Whoa . . . the hissing emails flying around about the casting for ABT's Met season suggest a continued slow death for this company. Once again, many of ABT's brightest classicists have been snubbed and humiliated for the spring Met season while the influx of Flash & Dash Russians and one technically inferior cripple continue to dominate our own great dancers.
Stella Abrera, Yuriko Kajiya, Jared Matthews, Sascha Radetsky –– have all been denied classical leading roles this year. Abrera performed the role of Aurora TEN TIMES last year under grueling touring conditions. TEN TIMES. What the hell more experience do you need? TEN TIMES. Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews ARE Kitri and Basilio and ARE Aurora and Desire and ARE one of ABT's greatest pairings of Giselle and Albrecht. All four of these dancers ARE highly qualified for Swan Lake as well.
What have these extraordinarily gifted dancers done to be denied classical leading opportunities other than be good sports while McKenzie jacks them around and wastes their careers? Wastes. Their. Careers.
ABT's lazy board of directors continues to give McKenzie a pass for his failure to utilize the brilliant talent in the company while importing — honestly, Muntagirov? Was he not assessed as ordinary, boring and homely last year? We have to be thankful that McKenzie didn't match Munty up with Veronika — what a surprise. Cojocaru can't even get her own company to give her sufficient work — why is she being invited to come here? Semionova, Osipova, Vasiliev? It's understandable how the ignorant might be attracted to those three: Semionova is death-camp thin with sky-high, crotch-exposing extensions while the other two are Barnum and Bailey circus animals. But why is ABT trying to appeal to the ignorant at the expense of losing its devoted core audience?
Finally this year Herman Cornejo gets to dance Siegfried in Swan Lake. Does anyone not realize that it's because McKenzie wants to cast Flash & Dash in the same ballet but wouldn't survive the uproar if Cornejo had to sit on the sidelines once again? That Herman is finally getting what he has deserved for ten years has nothing to do with McKenzie finally recognizing how great Herman is. The ulterior motive for granting Herman the good fortune of dancing Siegfried couldn't be more transparent.
And ABT continues to embarrass itself with the absolute worst marketing and press departments in the history of all performing arts –EVER. While NYCB had its dancers strutting in Valentino designs on stage and in the great fashion mags, ABT had its men in their pajamas in Time Magazine. That pretty much sums up the difference between these two companies these days.
It is painful to watch the slow bleeding to death of this formerly great company — but it is ALL self-inflicted. The only way to stop it is to get rid of McKenzie. Fast.
56 responses to “ABT 2013 Met season – already a disappointment”
I totally agree, Haglund. The only good thing about this season is that Veronika is finally being given her due. I can’t wait to see her as Kitri. Thankfully, NOT with Muntagirov, who is surely the WORST male dancer ever to appear at the Met, with his nondescript frozen toothy grin. I’m also glad that Veronika gets to do the closing Sleeping Beauty with Marcelo. That Stella hasn’t been given a Sleeping Beauty is the greatest crime of all. There is one senior principal dancer in particular who has never lived up to her earlier promise and should be retired asap to make room for some of those so-called “flagship soloists” to dance principal roles they have long deserved.
I totally agree, Haglund. The only good thing about this season is that Veronika is finally being given her due. I can’t wait to see her as Kitri. Thankfully, NOT with Muntagirov, who is surely the WORST male dancer ever to appear at the Met, with his nondescript frozen toothy grin. I’m also glad that Veronika gets to do the closing Sleeping Beauty with Marcelo. That Stella hasn’t been given a Sleeping Beauty is the greatest crime of all. There is one senior principal dancer in particular who has never lived up to her earlier promise and should be retired asap to make room for some of those so-called “flagship soloists” to dance principal roles they have long deserved.
Re: your last point, I totally agree. The rule should be: once someone plateaus artistically, they’re finished.
Re: your last point, I totally agree. The rule should be: once someone plateaus artistically, they’re finished.
