It looks like ABT has decided to lighten David Hallberg's load for the spring. So far, he's been relieved of Don Q and Le Corsaire. Three of those performances were to be with Gillian Murphy and one with Semionova. There's probably no sense hoping that Sascha "Jeter" Radetsky or Jared "Mo" Matthews will get a shot at either of those two roles, even though they deserve the opportunity and we deserve the opportunity to see them. (Radetsky has been replaced in all DC performances. Roddy Doble gets a nice debut on Saturday night as Lankendem.)
If that Marfanish juvenile is inserted in the TBAs or if another import is handed the roles, there will be considerable complaining. So what else is new.
22 responses to “Changes afoot in Met and DC casting”
darnit! I bought a ticket to that Hallberg/Murphy Don Q. I wish they would stick Gomes in. The first ABT show I watched was in 2002 and Gillian and Marcelo were the leads in Don Q. I think everyone agrees that Marcelo would be a superb Basilio!!
darnit! I bought a ticket to that Hallberg/Murphy Don Q. I wish they would stick Gomes in. The first ABT show I watched was in 2002 and Gillian and Marcelo were the leads in Don Q. I think everyone agrees that Marcelo would be a superb Basilio!!
They might. You never can tell. I’d snap up a ticket to it in a second. Those two are pretty fine together in Le Corsaire, too.
They might. You never can tell. I’d snap up a ticket to it in a second. Those two are pretty fine together in Le Corsaire, too.
Gomes partnered Murphy in a guest visit to the Festival Ballet in Orange county, CA a few years ago. Toward the end, in an interview clip, he mentions that he doesn’t get to dance this role with her very often at ABT. There are some brief clips of him dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSzHcaBQv0
He did the first act in the Alonso birthday gala in 2010 at the Met (with Herrera, I believe). But I’m pretty sure he hasn’t done it at the Met since. If he’s cast, I would drop everything to go see him in this.
Gomes partnered Murphy in a guest visit to the Festival Ballet in Orange county, CA a few years ago. Toward the end, in an interview clip, he mentions that he doesn’t get to dance this role with her very often at ABT. There are some brief clips of him dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSzHcaBQv0
He did the first act in the Alonso birthday gala in 2010 at the Met (with Herrera, I believe). But I’m pretty sure he hasn’t done it at the Met since. If he’s cast, I would drop everything to go see him in this.
Hi J. I recall seeing him dance at the Alonso gala. Maybe the virtuosity required in the role is too tough on his back. It’s worth buying a ticket to see his Espada, though, regardless of who is Basilio.
Hi J. I recall seeing him dance at the Alonso gala. Maybe the virtuosity required in the role is too tough on his back. It’s worth buying a ticket to see his Espada, though, regardless of who is Basilio.
On the bright side, Stella got moved into ONE (matinee) performance of Symphony in C. Stupid matinee! Perhaps Hallberg simply isn’t available enough for rehearsals given he has to do the new Ratmansky and A Month in the Country… Will be interesting to see who gets those Corsaire spots. I always love Sascha with Gillian – I think he balances her harsh look nicely.
On the bright side, Stella got moved into ONE (matinee) performance of Symphony in C. Stupid matinee! Perhaps Hallberg simply isn’t available enough for rehearsals given he has to do the new Ratmansky and A Month in the Country… Will be interesting to see who gets those Corsaire spots. I always love Sascha with Gillian – I think he balances her harsh look nicely.
Hi Rachel.
Yes, that is good news that Stella got one Symphony in C at the Met and the one in Washington as well which I’m planning to see next week. That ABT wouldn’t commit to her in the second Symphony in C at the Met is so lame and disrespectful.
I agree that Sascha and Gillian look great together, and I think they would be a fine pair in Le Corsaire. “Conrad” is one of those principal roles without all the principal pressure since there are actually six principals in the cast. Sascha would excel — no doubt about it — and Gillian wouldn’t have to worry about whether he could lift her (without dropping her). Man o man, we need some good news around here.
Hi Rachel.
Yes, that is good news that Stella got one Symphony in C at the Met and the one in Washington as well which I’m planning to see next week. That ABT wouldn’t commit to her in the second Symphony in C at the Met is so lame and disrespectful.
I agree that Sascha and Gillian look great together, and I think they would be a fine pair in Le Corsaire. “Conrad” is one of those principal roles without all the principal pressure since there are actually six principals in the cast. Sascha would excel — no doubt about it — and Gillian wouldn’t have to worry about whether he could lift her (without dropping her). Man o man, we need some good news around here.
Hi,Haglund! I saw Gomes danced Basil in Tokyo in 2011. He was sooo amazing! Technically and emotionally superb. I hope he will dance Basil at the Met!
Hi,Haglund! I saw Gomes danced Basil in Tokyo in 2011. He was sooo amazing! Technically and emotionally superb. I hope he will dance Basil at the Met!
Me, too, but it seems that more and more of the season is depending on him. Hallberg has to drink his milk and take his Vitamin D with more enthusiasm so we can have his mended foot back on stage sooner than later – preferably with a strong upper body, too. Actually, I don’t think people would mind it at all if he danced in sneakers to protect his metatarsal.
Me, too, but it seems that more and more of the season is depending on him. Hallberg has to drink his milk and take his Vitamin D with more enthusiasm so we can have his mended foot back on stage sooner than later – preferably with a strong upper body, too. Actually, I don’t think people would mind it at all if he danced in sneakers to protect his metatarsal.
The spots went to Matvienko and Stearns. Sigh. But I had my suspicions that the former would be the case after last year’s Bayadere.
The spots went to Matvienko and Stearns. Sigh. But I had my suspicions that the former would be the case after last year’s Bayadere.
It’s even worse. Now poor Veronika has to debut her Kitri opposite the completely unappealing and freakish looking Whiteside.
It’s even worse. Now poor Veronika has to debut her Kitri opposite the completely unappealing and freakish looking Whiteside.
Oh god, I didn’t notice that.
Oh god, I didn’t notice that.