BalletNut

I'm not sure it counts as a pas de deux per se, but I do love second movement Symphony in C. Count me in on "Titania and Cavalier" as well, and I'm also fond of the Apollo pas de deux between Apollo and Terpsichore. (Yes, I do like choreographers besides Balanchine. )

While I'm still sorry that he left SFB, I'll be very interested to hear/read reports about how he does in NY.

The program for SF Ballet's annual free performance at the Stern Grove Festival on Sunday, August 12, has been announced at this link. The program is Spring Rounds (Strauss/Taylor), Divertimento #15 (Mozart/Balanchine), and Elemental Brubeck (Brubeck/Lubovitch).

About 10 years ago, SF Ballet had Leah and Megan Watson.

Here is a list of promotions and new members from SFB's website. You can read the full press release here. Promotion/Level James Sofranko, Soloist New Company Members/Level Maria Kochetkova, Principal Dancer Julianne Kepley, Soloist Mateo Klemmayer, Soloist Gaetano Amico, Corps de Ballet Clara Blanco, Corps de Ballet Ludmila Campos, Corps de Ballet Charlene Cohen, Corps de Ballet Sasha De Sola, Corps de Ballet Damir Emric , Corps de Ballet Christopher Mondoux, Corps de Ballet Ashley Muangmaithong, Corps de Ballet Kendall Teague, Corps de Ballet Luke Willis, Corps de Ballet New Apprentices Owen Gaj, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company Sean Orza, San Francisco Ballet School

I'll start. Don Quixote, Opening Night, 28 April 2007 I wasn't sure what to expect out of Vanessa Zahorian as Kitri, but she more than delivered in this performance. I don't think I've ever seen anyone turn as fast as she did. Her fouettes earned thunderous applause from the audience, and her jumps were well executed. I never thought of her as an actress, but she hammed it up nicely, even if she was relying a bit heavily on facial expressions rather than comic timing. Davit Karapetyan made his debut as Basilio in that performance as well. He was technically flawless, and even impressive, but his acting needs a bit of work. I was expecting the world from Muriel Maffre's Mercedes, and maybe I shouldn't have been. Notwithstanding her amazingly flexible back, she seemed miscast in the role and didn't hold my attention the way she has in other ballets. That said, it was a fine performance; it's just that I've come to expect more from her. Nevertheless, she will be missed, as this was one of her last performances with SF Ballet. As Espada, Moises Martin was, again, technically perfect but dramatically a bit dull. I much preferred his brother Ruben in the same role the last time I saw Don Q. The rest of the company was a mixed bag. Hansuke Yamamoto and Pauli Magierek burned up the stage as the gypsy couple, while Frances Chung and Dores Andre as Kitri's friends couldn't seem to get in sync with each other even though they both danced beautifully. Yuan Yuan Tan and Elizabeth Miner as the Driad Queen and Cupid, respectively, were both beautiful, while the corps was mostly together in the driad scene as well as the seguidilla and fandango. Martin West conducted, and the tempi were much faster than what I was used to, especially during the Act 3 opening march. Fortunately, the dancers were able to keep up with it. I was disappointed that Tomasson cut the two bridesmaid variations, as I would have liked to see more of Andre and Chung's individual talents. Overall, however, this was a rousing finale to a slightly lackluster season at SFB.

If you're seeing Don Q, we'd love to hear/read your opinions of the performance!

From SFB's website: DON QUIXOTE Opening Night 4/28/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Vanessa Zahorian Basilio: Davit Karapetyan* DON QUIXOTE Matinee 4/29/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Kristin Long Basilio: Gennadi Nedvigin DON QUIXOTE Evening 5/1/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Tina LeBlanc Basilio: Gonzalo Garcia DON QUIXOTE Evening 5/2/2007, 7:30 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Molly Smolen^ Basilio: Tiit Helimets* DON QUIXOTE Evening 5/3/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Vanessa Zahorian Basilio: Davit Karapetyan DON QUIXOTE Evening 5/4/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Kristin Long Basilio: Gennadi Nedvigin DON QUIXOTE Matinee 5/5/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Molly Smolen Basilio: Tiit Helimets DON QUIXOTE Evening 5/5/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Tina LeBlanc Basilio: Gonzalo Garcia DON QUIXOTE Matinee 5/6/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Martin West Kitri: Vanessa Zahorian Basilio: Davit Karapetyan * Designates premiere in a role. Casting subject to change.

I will be at the evening performance on the 21st.

