Amour

. danc1988, the grieving woman tonight in Infra was Lauren Cuthbertson, who the work was created on. Nunez danced the final PDD that came last in the piece. More thoughts, later.

Well, this was my 3rd night at the RB, my 2nd seeing Golding and Osipova (and Zucchetti as Puck) in The Dream. Tonight I saw The Dream from Row B orchestra (Side) and Song of The Earth from Row D (thank you Goldstar). Sitting so close is a very different experience from further back, where I usually sit, so it's hard to compare performances. It's never my choice to sit so close. The first thing I noticed about The Dream was how EXTREMELY hard the role of Oberon is. Much more difficult than any other in the ballet. Going, as Golding did, from 6 pirouettes into a penchée or arabesque? Wow! And he has to do that multiple times. The role of Titania is really nothing. Thankfully, no mishaps from Osipova tonight. But I really don't like (or understand) how she does the quick pencil turns basically in 5th position. I far preferred Sarah Lamb, who did them with the working leg 1 foot away from the standing leg. I also think Osipova simply isn't elegant enough as Titania. One thing I did notice was how soft her point shoes look. Like she's taken out the shank and totally destroyed the toe box. Usually dancers do that so their feet look better (assuming they're strong enough not to need the support). But her feet are still just so-so. Also, because I was on the side I could see Matt warming up (mainly his feet) to make his entrance. Very distracting yet funny. Zucchetti has nice long legs, a nice split jump but still Cornejo owns the role of Puck. Sorry. As Drew noted, the ballet received fairly warm applause. For NYers the applause has been a bit tepid most of the week. But based on when I saw the Mariinsky in London last August, London audiences are VERY restrained. No clapping during the performance and certainly no cheering or bravos at the end (except for me). So I'm sure the RB dancers are not offended. Song of The Earth had Cuthbertson in the lead tonight and again Lara Turk subbed for an apparently injured Melissa Hamilton in the 4th Song. Ryochi Hirano did the male lead with Watson again as the Messenger of Death. I have never been much of a Cuthbertson fan before but I loved her tonight! I thought she was exquisite, very moving and emotional. And what a gorgeous face!! It showed every emotion possible. After the show, at the stage door, she was mobbed by about 30 female SAB students. She graciously signed autographs and took pictures while her boyfriend waited with her flowers and presents in hand for at least 30 minutes. I have to say I liked Kish way more than Hirano. He has longer limbs, better technique and looks to be a better partner. I thought Lara Turk was lovely. Tall, long limbed, strong technique and able to emote. She's definitely one to watch. Watson was the same. I have to say I still don't understand this ballet, even after reading the poems. But I liked it a lot more. And, finally, towards the end, I saw some recognizable Macmillan steps. Now on to the rep program. I have to say I'm really enjoying the RB and thrilled I missed all the mediocre (or worse) ABT SLs.

So I was at tonight's (Thursday) performance of the RB. I can't believe it but AGAIN Osipova slipped and fell on her butt (she was Titania in The Dream). It was at the beginning of the ballet but she got up and performed the rest of the ballet just fine. Afterwards, Golding told me she was unhurt (except maybe her pride). I actually liked Sarah Lamb better last night. Lamb's footwork and the series of super quick pencil turns were better. I liked Golding better than McRae but still no comparison to Ethan. Puck was Valentino Zucchetti. Not as good as last night's James Hay. And sorry but Cornejo just owns that role. I liked Song of The Earth better tonight. Maybe I was just better prepared to be puzzled. But I found Laura Morera infinitely more interesting than Nunez. Ed Watson was The Messenger of Death. I think Acosta brought more drama and technique to the role. Tonight Nehemiah Kish was fantastic, much better than last night. Tall, long limbed, strong technique. But I really need to read the poems before tomorrow night (when I go again.).

nysusan was there. I believe she talked about the performance but it's a few pages upthread. She was not impressed.

Geez! What a gushing piece of crap article. I like Sara but WTH.

