cobweb

I was also there and enjoyed last night. This program really showcases Balanchine's versatility. I think Kammermusik improves and is easier to appreciate, with repeated viewings. Concerto Barocco is such a beautiful piece and I enjoyed both Mearns and LaFreniere, in her first outing as a principal. And totally agree about the beauty of Tiler Peck and Joseph Gordon in Raymonda Variations. I thought Mary Thomas MacKinnon was charming and dynamic in her variation, and Malorie Lundgren very assured. Thanks @vipa for the clip of Marnee Morris; I will have a better understanding of that variation next time I see it. Mr cobweb does not follow the company as closely as I do, and this was a fun opportunity for him to catch up with his old favorites Sara Mearns and Tiler Peck (he especially loves her musicality) and to "meet" new principals Isabella LaFreniere, Mira Nadon, and Emilie Gerrity. Studying the principal roster's headshots in the program, he notes that most of them are striving to look arty and serious, and the only ones who showcase a natural, forthright smile are Peck, LaFreniere, and Tyler Angle. And I implore Emilie Gerrity to update her headshot. She's had that pic since she was in the corps, and it makes her look like a frivolous teenager, rather than a confident, mature principal. On another non-dance note, I warned Mr cobweb that the sandwiches at the snack stand were not worthwhile, but he was hungry so tried the roasted eggplant sandwich. Described it as tasting like plastic. We recently spent like $21 (plus tip) on a sandwich at the Metropolitan Opera, and while I will certainly not do that very often, it was at least delicious (it was the ham and brie sandwich).

I subscribe largely because of the priority in buying tickets when there is a big retirement. Also as a subscriber you get a discount when you buy additional tickets, and some of those add-on fees are waived. And remember, it's easy to exchange tickets, so you are not bound to the dates that happen to be on your series.

A few comments about last night's opener. Unity Phelan was fine in Concerto Barocco, but not especially interesting. Ashley Laracey looked wonderful, with some lovely phrasing accenting the music and her beautiful, ultra-delicate refinement and carriage making a huge impression. I don't love Kammermusik either. I seem to recall it with a darker air than it had here, where it was more perky than menacing. In Raymonda Variations, Meaghan Dutton-O'Hara has a lovely lovely expansiveness. I would love to see her as a soloist. And agree with @abatt, Lauren Collett looked scintillating, and I'd love to see more of her.

It was Nieve Corrigan.

Thanks California. I don't know why they make those PDFs so hard to find. They make it much easier to see what's on and when.

Great way to put it, mille-feuille! I think our excitement may have been muted a little bit by the programming coming out in dribs and drabs over the weekend. I could see it was a delightful amount of Balanchine, but never imagined an ENTIRE fall season of nothing but!!

Thank you, nanushka! It's all so much to take in. Big thumbs' up to NYCB.

All those All Balanchine programs look great!! I plan to be there every night during the fall... just a slight exaggeration. Only complaint, since I never understand why my favorites aren't everyone's favorites, is they couldn't find room for Divertimento No. 15 or Ballet Imperial someplace during the year. But, there will be lots else to keep me busy.

Glad to see Ballo della Regina, Jewels, and of course Liebeslieder. On my account, I also see Symphony in 3, Unanswered Question, Four Seasons, Symphony in C, Opus 19 the Dreamer, Tarantella, new Ratmansky, and Midsummer Nights Dream.

Was just on youtube watching the Miami City Ballet Square Dance. This piece brings me so much joy I must see it as many times as I can, whether it's Pereira, Fairchild, or hopefully Woodward or Emma von Enck will get a chance. Also it occurs to me this would be a great fit for new soloist Alexa Maxwell or underused soloist Sara Adams. Why not throw in some extra performances -- does anyone NOT love this piece?? When I first started attending NYCB in 2011, after getting weary of the war horses at ABT, I was buying tickets more or less at random, knowing nothing about NYCB or, embarrassing to say, Balanchine. When I saw Square Dance, that was it -- I was hooked, I was converted, whatever.. and the rest is history.

Honestly, has anyone else done this?

Whatever they are paying Ashley Laracey, they're getting a bargain. She's going back and forth between both roles in Concerto Barocco. See you there on April 26, Ashley!

This is great to hear, thanks for the comments canbelto! To be clear, I have no doubt about LaFreniere's talent and beauty. No doubt. I just question her experience with major roles and whether she is mentally ready to handle it, but hopefully she is and we shall see soon enough.

nysusan, which performance of LaFreniere's Aurora did you see - the debut or the one a few days later on Sunday afternoon (or both)? I was at the debut and it was nerve-wracking. Reports are that she did better at the second performance, but I'm wondering how much better. I agree with your assessment about her lack of dancing major roles. Here is where I think they should have gone with Emily Kikta, who is far more experienced in featured roles, and as far as I can see, delivers every time. I totally agree about Nadon - she is young, but so talented there's no arguing with her being a principal.

