vipa

Wow, I'd love to see Mearns in Mozartiana. I wish they had Suzanne to coach her.

I guess the thread has evolved and posting on the separate thread is not organic, in a way. Perhaps my following statement should be moved. I believe that some people love the Russian/Kirov style very much and in ABT the constant in that is VP. Irina inspires some but not as much admiration in terms of that style (she is a stronger technician). Many in ABT (aside from the Met season guests) do not exemplify that style, so that leaves VP. I prefer the Murphys, Wiles and now Sarah Lanes of the company, but I can see that VP has her ardent followers. I think we are lucky that there is room in ABT for many approaches. This is perhaps a strength and weakness in the company. For the record my favorite all time ABT woman is Cynthia Gregory.

I have not been a Part fan in the past. I didn't see this performance, but many people have told me that it was wonderful. 2 questions (moderators, I am probably in the wrong place so if you remove or relocate I understand). 1. Is it likely that ABT will promote a 30 year old to principal ( I think that is Part's age)? 2. Wasn't it a disservice to her talent to cast her as Aurora last year? I think it did more harm than good?

I see what you mean, but to some extend that is the difference between an experienced dancer like Reyes, who was a soloist in another company before joining ABT (where I think she's been a principal for 5 yrs), and a young soloist. The one flaw I saw in Lane was that at times she went for too much - going for triple pirouettes when doubles would be better etc. Next year I'm sure Lane will be more tempered in the role. At the same time seeing a young dancer going for too much (a trait of youth in all areas) makes me smile in a special way. Maturity and judgement are great things - but ah youth!!

Thank you for that insight. I noted the changes in the variation but just thought they were changes in choreography, since this production hadn't shown tremendous respect for tradition, and this was my first SB this season. Also, I was row A of the Dress Circle and heard the "hold it" loud and clear.

Lane was radiant, and her Rose Adagio seemed a further demonstration of Aurora's eagerness and delight at being at the celebration. Often dancers can only portray Aurora before and after the RA, Lane did it during. Herman was much more the elegant prince than I expected. A true triumph for them. I know I probably am in the minority, but I didn't care for BB. I thought Saveliev was unexceptional (is it my imagination or has that variation been watered down over the years?) Kajiya was a disappointment to me. It was almost like she was doing "Russian" but it wasn't organic, so she looked mannered to me. I also thought there was a tightness across her back. One other very, very petty quibble- she overdoes, and milks the bows (even for a ballet dancer). I'm interested in hearing others comment on this PPD. The production changes from last year were most welcome, but share some of the reservations others have posted.

Ross had an interesting and largely successful career. My husband was a fellow dancer for a short amount of time in the Joffrey ballet and thinks of him as a totally decent and generous person. I'm sure that Ross tried his best and did what he thought was right in any situation. Dance historians, a few years from now, can look back and sort it all out. I think an unusual amount of venom came out in the article, perhaps because it is too soon to make judgments. Obviously passions run high - it is unusual for an obit to be so negative.

Do you mean that Gelsey coached the Auroras this year? I read last year that Gelsey regretted the resistance some principals had to her ideas. Do you think she had a big impact. I haven't gone yet this year, I'm going on Thursday, but I am almost sorry to hear that the shower curtain is gone. I told so many people about it, now they'll think that I exaggerated.

I'll be there too. I'll be eager to hear what you think.

I agree with the above statement but don't quite agree with some other opinions. I too thought Paloma took to the role beautifully but I loved Murphy. I think she was able to apply her technique in a new way and it was fun to see. I brought someone with me who had never been to a ballet before. In speaking of Murphy he couldn't believe the combination of athleticism and femininity that she demonstrated. All in all I think it is a fun piece with an enjoyable score. It was danced well by all. My overall opinion of Tharp is that she is super smart, super facile and can create fine works but she will never really move me emotionally. For me she doesn't have that depth or risk that emotional honesty. In Etudes I thought Wiles was warm, brilliant and having the time of her life. She totally commanded the stage. Her phrasing was delightful, some of her turns were amazing, not just in the number of turns but in the timing and shape of them. Sterns and Matthews had their moments but were out classed by Wiles. It occurred to me that Twyla's casting put limitations on the casting of Etudes, which impacted upon the men. I believe she used 3 male principals and 2 male soloists. Taking into consideration illness & injury that probably doesn't leave a lot of options. I'm sure that ABT did lack the precision of the Kirov in Etudes. It is a ballet in which having the same style of training helps a lot. Also, (I may be wrong about this) I'll bet the Kirov can devote a lot more rehearsal time to the ballet. I thought ABT's performance was just OK, because of a number of small mishaps (certainly not bad enough to ruin the enjoyment of the piece). The piece is so naked that each misstep shows -- a dancer stumbling out of a turn (and therefore out of line), losing the head coordination in the jete section or being slight off the count. Nothing is hidden. I don't meant to sound negative, because it was a very entertaining night at the ballet. I'm so glad I was there.