Oh no. I'm afraid I might be an outlier view on tonight. First The Dream. It was very informative (as Macauley noted in his review of the RB's opening night) to have seen it so soon after Balanchine's Midsummer (which I saw 3 times this season). IMO, Midsummer is a far better piece. First, I just couldn't get over how Ashton has mangled and cut up Mendelssohn's music. I found this tremendously disturbing. Then, I just think ABT (for all I am hating it this year) does a better accounting of the piece. As mimsyb noted, James Hay was fine as Puck but Cornejo just owns that role now. As for McRae, I was not impressed. I didn't dislike him as much as I did in the ABT Giselle with Osipova (when she got injured) but he did nothing to dispel the memories I have of Ethan performing Oberon when ABT first brought The Dream to NYC. Those flying arms on the diagonal that Oberon does.... Ethan did those so fast it did look like he was flying. McRae did do some very,very fast (and clean) chainées but that's about all I found admirable. I did like Sarah Lamb as Titania, nice feet and footwork, nice lines, good interpretation. Is she better than Gillian was last year (even with her sprained ankle)? I think not. The 4 lovers, especially Hermia (Christina Arestis) and Lysander (Valeri Hristov) were entirely forgettable. Bennet Gartside as Bottom was only ok but I know him from Twitter and he's a great guy so I won't complain. The corps were basically good, especially the pliancy of their torsos and arms, but they sounded like a herd of elephants. I was truly surprised. I NEVER hear any sound when NYCB performs. Do these girls not bang out their shoes? Anyway, it was an ok performance of an ok ballet. (Better than going to ABT IMO) Then Song of the Earth. I have never seen this before, not even on YT. And unlike Drew, I like the Macmillan of Manon and R&J so I didn't quite know what to make of it. I was prepared to see all this intricate partnering and it really just wasn't like that at all. I really wanted to like Carlos' Messenger of Death, but to be blunt, he is too old and looks out of shape. His grand jetes are neither high nor fast. I remember when he danced a spring season with ABT maybe 20 years ago. He was spectacular , just like his fellow Cuban, Carrēno. And, as Andie Vyette openly discussed in some recent interview, once men hit 30 their legs and butts begin to change: they get bigger and softer. Anyway, there was Marianela. She was the lead female and I liked her interpretation. Boy, she is one technically perfect dancer. A little inexpressive in the upper body but step wise perfect; she didn't fall out of one pirouette. As a result, she's also a little boring. I'll see what I think after I see others in her role on Thursday and Friday. I also thought Kish was very good. Really everyone (except Acosta,sorry) but also I was just trying to figure out what the piece was about. So in sum, an ok night at the ballet. Unlike mimsyb, I had not suffered through Misty's SL; had I, I'm sure I would have been ecstatic about tonight. Certainly I was very happy I was watching the RB and not ABT. We'll see what the next few days bring (hopefully Osipova).

Cornejo came in 1998, Part in 2002, Visheneva around 2004 but has never left the Mariinsky. Simkin came maybe in 2008, Bolle in 2007 (and in reality is just a guest artist. He does gigs all around the world most of the year and seems to do many more performances with La Scala than with ABT though he's not officially part of the company ). Vasiliev is gone. Semionova came around 2010 but many wonder if she will come back now that Malakhov (and his ban on her) is gone. And Simkin? He's been given exactly 1 lead role this season (the Saturday matinee of SL with Boylston). Will he return, given all the gigs and galas he does? I somehow doubt it. No, I don't think at this point, ABT is a destination company. Yes, it was for decades. Now, it is just a mess. And promoting the unworthy and ignoring good dancers has hurt them immeasurably.

But those pirouettes that Osipova does are the correct Don Q choreography. For a soloist who can't do the SL choreography to get promoted? Well, I for one, have voted with my money and feet this year. I'm not seeing even one ABT SL. And I will never, ever pay to see Misty. Never!

I love the Mariinsky and have seen Somova, Tereshkina, Kondaurova and Lopatkina all dance O/O multiple times. Nobody, NOBODY, even at the esteemed Mariinsky comes close to Lopatkina. To compare Copeland (who couldn't even do 16 fouettés without traveling and then just did pirouettes?) to Lopatkina????

)))

Just heartbreaking:((

I don't know if you should but I will. First, Wendy has long, sinewy muscles, the kind every dancer strives for. The reason they stand out on her is because, quite frankly, she often looks emaciated. She's all muscle, no body fat whatsoever. OTOH, Misty has that bulky, pumped up musculature that dancers (except some men) try to avoid at all costs. Having bulky muscles like that hampers your ability to have good extensions and really do all steps except jumping, because the muscles are not lengthened enough. Also, Wendy has always been 200% committed to her art form. She developed a very unique way of dancing but she has always been an artist. As Dancerboy90210 is saying, Misty is committed to her PR: her book, her story, blah, blah blah. I don't see any work ethic or commitment to trying to improve as a dancer. If those fouettés travel or, worse, she can't do them, she should be practicing them day and night so that doesn't happen again. And, I agree, I want to see a character onstage, not Misty being Misty. In last Tuesday night's R&J I did see her make an attempt at a characterization but it was terrible. As I said on the R&J thread, hers was the most unmoving R&J I have ever seen (Hee Seo's was a close 2nd). To my eyes she is in no way principal material. And as she and, IMO, other undeveloped and undeserving dancers get promoted, ABT is just going down the tubes.

