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researcher33

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Everything posted by researcher33

  1. For my book about the late Eric Johnson, who danced briefly as "Vladimir Sparinsky," I would like to connect with John Prinz, who joined NYCB in the 1960's, about the time that Eric/Vladimir aspired to that company. Several independent sources have informed me that Eric and John Prinz were friendly. Any information will be appreciated. Jack researcher33
  2. A couple of questions: --I have found a suspect reference to a performing group fronted by Igor Youskevitch in the early 1960s. If it existed, it might have been called Ballets Intimes--not to be confused with Adolf Bolm's Ballet Intime of several decades earlier. Anyone heard of it? Seen it perform? --We know that Andre Eglevsky did found his own small group and school, also active as of the early 1960s. Can anyone report having seen that group perform? --Would also appreciate information on the repertoires of either or both. Thanks. Jack researcher33
  3. Thanks, Mel, for your very plausible suggestion. Brunilda Ruiz might well be the name my careless informant should have used. I'll pursue the lead. Jack researcher33
  4. Does anyone have knowledge of a 1960s dancer named "Brunetta" (second name unknown)? According to my information, she was affiliated with Ballet Russe and danced the Don Quixote grand pas de deux in a handful of performances with other, smaller companies (Youskevitch, Eglevsky?). I would welcome any information--especially leading to contact. Thanks. Jack researcher 33
  5. I am seeking information about John Neff, a dancer and teacher active in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during the 1950's and 1960s. I beleive he also worked with the Joffrey Ballet. Information about possible contact would be especially appreciated. Thanks, Jack researcher33
  6. Does anyone have information on a US tour of a Yugoslav company in the 1950s? I think I remember seeing ads in the Boston papers way back then for a company called Yugoslav (or maybe Yugoslavian) National Ballet. I suppose it might have been a "folk ballet" company and had that designation in its name. Perhaps it was the troup Tanec. Rightly or wrongly, I assume Sol Hurok was the agent. Thanks for any help you can give. Jack researcher33
  7. Dare we assume--or must we pray--that no company has the chutzpah to bring back Balanchine's PAMTGG? Jack researcher 33
  8. I suspect that anyone's idea of the "classic" or "standard" costume for Apollo may depend on the first performance the viewer saw. For me it was black tights on D'Amboise in 1958 or 1959. That and others fixed black tights as my mental image of Apollo. B.H. Haggin's Discovering Balanchine has numerous photos of D'Amboise, Martins, Villella. Martins, if I am not mistaken, is shown in both black and white tights. Perhaps white became more common as years passed, and maybe Baryshnikov benefitted from an impression of added stature. Certainly Martins was tall enough in any costume. To a hypothetical question such as "Who has ever seen Apollo in black (or white) tights?" Balanchine would probably have responded characteristically, "Who has ever seen Apollo?" Cheers. Jack researcher33
  9. Can anyone steer me toward a source where I might view visual records of Chicago Opera Ballet--corps work more than solos--from 1961-1962? Thanks if you can, or even suggest. Jack Hickey researcher33
  10. This is to fcadio. My Eric Johnson seems to be the one you knew. He is indeed the EJ in Jonas's column. please contact me at j.v.hickey@verizon.net. Thanks. Jack Hickey I knew Eric in nyc 1963/1964. Though not a dancer, i went with him to ballet classes at joffrey "as an observer". What is the ancient history about his career?
  11. For a bio of dancer Eric Johnson (1937-2004) I would like to contact Truman Finney, whose name appears in a number of Eric's letters as a friend and colleague in the 1960s. I believe Finney was with the Royal Danish Ballet about mid-2008. Anyone know if this is his current affiliation? Thanks, jack researcher33
  12. A person whose word I consider unimpeachable has described to me a visit of the New York City Ballet--or perhaps a small contingent of the company--to Indiana Univ., in Bloomington, probably 1965, or possibly late 1964. He describes viewing a rehearsal and being taken backstage after the performance, where he was introduced to both Jacques D'Amboise and George Balanchine. Does anyone remember such a tour, or have a suggestion where I might confirm that it occurred--or did not? Thanks. jack, aka researcher33
  13. I'm writing a book about Eric Johnson (1937-2004) whose remarkably varied life included a brief career as a dancer in the 1960's. Eric was not consistently truthful about the specifics of his career. His early training was in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1961-62 he was a corps member of Ruth Page's Chicago Opera Ballet touring the US. While with that company he adopted the stage name Vladimir Sparinsky. Later he lived in New York, performed in shows at the Latin Quarter, and picked up occasional freelance work. There is strong circumstantial evidence that he was accepted into the corps of the NYCB, but the company's archivist informed me there is no record of him. He may have danced in Europe. His career was cut short by one or more serious injuries to his knee. Eric's career, such as it was, is by now ancient history, but I am hoping there are still some dancers, historians, and enthusiasts who can fill in some gaps in the story I am trying to tell. Thanks for whatever you can contribute. Jack, aka researcher33
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