canbelto

Mary Elizabeth Sell says she's 7 months pregnant! She danced the Countess during this run:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpJKv_2vaFe/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

According to NYCB's IG stories, Marika Anderson retired tonight after her performance of Carabosse.

For those who follow Jovani Furlan, looks like his sister is doing better:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-YZToui8R/

The fairy variations during this run were the slowest I've ever heard them. In fact, the whole evening was longer -- both nights the ballet was about 2 hr 45 minutes total. Friday night it was close to 11 when we finally got out.

Any reports of Unity Phelan's Aurora? I won't be able to attend any of her performances so curious about how she does.

20 minutes ago, griffie said:

Question for those who know this kind of thing. In her Rose Adagio, Fairchild didn't make a show of holding the attitude balances for a long time. They were secure but fairly brief. I've no doubt she could sustain them for an extended time if she tried. Is that her personal choice (maybe to not slow down the music tempo), or is that Balanchine discouraged that kind of grandstanding?

That's more her personal thing, because I have definitely seen NYCB Auroras hold the balances a long time. Also have seen ballerinas struggle with the balances. It's just like SB productions all over the world. Not everyone is Margot Fonteyn.

Sebastian Villarini-Velez also replaced this week.

My review of two casts for bachtrack: https://bachtrack.com/22/296/view/24253

The digital programs are available here:

https://www.kennedy-center.org/digital-program/?program=united-ukrainian-ballet

Gogidze had no problems with the hops on pointe Saturday night. Excellent performance from both f the Giselles I saw (Saturday matinee and evening).

16 minutes ago, Sal said:

Miller needs to develop her artistry further and I think Kikta needs to be given more shots at big principal roles before she gets promoted. (Am I correct in thinking she hasn't yet danced  Sugar Plum??) 

Kikta did dance SPF this last Nutcracker season. She went on when Sara Mearns canceled.

I actually wrote about Aria I and Aria II a few years ago:

https://bachtrack.com/article-balanchine-stravinsky-violin-concerto-april-2021

It might be Rommie Tomasini or Kennedy Targosz. Both are petite brunettes:

https://www.nycballet.com/discover/stories/meet-the-newest-members-of-the-corps-de-ballet/

La Freniere was magnificent in Firebird. She reminds me so much of Tess with her height and regal style.

Many operas now combine acts to longer than 80 minutes. And then some Wagnerian operas each act is over 80 minutes. The final act of Die Meistersinger is 2 hours long.

Woodward was wonderful as Aurora in her debut. I can't wait to see her again in this role.

50 minutes ago, juliebugs said:

Has Alston Macgill been dancing in the corp this Nutcracker season? I know she was out for an injury for a long time, but not sure if she's back yet. She did lead Marzipan a couple times a few years ago, but I haven't seen her cast any this year.

She’s been cast in the party scene but that’s it. 

Bouder is now out of SPF on Dec 7 as well.

I was there. I wrote up an appreciation of her:

https://humbledandoverwhelmed.blogspot.com/2022/12/farewell-sterling.html

Videos of her curtain calls:

Bouder now out of Nutcracker this Friday, replaced by Gerrity.

https://res.cloudinary.com/new-york-city-ballet/image/upload/v1669845514/Documents/Casting/NYCB_Casting_Nov_30-Dec_4_2022_20221130.pdf

Casting is out. Emma von Enck also debuting as SPF.

I just finished this book and wrote up a review on my blog:

https://humbledandoverwhelmed.blogspot.com/2022/11/tomorrow-nycb-starts-its-annual.html

I'm just so grateful I got to see Herman Cornejo's Puck again. Truly an interpretation for the ages.

They've also opened up Third Ring for the Oct 15 matinee and evening performances. It's the Episodes/Vienna Waltzes program.

Well NYCB was always meant to be a company without stars. Of course, that hasn't been the reality, but it was Balanchine's dictum.