nanran3

I have a $35 orchestra seat for this Wednesday, February 6.  I cannot go.  Does anyone want to buy this ticket from me?  $39 with facility fee.

In Vento, After the Rain pas, Variations pour une porte et un soupir, Duo concertant, The times are racing

Great seat!  Third row, C26.

Please let me know if you would like this ticket.  I cannot go.

Full price is $39 with facility fee.

Thanks!

Just came home from the Sat evening performance.  Gonzalo Garcia was beautiful tonight in Apollo.  He is physically stunning and moves with assurance and feeling.  Of his muses my favorite was Lauren Lovette for her gracious, spiritual quality, though both Sterling and Abi Stafford did quite well too.  Seems that Stafford has gotten cast more since her brother took over.  When Peter was at the helm in the last few years I seldom saw her onstage.  Anyway, it was expertly danced by all and the music is so gorgeous.  

Orpheus was good tonight and I was especially surprised by how well Ask La Cour did.  This is the best thing I've seen him in; he articulated the movement very well, and really played the blind part convincingly.  Perhaps he's found a niche here?  Reichlen was his Eurydice and she was statuesque and lovely.

Agon was great.  I was astounded and impressed by Miriam Miller.  I had found her rather bland in the past, but she was crisp, articulate, musical and focused tonight.  Expertly partnered by Russell Janzen.  Gerrity did well in her trio with the two men, but I would say Miller was the stand out.  Rest of the cast was okay.

All in all the night was fabulous.  Orchestra sounded great, and I felt very uplifted and hopeful as the company seems to be thriving right now.  Has everyone been able to breath easier since Peter's departure?  Who knows?  As my husband said, it's a well oiled machine.  True.  And its future looks bright from where I'm sitting.

4 minutes ago, cobweb said:

It seems like we're discussing the whole season now, not just opening night, so I'm reviving this thread. Re abatt's question on the other thread - it's great to see Isabella LaFreniere and Emily Kikta back in action, and I'm pretty sure I saw Alston Macgill in the background in Orpheus on opening night. 

The Serenade, Mozartiana, and Tschai Piano Concerto No. 2 (why can't we go with the shorter, more felicitous "Ballet Imperial"?) program is a crowd pleaser. I plan to be at probably every performance of this program, mainly because I don't want to miss any opportunity to see the last listed, which I have seen far less than the others. I thought all received lovely performances last night.

It felt like it's been ages since I've seen Serenade; that's probably not true, but it's just so beautiful I felt a rush of joy. Only issue I saw was that Aaron Sanz (I think a debut, subbing for the debut of Preston Chamblee) needs to develop more confidence being center stage. Up there all alone, partnering three grand ballerinas and a slew of other women flying through, he didn't convey serenity and command. Hard to believe, but it made me miss Ask LaCour, at least I have confidence in him to get through complex partnering. Sanz has the talent, IMHO, and the magnetism, but needs more confidence when he's out there all alone.  

Mozartiana was particularly beautiful, especially the commanding presence and clear phrasing of Maria Kowroski. I found it extremely moving. I also liked Daniel Ulbricht way more than I usually do, and I've seen him in this role a lot. He's always amazing technically, but this time he seemed more flexible, more human, more interesting and nuanced than usual. I am eager to see him again later in the week. I also can't wait to see Huxley in this role. 

Finally, Ballet Imperial. I'm much less familiar with this piece, but I absolutely loved it, and it puts me in the mind of other pieces I've seen only too rarely, such as Ballo della Regina and Divertimento No. 15. When are they coming back?? Joseph Gordon looked great, appealing, elegant, crisp yet oh so airy. The partnering was unfortunately awkward at times, but he keeps on going with an air of command and serenity, and honestly, something intangible about him just makes me love him. 

I have tonight off, then on to a marathon of performances. Can't wait!

I absolutely loved "Ballet Imperial" too!  I had never seen it and was captivated.  And Serenade, for me, often moves into the realm of the mystical.  

20 minutes ago, abatt said:

Isabella LaFreniere (spelling?) has returned from injury.  She danced last night.  Does anyone know what happened to Alston Macgill?  Still injured?