Even more: PROGRAM 6 Evening 4/13/2007, 8 PM NIGHT Conductor: Gary Sheldon Tina LeBlanc, Ruben Martin* INTERMISSION ON COMMON GROUND Conductor: Martin West Cello: David Kadarauch Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets Molly Smolen, Ruben Martin* INTERMISSION RODEO Conductor: Martin West Cowgirl: Kristin Long Wrangler: Aaron Orza Roper: Matthew Stewart Rancher’s Daughter: Pauli Magierek PROGRAM 7 Matinee 4/14/2007, 2 PM ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Rory Hohenstein Elizabeth Miner, James Sofranko* INTERMISSION CONCORDIA Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Pascal Molat Sarah Van Patten, Tiit Helimets INTERMISSION SYMPHONY IN C Conductor: Martin West 1st Movement: Tina LeBlanc, Davit Karapetyan 2nd Movement: Sarah Van Patten*, Moises Martin* 3rd Movement: Frances Chung*, Nicolas Blanc* 4th Movement: Elizabeth Miner, Hansuke Yamamoto PROGRAM 7 Evening 4/14/2007, 8 PM ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Gonzalo Garcia Katita Waldo, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION CONCORDIA Conductor: Martin West Kristin Long, Gennadi Nedvigin Muriel Maffre, Pierre-François Vilanoba INTERMISSION SYMPHONY IN C Conductor: Martin West 1st Movement: Vanessa Zahorian, Gonzalo Garcia 2nd Movement: Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets 3rd Movement: Molly Smolen, Pascal Molat 4th Movement: Frances Chung*, Garrett Anderson* PROGRAM 6 Matinee 4/15/2007, 2 PM NIGHT Conductor: Gary Sheldon Vanessa Zahorian, Tiit Helimets INTERMISSION ON COMMON GROUND Conductor: Martin West Cello: David Kadarauch Lorena Feijoo, Davit Karapetyan Tina LeBlanc, Joan Boada INTERMISSION RODEO Conductor: Martin West Cowgirl: Sarah Van Patten Wrangler: Brett Bauer* Roper: Garrett Anderson Rancher’s Daughter: Pauli Magierek

More from SFB's website: PROGRAM 7 Opening Night 4/11/2007, 7:30 PM ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Gonzalo Garcia Katita Waldo, Ruben Martin* INTERMISSION CONCORDIA Conductor: Martin West Kristin Long*, Gennadi Nedvigin* Muriel Maffre*, Pierre-François Vilanoba* INTERMISSION SYMPHONY IN C Conductor: Martin West 1st Movement: Vanessa Zahorian*, Gonzalo Garcia 2nd Movement: Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets* 3rd Movement: Molly Smolen*, Pascal Molat* 4th Movement: Sarah Van Patten*, Hansuke Yamamoto* PROGRAM 7 Evening 4/12/2007, 8 PM ELEMENTAL BRUBECK Music: Tape Rory Hohenstein Katita Waldo, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION CONCORDIA Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian*, Pascal Molat* Sarah Van Patten*, Tiit Helimets* INTERMISSION SYMPHONY IN C Conductor: Martin West 1st Movement: Tina LeBlanc, Davit Karapetyan* 2nd Movement: Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets 3rd Movement: Kristin Long, Gennadi Nedvigin 4th Movement: Elizabeth Miner*, Hansuke Yamamoto * Designates premiere in a role. Casting subject to change.

If you're seeing Program 6 and/or Program 7, please post about it on this thread.

Casting is up for Programs 6 and 7. PROGRAM 6 Opening Night 4/4/2007, 7:30 PM NIGHT Conductor: Gary Sheldon Tina LeBlanc, Ruben Martin* INTERMISSION ON COMMON GROUND Conductor: Martin West Cello: David Kadarauch Lorena Feijoo*, Davit Karapetyan* Tina LeBlanc*, Joan Boada* INTERMISSION RODEO Conductor: Martin West Cowgirl: Kristin Long Wrangler: Ruben Martin Roper: Rory Hohenstein Rancher’s Daughter: Pauli Magierek PROGRAM 6 Evening 4/5/2007, 8 PM NIGHT Conductor: Gary Sheldon Tina LeBlanc, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION ON COMMON GROUND Conductor: Martin West Cello: David Kadarauch Sarah Van Patten*, Tiit Helimets* Molly Smolen*, Ruben Martin* INTERMISSION RODEO Conductor: Martin West Cowgirl: Tina LeBlanc Wrangler: Aaron Orza* Roper: Garrett Anderson Rancher’s Daughter: Alexandra Meyer-Lorey

Thank you, Helene. JoannaA, you're more than welcome to post about ballets you've been seeing on this site, but Ballet Talk For Dancers is indeed a better place for your inquiry. I'm closing this thread.