Martins had Liam Scarlett choreograph 2 works: Acheron and Funerailles. I don't think Scarlett can be called a "brand" yet.

Several NYCB dancers (Sara Mearns, Justin Peck, Ashley Bouder) have either tweeted or put on Instagram that former NYCB principal and ballet master Albert Evans died late Monday evening. More detail will probably be forthcoming.

As I said up thread I'm not seeing even one ABT SL. I was very mildly tempted by tonight but had family obligations. The rest of the week is RB for me, all the way. Sorry, but not even Veronika can tempt me. And now that someone on another thread posted that Osipova is back dancing and did Don Q, I'm thrilled.

I think that really depends on how long Misty pays Gilda Squires to do her PR. That woman is worth her weight in gold. On the Tuesday night I saw Misty in R&J (when she was a last minute replacement for Hee Seo) there were loads of empty seats. And after the 2nd intermission, loads more.

Sounds like she does. She scooped ABT. But like abatt said, that certainly doesn't mean Misty won't be promoted.

I'm surprised at Pia:(

Yes, I think the problem lies with Corella's strength in lifting Ferri. I'm terribly disappointed there is no ABT full length version of Ferri and Bocca doing R&J.

They aren't, but my husband captured them and is putting them (minus the curtain calls) on blu-ray. I'll try to post them on YT under my name there (balletjones which is also my Twitter handle ) once the process is finished. Believe it or not, to get a really good video (without any jerky motion) it takes the computer about 4 days to make a disc. Try looking at YT in around 5 days under my channel. The different ballets (I'll put them up separately) are : The Lady and the Hooligan (w/Korsuntsev), Les Divertissements Du Roi (for Kolb), Scheherazade ((Ivanchenko ) and Tango For Three (all 3 men). I'll try to put up the Kolb piece first. It's choreographed by the Russian choreographer I named upthread: Maxim Petrov (though Russian, 1 piece I saw was very 'American" and the other very "French") I thought it was the most impressive.

I couldn't agree more. Catering to the lowest common denominator. Depressing. I'm going to see NYCB at SPAC (mainly because I love them and think they are SO much better than ABT right now) but partially to get this awful ABT season out of my mind.

Among my ardent balletomanes friends I do not know one who thinks Copeland deserves promotion on the basis of her dancing.. The question is always will her promotion bring in a new audience and, if so, is that worth the trade off. I say no. I think that the new audience she brings,who come to see her, will only come to the ballet to see her. I think only a dancer who actually deserves a promotion should get it. Dancers shouldn't get a promotion based on hypothetical speculation on how the box office will improve. BTW, whoever needs a PR agent should hire Copeland's. That woman (Gilda Squires) is clearly worth her weight in gold. When Copeland gets her promotion, Gilda should get a $1,000,000.00 bonus.

I,too, have read interviews with Ferri where she talks about how extensively she would research a character. Read all the written texts and then finally add in her own interpretation. The current crop of ABT principals have nowhere anything like her talents or intelligence, from what I see. VERY disappointing. I can only say that Ferri's marvelous dancing speaks for itself. IMO, nobody, NOBODY has ever been a better Juliet than her, ever. And her rave reviews for MacGregor's Woolf Works shows shows that even at age 52, she is still an unparalleled artist

The recent choreography by the Mariinsky's Maxim Petrov showed me he is really one to watch. He created the very Broadway musical style ballet "Ballet No.6 " for their Young Choreographers Night. Then last week, he choreographed a very Louis XV type style piece called "Les Divertissements Du Roi" for Igor Kolb that was in their livestream . Both were marvelous. Ratmansky, Wheeldon & Peck are not the only good new choreographers on the planet. Even NYCB typically reaches out to choreographers like Bigonzetti or Prejocal. ABT needs to open its eyes. And, of course, get rid of Kevin.

Where she's lying across his shoulders and he walks from stage right to stage left and she keeps one leg down and raises the second leg up. It starts at 4:14 in the YT.