Roberta

I'm so happy to read this, AG. There certainly was a lot of promise among last night's student performers. I hope to track the progress of many of these talented "kids"...such as the evening's high-flying Solor, tall and handsome Alexander Nicolosi. My, oh my! He reminded me of a young Igor Zelensky in his flight...but dark haired. I also loved the equally tall-handsome lad who danced the Satanella pdd - Nasrullah Abduh-Rahman. Funny thing, I was especially impressed by the boys/men...not that the girls/women weren't promising too. Perhaps it was the magical touch of the males' coach Vladimir Djouloukhadze, who was the subject of a touching tribute and mini-documentary film at the start of the show...with tributes by some of his star pupils from the early years of KAB (Rasta Thomas, Jonathan Jordan, Brian Maloney, et al). p.s. Special shout-out to the solo drummer in the Bayadere Drum Dance - Mr. Jie-Siou Wu. What a fabulous ham (in the best sense of the word)! Oh - also the Golden Idol, Brandan Contreras. Gee, did I mention that I especially loved the guys? 😉

Cross-posting from the Heads-Up thread. The very last performance by the Kirov Academy of Ballet (Wash, DC) will be livestreamed tonight. This one appears to be all-classical; Part 1 Diverts (tribute to pedagogue Vladimir Djouloukhadze) and Part 2 suite from La Bayadere. Cost $30. Sorry that I was just told about this now. In time for the last show. I paid and received my link for tonight. Kirov Academy of Ballet Presents Spring Gala 2022 - Kirov Academy of Washington D.C. (kirovacademydc.org)

Apologies if I missed this in another thread but... Washington, DC's Kirov Academy (ex- Kirov Acad of Ballet) is apparently closing after tonight's final Spring Gala, which will be livestreamed...but it's not free, so I didn't place this notice in the free-streams thread. Tix $30, purchased via this link: Kirov Academy of Ballet Presents Spring Gala 2022 - Kirov Academy of Washington D.C. (kirovacademydc.org) I'll cross-post in the to-pay links thread...but, as I was quite shocked by this news, wanted to also post a normal discussion thread. Very sad news but I believe that KAB was plagues with financial troubles of various sorts (including theft by the CFO, I think).

Only one performance of Diamonds? Very little neo-classical...no classical. Waiting at the Station, with all-R&B score, every night? I'll pass on this run.

The Kennedy Center casting for both programs (mixed bill and Midsummer Dream) has been up for a while. It indicates either Mearns/Ulbricht or Miller/Mejia leading Dream. Guessing that this will be updated later. New York City Ballet | Kennedy Center (kennedy-center.org)

Congratulations to Susan Jaffe. It surprises me simply because she really had only one full normal season at Pittsburgh. However, it was a successful one. I attended the season-premiere mixed bill last October at the Benedum Centre - truly magnificent, beginning with Helen Pickett's PETAL - a Jaffe fave since the North Car School for the Arts years - and culminating with Balanchine's Diamonds. It was a classy program that did not pander to pop music enthusiasts...which so many US companies seem to be doing these days. Helen Pickett ballets at ABT is not a bad thing IMO.

This is so sad. It shouldn't have come to this. I have many fond memories of Abi's dancing, both in NYC and on tours here in DC. I especially loved her leading the opening Allegro of Western Symphony, the 2nd mvmt Valse Melancholique of Tchaikovsky Suite no. 3, the Robbins-Tharp Brahms/Handel and, most recently, as one of the two female leads in Balanchine's rare gem Kammermusik no. 2. I wish Abi Stafford well in her new endeavors. Onwards and upwards! 🥰

Perhaps it will be a three-in-one sort of full-evening work, a-la Jewels? Peck has already choreographed Rodeo (Ro-Deo). I could picture an All-Americana Evening of two new ballets (such as new takes on Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid) + Ro-Deo. 🤷‍♀️

According to the little information in the El Dia article, there appear to have been serious problems with dancers (and other?) unions. Upon her resignation in early Feb, the article notes that no dancer took to social media to support her. Ouch. It seems that one of the company choreographers, Mario Galizzi, took over as A.D. He's one of the primary stagers of the big Petipa ballets, from what I could tell from recent streams, e.g., it's his Sleeping Beauty that we saw. Mario Galizzi | Teatro Colón (teatrocolon.org.ar)

