32tendu Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Check out the new Ballet Initiative Podcast here: http://www.balletinitiative.com/podcast/2014/6/13/carol-sumner Carol Sumner was a soloist with the New York City Ballet from 1958 to 1978. Under the direction of George Balanchine, she danced principal roles in Concerto Barocco, Divertimento No. 15, Agon, Western Symphony and The Nutcracker. I've found the relationships between Mr. B and his dancers to be fascinating, and often complex. In this case, it's very sweet. Ms. Sumner was moved to tears when she recalled his final days and ultimate passing. I appreciate her candid nature. If you'd like to see images of Ms. Sumner from this period, go here while you listen. http://artsmeme.com/2012/01/25/what-makes-a-balanchine-ballerina-meet-carol-sumner/ Twitter: @balletinitiativ Facebook: Ballet Initiative Link to comment
pherank Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Thank you - another great addition to the Ballet Initiative library of interviews. It's worth noting that Balanchine earned royalties whenever his ballets were performed (as any choreographer should). And my understanding is that Balanchine lived mainly off this royalty money as well as his various Broadway/Hollywood fees. When the time came that Balanchine had to accept a salary as part of the NYCB creative directorship (I believe the Ford Foundation had insisted on this as part of their grant conditions), he apparently used the money to pay Barbara Horgan, rather than himself. Link to comment
Helene Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Sumner has a great voice in this. Link to comment
vipa Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I just heard the pod cast with Vicky Simon. Great stuff. I remember years ago, when I was in classes taught by Vicky, she mentioned getting into NYCB. If I remember correctly she said that Mr. B came in to watch the advanced class at SAB. They were doing pique turns and a lot of girls started doing doubles and triples. Vicky stayed with singles, making them as beautiful as she could. She was the only one hired. Christian, if you speak to her again you might want to ask her about it. Link to comment
32tendu Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Thank you for all of the great comments and continued support. Link to comment
DanielBenton Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 A great series of podcasts, shedding light from different sources on Balanchine's work Link to comment
32tendu Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Thank you. I've got a couple of new ones coming. I speak to Alicia Graf Mack on Monday, and Damian Woetzel from Vail. I'll keep you posted. Appreciate you. Link to comment
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