jimmattimore

It's good to hear that Kathryn did a good job in R&J. I personally have never been a big fan of her dancing. She isn't clean enough for me (she doesn't ever hit 5th...) and so I was very stocked to see that she was going to be performing such a big part so quickly. Don't get me wrong, she is a beautiful dancer, I just think they could have waited a while before casting her. I don't think she was ready...

Does anyone else feel the same way?

I must gently disagree. I saw her in the 2005 SAB workshop, and she was so stunning that Iwrote her a note saying she would be IN NYCB in 2006.

To me she is fabulous.

Jim

A huge congratulations to the new apprentices!! I'm thrilled for all seven of them!! Still, awfully shocked not to see Erica Pereira's name among them... Perhaps she received another offer elsewhere that was too good to refuse... There is no doubt in my mind, after seeing the Workshop perfs, that Erica could dance anywhere and be a bright star!

I agree. She is wonderful. Jim

Hello? Anybody here? I'm away and need reports, please!

Ana and Tiler should be promoted now to soloist; they have been great. I saw "Russian Seasons" for a second time and maybe it's B, not C, but I still preferred "In Memory of." and "Western Symphony."

I'm elated for Kathryn Morgan whom I spotted in 2005 at SAB.

Hubbe out in "Western," the magnificent Damien in his place.

Somogyi was wonderful.

My mind drifts: Where is Monique? She must be gone since she is not listed.

I LOVE Georgina Pazcoquin.

So now we must wait for a gala in November , seeing a few "Nutcrackers" and awaiting Winter 2007.

I saw a nice "manon" today and will see two "Swan Lakes.

Cabro: I hope you are on vacation, not working.

Jim

I went to the Saturday Matinee SAB workshop. I thought Erica Pereira and Anthony Huxley(leads in Square Dance) stole the show. What a great pair. Erica was very light and quick on her feet. She danced with grace and ease. Anthony's solo was amazing. A well matched pair they looked like they were having fun!!!!!!

I agree with BSS that Huxley and Pereira were simply wonderful in Square Dance. The evening leads were equally accomplished, different in style. But Erica's lightness, quickness, and sheer joy in dancing were special, and Anthony exuded from his entire body, not needing facial expression to transmit emotion, passion and exquisite beauty. The coaching on all three pieces was, as usual, exceptional.

Huxley and Pereira were fabulous.

Kathryn Morgan was magnificent last year. better this one , and if she doesn't get a contract offer from Peter I will be stunned.

She is this year's Tiler Peck.

I love her.

And I do not love Scenes de Ballet.

To me "Square Dance" is with "Afternoon of a Faun" a perfect ballet.

I could watch "Square Dance" for days.

Jim Mattimore

This was a magnifect program with the wonderful students of The School of American Ballet Two highlights were Bourree Fantasque which hadn't been danced in New York since 1993, and Square Dance.

Suki Schorer coached the students brilliantly and I regard Square Dance as a PERFECT ballet.

I also rate Afternoon of a Faun as another Perfect ballet. Any other candidates balletomanes?

Jim Mattimore

Balletomanes of NYCB:

When did Kaitlyn Gilliand arrive? Is she SAB ? an apprentice? She looks to be a lovely dancer from my fourth ring aerie. She danced in the new Wheeldon, "Evenfall," which I thought was spectacular. Weese and Woetzel, Lowery and Sloan: what a treat. A tutu ballet with a lovely Bartok score. I was shocked and pleased.

The new Martins was very good, with a good score, and great dancing from all.

I wish I could afford to take you most (I am a mere novice,) brilliant dance critics to a gala one year so we could enjoy socializing with our dancers.

I am elated that Jennie S., and Maria K. are back.

Best of spring to all.

JIM

Thanks Dale for the update on Maria. I loved her in MND and also in In Vento. She's back. JIM

At "MND" this afternoon, my wife and I were gasping at the beauty of Miranda Weese's dancing in the divertissment: Those arms, the smoothness of all of her moves. A Wow performance for us, and we also loved seeing Kyra whom I think did not dance at all this winter.

We love daffoils, cherry trees, forsythia and NYCB; that's how we celebrate spring in NY.

JIM

I just saw the 4/27 performance and I thought Maria looked wonderful, and I am elated to have her back.

I am a big fan of Kristin Sloan, and she was a vibrant Helena.

And yes, those long lovely Kowroskian legs do extend.

A very light crowd tonight in the fourth ring.

I'll be seeing Kyra Saturday, and we look foward to that,

I love those SAB kids, and I can find not one moment when this ballet does not work for me.

The New Yorker seems to have removed from its website all material published before February 2005, i.e., the material contained in The Complete New Yorker dvd set, which, I notice, has come way, way down in price .

Carbro:

You are a love and a genius. I just love to read your entries. Wouldn't it be nice if ten of the Balletomanes on this site could actually afford a table at the gala?

That would be fun.

When my wife and I win LOTTO, we are treating all of you.

It has been pouring all weekend here on Long Island, and the sun finally broke out and on Thursday and Saturday, it'll be "MND."

I long for Thursday and Maria.

Best to all for a fun and long spring at NYCB.