I'm very sorry to hear about this. I'm glad that she built such a fulfilling life for herself. The last time I saw her was after she had her first child. She was such a nice and "normal" person. I remember congratulating her upon her promotion to principal dancer - she was truly shocked that Lucia Chase had promoted her.

I went on Thurs. and have to agree that Watermill is tedious. I dare say that I believe that Robbins' greatest works were for musical theater, a medium in which there are imposed time constraints and ideally every choreographic moment has to be specific in order to identify character & move the plot. I know I commit sacrilege but I even think Dancers at a Gathering is too long (or blame my short attention span). But perhaps that is a discussion better left to a different board. I do agree that Bouder is the most generous of ballerinas. I wish we were seeing more of her. I hope to see her Rubies next weekend.

I too was there this afternoon. I don't yet get Abi Stafford. This afternoon I found her performance quality all wrong. Overselling with a smile & open mouth while not quite fulfilling some of the choreography. Perhaps she is nervous as a new principal. As I said I haven't seen her much. Sara Mearns showed much to like and much to look forward to. There is a lushness to her movement and a tone that reminds me of a cello. I look forward to seeing her in this role a year or two from now. Fairchild and Garcia are well matched. I like her more and more as she gains substance to go with her jump and speed. Loved Tiler Peck. I enjoyed the cast in Sym in 3 overall. Whelan & Evans are like my old friends who always deliver. Western Symphony can't be salvaged for me. Fun performances here and there, but a ballet that in my opinion, isn't worth having in the rep. Meanwhile I long to see Bouder. She seems to be doing little right now.

I agree that no one would argue against the hiring of Baryshnikov but it did have an impact, I believe, on Fernando Bujones. The fact that Bujones won Varna got a bit lost in the shuffle, and perhaps the publicity and attention received by Baryshnikov somewhat took the spot light off of Fernando. I'm not trying to compare their respective talents, just trying to make the point that even a good decision made by a director can have some unintended negative consequences.

From the NY Times "Although usually quiet in manner offstage, Ms. Wilson made news in 1976 with a public display of anger directed at Clive Barnes, then the chief dance critic at The Times. He had written about Ballet Theater’s “Fall River Legend,” in which Marcia Haydée of the Stuttgart Ballet appeared as a guest artist. Ms. Wilson thought that Mr. Barnes had insufficiently recognized her own interpretative achievements in the work. Several newspaper at the time reported that Ms. Wilson threw a glass of Scotch at him." I thought it was Makarova not Marcia Haydee! Have I been misremembering all of these years?

So, second round!, and this time is about... Argentineans!!! so Julio Bocca or Maximiliano Guerra? Bocca Fonteyn/Nureyev or Sibley/Dowell

Aurelie Dupont. Lilac Garden or Pillar of Fire? Lilac Garden Stars and Stripes or Union Jack?

Lovely Square Dance! The unanswered question, again... Giselle's Peasant PDD in or out...? Peasant PDD in Square Dance Caller or no caller

Maxim Beloserkovsky Cynthia Gregory or Gelsey Kirkland?

Swanilda. Sanguinic or Melancholic? Melancholic Apollo Birth scene or not

Good for ABT. I think everyone should have the opportunity to see Lilac Garden. As always I wish the City Center season was longer.

I really agree with you about New Yorker. I wish there was more coverage on dance. Perhaps you are right in that not everything out there is inspiring but there are dancers, companies, choreographers to write about. Sorry - this is going off topic.

Jumpers Giselle Fracci or Makarova

I think that in some ways Tudor works are more fragile that works by some other major choreographers. I think, that for example, Balanchine works danced badly look like good or great pieces (depending on the work) danced badly. I think that Tudor has to be properly coached and performed in order to show the work. Some musical composers are like that. Many works of Bach are jazzed up, souped up, played on synthesizers, etc and still the piece shines through. Other composers are not so lucky. I think it doesn't mean that the work is a lesser work, just less durable, in a sense.