bingham

12 hours ago, Drew said:

I saw the Ratmansky Don Q on video and loved it. Another selling point for ABT trying to appeal to a wide audience might be that it is not committed to 19th-century performance styles...and it is a thrilling bravura evening for a contemporary audience. But  the Dutch National Ballet production I would most like ABT to get is their Raymonda which has traditional choreography but jettisons the most problematic parts of the "Crusades" story line by drawing out an element in the story that can be seen as potentially implicit in the original anyway. (Not implicit in its creators' intentions, but in the way that the story plays in the theater. Most of us are pretty ho-hum about Jean de Brienne--but an exciting Abderrakhman?)

When it comes to ABT, I have long been team Ratmansky, but I can't say I'm convinced his Swan Lake is the best choice for them. 

Presumably money as well as legal rights will dictate many of the decisions to be made.

 

ITA with Raymonda .such a beautiful production.

       I'm probably in minority here but  it looks like except for the Seasons and Seven Sonatas , none of his ABT  commissions  has been very well received to be revive.. Instead of a resident choreographer, ABT would be better off hiring an additional coach of Irina Kolpakova quality. Just my opinion.

46 minutes ago, volcanohunter said:

Ballet companies can't dip into their historical repertoire at will. Generally speaking, licensing contracts for performing rights last three years. Since Swan Lake, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet have been performed recently, it's safe to say those licensing agreements are active. Plus there is an existing agreement concerning Like Water for Chocolate, and unless the ballet is a total flop, those rights will be used to the maximum before any major new acquisitions will be considered. Any ballet that hasn't been performed for more than three years, and post Covid-canceled seasons that accounts for a lot of repertoire, would require a new licensing agreement. They will come, but given the financial condition of many ballet companies today, they have to make good use of the money they've already spent before they start a new spree.

 That makes sense. I never knew of the licensing part. One learns so much in this site. Thanks VH.

1 minute ago, Fleurfairy said:

Agree, dullsville. ABT just does not know how to get their programming right lately. And yes The Dream came back (for 3 paltry performances) but where's the rest of Ashton? I'd love to see La Fille Mal Gardee and Cinderella. Where has DeMille been???? I have been watching Ballet West's IG rehearsals clips of Rodeo and it makes me sad that NY hasn't seen this in at least a decade. 

NY audience, in general, don’t like these ballets anymore. La Fille , a long Time favorite , does not attract audience. Maybe , with Skylarand Cassie with Danil It will be an attraction.😒again

Any news on the Met season next year? It’s usually announced at the end of the fall season. Maybe, they’re waiting for Susan Jaffe ‘s arrival.

1 hour ago, ECat said:

Congratulations to Jose Martinez! My guess is that he will be a very fine director.

Hoping there will be more classical ballet.

1 hour ago, nysusan said:

Doesn't mean he's going to be with them forever 😉. Don't most companies run with 1 year contracts?

I hope so…

40 minutes ago, cobweb said:

After seeing them in the Tharp program, how about Benjamin Freemantle or Julian MacKay? 

Julian is with Munich Ballet.

2 hours ago, Buddy said:

Anything new about the very young and hopefully very promising Elisabeth Beyer ?

She is still with the StudioCo on tour until the end of their season. She will be an apprentice with the main company in September.Actually ,the StudioCo dancers have more performances of major roles than a corps de ballet of the main company. A good preparation for the future.

I think they just started rehearsing for the season so the bigwigs are still watching who to cast. Just a thought.

On 8/30/2022 at 3:54 PM, balletlover08 said:

According to StudioCo instagram here is the following promotions. 

Elisabeth Beyer (yay!), Tillie Glatz, Yuma Matsuura and Aleisha Walker are joining the company as apprentices. 

and Maddie Brown, Finial Carmechi, Kayke Carvalho, Yeonseo Choi (She's only 16 and was a finalist at the 22 prix and her lilac fairy solo was great), Kyra Coco, Brady Farrar (wow, I've been following him since he won the hope award at YAGP), Ayami Goto, Takumi Mayake (just graduated from Royal Ballet School, danced the lead in Raymonda at their grad show VERY talented according to those who saw the performance), Vince Pelegrin, Sylvie Squires, Alejandro Valero Outlaw. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5bfIIvG5j/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5bOwYvUNU/

The 2022-23 roster is out.All of last season’s apprentices have been promoted to the Corps de ballet. With the new apprentices,there are more than 90 dancers in the company. The most for a number of years now. Excited for all the talented newcomers. Hoping they make use of them.