JIM

Theres a great article about Edward and MCB in the April 23 issue of Newsday; the company willdance this upcoming weekend at the Tilles Center in Greenvale, Long Island.

JIM

I am delighted to say that I saw our Jenny Somogyi dancing tonight, and she looked great.

The Brahms-Schoenberg had Somogyi, Weese, Sloan and Sylvie; this is a ballet I love, and The dancing was great.

Jenny, Welcome back.

Next, I want to see the return Of Janie Taylor.

I just arrived home, and I am exhausted, but the new Peter Ballet (Is it Frisandes?) was good for five of the maybe twenty-five minutes. I found myself thinking about appetizers for my Sunday birthday dinner and the Poe stories I have to read for my lit classes on monday.

Ulbricht, Reichlen, Lowery were superb.

To bed.

Jim

Does Sterling Hyltin remind anyone - besides me - of Darci Kistler?

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Yes. Oberon, I agree.

And as she approaches 42, hasn't Darci been dancing as is she had just left SAB?

I hope she goes on for 18 more years.

JIM

Reporting from the 4th ring:

I don't love "Fancy Free," but what a flat and unexciting performance on Febraury 8. My God, I love Ringer and Woetzel, but there was no pizazz.

I love "In the Night" since I'm disposed toward the romantic, and yes, Wendy and Kyra and Rachel were grand; this is the first Kyra has danced this season. Why?

I watched a bit of "Fanfare," but I had to catch an early train.

JIM

I am delighted that this seems to be Wendy's year in the spotlight. She first had that wonderful article written about her in the Sunday Times' magazine, and now she graces the cover of POINTE.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

JIM

Michael: Ditto. I found it hauntingly beautiful . S and w were lyrical and lovely. Again I ask: why is the lovely Pauline Goblin NOT a soloist/ Some Peterdecisions-or non-decisions-drive me nuts. I enjoyed a great Thursday, found Mother Goose which I had never sen before a lot of fun for the corps. Best to all,

JIM

WOW!!!!!

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OBERON: In one word , you nailed it.

Am I right in believing she is the second oldest pricipal ballerina, Darci being the oldest?

A very insightful and wonderful artice by Chip Brown, a new name to me.

JIM

There's a long article and lots of photos of Wendy Whelan in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/magazine/22whelan.html

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Oberon, and Dale and all others.

May I add another 26000 WOWs for the wendy piece?

I love that woman, JIM

Oberon: I too was there, and you are absolutely speaking for me as well.

I agree that "Morgen" is the search for ideal love, the couples changing so often. A review in Newsday mentioned that Darci no longer had the hips for Movements.

Her hips seemed to be working very well tonight in "Morgen," maybe ?? the best of Peter's ballets to me at least.

I can tolerate the Opus thing for not one second. I fled in joy after "Morgen," and I am now happily home writing to you ballet mavens.

I did miss Jock.

As you all know. Sara Mearns turned 20 today. You all have seen more years than I at NYCB-and I am jealous of all of you- , but was ever a corps member thrust into Odille/Odette as was Sara?

I am really liking Hyltin.

Good night balletomanes and sleep well.

OBERON: I love your excitement. Jenny Ringer was totally in control and dazzling and I loved every second of her performance on January 12.

Lately , I am very fond of Tiler and Kristin. Happy 2006 to all of you brilliant posters who always teach me something.How did the Tracey sisters slip so quietly away?

JIM

Oops sorry,  I realize I omitted one of my very favorite performances of a corps member. the bravura performance of Craig Salstein in Rodeo. His joyous tap dancing was truly a high point of the season.

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ABT LOVERS:

I loved the season at CC, loved Part and Lane especially. Do not drop dead, but Gottlieb writing in the New York Obserever called the ABT season "triumphant." Ye Gads. Jim Mattimore

Balletomanes:

You and I love ballet. I have posted for two years and have learned so much from Alexandra and Carbro and Oberon and so many others. I feel we are not a wealthy group, but we are lovers. We can barely pay our mortgage, but for the past three years we have given a $100.00 to SAB, and the rewrads are wondrous: seeing rehearsals, seeing the Spring Gala. Just this night I saw Jock Soto teaching a partnering class. Shelby.....? a beautiful and gifted dancer at all of 14 was wonderful; she will make it, I think. We ballet lovers have much to be thankful for, and if you can squeeze out even five dollars, you will feel very good. I am home and I am happy.

Now, now, Farrrell Fan.  Let's be fair.  There are so few Balanchine ballets that when "Tarantella" was pulled -- undoubtedly for an excellent reason -- it would have been impossible to find a substitute

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Alexandra: That is a rippingly funny and wonderful line. Brava, JIM

We've lost a Principal, who can replace her?

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I'm writing this on September 27.  A friend who loves Alexandra is distraught since he only heard of her departure from NYCB yesterday.  This site contains the greatest balletomanes in the world, our Alexandra being number one.

Does anyone have some concrete news about whether she;ll join ABT or go elsewhere?

JIM

Most beautiful list:

Patricia Barker

Svetlana Zakharova

Callie Andre Robinson

JIM