At least there aren’t as many guests this time – they are all part of the company now!/sarcasm
“The only way to stop it is to get rid of McKenzie. Fast.”
And before he makes it even harder for whoever takes over to clean up all the mess.
‘Flash & Dash’ are not only cast in nearly everything, no, they also get multiple performances.
At least there aren’t as many guests this time – they are all part of the company now!/sarcasm
“The only way to stop it is to get rid of McKenzie. Fast.”
And before he makes it even harder for whoever takes over to clean up all the mess.
‘Flash & Dash’ are not only cast in nearly everything, no, they also get multiple performances.
Kallima, there are a lot of tbas, still and I’m not holding my breath for all of them to go to company members!!
There are a few bright spots in the casting, but in general…what a mess. Why give a SL to Alina and not to Xiomara? They are the same height and have the same emploi. I could go on.
Haglund, any insight into the Irina situation? She’s still an incredible dancer/actress. Are we losing her for good this season?
Kallima, there are a lot of tbas, still and I’m not holding my breath for all of them to go to company members!!
There are a few bright spots in the casting, but in general…what a mess. Why give a SL to Alina and not to Xiomara? They are the same height and have the same emploi. I could go on.
Haglund, any insight into the Irina situation? She’s still an incredible dancer/actress. Are we losing her for good this season?
Among the disappointments are a few bright spots, such as Hee Seo’s Odette-Odile debut. Hammoudi as Siegfried. They’re both gorgeous dancers and, as far as I know, not part of the ‘Ardani Mafia.’
Among the disappointments are a few bright spots, such as Hee Seo’s Odette-Odile debut. Hammoudi as Siegfried. They’re both gorgeous dancers and, as far as I know, not part of the ‘Ardani Mafia.’
Stella, Yuriko, Jared & Sascha should all have been given the leads in principal roles.
They are all extrememly talented and beautiful to watch onstage.
It will be Kevin’s loss when they all leave.
Stella, Yuriko, Jared & Sascha should all have been given the leads in principal roles.
They are all extrememly talented and beautiful to watch onstage.
It will be Kevin’s loss when they all leave.
I have a question. So, I recall the announcements of Semionova and Vasiliev being named principals with the company, but I don’t recall an official announcement about Osipova “officially” joining the company. Was there one? Or was she just mysteriously ushered in as a full-time principal?
I do wonder what is keeping them from deciding the Saturday matinee Swan Lake. If they want Osipova, why don’t they just name her now? Although, unfortunately, I do agree that it is probably only a matter of time before Osipova gets that Swan Lake. Clearly Kevin is not going to have a soloist debut on a Saturday matinee. If Kevin just has to bring in a guest artist, can’t he find one actually suited to the ballet, like Lopatkina?
I have a question. So, I recall the announcements of Semionova and Vasiliev being named principals with the company, but I don’t recall an official announcement about Osipova “officially” joining the company. Was there one? Or was she just mysteriously ushered in as a full-time principal?
I do wonder what is keeping them from deciding the Saturday matinee Swan Lake. If they want Osipova, why don’t they just name her now? Although, unfortunately, I do agree that it is probably only a matter of time before Osipova gets that Swan Lake. Clearly Kevin is not going to have a soloist debut on a Saturday matinee. If Kevin just has to bring in a guest artist, can’t he find one actually suited to the ballet, like Lopatkina?
And Veronika in Sylvia as well!! Some nice surprises for us Veronikaphiles. (Though she’s still stuck with Cory too often.)
And Veronika in Sylvia as well!! Some nice surprises for us Veronikaphiles. (Though she’s still stuck with Cory too often.)
MRR, you’re right about there being no official announcement about Osipova joining the company. She just suddenly appeared on the website one day. She was at the time (and still is) objected to by many, and most likely, ABT wanted to keep her appointment as low profile as possible at that time.
I have to totally agree with you on Lopatkina. No one would object if she came in because she’s the best in the world at what she does and it would be an honor to have her. Comparatively speaking, these other folks being imported are riff raff.