You're welcome, Helene! Oops...I did notice one other tiny item for correction. Arpino's Confetti uses Rossini's overture to Semiramide, not Cinderella. I realize that they're all in the same style - allegro/legato/then bursts building up to crescendi, then back to legato, etc. - so it's not hard to make the error. But I'm back online not for this but, rather, to convey two happy notes: 1. Gerald Arpino 100th-b'day festival celebration will take place throughout 2023! So for all who loved Confetti, there's more to come, from different U.S. ballet companies, throughout next year and even into 2024. I'm sure that this will include a number of streams. My planned travels include another visit to Chicago next October for the revival of Suite Saint Saens...just as I visited the Windy City last October for the exquisite Birthday Variations. Some information in this link: GAF-Centennial-Announcement.pdf (arpinofoundation.org) 2. Upcoming Carolina Ballet livestream: As I mentioned in one of the above posts, Carolina Ballet (Raleigh, NC) is also offering livestreaming options this season. The next one is coming up this Friday, April 22 at 7:30pm eastern (but viewable for a few days after; cost $42) - their SPRING TIDINGS mixed bill program, featuring: In the Gray - company A.D. Zalman Raffael's ballet to Philip Glass' 1st Violin Concerto Seven - World Premiere of Adriana Pierce's new work to music by the 19th-C French composer Cecile Chaminade Nine by Twelve - Lynne Taylor-Corbett's ballet to Bach pieces Just added: Company founder Robert Weiss' Pavane (not sure if it's to Ravel, Faure or other)..SAB grad Mia Domini is among those being rehearsed, so maybe we'll see her in this? In my experience, I've telephoned the box office (919) 719-0900 to purchase access, rather than to do it by email and write my credit card details (the only two options; no handy online form to order access). So I phone them the old-fashioned way but rest assured that I've never had a problem. The quality of the films is exceptional; mixture of mid- and far-shot cameras. I get the link in my email a few hours before the show and can see it either live or through the weekend...most recently their lovely Snow White by Z. Raffael to a commissioned score by San Francisco Ballet's Shinji Eshima (of The Swimmer and RAkU fame). Spring Tidings of Bach, Chaminade and Glass – Carolina Ballet

I also enjoyed the Summer section the most. I believe that the choreographer is Maddie Falconer, yes? The four choreos are listed in Ballet Arkansas' FB page: Ballet Arkansas - We are ONE DAY AWAY FROM OPENING NIGHT for... | Facebook All four sections were quite enjoyable.

The Ballet Arkansas double bill is terrific! The run is actually this weekend, moved up in the calendar by one week, to be able to utilize the Arkansas Symphony Orch for live music. The film is a recording of last Thursday's premiere (14 April 2022). What a joy to see Arpino's CONFETTI once again; such a difficult piece to a Rossini overture. I didn't know quite what to expect of the Vivaldi FOUR SEASONS but it is a winner. I was floored by the musical inventiveness of each section. Choreographers include: Spring - Xin Jing Summer - Maddy Falconer - the most typically classical, yet innovative Fall - Mariana Oliveira Winter - Ashley Green Definitely worth the $25. Great group of dancers, musicians, choreographers.

The above-cited Anthempress link includes a sub-link to the following Table of Contents, which has me drooling. Introduction – Petipa in His Time and Place; Chapter 1 – Petipa Comes to Russia; Chapter 2 – The State of the Imperial Ballet; Petipa’s Tour to Moscow; Chapter 3 – Fanny Elssler in St. Petersburg; Chapter 4 – The 1850s. Influences on Petipa; His First Compositions; Chapter 5 – Before The Pharaoh’s Daughter; Chapter 6 – 1862; Chapter 7 – 1863; Chapter 8 – 1864; Chapter 9 – 1865. A Lack Of Novelties; Ballerina Problems; Chapter 10 – 1866; Chapter 11 – 1867; Chapter 12 – 1868; Chapter 13 – 1869; Chapter 14 – 1870; Chapter 15 – 1871; Chapter 16 – 1872; Chapter 17 – 1873; Chapter 18 – 1874; Chapter 19 – 1875; Chapter 20 – 1876; Chapter 21. – 1877; Chapter 22 – 1878; Chapter 23 – 1879; Chapter 24 – 1880; Chapter 25 – 1881; Chapter 26 – 1882; Chapter 27 – 1883; Chapter 28 – 1884; Chapter 29 – 1885; Chapter 30 – 1886; Chapter 31 – 1887; Chapter 32 – 1888; Chapter 33 – 1889; Chapter 34 – 1890; Chapter 35 – 189.; Chapter 36 – 1892; Chapter 37 – 1893; Chapter 38 – 1894; Chapter 39 – 1895; Chapter 40 – 1896; Chapter 41 – 1897; Chapter 42 – 1898; Chapter 43 – 1899; Chapter 44 – 1900; Chapter 45 – 1901; Chapter 46 – 1902; Chapter 47 – 1903; Chapter 48 – 1904; Chapter 49 – 1905; Chapter 50 – 1906; Chapter 51 – Petipa’s Last Years; Chapter 52 – Postscript. A Baker’s Dozen Reminiscences Of Petipa; General Appendices – A Calendar Of Petipa’s Life In Russia; A Worklist; Individuals Important To Petipa; Bibliography Of Works Consulted. Between the Nadine Meissner bio, the St. Petersburg Theater Museum's beautiful 2-volume 200th-birthday set, and this, we should all be in Petipa Heaven soon.