Added: Macgill's instagram indicates she is returning for the winter season.  Good for her!

 

I saw Alston performing this season already.  I went to opening night and last night.  Can't remember which I saw her in, but she was there...

5 hours ago, cobweb said:

I was very eager to see Taylor Stanley's Apollo, but I was a little underwhelmed. The whole thing seemed kind of low-energy to me, lacking in sharpness and purpose. Stanley didn't exude the magnetism and clarity of shape that I've come to expect from him. I imagine he'll get more sharpness and depth with time. I found Brittany Pollack a little bland, Woodward didn't have as much sparkle as usual, and even Tiler Peck not quite as engaged as usual (of course, for her, she still looks great). Orpheus - a piece relatively unfamiliar to me, and I found it hard to get into overall. Agon - Kowroski and her legs, like lasers reaching to the vast universe and beyond, was incredible. I still found Tyler Angle a little too soft in this piece, and boy does it make me miss Amar Ramasar. 

Ramasar was fabulous in Agon and is greatly missed, I agree.  Also I agree with your other assessments and imagine that Stanley was nervous and being perhaps more careful than he will be later on when he has more experience in the role.  I am bewildered that the Angle brothers are still performing with the company.  I saw Jared doing Serenade tonight and Tyler doing Mozartiana.  I understand loyalty to long time company members, and I get it that they are good partners, but they are no longer appealing physically.  When Joseph Gordon came onstage tonight to dance Tchai Piano Concerto #2, we finally saw an elegant, fit and handsome young man with clean and athletic technique.  That's what this company needs in its male dancers.  Do they need to go across the pond to Denmark to find another gorgeous Dane like Ib Anderson?   

Taylor Stanley was beautiful, sensual, and expressive in his debut tonight in Apollo.  Muses were Tiler Peck, gorgeous as always, and Brittany Pollack and Indiana Woodward. Hurray for this historic moment:  first man of color to be cast as Apollo in a normally programmed NYCB performance.

Orpheus was beautiful, the set design is stunning and costumes good too.  I like Gonzalo Garcia and also I always enjoy Sterling Hyltin.  Peter Walker was very good tonight as well.

Agon, Megan Le Crone looked very good, so glad there is more life in her after so many injuries.  Maria Kowroski was magnificent in the pas de deux.  Lately I had been wondering if she was ready to retire, but tonight's performance showed only mastery.

All in all a really good beginning to the season.  Fourth ring almost empty, oh well.

I'm kind of tired of the speculation.  Announce who it is and then we can all move on.  I wonder if Dance Magazine has any insider info, re when they said it could be any day now, that NYCB makes the announcement.

Anyway, I hope it's soon. I'm getting exhausted! 

Agreed that in the male soloist ranks there are definite potential stars, as well as Mejia in the corps.  Let's see what happens.  Also agree that while Segin is an appealing and perhaps dependable corps member, not sure why she would get an award particularly.  I had thought she would probably stay in the corps for her career but who knows?

2 hours ago, DC Export said:

 

I found the end-note a little troubling. City Ballet in jeopardy of losing a major talent because of the lack of clarity on the artistic vision? Could be author commentary.... but what if it isn't?

I just read the article.  It is a little disturbing to think that Taylor Stanley might eventually leave the company to seek artistic fulfillment elsewhere.  Frankly when they lost Ramasar, Stanley was my only consolation among the principal men.  Not happy with the Angle brothers... 

SO excited to see Ashly Isaacs will be back, though she seems to be cast only in Times are Racing at this point.  Where was she?? 

Also, I totally agree about the weird bow on the man in Tschai Pas.

Saw the rehearsal today.  Looks like it was the cast with Gerrity and Wellington and I thought that was Erica Pereira but maybe it was Sara Adams?  Who were the men besides Harrison Coll, Peter Walker and Schumacher?  I saw Jansen in the background but he's in a different cast. Also in the studio from the other cast, Paszcoguin, Kretzschmar, and Reichlen.

20 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

 

Miriam Miller reminded me of a baby swan in Agon (not incredibly commanding as nanran3 said), but she held the pencheé (when the man falls to his back) so long it showed real guts and determination. I'm interested to see  how she develops. 

