ABT Fan

I agree with you both regarding Cornejo’s killing time. His characterization, great partnering and intelligence all overshadowed that for me I guess, but when I think back to the performance now, his technical omissions were a bit glaring. If they don’t do Giselle again next year (and I think they need to put it away for a year) then this will probably be his last one. Although, I always thought he’d do his retirement performance as Albrecht.

Yes, quoting myself to finish my thoughts… Coker, as Roxander’s partner was sublime. Stellar technique. They were an incredible pair and I can absolutely see them leading Giselle someday. Misseldine turned in another steely, glamorous Myrta. Im late to the game seeing Brandt’s Giselle as tonight was my first. Maybe it was partly reading everyone’s incredible praise but I was not blown away by her. She was very good, and in some parts just beautiful, but I wasn’t moved by her. She has big eyes as we all know but she tends to rely on them too much - opening them as wide as possible with a gaping mouth does not convey emotion, and she did that many times tonight. Her hops on point seemed to have a brief bobble near the beginning, but she recovered quickly and finished strong, traveling impressively. Mad scene was overdone. She seemed preoccupied with looking pretty (hair just right) while again with the crazed open eyes running around frantically a bit too much. Her whirling dervish opening in Act II was like lightening turning into in a pirouette, then into blazing jumps and turns. She was a blur. The first penche was like nothing I’ve ever seen: her back leg crept higher and higher while her torso didn’t move, only near the end did her body pitch forward. Technically she’s outstanding, but she has a lot of mannerisms now and imo is acutely aware of her adoring audience, leaning into posturing at times. Cornejo was Cornejo - how lucky are we that he’s still dancing at his age and dancing well. He knows his limits and makes adjustments accordingly, but overall the choreography and character doesn’t suffer, which can’t usually be said for others who are past their prime.

I rarely post intermission reviews, however, Jake Roxander absolutely owned Act I in peasant pas! He blew the Met’s roof off. Ridiculously high cabrioles, pirouette revolutions that went on and on with impeccable control into a clean finish. Perfect fifth landings following tight tours en lair. Audible gasps all around me. Charisma and a stage intelligence well beyond his years and level of experience (one year in the corps!). Please don’t let this young man languish for years in the corps. Wow. Just wow.

This afternoon was something else. Curley as Hilarion: Jaffe, please promote this man this summer, who should have been promoted last year. What an actor, what a dancer. He’s a principal in waiting and he and Hurlin would be beautiful together. McBride and Maloney did the peasant pas which had a better showing than the pair on Monday. McBride did have a shoe ribbon come astray a little (and a second time after she fixed it) which was quite distracting, more so because I was afraid it would come completely undone while she danced. She had a little bobble or two and gets zero height on her jetes, but otherwise she was strong, secure with a lovely projection. Maloney needs to work on his fifths coming out of tours (I think every guy needs to), but his jumps, partnering and carriage was solid. Granlund and Coker as Moyna and Zulma were as good as it gets and they’re great together. Jaffe, another promotion that needs addressed: Coker. Li in her Myrta debut was satisfactory. I want to be more complimentary- first, I don’t think she had a LOT of time to prepare as she replaced Williams (probably a month, which isn’t nothing but…). She’s a young corps dancer with little solo experience so I give her a lot of grace, but still it needs a lot of work. Her head and arms conveyed authority and strength yet her torso/chest was timid as if she lacked confidence and overall she lacked conviction as Myrta. She had decent elevation but it wasn’t consistent. She needs more time and development. Hurlin and Camargo have wonderful chemistry; I hope they continue to be paired together in this ballet, and maybe others. Hurlin’s debut was magnificent. Beautiful arms and sumptuous use of her head and neck. Her hops on point on the diagonal were different, not on tempo and about twice as fast. Didn’t really care for that but she traveled far and they were executed well. Mad scene was intense and well thought out but not overdone. Her whirling dervish entry in Act II needed more power as did the subsequent jumps, but she gorgeously let loose on the diagonal jetes with high elevation and speed. Her arabesques and penches were high and solid. She had a few moments throughout where I think she was fighting debut nerves, and in Act II fell out of character a bit, but her potential in this role (and in general) is enormous so I expect a lot of growth and development. She was truly lovely. Camargo is a natural and emotional actor and though his technique isn’t as refined as say Bell, he executes everything thoroughly, strongly and with great projection. His Albrecht wasn’t a cad but a guy who couldn’t help fall madly in love with Giselle. The overhead presses in Act II were done with one hand on Hurlin’s waist and the other under her hip, instead of both hands under her hips. It resulted in her body being not quite level but sloped down a bit. I didn’t like the effect but maybe there was a reason for the hand placement. Overall his partnering was very strong and seamless. He did the extrechet sixes - I didn’t count but they had high elevation and tight feet. Grief poured out of every pore in Act II and he did the finale a la Baryshnikov- he picked up the entire bouquet of lilies and walked backwards gradually dropping them until he was down on his knees. I actually teared up.