MRR, you’re right about there being no official announcement about Osipova joining the company. She just suddenly appeared on the website one day. She was at the time (and still is) objected to by many, and most likely, ABT wanted to keep her appointment as low profile as possible at that time.
I have to totally agree with you on Lopatkina. No one would object if she came in because she’s the best in the world at what she does and it would be an honor to have her. Comparatively speaking, these other folks being imported are riff raff.
What is wrong with Alina’s technique? I mean, aside from the tendency to raise her leg to a 6’o clock position… And I do feel she has a limited acting range… (I’m afraid I’m still getting my feet wet concerning knowledge of ballet technique.)
Of course, taking away roles from long-suffering and much-deserving home-grown dancers is an entirely different kettle of fish… Why on earth have Stella, Sarah and Sascha not left ABT yet? Are they hoping against hope the AD will eventually acknowledge them? Is it about job security? Because the state of things is quite disheartening.
What is wrong with Alina’s technique? I mean, aside from the tendency to raise her leg to a 6’o clock position… And I do feel she has a limited acting range… (I’m afraid I’m still getting my feet wet concerning knowledge of ballet technique.)
Of course, taking away roles from long-suffering and much-deserving home-grown dancers is an entirely different kettle of fish… Why on earth have Stella, Sarah and Sascha not left ABT yet? Are they hoping against hope the AD will eventually acknowledge them? Is it about job security? Because the state of things is quite disheartening.
Hi Kit. Every time that Cojocaru has been here, she has had to dumb down the steps in order to make it through them. The worst of that we saw when she was ridiculously cast as Kitri opposite Jose Carreno’s Basilio. While her home audience has become accustomed to her misshaped feet, for many of us here, they still sorely detract from her line in all classical roles. Basically, we have better dancers here already. If ABT had given Sarah Lane half the opportunities that Alina’s company gave her, Sarah would be at the forefront of world classical ballet.
I don’t know why these dancers stay. Maybe their options have been limited because their current AD continually projects that they are not good enough to lead an evening of ballet. And every reason he uses, he then discards in order to bring in marginal guest artists.
Hi Kit. Every time that Cojocaru has been here, she has had to dumb down the steps in order to make it through them. The worst of that we saw when she was ridiculously cast as Kitri opposite Jose Carreno’s Basilio. While her home audience has become accustomed to her misshaped feet, for many of us here, they still sorely detract from her line in all classical roles. Basically, we have better dancers here already. If ABT had given Sarah Lane half the opportunities that Alina’s company gave her, Sarah would be at the forefront of world classical ballet.
I don’t know why these dancers stay. Maybe their options have been limited because their current AD continually projects that they are not good enough to lead an evening of ballet. And every reason he uses, he then discards in order to bring in marginal guest artists.
Maybe Misty Copeland will get the last remaining Swan Lake? (Sat. matinee)
Maybe Misty Copeland will get the last remaining Swan Lake? (Sat. matinee)
Hi Olivera. I think that’s doubtful. I’m hoping that she gets one of the leads in Symphony in C which is still uncast.
Hi Olivera. I think that’s doubtful. I’m hoping that she gets one of the leads in Symphony in C which is still uncast.
Hi Haglund! Thanks for answering my questions. Here’s are others: how can i tell misshapen feet from non-misshapen ones? Does it have to do with the brand of pointes dancers wear?
Hi Haglund! Thanks for answering my questions. Here’s are others: how can i tell misshapen feet from non-misshapen ones? Does it have to do with the brand of pointes dancers wear?
Kit, Alina has very large bunions. From what I’ve read, her feet were badly damaged because of the size and narrowness of pointe shoes she used to wear. Combined with, what appears to be, a very injury prone bone structure she’s developed these large bunions.