I love that penchee.  Okay, I'll keep my eye out for her...

1 hour ago, BalanchineFan said:

Miriam Miller has danced the lead in Agon numerous times. She danced it last performance of the spring 2018 season. That and Titania put her on the map as an apprentice, I believe. (Or maybe it was only Titania that she danced as an apprentice).  What’s the head scratch?

I like to see that role danced by someone really solid with a commanding presence.

11 hours ago, Kaysta said:

That trailer is adorable!

 

I have tickets for both Balanchine programs on the 26th.  It’ll be my first time back in NYC since I moved to Baltimore last year, so I’m looking forward to it.  The evening Balanchine/Stravinsky program will be my first time viewing all of those ballets.   Will be so nice to have my ballet-loving soul restored by a whole day of Balanchine.

I can't wait for the season to begin.  I also have tix for the 26th, evening, plus the 24th, and that's just the first week!  It is soul restorative for sure!

Haha!  Strange, definitely, but I kind of like it...

I have tickets for the first night.  I figure they'll start out with a strong cast, first cast and all. 

1 hour ago, mille-feuille said:

I'm not familiar with the male roles in Serenade--is this a role that La Cour is capable of?

Pretty easy peasy role for the man

21 minutes ago, California said:

Speaking of...Amar Ramasar will be a guest with BalletNext in February

http://www.balletnext.com/press-release-december-20-2018

I didn't see this.  He was one of my favorite dancers at NYCB and I was so sad to think that he would not be able to continue developing his amazing talent, at least somewhere.  Glad to see he has this opportunity, though compared to being in NYCB it's of course a step way down.  Not condoning what he did while at NYCB though.

Also, still no sign of Ashly Isaacs.  I was truly a fan.  I hope she comes back.

On 8/21/2018 at 8:29 AM, yukionna4869 said:

It’s this one with Mira Nadon. 

 

 

Thanks so much for posting.  He is very lovely to look at, so elegant.  I look forward to seeing more of him in his new company role!

Agree with everyone else re: Stanley in Apollo.  He will be mesmerizing.

Also glad to see Pazcoguin getting a role in Agon, but Miriam Miller in the principal part?  (Head scratch here). 

Also notice they're casting LeCrone more than Peter had done in the last few years.  

All in all really looking forward to getting back into the theater!!

I guess I have been relying on John Clifford's statement that the board had narrowed it down to two women, both of whom had been great ballerinas, but neither of whom had worked with Balanchine.  Of course Clifford might be wrong.  In which case Lourdes Lopez is an obvious possibility, with her vast experience in running dance organizations, Balanchine trust, and also having worked with Balanchine.  But if Clifford's info is correct, then ... what ballerina has that level of experience?  None that I know of.  Jenifer Ringer runs a school, Ashley Bouder has a pick up company that performs once a year or so, Wendy Whelan did Restless Creature.  Really no one has the AD role experience.  But did Peter Martins ever run a company before NYCB?  Not that I know of.  He learned on the job, watching Balanchine all those years.  Maybe they will pick a bright, ambitious, competent and engaging person who doesn't necessarily have the experience, but who can learn as she goes, as did Martins.

34 minutes ago, angelica said:

Oh, please don't retire Maria just yet. She is my favorite dancer at NYCB, and I'm not ready to let those gorgeous legs and extensions out of my life just yet. Her turns seemed fine this season. And she leapt up onto Tyler Angle's shoulders in the blink of an eye--it was amazing to watch.

Haha!  Aw, no worries, she can stay!    She is very lovely, no doubt.

21 hours ago, balanchinette said:

Maria is still the best SPF in my book -

Glad to hear she was in good form.  I have seen some performances lately where I felt maybe her time has come to move on.  An elegant lovely dancer, I wonder if she is being considered for the AD position, or for a ballet master role...

I'm wondering about who it might be.  Clifford hinted that the board was looking at two women who were great ballerinas, but not during Balanchine's time.  Someone here mentioned Maria Kowroski.  Also, Jenifer Ringer?  Of course Wendy Whelan is a contender.  Anyone else?

Also, can we be sure that Clifford really does have an inside scoop about the Board?  Or is that posturing?