J Klein danced the boy in the last run of WC.

1 hour ago, abatt said:

I have always liked Devon in SL.  She keeps getting better in the role.  Her long limbs are put to full use here in creating a gorgeous Odette, fully stretched lines and beautiful use of her arms, neck and back.   She handled the ballroom scene allegro work with attack, knocking out multiple doubles in the fouette portion with very little traveling.  Ahn's work was  respectable, but never electrifying.  He had no trouble with the partnering.  His big solo in Act I was beautifully done.  He has gorgeous lines and his legs are extremely long.  However, his work in the ballroom scene tended to be a bit conservative. Hopefully he will gain confidence as the run continues.  As might be anticipated, I felt there was no chemistry between the lead couple.

I thought J. Sebastian did a great job as Purple Rothbart.  He had a commanding presence, and he executed the choreography without difficulty.  

Benno was Hoven, who danced with Hurlin and Williams.

 

 

In Devon’s IG a few weeks ago, she had coaching sessions with , Isabelle Guerin, one of the great Etoiles of the Nureyev period at POB. If ABT would need an additional classical coach , they don’t have t look far for one.

Maybe, it’s time to give a chance to one of the talented corps men like R Klein or P Frenette. I don’t know if ABT do it but they should always have someone understudy the main roles.

On 5/30/2022 at 10:13 AM, California said:

The ABT site actually lists five versions of Raymonda:

• Raymonda (Divertissements - Baryshnikov)
• Raymonda (Grand Pas Classique - Baryshnikov)
• Raymonda (Act III - Bujones)
• Raymonda (Holmes)
• Raymonda Divertissements (Kolpakova/McKenzie)

Actually, ABT did Nureyev’s version in the Mid -seventies. I remembered, C Gregory, MV Hamel and G Kirkland danced the leading role.

20 hours ago, nanushka said:

A new article in the Washington Post outlines some of Jaffe's plans for ABT. First, audience education:

Also, a repertory overhaul:

OH NO! She's being politically correct already. There is always something that will offend someone in all ballet. Let's just give her a chance.

When M Baryshnikov left ABT, I think, h e also did not allow the cup variation to be included in K Mc's staging. Cornejo would have been great doing this variation a few years ago.

4 minutes ago, fondoffouettes said:

I don't think they would have have bothered to produce this tribute video if they had an in-person retirement planned for her. But I'd relish any opportunity to see her even in a character role. She has such an incredibly expressive face and upper body. 

I don't expect much from ABT's video productions, but they could have bothered to have more than two talking heads in this tribute video. It would have added so much energy and interest to have more interviewees. They also flipped the chronological order of her first Giselle and her promotion to principal. I don't think the narrative would have suffered from telling it in the order it happened. The looping Giselle music was pretty ridiculous after a while.

 

Are they considering her and Sascha for the AD position? Just wondering.

Margot Fonteyn danced Lady Capulet in one of her last performances. Stella can do that too.

SFB had announced it’s new Artistic Director. When is ABT announcing their new AD?

 Kevin Mc will be leaving ABT in 7 months ? Surely, ABT is looking for a new one now. There has been no official news  yet. Any ideas for possible candidates?

Thanks, Barbara.

Any reports on Gillian- Thomas   Giselle?

ABT usually announces the Spring Season during the fall season. Maybe, next week?

We saw Katie Williams in her Met debut of Myrtha a while back{ who can remember when one last saw a live performance}. We thought it was a very impressive debut. Her bourees were so smooth and fast that it look like she was skating, Sorry , i could not describe it more technically. Anyway, i think she deserves to get a major role. soon, i hope.

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