aurora

Since poaching as you were using it is defined as "to take without permission and use as one's own: to poach ideas; a staff poached from other companies." I would say that is not splitting hairs and is a pretty nasty accusation. Obviously ABT uses guests. But you put a very nasty spin on it. Calling you on a very incorrect use of language is perfectly legitimate since that is not what ABT is doing.

Poaching has a connotation. Since Osipova danced with ABT before dancing with Royal it is impossible he "poached" her from them. I also think it is not the same to invite a guest and to poach a dancer which implies trying to steal them, but your mileage may vary.

what RB ballerina has he "poached."

Wow, that stage makeup is really something!!! o_O

I'd probably go to see what Gomes could make of a Romeo and Giraffe

Generally we are in agreement on all that, and I really was trying to make it clear that I didn't think *you* were intentionally implying she was just willy nilly withdrawing. Lets just all hope she doesn't have to withdraw from the R&Js. Merde to Osipova for a quick recovery!!

I made it extremely clear that what you said was the "truth." I just pointed out there was a way to very easily express that at least in the case of Bayadere and any possible further withdrawals, there was a clear and unfortunate reason for it. Given how incensed people have been over changes to casting, using 2 extra words to make that explicit would just be a nice thing to do.

Read that first statement and the second and apply logic. He pushes Hee Seo. He cares only about big stars. This makes no sense. One of the narratives on this board is clearly wrong, or at least flawed. I don't particularly like Hee Seo, and I know ABT does rely on the star system to an extent (this is NOT particular to him--it has gone on at ABT forever, and I notice pretty much everyone likes the star system to an extent when it is stars they themselves love). But to say he doesn't give dancer X or Y a chance because of the star system, and in virtually the same breath complain about too many chances being given to people like Hee Seo (and Isabella Boyston...or even Misty, who yes is a star in the eyes of many but has certainly put in her time toiling in the company ranks) is illogical to say the least. Hee Seo is not a star, she is probably the principal with the least star power. Also can we at least say something like "if Osipova is forced to withdraw" She had a fairly catastrophic fall in Giselle, it was not clear if she could get up, and when she did she was horrifically unsteady on her feat. She did finish the ballet (mostly partnered work) like a professional but it was obvious she was not 100% and she was visibly limping and having difficulty walking at curtain calls. One is of course entirely correct in calling her action with regards to Bayadere "withdrawing" --it is what she did, but it is not as if she chose to do so, and given all the moaning and rending of hair about cast changes it would be nice if that was made clear. I'm sure she would have preferred to not have fallen, not be injured, and to be able to perform as scheduled.

If ever there was a time for a like button--Drew's post is it for me I agree 100% with all of the above.

I find it interesting that so many are choosing Stiefel. I liked him as a dancer but he has led multiple institutions, all smaller. None successfully. He's left every post quite rapidly. I'm really unsure why anyone thinks he would be a good leader for ABT.

glad you are liking it!

This is not a spoiler. This was widely publicized. Sorry you aren't enjoying it.

Because Osipova got injured and a casting change is necessary? You do realize this happens everywhere.

I don't think he is. He may raise funds but he is clearly involved in rehearsals.

They also talked about the current economic situation and the fact that because of it the company can tour less, performs less, and that this makes every performance a must-sell out performance, with less freedom to make mistakes. This part of it was not a situation of his making, and they recognized that.

I saw her in the dress rehearsal on Friday. I thought she danced it rather beautifully, but she really doesn't have any sense of authority in the role, forget any hint of menace (which, as someone who is commanding people to dance until they die, you'd really expect).

I agree with you completely with the exception of his recent comment on Sterling Hyltin's eye makeup. Unlike all the others which, even in the overwhelmingly favorable review of Isabella Boylston, came across as snide and mean spirited, I read the comment on Hyltin's eyemakeup as a minor criticism, but not mean or really focusing on personal appearance (for one, it is much less personal than most of the others--even the hair as you change makeup much more frequently than hairdye). He seemed, if I recall, to be saying that she used her eyes dramatically, but that without emphasis from her makeup, they didn't read well enough in the house. That is something that is easily fixable and is an element of performance. If I read that about me in a review I wouldn't be hurt, I'd think huh, maybe I'll try it and see what people think.

He clearly wants to make the audience miserable and hate ABT by torturing us. There can be no other explanation for that and for dancers getting injured and then schedules changing so that we are inconvenienced.

I wasn't, I wasn't seriously suggesting you love Somova. I also got stuck with Shipulina and while I was glad to see the production, as a broke grad student who paid for a bus and a hotel, I'd say I was just as disappointed as everyone is on here about ABT I just didn't complain as much. I'm going to stop before I am discussing the discussion but I think it is more to do with some people being way over the top/emotionally invested in this, than the actual situation at ABT. If one really thinks it is a grand conspiracy, I think maybe it is time to step away (this is NOT directed at you Canbelto). Basta.

I was pretty displeased when the Bolshoi changed casts on me last minute a few years ago and I didn't get to see Osipova in Corsaire, and I'd be horrified with a lot of Mariinsky casts but I guess your mileage may vary. Maybe you love Somova and her ilk. Quite frankly it is really a bore to read anything about ABT on here now. The handwringing is so over the top.

This is a general response but Amour's comment seemed a good place to put it--Don't you all think that rather than bait and switch OR fraud this is probably very much related to these particular circumstances? As much as we love to complain about dancer X or Y not dancing at ABT, the company has not been bad about this. I'd guess the issue here is that it is Kent's last season, her last shot at these roles, and that she has a minor injury that she is not recovering from as fast as she would like. Should they pull her from the roles earlier? Maybe. But they are giving her the respect and honor of giving her every possible chance to get her last opportunities to dance them because this is it folks. She won't get to again. I feel terrible for her. Her last season reduced to this. Sad way to end her career. I'd actually argue ABT might deserve some credit for not preemptively pulling her and giving her the chance to salvage her final season but I know that isn't the narrative of ABT that flies here.

Ah I missed that article about her, so it was new to me. It thus appeared suddenly in 2 reviews here which were pretty scathing, and therefore was somewhat jarring. Thanks for the explanation.

This is the second post I've seen calling her "Bella". Is this a new thing? I always find it a bit weird when we start calling dancers we don't know by their first names, but are we now giving them nicknames too or is this a common way to refer to her and I've just missed it until now....

Link please?

Not this variation, but hops on point are a problem for a lot of dancers with very flexible feet. They have proved unpleasant for Veronika Part and for Alessandra Ferri. Both for that reason. You have to pull your ankle back slightly and not fully go over your foot to do them successfully.