uli

I also attended this performance, but came away with a different impression. I felt that it seemed as if Aurora had OD'd on Vivacity, and could have used more Tenderness and Eloquence. Confidence in one's dancing is one thing, but in terms of the character being portrayed, I would have preferred something more in keeping with a 16 year old fairytale princess coming-of-age. It also seemed to me that Ringer never connected with her suitors or her prince; she looked right through them. It was as if they were just tools for her to showcase her dancing. Maybe the frenetic pace of the production and the conductor's uneven, sometimes frenzied tempo kept her from being able to better express herself. The pace and tempo affected others as well: the Fairies, excluding Melissa Barak, seemed almost frantic at times; the Cavaliers were not even in position when the conductor started; and the Jewels seemed desperate to stay with the music. The highlights of the evening for me were Teresa Reichlen as The Lilac Fairy, Maria Kowroski as The Fairy Carabosse, and Sterling Hyltin as Princess Florine. Teresa Reichlen was graceful and luminous in the lighting, her dancing improving as the night progressed. Maria Kowroski showed a flair for comedy and drama. Sterling Hyltin was a refreshing change - she was a pleasure to watch. Her dancing was beautiful and she was able to maintain her composure, even when her partner could not execute the shoulder lift and held her in front instead. I also look forward to seeing her as Aurora.

Do you think it is because SAB's selection process for younger dancers seems to focus too much on body type? Perhaps the physical attributes they look for, while aesthetically pleasing at the time, do not necessarily develop into a body that can meet the rigorous demands of professional dance. By the time most dancers are older (think 15-17), they have a certain degree of talent and good work ethic, which may take the place of, or be in addition to, the ideal body.

Hello, My name is Uli. I have enjoyed reading Ballet Talk for a while now and decided to register because I can no longer resist the urge to add my two cents, or pose questions to members. I have a classical ballet and classical music background. I live in NYC, so I follow our local companies, but I always try to see any touring companies as well. I am looking forward to participating!