I too am kind of disappointed to see Pereira in Square Dance. I'd love to see Megan Fairchild, but I'd also REALLY love to see Emma von Enck! Come on NYCB, for all of us who were disappointed not to see von Enck's Aurora, let us see her in Square Dance!

Week 1 casting is up. Concerto Barocco: Phelan & Laracey, Mearns & LaFreniere. Glad Sara's back!! Good to see Dominika Afanasenkov getting an opportunity in Afternoon of a Faun. She made a very good impression as the Fairy of Generosity in Sleeping Beauty.

Interesting! That seems a big change from being a principal at MCB, but he must have his reasons. Thanks, California. He is quite a beautiful guy, and a beautiful dancer. I'd love to be able to see him again.

Not that anyone asked me, but I'm having doubts about the wisdom of some of management's recent promotion decisions. Obviously, I'd love to be proved wrong. I loved Isabella LaFreniere in Chaconne in 2021, but since then she's had a few dubious performances in big roles and appears prone to letting nerves get the best of her. Emily Kikta has been getting solo opportunities pretty much ever since she joined the corps, and IMHO would be a much more experienced and reliable choice here, besides being arguably more a more beautiful dancer (or anyway, just as beautiful). Yes she's tall, but what was the point of promoting two very tall women (Kikta and Miller) to soloist if they weren't prepared to have at least one as a principal? Moving on to Emilie Gerrity, I have been a fan of her too, and at her best she comes across as beautifully grand, but other times kind of dull. As I believe it was @vipa suggested awhile back, it might have been wiser to promote Ashley Laracey, who has been very ably carrying the load of a principal for awhile now, with the understanding it would be for a few years before she retires and meanwhile, one of the other soloists might become more ready. Moving on to the recent soloist batch, I really don't understand Olivia MacKinnon, I just find her dull. And KJ Takahashi - why on earth promote him while overlooking tall, versatile, and more-experienced dancers like Gilbert Bolden and Davide Riccardo? I really don't understand the decisions here. Takahashi would IMHO benefit from a little more time in the corps, while Bolden and Riccardo are needed now and ready to move on up. With all those tall soloist women, it seems obvious they need to move up some tall corps guys. I love the excitement of promotions as much as anyone, but I just see some questionable choices here.

I attended the Works & Process program at the Guggenheim last night, reimagining "Square Dance" with a whole new caller's script. I thought it was a fascinating effort to modernize a piece while still respecting its history. The calling was pretty distracting from the music, which is so beautiful, but I would be open to seeing it again and perhaps it would grow on me. The dancers were wonderful and it was fun to see them in such a small theatre and at close range. Stanislav Olshanskyi stood out as a very tall, and incredibly beautiful dancer. Only later, studying dancer bios online, did I realize he trained and was a principal in Ukraine, and I assume, has found a new home in Miami. He is one beautiful dancer. Seeing Miami City Ballet made me remember the Balanchine festival at City Center in, was it, 2018? I remember being impressed with Kleber Rebello, who I don't see listed on the roster anymore. Did he move on to something else?

This is great news for all of us Alexa Maxwell fans. I look forward to seeing what new roles come her way. But despite the many opportunities given to Olivia MacKinnon I have not found her particularly special. And while KJ Takahashi obviously has tremendous promise this seems premature to me. Most of all, I’m wondering where is that obvious future principal, Davide Riccardo?? Surely he is far more versatile and valuable to the company than Takahashi. This decision really baffles me.

With the spring season coming up, I'm wondering if we are going to see the return of Sara Mearns and/or Ashley Bouder. For those of you who follow their public-facing instagrams, or have other official info, any indications from them whether they will be returning?

Thanks for posting this! I started going to the SAB workshop about 5 years ago and really enjoy it (very fun happy atmosphere, and my first introductions to Mira Nadon, Davide Riccardo, KJ Takahashi... and more!). I followed the link but I don't see if it says when tickets go on sale, do you know?

Facebook is serving me up an ad for Concerto Barocco, featuring what appears to be Miriam Miller. Presumably this means we will see her in the role next month. This might not be my first choice for new Barocco casting, but I look forward to it. How about Kikta?

I’m hoping to see her in Square Dance in the spring. With Roman Mejia?

I am disappointed, very, about Kikta!!