You can see them clearly here: http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/dancelivelove07/Royal%2520Ballet/Alina%2520Cojocaru/AlinaCojocaruJohanKobborgTheDream20.jpg
Kit, Alina has very large bunions. From what I’ve read, her feet were badly damaged because of the size and narrowness of pointe shoes she used to wear. Combined with, what appears to be, a very injury prone bone structure she’s developed these large bunions.
You can see them clearly here: http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/dancelivelove07/Royal%2520Ballet/Alina%2520Cojocaru/AlinaCojocaruJohanKobborgTheDream20.jpg
Thanks K.
Kit, if the foot truncates the classical line of the leg, it’s mis-shaped.
Thanks K.
Kit, if the foot truncates the classical line of the leg, it’s mis-shaped.
K and Haglund, thanks for clarifying!
K and Haglund, thanks for clarifying!
of course you know i’d be leading the uprising had ivan been given siggy & not herman, but i also won’t be surprised if he & osipova are the TBA. and while i think alina is charming & lovely i agree it should have gone to xiomara or sarah. glad sarah’s got SB tho.
disappointed that yuriko didn’t get donQ- i haven’t seen her dance it but the video of her on youtube is just brilliant. she is such a class act.
also very happy about hee/alex swan lake but no SL for marcelo? wtf? maybe he’s out of town?
anyway, all this aside i mostly just can’t wait for herman’s swan lake 🙂
of course you know i’d be leading the uprising had ivan been given siggy & not herman, but i also won’t be surprised if he & osipova are the TBA. and while i think alina is charming & lovely i agree it should have gone to xiomara or sarah. glad sarah’s got SB tho.
disappointed that yuriko didn’t get donQ- i haven’t seen her dance it but the video of her on youtube is just brilliant. she is such a class act.
also very happy about hee/alex swan lake but no SL for marcelo? wtf? maybe he’s out of town?
anyway, all this aside i mostly just can’t wait for herman’s swan lake 🙂
I’m crazy excited about Herman doing Siggy, too, but it should be with Sarah. There is no aesthetic justification or artistic justification for granting Alina or Osipova a Swan Lake while denying Sarah. Give Sarah a Swan Lake instead of Sleeping Beauty and then insert Stella and Sascha in Sleeping Beauty. Or give the two of them the matinee Swan Lake. And why has Eric Tamm dropped off McKenzie’s radar?
Robin, I think Gomes is the pivot piece for either Murphy or Osipova. Watching Gomes wasted on Osipova is not something I’m going to do. The idea that he would help try to legitimize Osipova in S.L., while the authentic ABT ballerinas who really need him go without, is so disturbing.
Marcelo’s own trajectory to stardom would have been much slower and more jagged if the senior ballerinas at the time (Jaffe, Ferri, etc.) had turned their noses up at dancing with a “mere” soloist or had focused on dancing with the most sensational guest stars they could find. I wish he and Hallberg would be a little more concerned with giving back — even if no one is asking them.
I’m crazy excited about Herman doing Siggy, too, but it should be with Sarah. There is no aesthetic justification or artistic justification for granting Alina or Osipova a Swan Lake while denying Sarah. Give Sarah a Swan Lake instead of Sleeping Beauty and then insert Stella and Sascha in Sleeping Beauty. Or give the two of them the matinee Swan Lake. And why has Eric Tamm dropped off McKenzie’s radar?
Robin, I think Gomes is the pivot piece for either Murphy or Osipova. Watching Gomes wasted on Osipova is not something I’m going to do. The idea that he would help try to legitimize Osipova in S.L., while the authentic ABT ballerinas who really need him go without, is so disturbing.
Marcelo’s own trajectory to stardom would have been much slower and more jagged if the senior ballerinas at the time (Jaffe, Ferri, etc.) had turned their noses up at dancing with a “mere” soloist or had focused on dancing with the most sensational guest stars they could find. I wish he and Hallberg would be a little more concerned with giving back — even if no one is asking them.
Eric tamm! You’re right- why? I love him!
Ok, sascha nearly gave me a heart attack again in upper room last weekend at bard- that guy has charisma to spare & why he’s not a principal is beyond me.