I'm both surprised and not surprised. Surprised it happened now, mid-season (Tomasson usually waits until later in the season to promote people), but not surprised that it happened to these two, who've been doing a lot of principal roles lately. It will be interesting to see how they develop in their careers.

Even more casting: PROGRAM 5 Evening 3/20/2007, 8 PM PACIFIC Piano: Roy Bogas Violin: Roy Malan Cello: David Kadarauch Nicolas Blanc, Tina LeBlanc Garrett Anderson, James Sofranko, Steven Norman Elana Altman*, Courtney Elizabeth, Brooke Taylor Moore, Maureen Choi -Pause- CAROUSEL (A DANCE) Conductor: Martin West Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-François Vilanoba INTERMISSION THE FIFTH SEASON Conductor: Martin West Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets Katita Waldo, Gonzalo Garcia Rachel Viselli, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION FANCY FREE Conductor: Martin West Benjamin Stewart, Rory Hohenstein, Ruben Martin Sarah Van Patten Courtney Elizabeth, Mariellen Olson PROGRAM 5 Evening 3/21/2007, 7:30 PM PACIFIC Piano: Roy Bogas Violin: Roy Malan Cello: David Kadarauch Gennadi Nedvigin, Frances Chung David Arce, Jaime Garcia Castilla*, Rory Hohenstein* Katita Waldo, Sarah Van Patten*, Dana Genshaft*, Vanessa Zahorian* -Pause- CAROUSEL (A DANCE) Conductor: Martin West Dana Genshaft, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION THE FIFTH SEASON Conductor: Martin West Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun, Pierre-François Vilanoba Lorena Feijoo, Davit Karapetyan Rachel Viselli, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION FANCY FREE Conductor: Martin West Benjamin Stewart, Rory Hohenstein, Ruben Martin Sarah Van Patten Courtney Elizabeth, Mariellen Olson PROGRAM 4 Evening 3/22/2007, 8 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION CHI-LIN Conductor: Martin West Violin: Roy Malan Piccolo: Julie Mackenzie Dragon: Davit Karapetyan Tortoise: Pierre-François Vilanoba Phoenix: Nicolas Blanc Chi-Lin: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun* INTERMISSION EDEN/EDEN Conductor: Gary Sheldon Yuan Yuan Tan*, Tiit Helimets* Pascal Molat, Dana Genshaft Rory Hohenstein, Katita Waldo Jaime Garcia Castilla, Hayley Farr, Moises Martin PROGRAM 5 Evening 3/23/2007, 8 PM PACIFIC Piano: Roy Bogas Violin: Roy Malan Cello: David Kadarauch Gennadi Nedvigin, Tina LeBlanc David Arce, Jaime Garcia Castilla, Rory Hohenstein Elana Altman, Courtney Elizabeth, Dana Genshaft, Vanessa Zahorian CAROUSEL (A DANCE) Conductor: Martin West Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-François Vilanoba INTERMISSION THE FIFTH SEASON Conductor: Martin West Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets Katita Waldo, Gonzalo Garcia Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-François Vilanoba INTERMISSION FANCY FREE Conductor: Martin West Pascal Molat, Garrett Anderson, Gonzalo Garcia Vanessa Zahorian Erin McNulty, Elana Altman PROGRAM 4 Matinee 3/24/2007, 2 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION CHI-LIN Conductor: Martin West Violin: Roy Malan Piccolo: Julie Mackenzie Dragon: Davit Karapetyan Tortoise: Pierre-François Vilanoba Phoenix: Jaime Garcia Castilla Chi-Lin: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun INTERMISSION EDEN/EDEN Conductor : Gary Sheldon Muriel Maffre, Gonzalo Garcia Pascal Molat, Dana Genshaft Rory Hohenstein, Katita Waldo James Sofranko*, Margaret Karl*, Moises Martin PROGRAM 4 Evening 3/24/2007, 8 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION CHI-LIN Conductor: Martin West Violin: Roy Malan Piccolo: Julie Mackenzie Dragon: Pierre-François Vilanoba Tortoise: Tiit Helimets Phoenix: Hansuke Yamamoto Chi-Lin: Yuan Yuan Tan INTERMISSION EDEN/EDEN Conductor: Gary Sheldon Muriel Maffre, Gonzalo Garcia Pascal Molat, Dana Genshaft Rory Hohenstein, Katita Waldo Jaime Garcia Castilla, Hayley Farr, Moises Martin PROGRAM 5 Matinee 3/25/2007, 2 PM PACIFIC Piano: Roy Bogas Violin: Roy Malan Cello: David Kadarauch Garrett Anderson*, Frances Chung Ruben Martin, James Sofranko, Steven Norman Katita Waldo, Sarah Van Patten, Dana Genshaft, Vanessa Zahorian -Pause- CAROUSEL (A DANCE) Conductor: Martin West Dores Andre, Joan Boada INTERMISSION THE FIFTH SEASON Conductor: Martin West Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun, Pierre-François Vilanoba Lorena Feijoo, Davit Karapetyan Rachel Viselli, Ruben Martin INTERMISSION FANCY FREE Conductor: Martin West Matthew Stewart, James Sofranko, Davit Karapetyan Pauli Magierek* Danielle Santos*, Mariellen Olson * Designates premiere in a role. Casting subject to change.

