vipa

I'm very disappointed in the ABT "Repertory Performances." It's not repertory as much as Dream is not long enought for a full evening to lets add a ballet.

The question is a good one: It's not what to think of a few mistakes but "What to think when a dancer leaves out the hard stuff?"

And I don't know the answer can be general. It depends, I suppose, on what specific hard stuff is left out in what specific role, and whether you care varies accordingly.

This is a very good question. We know that Balanchine changed things for dancers who couldn't do a certain step or lift. He changed a part of Apollo for Suzanne Farrell because her knees were bad and she couldn't jump. To me that doesn't mean that the steps don't matter and anyone can change things. For one thing, Balanchine was there to provide an alternative. He might have changed the turn the Veronica Part had a problem with to something else entirely, not just a double. We don't know.

On the other hand the integrety of a piece can and should be able to withstand changes for a dancer who delivers the real intent of the ballet.

On the other hand ballets can't be watered down for no good reason.

One more thing. Who staged SC? Usually people from the Balanchine estate have a strong opinion on what is acceptable or not.

I'm with Michael & Bart here. I did not see the SC at the gala but at the Saturday matinee & found Part sublime. Yes, sitting close mezzanine, I could see the concern cross her face before the turns but they were brief moments in an otherwise glorious performance.

For me Part (like Allegra Kent & Suzanne Farrell & Kim Highton) is the music, pure & simple. The music doesn't come from the orchestra, the impulse does not come from the conductor. It is channeled directly from the composer to Veronika & to us from her.

This is a rare gift & I am willing to overlook the occasional blip on an otherwise gorgeous horizon.

The Tiger Woods analogy is a good one if one is looking solely for technical perfection, but Tiger doesn't golf to Mozart. Ballet is, first & foremost, about the dancer's response to the music & in this Veronika excels.

I agree in some ways but don't think that it is an either or. Part is gorgeous in many ways, but I am one of those who finds her technical mishaps jarring. Improving her technique won't ruin her artistry, it will just add to the choices she and make. Ballet technique isn't magic (of course some have more facility than others) it can be learned. Not everyone can reach the level of Murphy but believe me technique can be learned.

My only previous live encounters with Symphonie Concertante was with Cynthia Gregory and Martine Van Hamel in the leads.

WOW!

I too saw Gregory & Van Hamel years ago. It was wonderful. Isn't it strange that ABT with its reputation for technical depth would have to change something that was done in 1947 and again in the Gregory/Van Hamel era?

In respect to Part; she can be gorgeous but I can't relax when I see her dance. I agree with a Haglund that you can sense her uncertainty. I wonder if she is going to be made principal.

I just came from the Sunday afternoon performance (I spotted Freddy Franklin entering the theater). It was a terrifically fun afternoon.

Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes - Joyful, witty and wonderfully danced.

Black Swan - I am not a fan of that Soviet style of presentation but it was well done in that style.

Corsaire - Jose Manue Correno gave one of the best performances I've ever seen of a male dancer in a pas de deux. Aside from that the adagio was beautiful.

Green Table - A wonderful performance. I saw the piece many years ago with the Joffery Ballet, and I'll so happy it holds up and is still relevant (perhaps I should be sad that it is still relevant).

All in all I admire the integrety of ABT and the dancers.

I don't know if this was mentioned on the BT, but there was a long article in the New Yorker and much of it was about Veronika Part.

I sent an email to Ms Part about the article and she emailed back inviting me to her performance on Wednesday. That came as a surprise!

I'll be there, but I am not a dance critic. Are opening Galas different than a regular performance.. other than the program seems to be "mixed"?

What addition of New Yorker? I can't seem to find it.

Have a great time Wednesday. Report back!!

I'm going to see Sinatra Suite (I actually bought my ticket because Sarah Lane was listed). No female is listed even for the opening which is 2 days from now. What's up?

Sarah Lane wearing de la Renta in Tharp's Sinatra Suite

Is Sarah Lane doing Sinatra Suite or is it just a publicity shot?

Hah! Wouldn't it be something if it turns out that the City Center season helps underwrite the Met season! Maybe there's hope that next fall :foot: , ABT will get a fourth week .

So much for mixed bills not filling the house! A strong rep will draw ticket buyers.

I'm glad ABT is selling well in rep. Is it odd that there seem to be 7 performances a week. Aren't there usually 8?

I really don't see why the principals through demi soloists for every ballet couldn't be listed in the Times and/or ABT's website a week or more in advance. It certainly wouldn't hurt advance sales at the box office!! Why shouldn't the audience see in advance almost as much as what's listed in the program they receive at the theater?! Those programs are generally printed weeks in advance with buckslips added for any prominent last minute changes.

To put Sarah's name up on the casting for a couple of weeks, then take it off, only created bad feelings all around. But as they say, there are no small roles in the hands of a fine actor/dancer.

z

I saw Sinatra Suite with the original case years ago and as the ads for that video suggest there are 2 principals. In the original cast the female lead was Elaine Kudo. Sarah Lane had been listed for the City Center season for a couple of perfomances. Now no females are listed -- the is definately a female lead role.

I too wish ABT would have more detailed listings in the casting. Maybe they thing fans only care about principals. Not true in my case

Kind of weird that there's no mention of who will be the female leads in Sinatra Suite. The casting for Dark Elegies looks good. Adrienne Schulte, who is in the Saturday cast, was outstanding last year. Come to think of it, she's been outstanding in most everything I've seen her in over the past couple of seasons. Hope she's considered a strong candidate for soloist this year.

Sarah Lane had been listed for a couple of Sinatra Suites and then removed. Is it possible that the role is being divided?

The problem in ABT seems to be too much talent and not enough opportunity. Many principles are doing few performance at City Center this season.

Sorry to disagree but Lane gets my vote for soloist.

Carreno and Gomes also are dancing the role. Of the four you would think Sarah would most likely pair with Cornejo, based on size and prior partnering experience (at least I hope, since he's listed for the Gala).

What are the chances that Lane will be given this opportunity? Why are no women listed for Sinatra Suite? Isn't it strange?

A couple of points to put this into historical perspective:

A previous Dance of the Hours was choreographed by Balanchine & Ashton choreographed Stravinsky's Nightingale in the Stavinsky Evening production still current at the Met. Balanchine also choreographed Met productions of Onegin & Boris G. in the past as well as others during his Met "residency".

Dowell, Makarova, Bujones, Gregory, McKerrow, Woetzel have all danced in Met productions in recent memory & let's not forget Janet Collins.

Nevertheless, it's good news that the audience was enthusiastic. & perhaps Danny Tidwell's 2 performances will sell some tickets for Complexions.

I saw Allegra Kent in Dance of the Hours many years ago -- Now that was fun!!

Just noticed the removal of Sarah Lane's name in the Sinatra Suite casting in the ABT website.I hope she is not injured. Joe

Sarah Lane is not injured, but the ABT CC casting cards are being shuffled so that seasoned principals and soloists take priority.

Sorry to hear that. Lane is one of my favorites and I was ready to buy a ticket based on her. No females are listed on the ABT site for Sinatra Suite. Are the guys going it alone?

Lane should be a soloist.

Sarah Lane is an ABT corps dancer who I particularly like. She even did Theme & Variations with ABT in New York once. She was listed in the Times ABT ad as being in the Sinatra Suite a couple of times in the upcoming season. Just as I was about to buy my ticket I noticed that she is no longer listed for it. In fact there are no women listed now for any performance of Sinatra Suite. Anyone know if she is injured?