stuben

Several articles about Ferri's return. One mentioned that she is being sworn in as a U.S. citizen tomorrow. I can understand why Ratmansky preferred U.S. citizenship, given political situation in Russia. Baryshnikov had no real choice after defecting and became a U.S. citizen in the mid-80s. Ferri's choice is a little more puzzling. She said she spends so much time in New York that she feels like a New Yorker. She also mentioned that Manon is an easier role for her than Juliette. Hint, hint!

I read the article and indeed interesting, and don't get me wrong as I love her, yet I leave with a few thoughts, and it may just be me ... if indeed she is returning to the stage ... why just one show and might we see more in the fall? Also, the recent photo of her (sorry for being critical) but I just feel that is not a young teenage Juliet

BTW: report (not from me) from the Weds. matinee: Isabella Boylston had a very successful debut as Juliet - lots of passion and very good interpretation with many details. James Whiteside is a fine technical dancer but not a Romeo - poker-faced and cold. He didn't give back what she gave him.

I am sorry to say this but I have felt this of Whiteside since seeing him last in SL and will not return for any of his performances

Agreed that they were lovely together in Spectre, but there are no overhead lifts in Spectre. That is also why they are ok together in Ratmansky's Beauty. It's a different story with things like T&V and basically anything that requires him to lift his partner or hold her overhead.

Agreed nysusan about the technical part, however, she still has the best "emotional" draw for me in all the roles I have seen her in, especially in Ratmansky's SB

I agree about Sarah but I think the decision to bring Kochetkova in was at least partially driven by Cornejo. Just conjecture here, but she is the only ballerina I have ever seen him partner comfortably. Both Reyes and Lane were actually a bit too big for him. Reyes was very good at compensating for his partnering deficiencies but I have seen some very bad partnering from him when he's been paired with Lane. Kochetkova is shorter than either of then and considerably smaller (lighter) than either of them.

Despite my dislike of her dancing, Cornejo has never looked better than when partnered with Kochetkova, and he lifts her with ease.

I think otherwise of Sarah's partnering with Cornejo as I recall seeing her last year in Le Spectre de la Rose with him, and thought they were wonderful together, although it wasn't a "full-length", nonetheless I felt they were the best of the couples for that

..... Alas, the unsentimental realist in me knows that ABT has neither the number of dancers nor the coaching resources to pull that off.

I do agree about the coaching concerns! Looking at the listing on the ABT website I wonder if Stiefel will begin to do more now that Rinat Imaev is leaving for WBS, along with Julie Kent? I am sure the principals and soloists will receive the coaching needed, but I do wonder if there is indeed a lack of help ... how much coaching will the talents in the corps have to be developed?

Not that I would ever consider age an issue, but I do wonder how many more years Irina will have left to continue her coaching, although I would hate to see her leave after all she has done for the company! Perhaps a few of these "company teachers" would rise to the occasion, except for Salstein of course since he is still in the company!? As abatt also mentioned some of the previous dancers joined with outside training....I agree that the lack of possible coaching would be a concern moving ahead:

Ballet Masters: Susan Jones, Irina Kolpakova, Clinton Luckett, Nancy Raffa, Keith Roberts

Company Teachers: Nancy Bielski, Rinat Imaev, Susan Jaffe, Julie Kent, Clinton Luckett, Kate Lydon, Nancy Raffa, Keith Roberts, Craig Salstein, Vladilen Semenov, Ethan Stiefel

Waski stands out to me even when she's standing on the background and I hope she gets more soloist opportunity. She also seems quite tall!

The current soloists can be great in roles like Aurora, Giselle, Nikiya, or Juliet but just not as Odette.

Don't get me wrong, I like taller ballerinas and think there are several interesting ones VERY early in their careers in ABT's corps (I'll add Giangeruso to the list of favorites). But it's good that they're on the younger side, given the lack of taller mid-to-late career men to partner them.

alexL, I suspect you're thinking of either the Mariinsky's Lincoln Center Festival residency a few years ago (they performed Jewels along with Carmen Suite) or perhaps ABT's performance of Symphony in C which occurred around that same year.

I saw these two lovely dancers this past Thursday when they did Big Swans and Princesses, I second alexL and chorlamb, as I feel they looked very tight as a pair and perhaps I am partial to long and lean dancers. Waski was the Hungarian princess in this particular show and IMO did a splendid job alongside Giangeruso. Does anyone know if they did the PDT in another show? I would have liked to see them paired with the likes of Forster who is one of the tall men I do admire. As many have suggested here, I too, hope that they nurture these talents to be ready for stepping in as the new generation! At the least I do look forward to seeing them as soloists

Xiomara Reyes will head The Washington School of Ballet, effective September 1

http://dancemagazine.com/news/julie-kent-appoints-xiomara-reyes-washington-school-ballet/

Sounds quite fabulous.