Program 5, 17 March 2007 Pacific As far as SFB is concerned, it's almost a shibboleth to say anything negative about Mark Morris, but I'm sorry to report that I didn't like this ballet. It was short enough that there was no need for an intermission between it and the next ballet, but it still felt over-long. Choreographically, it's in a category with Taylor's Spring Rounds and any other flowy, fusiony modern ballet where there are few if any identifiable principal roles, every corps dancer gets their own little solo, and which invariably end with everyone dancing in joyous, upbeat circles in their gauzy, hand-dyed costumes. Not bad the first time you see something like that, but a couple of seasons of this stuff and it gets tiresome. And the music was sort of awful. Sorry, but that's my reaction. Carousel (A Dance) Much, much better than Pacific. Wheeldon is an actual ballet choreographer, unlike Morris, and it shows. I've been a little iffy about whether he's the true heir to Balanchine's legacy, and I still am, but I liked this ballet a lot more than I'd liked his other works. Dana Genshaft was sweet and innocent in the MacMillan-esque central pas de deux, and the corps dancers, particularly the women, particularly Pauli Magierek and Jennifer Stahl, seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. Holly Hynes' costumes were also quite nice. The Fifth Season If Pacific belongs to the same category as Spring Rounds, then The Fifth Season belongs to the same category as The Tuning Game (also Tomasson), and any other unitard-clad ballet by the Sons of Balanchine to atonal music. Parts of it were still enjoyable, however, especially the finale. Tiit Helimets, Katita Waldo, Yuan Yuan Tan, and Sarah Van Patten were in fine form in this piece. Fancy Free I really, really wanted to like this ballet, and this performance, and I did, but not as much as I should have. Perhaps it was my own fatigue from the other three ballets, but it didn't seem like the three sailors and one of the passers-by (Vanessa Zahorian, in the purple costume) had as much energy as they should have. A pity, because the ballet obviously requires energy, boundless energy, even in the slow parts. Erin McNulty (passer-by with the purse) had it, as did Elana Altman and, strangely enough, the bartender (Quinn Wharton). I'm not saying the sailors (Garrett Anderson, Gonzalo Garcia, and Pascal Molat) didn't dance well, because they did. What was missing was the machismo and almost-hyperactivity that make this a great ballet. Without it, it becomes a show in gymnastics with the flavor of a watery Popeye cartoon. Just saying. (By the way, thank you, Talespinner, for posting about Program 4. I hope other people post about these programs, too. )

Please share your opinions of Programs 4 and 5 on this thread.

Casting, from SFB's website: PROGRAM 4 Opening Night 3/13/2007, 8 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION CHI-LIN Conductor: Martin West Piccolo: Julie Mackenzie Dragon: Pierre-François Vilanoba* Tortoise: Tiit Helimets* Phoenix: Hansuke Yamamoto Chi-Lin: Yuan Yuan Tan INTERMISSION EDEN/EDEN Conductor: Gary Sheldon Muriel Maffre*, Gonzalo Garcia* Pascal Molat*, Dana Genshaft* Rory Hohenstein*, Katita Waldo* Jaime Garcia Castilla*, Hayley Farr*, Moises Martin* PROGRAM 4 Evening 3/14/2007, 7:30 PM SPRING ROUNDS Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian, Garrett Anderson INTERMISSION CHI-LIN Conductor: Martin West Piccolo: Julie Mackenzie Dragon: Davit Karapetyan* Tortoise: Tiit Helimets Phoenix: Hansuke Yamamoto Chi-Lin: Yuan Yuan Tan INTERMISSION EDEN/EDEN Conductor: Gary Sheldon Muriel Maffre, Gonzalo Garcia Pascal Molat, Dana Genshaft Rory Hohenstein, Katita Waldo Jaime Garcia Castilla, Hayley Farr, Moises Martin

