for the roles to actually support performing this production. Overall, so positive to hear all the debuts went well and that any shortcomings are relative small and will improve with time. If anything, this week of Manon proves that ABT can still bring “theatre” to the stage.
  10. Agreed! ABT needs to figure out how to shore up a male principal roster for the Met season ASAP, what I would like to see in 2019 is opportunities for the male soloists in principal roles + a few scattered one offs for corps men. KM needs to build the morale and ability off his existing roster. Clearly no one was ready for a promotion this year on the men's side; however, that absolutely CANNOT be the case again next season. However, until the work is showcased on stage, we'll never know who's ready. Bolle's retirement is always going to be a possibility until he/ABT says when. IMO, I think it'll only happen when he doesn't want to dance for the NYC audience anymore. While his frequency with ABT is less, he dances internationally more than any other male principal. From what I gather, he's been cutting back on roles, but physically, he can still do everything he's committed to dancing. What I think is more interesting, is that I have no insight to him as a person -- i.e. I have no idea what his favorite role or ballet is, nor have I any inclination who he'd like to dance with for his retirement. He's never been "the guy" at ABT, and the company would be far worse off without him as he's a strong male dancer/partner who helps fill out the casting yearly and does so in a way that elevates the company and the dancers he performs with -- I'm interested to know to what extent ABT will go to give him a proper farewell when the time comes. Re: Murphy & Abrera, they both can still dance. And you can tell they've both played it safe with regards to their bodies and schedules in recent years. I think they are both realistic about what roles they should be dancing, and I appreciate them pushing through challenges smartly when appropriate. If you were to ask me, I don't think either of them will drag it out like Kent, but both of them aiming for at least a 25th anniversary with the company is likely.
  11. If I recall correctly, when grishko posted their photo of her in mid-May on their page and they captioned it with information indicating she was still with the company as I had noticed her absence/silence on social media too. And at the time, I clicked over to her instagram, and ABT was definitely still included in her profile...so the removal is relatively recent even if she "left" at the beginning of the year.
  12. Out of curiosity, in the company’s history, what’s the fastest ABT has promoted a dancer from the corps? Or has anyone ever leapfrogged from corps to principal? I agree that none of the current male soloists are truly “ready” for a promotion to principal based on body of work...but there are still ONLY 4 male principals after the close of the Met season. There’s either going to be a slow, agonizing wait due to the logjam or is there any chance for any of the corps men who have been showcased and delivering in their featured role opportunities to filling the gaps in the principal roster? — I ask because I know it’s happened in other companies, but I can’t recall it ever happening at ABT.
  13. Yup. There are 7 male soloists, which would make any corps to soloist promotions illogical for the men. Whereas, the female soloist roster could use a bump. That being said, KM could be waiting to see how he can fill his male principal roster. He likely needs 2 male principals...one to cover Cirio’s departure and anoother to help with Hallberg/Simkin’s split commitments. I think based on who he can bring in, a current male soloist may be promoted in the fall based on potential opportunity (most likely would be Hoven and/or Forster) to make room for well deserving corps members like Gabe. I hope he stays...I think a promotion *should* be coming in the next year. Might just not be this week...
  14. This give me hope! Boylston seems to have continually put in the work since being promoted to work on their shortcomings. The qualities I really like in each of them respectively weren't enough for me to really want to see them, but based on the reports about Boylston's development and refinement as an artist/true ballerina makes me think that she is a principal I can really enjoy. Similarly can be sad of Seo as she's continued to polish her technique and performance quality
  15. I don't refute you on that first point at all...doesn't mean I can't wish there would have been a way for him to stay And I 100% agree about Stearns and Whiteside. They themselves aren't the ones who will get me to show up. However, they do more than their share in workload as well as ability to partner and dance alongside various principal women. I couldn't imagine the company without them. And as long as they keep doing what they are doing, the audience will keep showing up.
  16. SAME. I need a moment to process Cirio leaving, but huge respect to him. I did find it odd that his promotion didn't seem to reflect in the roles he was dancing with ABT... Don't get me started on Bacca...UGH, that one HURTS. (and need I mention Matthew Golding?) What has Gorak's workload been this Met season? If I'm not mistaken, wasn't he dealing with some injuries the past few seasons...and I feel like the board/world has been pretty quiet on him since. It's going to be interesting to see how ABT balances out their principal and soloist rosters and workload moving forward. The male/female composition in both is really offset to one side (principals: 8 women, 3 "full-time" men + another 3ish, soloists: 3 women, 7 men). I don't doubt that the male soloists have ability, but it's not like they've really had the opportunity to step up (minus Hammoudi, but that's going to be a pretty bland bunch of principal men)...I personally would love to see Blaine Hoven get a chance?? -- how has his season been going???