That's the lone bridesmaid variation in the Kirov-Mariinsky version. Chistiakova dances it in the DVD that stars Terekhova & Ruzimatov. The 2nd bridesmaid variation in the current ABT production is the jete variation that is usually the first variation in the Bolshoi version. Osipova used to dance it in her younger days, whenever she wasn't cast as Kitri. re. Hurlin - injury or not, she's always been a relatively weak classicist, such as in the Grand Pas Classique during the Costa Mesa stream, April 2021. It was the same in Tatantella as a student. She's wonderful in contemporary ballet, though. She's a natural modern dancer - the Lang works, Paul Taylor's Airs (also as a student), Twyla's Deuce Coupe, most of Of Love and Rage, which is not Petipa-style classical...it's Ratmansky Moderne. Really good interpretive artist (remember Mademoiselle Chartreuse in Whipped Cream). Both Hurlin and Misseldine are great hopes for the future, each in her own way. I admire both.

Last night's performance of DonQ led by Christine Shevchenko and Cory Stearns was FANTASTIC! The packed audience went wild with vocal support throughout the evening. Shevchenko could do no wrong. I cannot imagine a better Kitri. (In line with California's note above, I've long learned to avoid Hurlin in anything that requires solid classical technique. I enjoy her in contemporary/jazzy works. Works like ZigZag and other Jessica Langs are tailor-made for her.) Among the dancers in smaller roles, I was especially impressed by Lea Fleytoux as Amour (gorgeous fast footwork and elevation/!) and Jonathan Klein as the lead gypsy guy - electrifying performer! Wow! Lastly, the Loquasto sets have been restored to their original beauty! No more dark-brown brackets, odd canopies over the doorways, etc. that I saw at the Met ca 2009 (the Alonso 90th b'day tribute show). The sets/costumes once again look like those in the original late-'70s production.

Thanks for all of the reviews of Don Q so far! I'm looking forward to our one DQ tonight (Schevchenko/Stearns). Schevy should be in her element as Kitri. She will not water-down the 32 fouettes, I'm sure. I also believe that the Schevy/Stearns pairing will be lovely, as they were very impressive together in one of the two leading pdds in the Alonzo King Single Eye; she really brought out the emotion in Cory Stearns! While this is not my favorite production of DQ -- the patched sets & costumes by Loquasto from the late-'70s Baryshnikov production, seemingly held together by Gorilla Glue -- I DO appreciate that Kevin McKenzie and Susan Jones have added the final scene's solo Bridesmaid Variations that Baryshnikov did not include. In the 2011 DVD from Japan (playable in multi-region DVD recorders), those variations are danced by Sara Lane (sigh - I miss her!) and Isabella Boylston. That's the only commercial DVD that I know of the present ABT production; Simkin and Yuriko Kajija starred. (I miss Yuriko, too.)

Your hunches were correct about ZigZag. But I must say, most of the crowd up in the cheap seats, where we were, lapped it up. Hate to say it because I don't want ABT to continue this trend. A rare triple bill should at least include an historic choreographic gem, such as a Tudor or even, as a closer, the Clark Tippett Bruch Violin Concerto that I've so been longing to see once again. I watched the Bernstein Bubble stream in March 2021. It's even better in person...and some of the costumes have been fixed - made neater - especially the originally-messy look of Cassandra Trenary in the stream. Zimmy Coker looks neater. Pulled together, with a proper ballerina hairstyle too. All in all, I prefer last night's live cast, which is amazing considering the remarkable talent of the dancers in the stream. Incidentally, Betsy McBride totally held her own in the virtuosa role ("Turkey Trot" pas de trois) originally essayed by Skylar Brandt. That says something.