Even more casting: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Evening 3/2/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Aurora: Yuan Yuan Tan Prince Desiré: Tiit Helimets Lilac Fairy: Muriel Maffre Carabosse: Anita Paciotti Bluebird: Hansuke Yamamoto Enchanted Princess: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Matinee 3/3/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Ormsby Wilkins Aurora: Tina LeBlanc Prince Desiré: Gennadi Nedvigin Lilac Fairy: Sarah Van Patten Carabosse: Parrish Maynard Bluebird: Joseph Phillips Enchanted Princess: Elizabeth Miner THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Evening 3/3/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Ormsby Wilkins Aurora: Vanessa Zahorian Prince Desiré: Gonzalo Garcia Lilac Fairy: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun Carabosse: Muriel Maffre Bluebird: Joan Boada Enchanted Princess: Katita Waldo THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Matinee 3/4/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Martin West Aurora: Yuan Yuan Tan Prince Desiré: Tiit Helimets Lilac Fairy: Muriel Maffre Carabosse: Anita Paciotti Bluebird: Hansuke Yamamoto Enchanted Princess: Frances Chung

Opening Night, 24 February 2007 Princess Aurora: Yuan Yuan Tan Prince Desire: Tiit Helimets Lilac Fairy: Muriel Maffre Fairy of Darkness (Carabosse): Anita Paciotti Bluebird: Joan Boada Enchanted Princess: Katita Waldo This performance looked interesting on paper, to say the least. Although I had seen Maffre and Waldo in their respective roles and had heard good things about Helimets as a prince, I was having a hard time picturing Yuan Yuan Tan as Aurora. Fortunately, she was quite good, even if one never forgot that one was watching Yuan Yuan Tan dancing Aurora; her technique was fabulous even though she didn't completely inhabit the role. Her Rose Adagio was especially noteworthy and well-received. It didn't sound like the music was slowed down for the balances to last longer than usual, but they did indeed last longer than usual, and generated significant applause both at the beginning and at the end. As Prince Desire, Tiit Helimets started out somewhat aloof, but warmed up by the wedding pas. He is an excellent partner, rather self-effacing in his efforts to showcase his ballerina. Tan was somewhat cool in the vision scene, but perhaps she intended to be. It was wonderful seeing Muriel Maffre as the Lilac Fairy in one of her last performances of the role before she departs SFB at the end of the season. Her prologue variation was performed as though she was savoring every single step. She overpowered Anita Paciotti's Fairy of Darkness both physically and dramatically in the scenes they had together, and used her upper body to great effect in the vision scene and apotheosis. Other notable performances included Joan Boada's Bluebird, with impeccable batterie and musicality; Sarah van Patten's Fairy of Generosity (the 2nd fairy), which devoured space on the stage; and Molly Smolen both as the Fairy of Courage and the Diamond Fairy, where she moved with a snappy staccato and impressive elevation. The corps appeared fairly well-rehearsed, even if not in perfect unison all of the time, but still happy to be dancing this piece. The weak point of the performance was the music, oddly enough. The problem was twofold: Tomasson has seen fit to cut up pieces of the score and either insert them where they do not belong, or omit sections altogether. This is most jarring at Aurora's awakening, where the gong sounds and there is quiet music, followed by the joyous Act 2 Finale music with no intermediate music in between. It was awkward, to say the least. The second problem was with the orchestra itself. It seemed that some of the musicians were missing their cues; this was most noticeable at the start of the Puss In Boots variation (danced admirably and humorously by Dores Andre and Matthew Stewart, regardless), when the oboe missed the opening notes of the variation. Otherwise, it was a wonderful performance. It would be interesting to hear how other people felt about this and other casts in SFB's Sleeping Beauty, and I look forward to reading all of your posts.

