perky Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Hi, I'm a longtime lurker, first time poster so here it goes. Replying to your question Sonora about what Balanchine dancers to invite back and coach thier original roles here is my list, Maria Tallchief-Firebird, Sylvia Pas De deux and Eurydice in Orpheus Allegra Kent-Bukagu, La Sonambula and staging a revival of The Seven Deadly Sins Melissa Hayden- Stars and Stripes Violette Verdy-La Source and Emeralds Patricia McBride-Who Cares, Divertimento from Baiser De La Fee, and Voices of Spring from Vienna Waltzes Edward Villella-Oberan, Rubies and Harlequinade Suzanne Farrell- Diamonds, Chaconne, and Mozartiana And they should bring back Don Quixote too, if not the full length ballet then maybe an abridged version. You know sort of like Highlights of Don Quixote with Marcela's solo from Act 1, a couple of the Act 2 devirtisments and all of Dulcinea's dances from Act 3. It of course would have to be staged by the Divine Miss Farrell herself. That would be a perfect world!
carbro Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 (edited) Well, er, I, uh, couldn't help but notice that, gee -- neither Ballerina 1023 nor Perky has suggested that Mr. Martins coach some of his roles. I would not particularly want Ashley to coach Ballade. Whelan makes much more of it than Ashley ever did. I think Balanchine made it in order to let Ashley discover her inner lyrical dancer. She never did. Edited July 10, 2003 by carbro
Alexandra Posted July 10, 2003 Author Posted July 10, 2003 I wanted to slip in a quick welcome to perky -- please don't go back to lurkdom! With a list like that, you've got a lot to share with us
ballerina1023 Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Thanks for pointing that out, carbro. I had considered adding his name, and then I thought "wait, he's right there to come back and teach." I don't know why, but for some reason I just thought of those who aren't immediately accessible. Besides, I guess he is teaching some of the roles he is famous for already. It's an interesting point, though. Also, perky, thank you for adding your list of those you'd bring back. You make some excellent suggestions (I can't believe I didn't think of Tallchief or Kent!). I also just thought of Gelsey Kirkland. If Tallchief wouldn't be available, she'd be great to teach Firebird.
Drew Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 (edited) Kirkland danced a very different version of Firebird than Tallchief...With Balanchine, one of the complications with bringing back the creators of roles to coach them is, I should think, the fact that the ballets were often revised for different casts. Presumably, when (and if) a coach is brought in, her or his work needs to be integrated with the work of whoever is staging the ballet, and clear decisions made about which 'version' -- or which moment in the ballet's history -- to honor. Personally, I would very much enjoy seeing the version of Firebird done by Tallchief. Edited July 10, 2003 by Drew
Alexandra Posted July 10, 2003 Author Posted July 10, 2003 Kirkland danced a very different version of Firebird than Tallchief...With Balanchine, one of the complications with bringing back the creators of roles to coach them is, I should think, the fact that the ballets were often revised for different casts. ..... Personally, I would very much enjoy seeing the version of Firebird done by Tallchief. Now, there's an idea: A "Firebird" program with three "Firebirds" on it: The Tallchief one, the Kirkland one, and the VonAroldingen one. Not the kind of thing most people would be interested in in an ordinary season, but something for a centennial.
carbro Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 :mondieu: I don't think I could endure three Firebirds on one bill. Now, side-by-side would be interesting. (Actually Suki Shorer has done this in lecture-demonstrations, with one dancer/couple dancing the Petipa and and another the Balanchine version of Harp variation from Raymonda and the Nutcracker pdd. Fascinating.)
Dale Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Isn't the Firebird currently performed at NYCB the Tallchief solo and pas de deux set into the 70s version, which includes Robbins' monster scene?
Michael Posted July 23, 2003 Posted July 23, 2003 I have just thought of it. I would invite: Maria Tallchief Melissa Hayden Suzanne Farrell Edward Villella Allegra Kent Merrill Ashley (and anyone else suitable I may have left out) each to produce a single evening of ballets of their choice during the season, each evening to be performed for five times during a discete week of the winter and spring seasons. Each would have freedom of casting within the company roster and even freedom to import a dancer on occasion (i.e., Hayden could bring in Gillian Murphy to perform along with the NYCB dancer if she wished) and each would have their own adequate budget (within limits) for new or revised production design, i.e., they could create or revive their own productions if they wished. (Let Farrell revive Don Q with casting of her choice, who knows). I should love to see such a season.
Alexandra Posted July 23, 2003 Author Posted July 23, 2003 Very interesting idea! How about also giving a few nights to the new generation of stagers -- there are some younger dancers just winding down their careers or branching out into staging, some with the company, some former members. I'd love to see what the under-40-somethings would do with Balanchine.
carbro Posted July 23, 2003 Posted July 23, 2003 Oooh! I want to go to Michael's Balanchine Centennial! :party: When do tickets go on sale? It would be interesting to see what ballets people selected. Are you asking for little essays explaining their choices?
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