Marta

I saw Farrell in the 70s and 80s and I'm still completely besotted by her! The quality you called chilly aloofness strikes me more as ethereal or aloof. I agree that it's mysterious. I haven't seen that much of Mearns. I like her very much, but she doesn't remind me of Farrell except that she "lives dangerously". But then, nobody does. Maria Kowroski is the dancer I love in former Farrell roles.

I thought she was miscast too even though I've never seen her dance badly. Dance gods, don't strike me dead, but I wasn't even 100% thrilled by Fairchild as Apollo in that performance. I saw Chase Finlay years before he was promoted and thought he was a more interesting dancer back then.

I regret that I never saw Gelsey dance live! Lucky you. What I recall from her book is that she met Baryshnikov in Leningrad while watching a class at the Kirov. Also, he had seen NYCB perform in Leningrad and had noticed and admired her dancing, even, according to some, wishing to someday dance with her. I don't think Peter Martins introduced them or suggested they dance together. I believe one of the reasons Kirkland left NYCB for ABT was to dance with Baryshnikov.

I agree with you, Sandik. Push Comes to Shove is a delightful work. Tharp was an unusual choreographer and what she choreographed on Baryshnikov was unique. Kirkland trashed Tharp in her book, ditto The Turning Point, and anything she didn't consider artistic enough.

Thanks, it's a beautiful snippet. The lone other clip on YT of her Giselle is the variation in Act I, but with only piano accompaniment.

Absolutely right. In either case, her performance in the DQ PdD at Wolf Trap was only a suggestion of her capabilities.

Sadly this is all too true. I've watched the Baryshnikov/Kirkland DQ DVD a zillion times, lamenting that Kirkland is so debilitated by cocaine and anorexia that only a slice of her brilliance shows. The Nutcracker also is a favorite but that costume is a horror. If you can tolerate it, though, there's much to appreciate. Maybe you've seen a very fuzzy video of Le Corsaire PdD, also with Baryshnikov. If not, it's worth searching on youtube.

I agree, Drew. Unfortunately, I never saw her in person, only on TV and now hundreds of times on youtube. She is a great dancer. I read her book when it was new and again years later. She had negative things to say not only about Watts and Martins, but about almost everybody. She trashed Baryshnikov mercilessly as a person and a partner, and she criticized sarcastically his dancing in several ballets. I was shocked at how little she thought of Balanchine's ballets, for which I also have profound love. The few who escaped her ire included Makarova and Tudor, Ivan Nagy --there may be others. I read that years after the book was published, she acknowledged that she'd excoriated Baryshnikov and Martins. It didn't really sound like an apology. After she went to the Royal Ballet, her light seemed to fade. Despite her problems she essentially had a brilliant though truncated career. One just wonders what heights she may have reached.

Your comment is also true. I was happy to see her despite my critical thoughts, and I also enjoyed the variation very much. I would watch her in anything! She and Gomes were fantastic partners. Were they not paired more often because Gomes was so often with Vishneva?

Falludi's book is excellent, highly recommend it. Since it was published, there seems to be a backlash to the backlash. I'm old too, I remember Anita Hill and many many hours spent watching the Watergate hearings.

Yes, I agree with your assessment. I was unhappy about the declaration of Deneuve et al. I had the feeling that they really don't understand. I don't think the attitude toward me too movement, or to the harassment issue in general, in France or Italy is suitably angry! I feel that they -- people, including many women -- are skeptical, maybe even suspicious about motivations of women here who are saying "me too".

Sad to say it, but I agree. While watching, I had the same thoughts and tried to deny them. She did not dance big and bold; she somehow did not look in optimal shape although I couldn't define why; the costume was a horror, the stage was too small. Still, it was wonderful to see her, and I imagine being able to perform at all is very welcome to her. I really wonder if she's had any offers from any plausible company.

I agree, Amy R. I don't think trial by the press or blogosphere of Balanchine/Robbins/insert a name works posthumously.

I agree completely. Some commenting here perhaps don't seem to realize that their words amount to blaming the victim.

As canbelto said, a kept woman, a prostitute, a liar, one with a history of mental illness, etc. can also be drugged and raped. I don't agree that Martins and Cosby are analogous.

I agree with Vipa's [possibly last] comment that the dating thing is not evidence of predatory behavior. I've followed this topic from the beginning without commenting, as so many people have said what I would have written. I think the issue IS complicated, all of it, and unless the public is apprised of the investigation's results (highly unlikely), we won't ever know the truth. I disliked very much the NPR interview yesterday with Robin Pogrebin who wrote the article in the NYT about how the board of NYCB essentially knew of PM's behavior but did nothing. She presented the allegations as if they were proven fact and I don't think she ever even called them allegations.

I feel terrible too. I agree completely with all you've written, and I hope that the investigation will illuminate your first point I'm worried about company morale and about the Balanchine legacy. As others have commented, some of the names mentioned as successors would preserve the legacy, but for various reasons may not be ideal candidates. I fervently hope they don't choose Millepied.

That's how it seems to me too. Even the phrase "profoundly disheartening" sounds insincere and lawyerese. Abatt, I agree with everything you've written.

He also danced very well with Veronika Part at her last performance.

I had to smile at what Baryshnikov said about being cursed, but did definitely not smile at his statement that his battery is running out. It's a very good article, and also the first I've ever read in Financial Times. I'm hoping to see Brodsky/Baryshnikov next month in Boston.

If you google "Baryshnikov on Brodsky", you should find the FT article and can read it for free! I just did it. Thank you for posting this.

1 hour ago, balletforme said: I hope that women will learn how/when/where/why to speak up so that they can clearly draw boundaries. To really stop this, women must say to male perpetrators, "Please stop." Helene responded: That has worked so well in the past. As has attempting to fight back physically. As has going to the police. As has filing complaints with the union. As has filing complaints with HR. As has filing complaints with management. balletforme, why say please??? Helene, I agree with everything you've written. Women already know how to speak up, especially the when and why. I don't think it's possible "to really stop this", however it is men who have to learn.

Helene, what she wrote was: "My hope is that there will be due process and that both the dancers who are accusing Mr. Martins, and Mr. Martins himself, will have their chance to be heard." I read it as both the dancers [all the "accusers" as a group] and Mr Martins ... will have ..." Will this happen? I hope this is how the decision will be made even though I think Martins's career is already over.

I feel speechless too. It is beyond belief. I wonder how many of us are trying to guess who the current dancer is who wishes to remain anonymous.

Thanks, canbelto. This is wonderful! Veronika's my favorite.