More casting: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Evening 2/27/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Ormsby Wilkins Aurora: Tina LeBlanc Prince Desiré: Gennadi Nedvigin* Lilac Fairy: Sarah Van Patten* Carabosse: Parrish Maynard Bluebird: Joan Boada Enchanted Princess: Kristin Long THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Evening 2/28/2007, 7:30 PM Conductor: Ormsby Wilkins Aurora: Vanessa Zahorian Prince Desiré: Gonzalo Garcia* Lilac Fairy: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun* Carabosse: Muriel Maffre Bluebird: Hansuke Yamamoto* Enchanted Princess: Frances Chung* THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Evening 3/1/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Aurora: Rachel Viselli Prince Desiré: Davit Karapetyan Lilac Fairy: Elana Altman Carabosse: Anita Paciotti Bluebird: Joseph Phillips* Enchanted Princess: Elizabeth Miner

Casting has been posted for the first two performances: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Opening Night 2/24/2007, 8 PM Conductor: Martin West Aurora: Yuan Yuan Tan Prince Desiré: Tiit Helimets^ Lilac Fairy: Muriel Maffre Carabosse: Anita Paciotti Bluebird: Joan Boada Enchanted Princess: Kristin Long THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Matinee 2/25/2007, 2 PM Conductor: Martin West Aurora: Rachel Viselli* Prince Desiré: Davit Karapetyan* Lilac Fairy: Elana Altman* Carabosse: Parrish Maynard Bluebird: Hansuke Yamamoto* Enchanted Princess: Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun*

10 February 2007, Program 1 A few notes about this performance: Divertimento #15: This was technically well-danced, but something was missing. It seemed that the dancers were performing this out of duty more than out of enjoyment. I wish they'd had the enthusiasm for Balanchine that I do, but instead they tended to treat this, as they do many "classical" ballets, like brussels sprouts: it's good for you, but they'd rather eat/dance something else. On the topic of food, Sandra Woodall's redesign of the costumes produced tutus that resembled wedding cakes. Aunis: It's a cute ballet that had the audience in giggles a few times. The accordion music sounded fine at the beginning, but got old after a while. The steps reminded me of the "klezmer" section of Magrittomania (Possokhov), which of course was choreographed later. Overall an energetic and spirited performance, but the choreography became a bit repetitive after a while, as did the score. Artifact Suite: Half of this ballet I liked, half I disliked. I was not terribly impressed with the Bach section, where the fire curtain slams into the stage at odd intervals. I felt that part was gimmicky, and the puke-yellow costumes in the first half did not help matters. Nevertheless, there was a fine performance from Muriel Maffre bending her limbs every which way. The second half was helped by different costumes, and energy from the corps that I wish I'd seen in Divertimento. I was especially fond of the finale. Pauli Magierek was a standout in the ensemble.

Even more casting: PROGRAM 1 Matinee 2/10/2007, 2:00 p.m. DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15 Conductor: George Cleve Nicolas Blanc, Ruben Martin, Hansuke Yamamoto Tina LeBlanc Vanessa Zahorian, Frances Chung, Elizabeth Miner, Rachel Viselli -pause- AUNIS Rory Hohenstein, Garrett Anderson, James Sofranko INTERMISSION ARTIFACT SUITE Piano: Michael McGraw Muriel Maffre, Pierre-François Vilanoba Kristin Long, Joan Boada Elana Altman PROGRAM 1 Evening 2/10/2007, 8:00 p.m. DIVERTIMENTO NO. 15 Conductor:George Cleve Nicolas Blanc, Gennadi Nedvigin, Jaime Garcia Castilla Kristin Long Vanessa Zahorian, Frances Chung, Elizabeth Miner, Rachel Viselli -pause- AUNIS Rory Hohenstein, Joan Boada, Pascal Molat INTERMISSION ARTIFACT SUITE Piano: Michael McGraw Muriel Maffre, Pierre-François Vilanoba Tina LeBlanc, Gonzalo Garcia Elana Altman PROGRAM 2 Matinee 2/11/2007,2:00 p.m. BLUE ROSE Piano: Natal’ya Feygina Violin: Roy Malan Tina LeBlanc, Elana Altman*, Vanessa Zahorian Pascal Molat, Moises Martin*, Davit Karapetyan* INTERMISSION THE DANCE HOUSE Conductor: Martin West Piano: Michael McGraw Kristin Long, Rory Hohenstein Molly Smolen, Tiit Helimets Elizabeth Miner, James Sofranko INTERMISSION FIREBIRD Conductor: Martin West Kaschei: Garrett Anderson Firebird: Lily Rogers Prince: Ruben Martin Princess: Sarah Van Patten