nanushka

Definitely conceivable. And if so, a real slimeball move.

Definitely, understood. And it is indeed possible.

And would ABT have really been willing to so blatantly flout the protections with the hope that she wouldn't fight for them?

Certainly possible. But then by that logic, job protections in general would be pretty useless. And one answer: people who don't have the luxury of easily finding other jobs in their chosen field -- such as 39-year-old ballerinas.

Yes, that's how I read it. I wonder how that would correspond with the sorts of union protections and typical termination procedures that others on this board have commented on.

I don't know anything about the source or author of that Russian-language article, so perhaps others can comment on that, but this paragraph also seems to contradict the idea that Veronika was given substantial advanced notice that her contract was not being renewed: The official announcement that she was leaving the troupe came out on Monday, July 3, and on July 8 her farewell performance took place. The ballerina herself, two weeks before that, believed that that day would be just another performance closing the spring season. Veronica is not yet ready to talk in detail about what happened. "I'm in shock. I need time to accept and understand everything. I'm very hurt and uncomfortable, "she said," I do not know why it all happened. " There was no conflict from the beginning. Later, when I was confronted with the fact, I resisted and we argued."

I don't recall ever having seen this remarked upon as a criticism of her. (It's something I've heard said about Sarah Lane at times, but this was not a problem in her Swan Lake.)

Thanks so much for the link. This bit is particularly interesting [from Google Translate]: "At first it was promised to me that I would be partially engaged in some ballets next season, then left only "Swan Lake", and later just was deprived of everything, fired with nothing," said the ballerina. "I was unnecessary."

Yes, this one is almost more heartbreaking overall, even if less specific as a statement about the future.

Wow, interesting. Veronika changed her caption. It still sounds pretty melancholic, but maybe she felt her earlier post was too rash:

Yes this resulted in some audience confusion on Wednesday! At least by Friday they'd added a correction to the insert.

Ah, yes, I see what you mean. That definitely could make sense of the two press releases. The Met website statement seems a bit more deceptive, then. Edited to add: Or perhaps they'd given that copy to the Met some time ago and they just forgot to update it once the shift from N. to deV. was made.

Doesnt it, though? Edited to add: I see what you mean: they could be "originally choreographed by Nijinska" and later by someone else. That seems like odd phrasing, though, if that's what they really wanted to express.

The website did say the above, though. That seems to state that both of Nijinska's actual dances would be performed. [edited, sorry]

I noticed this somewhat at Monday's performance –– see my review on p. 4 of the Tchaikovsky Spectacular thread. But certainly nothing like a "frozen toothy grin." That sounds rather ghastly.

Thanks so much for the recommendation! Just ordered a copy and excited to read this.

James Wolcott, who has written about Veronika for Vanity Fair, has posted this tweet on his public account: He has previously posted publicly that they're friends and neighbors. One of his pieces about her is here. I vividly remember that performance, when a man tried to throw a bouquet onto the stage after her Rose Adagio. I couldn't blame him for trying!

Very true. I was surprised to find myself feeling this on Monday night.

It can be a surprisingly moving ballet, considering the style, I agree! (I mean apart from the preghiera, which is obvious.) Very Mozartean in that way.

I've always been curious about that.

That's not what the full sentence says, though. "Ballet companies don't appreciate artists that actually think for themselves." That's not about physical tolls and toils. Edited to add: And the final sentence: "I never knew how to be submissive." I think it's a pretty big stretch to read the "abuse" as anything other than a criticism of the company.

Hahaha seriously. For the very first year I need this season to be over. Too much drama!

I could definitely see that reading working for the one sentence out of context, but the next four words are "Ballet companies don't appreciate..."

I was just watching him the other day and thinking "gosh he would be such a perfect next AD."

What you say is true, I think, but I also don't think it's relevant in this case. Veronika is still quite technically capable (she went out with Mozartiana after all, and was one of only two dancers to do the Odile fouettés this year). This firing couldn't, I think, be justified by ABT on the grounds you mention. And unless there are demonstrated technical [added:] or other artistic problems, firing a 39-year-old dancer because of her age is...well, age discrimination. Edited to add: If anything, Veronika seems more technically secure now than when she was promoted to principal.