Greetings. Did anyone attend either of the ABT Forward mixed-bill programs that opened the current Kennedy Center run? I went last night, Wednesday, but would prefer to read others' comments before opening my big mouth too much, particularly about the final piece, ZigZag, to the Tony Bennett songs. Holly cow! Shameless pandering to the masses with silly Broadway type dancing. Real waste of classically-trained talent, IMO. In retrospect, we should have left after the second work (Alonzo King's hauntingly beautiful Single Eye, to Jason Moran's score) so as to take positive thoughts back to our home. I also found it a bit sour that this was advertised as a program with live music but only the initial work, Ratmansky's brief Bernstein in a Bubble, employed a live orchestra. The conductor took his bow before the first intermission. The most positive take away from last night was the opportunity to have seen so many fresh faces - great up-and-comers - such as Chloe Masseldine in the Catherine Hurlin role in the Bernstein. Oh my goodness - a future Odette/Odile right there! Exquisite beauty, lines, tech, etc, etc. But there were so many others. I don't have time to go on.

Ballet Arkansas also has a livestreaming option for performances this spring. PERFORMANCES | Ballet Arkansas | 21|22 Season I've just bought access to their late-April mixed bill consisting of a new 4-part Vivaldi Four Seasons - with each season choreographed by a different women - plus Arpino's brief but energetic Confetti. Cost $25 for a week of viewing. APRIL 21-24 | Presented by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, "The Four Seasons" features 4 breathtaking world premieres created by 4 of the world's most daring female choreographers, set to Vivaldi's epic score "The Four Seasons." Original works by Mariana Oliveira, Ashley Green, Xin Yin, and Maddy Falconer complement Gerald Arpino's classical master work, "Confetti," created for the Joffrey Ballet in 1970. To purchase tickets by phone and for all ticket inquiries, please contact Tututix at (855) 222-2849 or (435) 222-2849 Option 5. Please direct all additional ticket inquiries to tickets@balletarkansas.org. Showtimes April 21st | 7:30 pm April 22nd |7:30 pm April 23rd | 2:30 & 7:30 pm April 24th | 2:30 pm About the digital option section - Select t... you would like to purchase and proceed to checkout. The link will be sent directly to your email address! Single Subscription | Four Seasons $25.00

Carolina Ballet (Raleigh, NC) also has live-streaming options. For example, their upcoming world-prem of company AD Zalman Raffael's Snow White will livestream on March 11 (unsure of cost but I bought access to their March 2021 livestream of Mozart Symphony 40 for about $35; great & clear stream): Snow White – Carolina Ballet Snow White will be livestreamed: Friday, March 11th. You will have the option to watch the show live on Friday or if for any reason you are unable to tune in to the livestream, the link will remain active throughout the weekend so that you may watch it at your leisure. Snow White will be available viewing until Sunday night March 13, 2022 at midnight. To purchase tickets for the livestream, contact the Box Office at boxoffice@carolinaballet.com or call us at 919-719-0900.

I truly enjoyed seeing Balanchine's Pavane over the weekend, within the "Short Stories" program. Sterling Hyltin was sublime in the brief but touching solo with the big blue scarf. I saw both the originator of the role, McBride back in the day, as well as Kyra Nichols during the 1990s. Only during this run did a curious idea hit me: Perhaps Balanchine created this work as a remembrance of Lydia Ivanova - his dear friend who drowned in a boating accident (or murdered, as some have suggested?) in 1924 before Balanchine and other young dancers set off on a tour of Western Europe? There are several instances during Pavane when the ballerina lifts the blue scarf in a way that suggests going under water. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Which reminds me - For those interested in early Balanchine and Lydia Ivanova, I highly recommend reading Elizabeth Kendall's Balanchine and the Lost Muse (2013 - Oxford Univ. Press). I'm sure that it can be found through BA's Amazon link.

It would have likely been canceled for other reasons, just as the Bolshoi Ballet's summer 2022 tour to the UK was canceled a couple of days ago. Sadly, this means that the two foreign offerings on the Kennedy Center ballet season of 21/22 ended up being canceled (China & Mariinsky). I asked for our family's money back (4 seats) in both cases. Our family will not subscribe to any theatrical offerings anywhere; at least, not for along long time. Hopefully the two remaining events that are of interest (ABT and NYCB) will take place. (We won't be in town for the last event.)

Camargo stars in the recent film (DVD) of the Dutch National Ballet's Coppelia, dancing Franz opposite Michaela DePrince's Swanilda-Swan. It's a different version of the ballet - (chor. Ted Brandsen/music Maurizio Malaghini). Amazon.com: Coppelia - Blu-ray + DVD : Michaela DePrince, Daniel Camargo, Jeff Tudor, Steven de Beul, Ben Tesseur: Movies & TV

Actually, Watermill is fantastic. I saw the revival a couple of years ago at BAM, starring Joaquin DeLuz. It's just an unusual piece, not easily grasped by average audiences.

Thanks, maps. I see now. It appeared to me as if the Kennedy Center was the "company holding on international touring". Good. So the other international ballet offering (Mariinsky) is still on.