Just saw their announcement! So excited for both prima ballerinas, back together again and top it off Rinat is joining as well, the power couples! Time to get tickets for WB next season, for sure it'll be worth the trip! Maybe I am dreaming but a new ABT replacements in the making?

I wouldn't read too much into it. I think performance footage makes a greater impression than a talking head anyway, Boylston is in the same position as Lane. Seo is the one who ends up ignored, so to speak.

Thank you volcanohunter for reminding me of the other Auroras: Boylston and Seo too! I mentioned Lane as I have seen her placed aside for so many years, after all her beautiful hard work and dedication giving us such memorable dancing!

Just saw this video posted on ABT website: <

Sad to see that Lane is once again dismissed as if she doesn't exist as Aurora! The video images shows her dancing but there is no interview of her, it clearly shows favoritism from within the artistic or board, IMO Lane deserves the equal time vs a new comer even out of respect for all her years of beautiful work! IMO

Glad to read all the above thoughts since I had my person doubts, and can see online that there are no issues of getting my last minute tickets, but now will save money for the rest of the season!

Somehow after seeing Firebird with all the dark lighting (where these old eyes had a hard time adjusting and seeing the dancers clearly), then seeing the Cockerel bright sets in all the pictures they put up, I didn't know if that was going to take away from the dancers, now I am glad that I made the decision to wait, now I am going to save my money for the rest of the season. I have to agree with nanushka of a lack luster season.

My two cents on the Firebird, Cockerel double bill: I'm not entirely in agreement and strictly IMO and for possibly my own idiosyncrasies, the darkness of Firebird then the brightness of Cockerel, and please know this is totally my old eyes talking. Plus the idea of seeing two birds in one night

I am planning to see one performance--tues eve, Wed matinee or eve, or Thurs eve. Which cast should I see? Which cast is the least desirable or does it matter b/c it is an extravaganza? Your opinion is appreciated.

Personally I would go for Tuesday eve, can't go wrong with the great cast IMO, Gillian is Aurora and Stella as Lilac! Or Thursday with Stella, finally, Aurora! Something many of us have been waiting for!

With regards to an earlier mention about Sterling Baca going to "bigger" with Pennsylvania Ballet, I should have qualified that by saying I imagine going from Corps to Principal seems "bigger" to him, albeit a much smaller company. Young dancers don't often have a lot of patience and want to climb the ranks quickly, sometimes too quickly. I bet he had a bright future at ABT.

I am not sure if "being young" is completely true? Let's not forget some of those whom have been at ABT corps, after waiting for chances to "climb the ranks" and never saw the light, if my memory serves me correct Eric Tamm, Luis Ribagorda and a few others have moved on after waiting for a longer period, I would think a company like ABT hire only the best in the business (from the schools or jr. companies), so I am sure it is quite disappointing to many of those talents end up sitting vs being nurtured for the next level. Even Jared Matthews whom I thought was being groomed to become principal, sadly we lost him to HB I do have to wonder how these dancers feel when they wait for chances to come, then suddenly see the company hire from outside: Cirio, Whiteside etc. now take their spotlight vs training/grooming the talent within?

Stella was a compelling wacky maiden, conveying the absurdity with the right level of drama. She is definitely radiating confidence this season. (​ I wouldn't describe Ratmansky's tone as much as humorous, but absurd, and I think that absurdity is very much in Stravinsky's score.) But I enjoyed her even more in Seven Sonatas with Calvin Royal.....

I thought Piano Concerto was well danced too. ..... But the corps parts are what I enjoy most in this one as well. Those dual-colored unitards create a cool effect when the dancers change direction or orientation in unison. Paulina Waski stood out for me (some people just look right in a unitard), and she was given a little featured corps role. Keep your eyes on that one...

Not surprised about Stella at all and long overdue for her IMO! I feel likewise of Ms. Waski whom I last saw as Candide Fairy in Sleeping Beauty and will look forward to that again this year, it is too bad they don't list those roles ahead for us to capture these dancers, so will take a chance and hope for the best!?!

I had hoped that Sterling Baca might have been groomed for a future dancer that's versatile and strong and good looking! Alas, guess that's not to be.

