Barbara

In addition to Leeann Forster's hinted at departure via Tommy's Instagram, Luciana Voltolini has made similar statements on her public Instagram account. Maybe too many Bathildes for her too. A shame.

Yes, she did mimsyb. I believe Tom's instagram said it was Leeanne's final Giselle so I've been reluctantly awaiting news that she is leaving when the season is over.

Thank you, Victura for confirming that it was Julie's mother. I had guessed that but when she wasn't standing near her husband and children I thought I was wrong. But then again she entered from the opposite curtain. Delightful article, I hadn't realized ballet was a family affair or that her mother was from New Zealand. Makarova seemed particularly moved during the many curtain calls; they must have been close.

To go back to Julie's curtain calls - can anyone identify the woman who came out wearing an orange flowered dress, with short blond hair. Julie seemed especially pleased to see her; she then took her place next to Makarova who grasped her hand. Thanks!

and Ashton, Ashton, Ashton to be wished for!

oops, BUT...didn't care for Firebird nor the Tempest. However, the 2nd time I saw the Tempest (I think it was billed with the Dream) I liked it better. The lighting seemed to be brighter and any chance to see Sarah and Joey dance together is a plus for me.

Ok, I'll chime in. Btw I really like most of what I've seen by Ratmansky BUT

Since I'm only interested in Veronika Part's Swan Lake I'll be at that and the next evening at the RB Ashton/MacMillan. I continue to be frustrated however, that they (Koch box office per RB instructions) wouldn't let me exchange my seat when I purchased it long ago but now that it's not selling well perhaps I can move myself closer

Natalia, I did not notice the black bird detail from the Dress Circle! That is cool and I'll look for it next time!

Robbie Fairchild looked absolutely stunned (imo) when his name wasn't called. I'm a HUGE fan of his but in this case I think that when up against Cerveris you've got extremely tough competition.

In addition, Marcelo is dancing purple Von Rothbart, which is always a joy to see. Although it would be even better if he were Veronika's Prince!

I'll be at the SB matinee tomorrow. Will meander over to "Cristian's bar" at intermission and see who's there! I have some grave doubts as to whether or not I'm going to like this SB interpretation.

I just have to give kudos to the ABT/Met staff in their handling of a seating issue the glorious evening of Stella's debut. I was sitting with my daughter in the balcony. I was in Row A but her ticket was right behind me in Row B. She is not a fan of heights to say the least but I thought if she wasn't in the first row she would be ok. Wrong - turns out she had her eyes closed (unbeknownst to me) for the entire first act. At the break she asked an usher if she could go somewhere to watch the second act on a screen. He sent her downstairs to the house manager who was stationed with a laptop in the front of the lobby where the ticket takers usually are. She explained her situation and he immediately gave her 2 handwritten tickets for both of us in Row T of the orchestra. Now I realize if there had been no seats available she would have been out of luck so we were very grateful. I was planning to stay in the Balcony but it was nice to be able to sit side by side and see from a different perspective.

I will be at the 5/26 evening and 5/30 matinee. Would love to meet you since I've never had the pleasure and I enjoy your posts so much!

Last year I purchased a Create Your Own series of the minimum 3 performances. Later when I wanted to add tickets for one of my performances I was told I had to pay the higher dynamic price. I was told only when purchasing 6 or more performances in the Create Your Own series can additional tickets be purchased at the subscriber rate.

OMG I'm so glad I checked in with Ballet Alert before leaving to see NYCB La Sylphide today! I just booked my Stella Giselle!! Granted it's Balcony, but row A, quite off to the side but I don't care. Now the only thing that would make it heaven is if Hallberg were healthy and dancing with her as was the plan a few years ago.

Thanks, Helene! I'll try that next time.

Sorry for the long quote; I guess I don't know how to quote only a small piece of a post.

Finally, conductor Clotilde Otranto was in a great mood tonight. She seemed very happy each time she came out to conduct and at the end, really bounced around onstage as she took her bow with the dancers.

I agree about Ms. Otranto! I love it when she conducts, her enthusiasm is infectious.

Hmm...my memory is that until the recent renovation period, the box office was always straight ahead as one entered. I rather expected it to be returned to that location when renovations were done and it sounds as if they have been. Had there been another set up in the theater's earlier history?

Drew, as Abatt described, I was referring to when the box office was in its renovation location on each side.

When I went there on my unsuccessful foray to exchange my Royal Ballet tickets I was surprised to see the box office straight ahead as you enter. Now that you mention it, abatt, it was very modern. I never thought the entry area was much to look anyway at until you go up to the promenade level.

Several weeks ago I was in a hurry and ordered what I thought was a matinee performance in the 3rd ring for the May 16 La Sylphide. Later when I checked my confirmation I saw that I ordered the evening performance (either that or the site bumped me to the evening because 3rd ring was not open yet for the matinee). Like vipa I noticed that yesterday 3rd ring was opened for the matinee (no 4th ring yet) and I was able to get the seat I wanted. Long way to say I can't use the evening ticket because I have to get back home for work. If anyone here is interested in the ticket, please pm me. The ticket is 3rd ring, seat A17 on the left for $59. Thanks!

I could only find part 1. Are all three on youtube? Also before Gillian finished speaking my screen went to red and I couldn't get it running again until T&V had begun. Anyone else have that problem?

I thoroughly agree, Natalia. I went to the conversation between Ms. Tennant and Wendy Whalen last December at the 92nd Street Y here in NYC. I was lucky to purchase the book at the event and have it signed by the author. I had fallen in love with Irina after seeing the Ballets Russes documentary and subsequently read her memoir. The two books are lovely companion pieces.

Some ticket buying advice: CALL THE BOX OFFICE if you want to pick out your seats. I tried ordering online and kept getting put into seat D118 for the ring I chose, which didn't seem like it would be one of the best seats available in that price range this far in advance. So, I called the box office and the very helpful and patient agent put me in seat A105 -- same date, same ring, same price as the seat in Row D.

FYI, here's a seating chart to refer to if you call: http://www.davidhkochtheater.com/Downloads/DHKT-FullChart.pdf

Per the agent, although the Joyce Foundation is renting the theater for the Royal Ballet run, it's not using the house ticketing system and that's why you can't select your seats online as you can for NYCB etc.

Kathleen, I wish I had remembered your advice when I booked my ticket early but online. I was assigned a seat in the last row of the 2nd Ring. I knew I would be in NYC last Sunday so phoned in advance to see if I could exchange my seat. (I had looked at the seating availability online and could see there were seats in Row A of the 3rd Ring though nothing closer up front in 2nd Ring) The ticket agent had to check with a supervisor but said yes, I could exchange the seat but not the date. I was sorely disappointed when the box office agent told me in emphatic terms that NO exchanges were possible and that this was a Royal Ballet decision. I pressed the point but to no avail. He also admitted that there were plenty of seats available but would not be swayed. I really don't see the necessity of such a strict exchange policy and I told him I thought it was a terrible example of customer relations. Grumble.