nanushka

Not to mention that expecting Marcelo Gomes to better personify one's ideal image of a Russian-trained ballerina is....well, kinda bizarre.

I understand what you're saying.....but change performances that people (many of whom may be very much looking forward to those pieces, as much as others would like to see more SL) have already bought tickets to? Really? Business sense aside, that'd be kind of a nasty move.

Still, no reason to let part of the audience see you in the wings. That's just silly. Wait 5 more seconds.

My thoughts exactly.

These are really great points. I've often found myself really frustrated by Kochetkova's work for ABT in a way that has felt a bit in excess of my actual assessment of her performances (an assessment that hasn't been positive, in general, but also hasn't been overwhelmingly negative). I think this explains it. Edited to add: It also just takes a lot for a tiny dancer to get me really excited. (Purely a matter of taste, I know.) Sarah Lane: yes. Kochetkova: no.

And I could totally imagine the opposite casting as well. What a treat that'd be for two different nights in the same week!

These were exactly my impressions of her Balanchine one-O last year too. And I am all about long legs in SL — Veronika Part is my ideal. I really thought I'd love her but was sorely disappointed.

COMPLETELY agree. That's what matters to me too. That and musicality. I never count, just watch.

Thanks. Sterling seems to play her as a sort of debutante figure, which is totally a legit read on the role, and I suspect is the characterization Farrell initiated. But I suspect Tanny played her differently. I feel like Mearns could go either way. I thought she might be another who danced it. I'll be curious to see.

Does anyone currently dance the female lead in La Valse besides Sterling Hyltin? I notice on the current casting she's listed two nights in a row. Just curious. I've watched the Paris video a few times and feel like I might prefer to see someone else. Have never seen it live before, going later in the season.

There's a great long interview with Farrell on the NYPL podcast feed, some good time back I think. Very worth a listen.

Was she? Is this just based on the fact that she was being cast 3 times a week throughout several Met seasons? I never imagined that was because all the guys were clamoring to dance with her.

Well, I would imagine the opportunity to dance with some regularity at the Met in front of a very large audience and to cultivate a fan base in one of the dance capitals of the world does have some appeal. Though you're certainly right, it may not be enough to keep her here. (I, for one, would not be sad to see her give up the spot.)

Duo Concertant was not originally planned to be part of that program; they must have added it especially for him.

I'm disappointed as well. He's really matured as an artist in recent years. He was always exciting to watch, of course.

*2018

FWIW, Seo looked gorgeous in the second PDD this spring at the Met. I am not a particular fan of hers, but this role really suits her.

Whipped Cream sold extremely well. Given the challenges ABT has had filling (or even partly filling) the Met, I am not at all surprised they're bringing it back — particularly considering that they bring back almost everything for a second year at the Met, no matter how ill received. Opera — and the Met Opera especially — is not particularly comparable to the ABT situation, given that ABT's repertoire of full-length ballets (for better or worse, the bread and butter of the Met season) is very small in comparison.

Simkin's phrasing in his IG post doesn't sound promising for his continuing on with much of a substantial role at ABT. Makes me wonder what his real status will be.

Unlike those two, Harlequinade is to be a reconstruction, though. Rather a different sort of thing, and more comparable to others of his works.

Yeah, and if they do, maybe she'll kick Kevin in the shins. (Though I too would love to see her in those — especially Bayadère, since it's been a few years.)

Simkin "will retain his position at Ballet Theater [sic] but will be based in Berlin": https://nyti.ms/2xin6ek

This was very much my impression of her single-O in the Balanchine SL this past year. I went in with very high hopes and left underwhelmed.

Shhh, just don't tell Mr. Macaulay!

Boy, that didn't last long.