It is indeed a loss for ABT and us all, I hope they won't loose anymore talent within the corps! It seems quite puzzling to me that they have so many young talent within the corps as well, here is one of them whom my grandchild has been following whom we don't seem to hear of? McCune? <

Sorry about that. Here is what he says, "In the nuptial pas de deux of "La Fille mal gardée", Colas twice goes down a diagonal with a big gesture as if he's preparing to partner Lise in a spectacular fish dive. Instead, however, she simply nestles into the crook of his arm: it's the most poetically render anti-climax in ballet. Here is Frederick Ashton rehearsing Nadia Nerina and Davjd Blair in this exact moment before the 1960 premiere. Photo: Zoë Dominic. In the forty-one years I've been watching this ballet i've never known this moment so well realised as it has been this week by American Ballet Theatre. (At the Royal they tend to get the heads and arms all wrong.)"

Thank you It sounds like he is doing his reviews now on social media vs NYTimes? Hopefully they match up!

I do love the traditional Cuban pas de deux of La Fille, which I have seen performed at various competitions and galas. But I love those chickens in the Ashton version, and Roman Zhurbin as Widow Simone!

I saw this comment from Macaulay on his instagram which I thought was interesting:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BF9F57jFFG8_EFD1Ns9aLZn2GyeLqgN9zkZhZE0/?taken-by=alastair.macaulay

Thanks for this link its the mom but for whatever reason I cannot open it? When I click on this all I keep getting is "Sorry this page is not available"? Perhaps you can cut and paste what is written or shown for those of us who are less technologically advanced?

Just an observation and nothing directed at La Fille, but I find it just funny to see that this season seems to be filled with "birds/flying creatures"! From chickens and roosters to golden ones, small and big birds! Happy Memorial Day all!

I, too, am a Stella fan so when I commented about her jumps, it is by no means any disrespect to her talent, she is a lovely dancer and kudos to her in La Fille.

I saw Abrera and Whiteside last night. I am not a huge fan of La Fille Mal Gardee. It was great to see Stella in a lead role (to think of all those years we were robbed). I do however think she looked a little weak at times. Her jump seemed to lag at times and she certainly isn't the ballerina to bust out multiple pirouettes. What she lacked in virtuosity, she made up for in her beauty/artistry. She looked so beautiful in the final Pas de Deux. I'm still not sold on Whiteside. To me, he isn't of the caliber of some international star. He gets the job done, but has some short comings. He lacks length and his dancing looks small and "tight" at times. I think he is another example of the lack of good coaches at ABT. Sometimes, including last night with Abrera, I don't feel that he cultivates chemistry with his partners. Abrera seemed to be really trying to "give him something to work with", but he didn't really seem to return the favor.

You beat me to a post Dancerboy90210 I felt likewise after the show and wondered if Abrera's lagging jumps had anything to do with her past injuries?! I know age doesn't help the healing process, but I may be wrong. As for Whiteside, I know many on BA are fans but I do have to agree, and IMO, I have often felt he is dancing for himself, he is good technically but there is a lack of emotions or almost forced emotions.

I tend to doubt that the program was based on the release of the Misty Barbie doll. The fact is that Copeland's performances sell very well regardless of whether any product or merchandise regarding Misty is also being released at the same time. The Misty Firebird tickets were selling very well way before they started sales of the doll. I think that Matel may have waited to start selling the doll until the beginning of the ABT season to capitlize on additional sales and publicity regardng the ABT season and Copeland's roles for the season. I assume that was what you are suggesting Stuben, and it makes sense. This is especially so because the designers of the doll are using a similar costume to the Firebird costumes. (Wonder if there is an intellectual property violation going on re the costume design.)I doubt either Matel or Copeland realized that the Washington Post would stir up controversy by asserting that the skin color of the doll was too white. The controversy didn't seem to hurt sales of the doll, however.

Interesting observation abatt! And, I was indeed suggesting that about the publicity this season! I also didn't catch the Washington Post article but I actually thought likewise about the doll but thought it was just my computer screen, since I haven't seen the actual doll.

I think the outlandish costumes in the Firebird were completely deliberate and part of Ratmanksy's overall conception or "reworking" of the ballet. He decided that he was going to turn this classic Russian fable into an opportunity for comedy. Instead of having the maidens do a traditionally beautiful dance, he decided he was going to have them dress in very strange, distracting costumes and wigs, and that they would run around the stage waving their arms around and acting goofy for some comedic relief. I'm not sure how anyone could judge the quality of dancing of either Trenary or Abrera, because there was very little actual classical choreography for them to execute. I think Ratmansky does much better when he creates a work entirely from scratch. When he attempts to distinguish himself from well known works like Firebird and Nutcracker, things seem to go badly off the rails. No disrespect to people who enjoyed the Firebird.

I also think that neither Symposium nor Seven Sonatas belongs on a stage the size of the Met Opera. However, those programs sold much better than the trilogy because people were interested in seeing Firebird.