Seems i’ve heard marcelo say he’d prefer the company promote from within ( can’t think where tho) – wonder how much say he has on who he dances with.
Eric tamm! You’re right- why? I love him!
Ok, sascha nearly gave me a heart attack again in upper room last weekend at bard- that guy has charisma to spare & why he’s not a principal is beyond me.
Seems i’ve heard marcelo say he’d prefer the company promote from within ( can’t think where tho) – wonder how much say he has on who he dances with.
I forgot to mention Yuriko — Robin, her Giselle in Chicago was the best Giselle I saw all year. When she made her first entry in Act I and came to the foot of the stage, you could feel the audience collectively lean forward and reach for her. She was captivating. And with those elegant arms and hands and natural musicality, she would be a beautiful Odette or Aurora. IMO she out-dances and out-acts Hee Seo from every angle and has more natural musicality than most of the dancers in the company. And Jared — his talent is so big in so many ways. It is such a shame that it is being wasted and suppressed in favor of these imports.
I forgot to mention Yuriko — Robin, her Giselle in Chicago was the best Giselle I saw all year. When she made her first entry in Act I and came to the foot of the stage, you could feel the audience collectively lean forward and reach for her. She was captivating. And with those elegant arms and hands and natural musicality, she would be a beautiful Odette or Aurora. IMO she out-dances and out-acts Hee Seo from every angle and has more natural musicality than most of the dancers in the company. And Jared — his talent is so big in so many ways. It is such a shame that it is being wasted and suppressed in favor of these imports.
I love yurikos feel for the music so much- agree she has an exquisite sense of musical timing. I so wish i had seen her giselle!! And i’d prefer her in SL or SB 1,000 times over osipova. Also i freaking LOVE yurikos slow fouettes in that donQ clip – i’ve watched it over & over!
i know you dont like hee but i think she’s gorgeous, she was stunning in leaves last weekend.
I love yurikos feel for the music so much- agree she has an exquisite sense of musical timing. I so wish i had seen her giselle!! And i’d prefer her in SL or SB 1,000 times over osipova. Also i freaking LOVE yurikos slow fouettes in that donQ clip – i’ve watched it over & over!
i know you dont like hee but i think she’s gorgeous, she was stunning in leaves last weekend.
Haglund thank you so much for all of your reviews. It is very sad that ABT keeps bringing in new principal dancers when there roster is already filled with amazing talent. That is not to say that I do not enjoy some of their “new” dancers, but when I go to see ABT, I want to see ABT dancers perform. Also all of the “new” dancers are getting twice as many performances as the others. Let’s see Irina Dvorovenko dance more, lets see Misty Copeland dance Sylvia, let’s see Stella Abrerra dance Medora or Odette/Odile. ABT keeps asking me for my donations, but they won’t get it until they start giving their dancers more opportunities.
Haglund thank you so much for all of your reviews. It is very sad that ABT keeps bringing in new principal dancers when there roster is already filled with amazing talent. That is not to say that I do not enjoy some of their “new” dancers, but when I go to see ABT, I want to see ABT dancers perform. Also all of the “new” dancers are getting twice as many performances as the others. Let’s see Irina Dvorovenko dance more, lets see Misty Copeland dance Sylvia, let’s see Stella Abrerra dance Medora or Odette/Odile. ABT keeps asking me for my donations, but they won’t get it until they start giving their dancers more opportunities.
Hi Elizabeth.
You are absolutely correct in holding back your donations to ABT until they start giving their own dancers the high profile opportunities which they deserve. That’s exactly what I and others are doing. The current problem is that the artistic director has decided that it’s easier to go out and buy dancers that other, more talented artistic directors have developed, rather than nourish and develop the enormous in-house talent. And he is buying all of it off-shore.
The artistic director’s dismissive attitude toward the supremely talented veteran dancers is turning into a huge black mark on the company. No one wants to support that sort of thing.
