ABT Fan

That IS a great choice. What wonderful news!

On February 16, 2018 at 6:21 AM, volcanohunter said:

Today, 16 February 2018, Anthony Dowell turns 75. So I just had to post this video of him performing the variation Frederick Ashton created for Peter Wright's production of The Sleeping Beauty in 1968. Half a century later, this performance still hasn't been bettered. Not even close.

Thank you for posting this. I just realized I hadn't watched it earlier.

What elegance, control and beautiful lines he had. His technique was really ahead of the times, because by today's standards his still holds up, almost 50 years later. 

I nearly wore out the SL video of him and Markarova when I was young. 

Well, that was quick.

The board will begin a formal search to replace Debora Spar in the coming weeks.

Perhaps her replacement will re-institute Lincoln Center Festival.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/arts/lincoln-center-debora-spar.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

Brandt recently spent time studying with the Mariinsky along with Shayer, following ABT's Asia tour. Below is a clip of them rehearsing DQ. She's had coaching on DQ before, from Irina Dvorovenko back in December. Hope we get to see this at the Met some day soon (and if a sub is needed this year, I think she'll be ready!).

13 hours ago, vipa said:

Absolutely true that there is a male lead factor, however, a taller male lead doesn't necessarily need a taller lady. A lot of factors weigh in.

In December during their Nutcracker run, Seo became ill so Lane replaced her dancing with Stearns, who is very tall. I imagine no one else was available for whatever reason because Lane/Stearns are never paired up due to height reasons, I assume. Possibly the other women had already left the tour for the holidays or had just recently performed. So, I agree that many factors can contribute. Though, I also agree with LadyBubbles predictions on possible replacements.

Thanks for starting this, sandik! I've been trying to come up with ballets/casting for a few days and am still mulling it over.

I saw Pas de déesses many times when I was young by the Ohio Ballet (when they still existed). I always loved that ballet, but I'm afraid I don't remember much of it. I'll have to jog my memory on YouTube.

Helene, thank you for opening a Lane thread! I don't know why I didn't do it myself. 

mille-feuille: Terrific! I hope your family enjoys it.

Lane will be doing Giselle with the Lake Cities Ballet Theatre on 4/6 and 4/7 with PNB soloist Steven Loch.

31 minutes ago, Jayne said:

We seriously need a “fantasy season” thread where we can design seasons and cast them.  

I've thought about a "fantasy" thread - for any ballet by any choreographer. What fun that could be!

5 hours ago, Barbara said:

Frankly what I'm most looking forward to this season are my several Lane performances and those with the young 'uns, Teuscher, Schevenko, Trenary and Brandt. 

Same here. I'd also add Royal to that list. I'll get to see his Espada and maybe his Purple Rothbart. I did get some tickets to see Abrera and Murphy (fingers crossed she doesn't get injured) since we don't know how many more seasons they'll be dancing.

2 minutes ago, fondoffouettes said:

The Instagram photos of Hallberg in Australia with his calf wrapped -- as well as his being quietly dropped from the Firebird and Bayadere casting -- doesn't exactly inspire confidence. 

Exactly. I decided I'd be less upset over missing them if they show, but more upset if I'm stuck with an expensive ticket to see dancers I don't care for.

27 minutes ago, California said:

If you want to get tickets to Osipova/Hallberg Giselle, better get them today. Just a smattering of seats left and they're not very good. Single tickets went on sale a few minutes ago.

Lots to choose from for the Kim Bayadere, though, and it's probably a safer bet that he'll show up.

So, there's officially smoke coming out of my Visa card. Just bought all of my must-have's. I decided not to get an Osipova/Hallberg ticket; I'll take my chances later if they both show up. I just couldn't stomach it now. I did get a Kim Bayadere. I found it very frustrating that the Met Opera's site wouldn't let me choose more than two performances to buy without clearing my cart (argh!) and having to start all over again. 

12 minutes ago, cobweb said:

p.s. many thanks to our correspondents in Singapore!

