onxmyxtoes

Looks like Radetsky is out of his Von R too!

Big news: Wendy Perron ‏@wperrondancemag 24m Excited to know that @mistyonpointe @ABTBallet will dance Odette/Odile in Brisbane @debjonesoz : http://deborahjones.me/

I also was a bit bored, Batsuchan. So much gorgeous on the stage from Semionova, but little to no fire. I didn't feel like she was a real sad swan; she went through the motions but didn't transformed herself into Odette. I spoke with a friend, and we agreed that she looked more like Polina doing the white swan variation. She did seem to liven up when performing Odile, but I still didn't truly buy that she was seducing Seigfried. She was 100% technically secure and showed off her chops. I was just yearning for some more emotion and passion from her. Gomes had it all.

Gomes to the rescue yet again... he deserves a huge bonus and a vacation in St. Tropez.

oh also wanted to mention that Joey Gorak looked the best he's ever looked tonight. It's really been a ground-breaking season for him and he finally looks completely confident, happy, and with great presence on stage. Really vying for that well-deserved promotion.

From Gillian's Twitter: Gillian Murphy ‏@gillianemurphy 15m Deep gratitude @marcelogomes47 for our Act II & @HEESEOABT for stepping into Act III so quickly (& beautifully!) after I sprained my foot

gosh, I thought the smoldering chemistry and tension between Seo and Gomes made it all worth it - the way they brought their faces together in the heat of the moment and the passion in their eyes. You could tell that Marcelo brought out all the stops to make this performance one to remember. And Seo rose to the occasion to fill big shoes. Best wishes to Gillian who has had a less than ideal season injury-wise! Speedy recovery!

I was just saying today that I would like to see Tom as Albrect. Watched company class today and he had some beautiful front cabrioles and lovely arches for those sixes. He probably has some acting chops too, watching him as both an evil step-sister and in the Moor's Pavane. He should also get a shot at the purple von rothbart, especially with Sascha and Jared leaving after this season.

Yikes that is so long... that means on a "work-night" we'll be getting out of the Met around or after 11! They never start on time & their intermissions are always longer than they predict.

I thought exactly this when I saw Semionova/Hallberg Swan Lake in 2012. They are perhaps a good match in theory with their height and beautiful lines, but emotionally they are both introverted and don't really draw much from one another. I actually loved Semionova's Swan Lake with Gomes the year before, as did many on this forum. But perhaps I was too bowled over by her incredibly strong technique to focus on her shortcomings, or Gomes worked his magic and was able to pull something out of her that no other danseur could. I have only seen her in those two Swan Lakes, so I can't comment on her other performances, but I can't picture her as Giselle at all. This is why I think it's cruel to open the ballet week with a Vishneva/Gomes cast (i.e. Bayadere or one year Romeo, I believe). It makes the rest of the performances seem lesser. I also agree about the Seminova/Hallberg Swan Lake in 2012- I was underwhelmed. Seminova is gorgeous technically, but I find her dancing to be bland and that she and Hallberg have no connection. I don't really see the level of artistry that I expect from her. They're both beautiful, but I think they need someone with more internal fire as a partner.

Whiteside is dancing in Manon but as Lescaut, not Des Grieux

Marcelo's gesture to the corps/soloists warmed my heart as did Diana's gesture to the entire orchestra. I don't often see ballerinas acknowledge the pit.

Those of you speaking about Stella Abrera only doing the 3rd shade. Stella danced Gamzatti on Saturday (albeit the matinee). In the performances that I saw, all the other soloist women (except for Kristi Boone who I believe is not dancing this season and whom we know is retiring) were also doing a lead shade: Sarah Lane, Misty Copeland, Yuriko Kajiya, and Isabella Boylston

That was an issue with the guesting that someone here brought up a few years back. The guests don't have the rapport and camaraderie with the corps and soloists like the "home" principals have. You can tell when Gomes or Murphy acknowledges the other dancers that it is genuine. When you fly someone in for 72 hours to do a ballet, you can't get the same product. It's called a company for a reason!

I'd like to see Patrick Ogle or Thomas Forster given a shot at this role. Possibly Calvin Royal also. maybe they can have roman zhurbin do double-time as the swamp king AND the purple people eater!

wonder who is next in line for von rothbarth? With Matthews and Radetsky leaving and Whiteside, Sterns, and Hammoudi (hopefully) all performing Siegfried next year, we really need another 2-3 guys who can do the role!

After watching last night's performance, I am having a hard time getting as excited about the casts for the rest of the week. As amazing as the guest artists may be, I don't have an emotional connection to them as I do with Gomes, Vishneva, and Murphy. How cruel for ABT to start the La Bayadere run with pinnacle cast. The bar has been set astronomically high for the rest of the week.

Only have a quick second to answer your Q: Espada - Jared Matthews Mercedes- Hee Seo Amour - Sarah Lane Marcelo and Polina were both absolutely spectacular. What a treat for us to get to see Marcelo in a role he rarely dances with ABT anymore! Polina pulled out all the stops with her balances and turns. Go Saturday night if you can!

Yesterday evening there was a paper insert with the correct bios and pictures. It clearly stated that the correction was necessary "due to an unfortunate error by Playbill"

Kent isn't doing SL this year. I saw her last year, though, and thought that she was exquisite - even with minor choreography modifications. Hers was the best I've seen in the past couple of years, and I've seen at least 10 (if not more) of ABT's Swan Lakes in that time.

Did the other thread in the Dancers forum disappear? Can't seem to find it anywhere!

aww I wish we got gomes to reprise his basillo, which the DC audience was so lucky to see last night! wahhh

thanks fondoffouettes for providing more info. soloists have left too - Ricetto, Messmer, Lopes immediately come to mind and I don't know if their spots have truly been filled. Totally agree with you Plisskin. Sascha deserves better.

The above news is terrible! What a loss to the company. I thought the company seemed stagnant, but I was surprised by my findings. I did a quick look through the website (so please correct me if I missed someone), but I believe these are the only main company promotions in the last three years: Cory Sterns, Isabella Boylston 2011 Hee Seo, Daniil Simkin, Alex Hammoudi 2012 James Whiteside 2013 I wouldn't be surprised if company moral is down...

I arrived around 11 and was about #30. Confirmed what Barbara said above. The line did move very quickly. There were 4 windows open and I was out by 12:30.