Hi Elizabeth.
You are absolutely correct in holding back your donations to ABT until they start giving their own dancers the high profile opportunities which they deserve. That’s exactly what I and others are doing. The current problem is that the artistic director has decided that it’s easier to go out and buy dancers that other, more talented artistic directors have developed, rather than nourish and develop the enormous in-house talent. And he is buying all of it off-shore.
The artistic director’s dismissive attitude toward the supremely talented veteran dancers is turning into a huge black mark on the company. No one wants to support that sort of thing.
Haglund-
After re-reviewing the casting for this upcoming MET season I am very saddened to see that Irina has not been given a Swan Lake or Romeo and Juliet performance. I see that there is one performance of Swan Lake that has not been cast yet. I do hope that she gets it. Sarah Lane is dancing Princess Aurora and that is wonderful. Hopefully some of the other gorgeous soloist females will be cast as leads in full length ballets soon.
Haglund-
After re-reviewing the casting for this upcoming MET season I am very saddened to see that Irina has not been given a Swan Lake or Romeo and Juliet performance. I see that there is one performance of Swan Lake that has not been cast yet. I do hope that she gets it. Sarah Lane is dancing Princess Aurora and that is wonderful. Hopefully some of the other gorgeous soloist females will be cast as leads in full length ballets soon.
You can’t argue for Kevin’s departure without also arguing [even more strongly] for Rachel’s. Leaving aside the fact that she has alienated way more money than she has attracted [has she actually attracted any?], an executive director — oh excuse me, ahem, CEO — should be reigning in the AD’s worst instincts as to production gimmicks and casting gimmicks, especially one who tries to make hay out of her dancing [corps] past. It’s time for a new team at the top. Calling Julio, where are you?!?
You can’t argue for Kevin’s departure without also arguing [even more strongly] for Rachel’s. Leaving aside the fact that she has alienated way more money than she has attracted [has she actually attracted any?], an executive director — oh excuse me, ahem, CEO — should be reigning in the AD’s worst instincts as to production gimmicks and casting gimmicks, especially one who tries to make hay out of her dancing [corps] past. It’s time for a new team at the top. Calling Julio, where are you?!?
All good points, Concerned. She seems on board with importing as many principals and guest artists as Koch’s and Kramer’s money can buy. Nobody seems to understand that every performance with a guest artist devalues the company’s own dancers in the eyes of the general audience member. The whole artistic model seems to be to do just that — make it look like ABT’s dancers are wholly inferior to what can be bought off shore.
Julio is tied up for several more years in Uruguay. However, Corella is fighting an uphill battle in Spain on a hill that is too steep to climb. It would be fitting that a major talent who McKenzie cut off at the knees should come back to revive the company. Also, Stiefel is into his second year of a three year contract which makes him a possibility.
All good points, Concerned. She seems on board with importing as many principals and guest artists as Koch’s and Kramer’s money can buy. Nobody seems to understand that every performance with a guest artist devalues the company’s own dancers in the eyes of the general audience member. The whole artistic model seems to be to do just that — make it look like ABT’s dancers are wholly inferior to what can be bought off shore.
Julio is tied up for several more years in Uruguay. However, Corella is fighting an uphill battle in Spain on a hill that is too steep to climb. It would be fitting that a major talent who McKenzie cut off at the knees should come back to revive the company. Also, Stiefel is into his second year of a three year contract which makes him a possibility.
Elizabeth, I share your hope that more soloists will get some chances, in particular, Abrera and Kajiya. The over-reliance on Isabella Boylston is going to be a box office bust. While in some respects she is a good dancer, she is by no means a ballerina of the quality of either Abrera or Kajiya.
Elizabeth, I share your hope that more soloists will get some chances, in particular, Abrera and Kajiya. The over-reliance on Isabella Boylston is going to be a box office bust. While in some respects she is a good dancer, she is by no means a ballerina of the quality of either Abrera or Kajiya.