  17. #trueartist. The fact that Roman can do the role year in and year out without making it more of a cartoon than it already is takes true skill and mastery.
  18. A little off topic, but out of curiosity, for you and those board members who are able to regularly attend the Met season, do you think some of the criticism you had of Isabella and Hee as principals since their promotion was a by product of the rate in which both had to learn the lead roles (i.e. if I recall correctly both debuted in several ballets each season early on), and as a result we were constantly seeing a "work in progress"? I know that Isabella is a strong technician, and I always felt like she had the potential to develop into a true principal star. I'm very glad to hear that it's starting to show and she's beginning to shine. For those who've seen this season thus far, are her hands/wrists still an issue? What about Hee, she's a very emotional performer, but is her technique catching up? As for ABT needing to get the "next group" of principals ready sooner rather than later, I agree! I think the common names as mentioned on this board should be on their way in the next few years. Many of them, have been doing a great job in soloist roles recently, and Bell certainly stepped up this season and didn't let an opportunity slide by (even if based on what I read in the NYT article, he wasn't even sure what to expect of himself due to his growth spurts -- can't believe that tiny little boy from First Position is not 6'3"!) From what I can tell, casting has seemed less "conservative" last year and this year. I'm not sure that KM has "changed" but it certain indicates that the lack of movement and promotions during the "golden days" (that we dearly miss, but such is the passage of time) + "guest artist era" (which we won't speak about) was heavily about needing to fill the seats + not having enough parts for all the dancers. Obviously, in the 2010s, specifically the last 5 years, the lost development time of new principals/unpolished performance was the result of those decisions, but I'm hopeful that ABT is moving in the right direction. I think the Teuscher/Bell debut is evidence that with enough time and coaching, the dancers management are selecting are the right ones, but they shouldn't be put on stage until they are ready!
  19. YES YES YES. Went as far as to comment on ABT's social media when they posted the promo clip of the two of them together to say that that casting needed to happen. If for nothing more than that it's a partnership that was a supposed to grace the Met stage a decade ago! (I personally, find it so odd that each of their injuries were off set from the others and they hardly seem healthy together!) I do have to say that the casting this season has seems off balance. I know some principals may be carrying a lighter load because of lingering injuries, but it does seem disparate that the numbers are so skewed. I would hope that management does ask to some extent how frequently the principals WANT to dance versus how frequently they are needed to dance. I can't imagine Boylston actually wants to dance as often as she does (especially if she's likely the one to cover if someone gets injured!)...but I've been here long enough to not expect that... Side note: the instagram live of Devon and Aran discussing the process of preparing, performing, and completing thei debuts was great. It's still up for the rest of day if anyone's interested!
  20. Wonderful to hear! Trenary & Gorak sound like a good match, and I do appreciate their respective technique and performance quality. Definitely also waiting to hear reports about Stella in the role...curious if anyone was at the Wednesday matinee?
  21. I was out of the country when his return was announced, but nanushka you took the though/words right out of my head! I'm tentatively planning a NYC trip in May but I can only do 3 days, which means if this actually happens, i'll still have to chose one or the other...timing-wise Sat evening is much more likely, but if it's not Hallberg I'm going to wish I planned for Tues!!!
  22. yes! I saw this roster update too, I'm definitely intrigued to see what happens especially since she has the technical talent and that little something extra to truly develop into the next big thing in ballet. I hope that she keeps that level head on her shoulders and continues to grow artistically so that she doesn't stagnate, get burnt out, or pushes/is pushed too soon. There's a great opportunity for both her and the company here, here's to hoping it works out right!
  23. I'm really sad to see the "on leave" designation for Hallberg on the brochure...but it indeed has been 2 years -- can't believe it! I know that during his time off due to injuries he has explored other artistic avenues, but my question now is does anyone know if he's attempted to com back? Has he taken classes or danced at all? Also, it's a pleasant surprise to see that Stella and Gillian have both been with the company for 20 years already! Where has the time gone! (and that means Gillian is the senior most principal now...oh my!) Anyways, back to tickets...I might make an impromptu trip to NYC this May, but I haven't decided yet, which means I have a hard time justifying pre-buying single tickets...what is the same day/same week buying situation for ABT at the Met? When does the box office open and what kind of seats are usually left? And are "day of" tickets priced higher -- i.e. how dynamic are the prices if I decide to just walk up? thanks!
  24. Messmer and Ricetto were two dancers I was really sad to see go as well. Messmer in particular. Seeing how many soloists left the company in the last 5 years really highlights not only how much talent was lost but also how remarkable it is that some of them stayed...including Stella and Misty.
  25. Question - did Copeland get a chance to perform the role at all before her injury?
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