You hit the nail on the head abatt for Firebird! My sentiments entirely and I don't think it gave justice to the dancers. I believe the singling out of any dancer in this performance is due to the fact that they danced away from the "crowd" at times. I also wonder the timeliness of the return of Firebird when the Misty Barbie doll came out?!

I thought the Trilogy was completely original In terms of both the choreography and the dramatic content. I've seen the pieces performed individually, but the overall impact and brilliance of the work is much stronger when all three works are shown on the same program. I suspect that, given the large number of empty seats, the Trilogy will not be revived again for some time. I saw both casts, but I felt that it didn't really matter which cast you saw. The brilliance of the work was not dependent on any particular dancer.

Couldn't agree with you more abatt and personally I would not mind if Firebird never return, as for the audience I think many of us older folks had a hard time seeing due to the poor lighting, especially in the matinee set. My eye sight may not be as good as the younger audiences, and I even heard a snore in a nearby section which was rude IMO but I can understand why.

The evening Trilogy was much better since the lighting was brighter and it may be I had better seats. However, I still feel the costumes too should be revisited if they do intend to bring Firebird back, same issue too in Plato's Symposium, I just felt they are distracting and I was concerned a few times that the dancers would get caught in the amount of fabric they had to carry with them!

I've noticed there has been quite a bit of movement either into or out of the corps this year. Promotions to soloists leave places for newbies to fill. Many corps retirements also from last year. It takes time to find that special voice of the corps. I find that usually by mid season things have become more specific. But I did feel the corps for Chamber #9 was of a piece from start to end.

I, too, agree with mimsyb about all the movement in the corps, many left last year and it seems many are injured? There are many new names in the programs, and after reading their bios I see they are quite new too, so maybe they just weren't given enough time to be trained properly as well, this to me is the fault of the AD!!!

I did attend the Saturday performance as well, and several dancers seemed to have been replaced? Not sure why but Fang and Hammrick were clearly missing from Piano since they were listed, but pleasantly replaced by one of the dancers my grand daughter aspires to, Waski! (Sorry to break the rules of BA about not naming any special dancer but since so many on this thread have added their own...) She has always impressed me in the times that I have seen her perform, my grand daughter follows her on social media and was fortunate to meet her after a show, she was very kind to us to give my aspiring dancer a few encouraging words. We hope to see more of her during this season We were able to get seats closer, so it was nice to see faces and thought K. Williams, Waski and Giangeruso did a wonderful job as a group.

I know there will be many who will not agree with me on this, but Firebird is not a favorite, it was the costumes more than anything else! So cumbersome with the maidens hair pieces and dresses that at times they were just distracting us from seeing the individual dancers, and what is with the white hair on the females vs the male in white? No individuality for the women? Again, this is just IMO

A little fun and giggles to brighten up your hump day! Nathalia Arja attempts to teach ballet to Rob Gronkowski.

https://www.facebook.com/miamicityballet/videos/10153440803101090/

This video came up in my trending topics on Facebook. Already over 1 million views!

This is hilarious and thank you for sharing sohalia! And this is the reason why I have never been a fan of "jocks" making fun of ballet or saying that ballet is not a sport!

Hope they pick it up by Saturday.

I am sorry to hear of Gillian and Marcelo's show as I have been a fan Since the cast tonight is showing the same as Saturday, and I do have tickets to take my grandchild, I too second Kaysta's sentiment!

Well I wish Stella had gotten one of Semionova's "Swan Lake" performances or the Juliet. Ratmansky would have had a voice in who replaced Semionova in 9th Symphony - hence the new soloist Devon Teuscher is tapped. Notice that Kochetkova is now dancing the show that Seo was originally scheduled for with Blaine Hoven.

I must also mention that Gorak has not only been pulled from Romeo but he is not dancing Colas in "Fille" or Aminta in "Sylvia" - two roles one would think would be naturals for him.

Thanks for the mention about Gorak, I didn't catch this but it just all seems like musical chair and getting me dizzy with so many changes to casting... and agree with mimsyb...

I would just like to add an addendum to my previous post. Perhaps this is a topic or "thread" for another day, but how would ABT fans feel if the company were to adopt a casting policy similar to that of NYCB? Instead of announcing casting in brochures months in advance, put casting up one, two weeks prior. I recognize that ABT fans are un like City Ballet fans, but we(I) go to see City Ballet based on the work at hand, not necessarily who's dancing on any given night. Disappointments? Sure. But just as many times I've come away delighted at seeing someone different. Maybe then we wouldn't be playing the "blame game" on a company AD. But of course this idea would punch a huge hole in the "Misty sells tickets" as a business plan.

... that is a great idea but you are so right about the "Misty" ticket, saw her attending the Met Gala and now with a Barbie under her belt I would think she is larger than life for ABT PR?!