Fang has posted that she’s out of Giselle this week due to injury, so I’m wondering who will replace her as Myrta tonight and for her other show. Casting on the site hasn’t been updated. Li is debuting this afternoon so will she get double duty? Or, Misseldine for three in a row? Actually, that would make 4 in a row as she’s already listed for tomorrow night. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuUAcgCgadh/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Where you say Misseldine "is too slow at her entrance" I assume you're referring to her bourres in the entrance? I thought the speed was fine, but yes could be a bit quicker. But, I had more of an issue with her noisy pointe shoes. Happy to hear Teuscher's debut went well, though I cannot picture her as Giselle at all. I'm looking to seeing Bell in SL.

He has on his IG that he'll be doing PP with Coker on Wed and Friday evening. I can't wait to see them. I think he's going to rise up pretty fast and he's barely been in the company for a year.

Beautiful performance tonight overall. The wilis corps were gorgeous and so together; possibly the best I’ve seen them. Peasant pas with Granlund and Gonzalez was ok. Granlund had an off night falling off pointe in her turns multiple times. Gonzalez had some beautiful jumps but I always want more from him: more expansiveness, confidence, authority. They had some partnering issues, especially in the supporting turns with stiffness and some unsteadiness. Misseldine is an extraordinary new Myrta. She reminded me of Shevchenko at times. Steely technique, impressive control, expansive upper body, fierce, strong, unwielding. She could soften just a tad in places. Only real issue were her incredibly hard/noisy pointe shoes. Added: Park as Moyna and Lensi as Zulma (last minute replacement for Fang) were terrific, especially Park. She is a rare talent and I look forward to seeing her in even bigger roles very soon. Seo and Stearns have been dancing together for a very long time and the incredible trust they have with each other can result in some absolutely gorgeous moments. Their Act II pas was breathtaking. High, secure overhead lifts. Chemistry, moments that just melted beautifully together. Seo was truly lovely in her solos. Her mad scene was a bit too pretty and reserved, which surprised me given her heartbreaking Juliet. She has a higher ballon than I remembered, her entrechats hovered! Stearns is a very, very good partner but most of us know him to be rather bland. Walking onstage in Act II, supposedly full of overwhelming grief, he looked like he was walking to his car in the parking lot. He did the brises which were better than I was expecting. They had a few moments which truly caught my breath.

FYI: the promo code ABTPRIDE is still valid on select performances and in certain sections. I just got a ticket for Brandt/Cornejo's show in the orchestra and paid $87.50 for a $125 ticket.

I was not able to catch LWFC, so I greatly appreciate everyone's reviews (I'd appreciate them anyway...). Seems like a lot of mixed reactions. I wonder if they'll bring it back next year. It didn't seem to sell well either. If they do, I hope it doesn't take up 2 full weeks again, even if it's something I love. The season is now so short, the dancers (and the audience) need more variety.

Thought we could start a separate thread for the next ballet, Giselle, which opens tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing some debuts this week.

Same goes for Shayer, but he hasn’t performed at all this season. I’m expecting him to disappear from the roster after this season. Also a bit disappointed in the Myrtha casting, but with Shev and Hurlin dancing Giselle I guess they’re spreading the love around. Hope I’ll get to see Misseldine or Li. Teuscher is doing Myrtha on the last night for the Lupe Serrano tribute.

It’s on Amazon, where you can read a brief description: First Position https://a.co/d/9RlXsTO

Thank you nysusan for your report. I’m very sorry you didn’t get to see Lane. I would have been equally disappointed. This production does sound like a hot mess; good to know in case it ever crosses my path. Happy that Sisk was as incredible as I’d expect her to be.

Thanks, abatt. I’m really curious what Buena Vista will be like. I love their music.

Yes it was

This certainly raises a lot of eyebrows. The timing makes me think she wants to distance herself from the Met season as quickly as possible.

Thank you, Helene. It is indeed better today, thank goodness. It was very concerning to say the least.

The other newly minted female soloists (Granlund, McBride, Park) do not have the personality or carriage necessary for Myrtha, in my opinion. That’s not a criticism. Not everyone can portray a steely and dominating character.

Couldn’t agree more. Hopefully next year Jaffe will mix things up. Maybe McKenzie had scheduled this Met season; we may have already discussed this but I can’t recall.

Hurlin is debuting Giselle at the Met, so assuming she’s not doing Myrtha so she can focus on that (she’s also doing Juliet and O/O and LWFC, so she has a lot.) I’m guessing Williams may be injured since she’s now out of Myrtha and LWFC. Happy to see Li get a debut as Myrtha (and that may be happening at the Met only because Williams is now out) and also Roxander debuting as Mercutio.

Please let us know your thoughts on both performances!

There are also a handful of soloists who have been underperforming for years now. While I'm no fan of the slash-and-burn method when new management comes in, it's past time for certain dancers to move on and make room for talented corps dancers to finally be promoted. A few of those soloists are near retirement age anyway.

I’d be thrilled if they’re (finally) bringing back Etudes and Petit Mort!

Maybe Jaffe will offer him better casting than McKenzie gave him.