Yes! Thanks to all who posted reviews (and video links) from Singapore!

Since no one would go to Firebird to see Hallberg (my theory), removing him poses no consequence. I doubt many people would notice, or even know that's he's injured again, and then deduce the odds of him making Giselle (other than hard core balletomanes, like on this site). Or, that's what the company is betting on. I'm sure he and Osipova will remain on the calendar as long as possible, so people will snatch up tickets. I really hope he's well enough to dance, but the signs aren't good.

44 minutes ago, abatt said:

Just also noticed that Boylston is no longer listed for Firebird. Brandt takes the role!

Brandt is doing the Lead Maiden. Firebird is Copeland, Teuscher and Shevchenko.

I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to grab a ticket on Sunday for Osipova/Hallberg. I don’t have high hopes they’ll both show, but if they do I don’t want to miss it. But, I’m terrified of being stuck with one or two substitutes that make me cringe. So, what to do.....

23 minutes ago, abatt said:

Why are Stella's Mercedes dates in Don Q now TBA.  Stella.....

Also, did they ever publish a replacement for Hallberg in Whipped Cream, or has it been TBA the entire time.

Hopefully, they're just shuffling other Mercedes around since there has always been two TBA's.

They haven't recast Hallberg's role in WC yet, but I expect Royal or Forster to get one or both since they're debuting that role in Hong Kong.

If you view this on an iPad it shows all of the casting very clearly without having to open or click on anything. But when I first viewed this on a computer I had to hover my mouse over the date like everyone else to see the cast. It should read clearly no matter what device you use. But, it's still a big improvement from what they had.

Bolle doing Giselle on Monday is new. I can't remember who was scheduled before. And, I've just noticed another change. Lendorf has also been replaced in Giselle on May 16, eve, with Boylston (Whiteside is the sub). So, two of his performances have been canceled. Will there be others?

Also, Ferri is returning but she isn't listed for anything specific. Maybe she's just doing the gala.

Lendorf has been removed for R&J with Teuscher (Romeo is now TBA), but he's still listed for everything else.

OMG! Look on the guest artists page and they have Kimin Kim listed - he's doing Bayadere, May 29 and June 1!!!

http://www.abt.org/people/kimin-kim/?type=performer

I just received an email reminder from ABT that single tickets go on sale this Sunday at noon. When I click on "See the 2018 Brochure", and then go to the "ballets" section in the web page that pops up, the main photo for each ballet is the swan corps from ACT IV in SL. Once you scroll down from there you get the correct photos associated with each ballet, but it looks very odd to say the least to see the caption "Don Quixote" or any ballet other than Swan Lake superimposed over an image of swans. I guess if they can't upgrade their website, I shouldn't expect their email brochure to be up-to-date either.

15 minutes ago, Tapfan said:

The fear of languishing in the corps is not a phenomenon that is unique to ABT.   It's a problem  for many large and even mid-sized companies. Dancers like free agents in sports,  move around much more frequently than in years past. And some like powerhouse soloist Derek Dunn formerly of Houston Ballet, now dancing with Boston Ballet, don't necessarily leave because they are unhappy, but because they want to other challenges.

Also, I believe  as surely as the president loves to tweet, that there are pockets of talent, administrative and programming mediocrity that exist in practically all of the so-called prestige companies.  The concept of unyielding artistic brilliance or even uniform excellence is a largely a myth.

These are excellent points. One only has to read the threads here on NYCB, Mariinsky, Bolshoi, POB, Royal Ballet, etc, to see how many people are dissatisfied with their dancers and their rep.

49 minutes ago, nanushka said:

The Ratmansky triple bill was rather short as well — my recordings of the pieces total 1h13m. But I know that one didn't annoy me quite as much because all three pieces are of high quality and together feel like a substantial work of art.

I agree. And, his triple bill is also an opportunity to see several dancers take on a principal or soloist role all in one evening. I hope we don't have to wait too long to see it again.