Here is an in depth article from Uruguay's El Telescopio that gives a thoughtful analysis and rundown of the matters that led Ballet Nacional Sodre to its present crisis. The writer cautions not to misread the Minister of Culture's reaction and positive remarks too optimistically. He says that the situation is far from resolved and that Julio Bocca's agreement to return to head the company's tours in a few months is due to his prior commitment to lend his prestige to the tours which was all-important in securing the engagements.
Few outside of Latin America understand the enormous impact that Bocca has had on the cultural body of Uruguay and how his pursuit and clear achievement of excellence at BNS, which formerly rested on a lower rung of artistic respect, has antagonized and galvanized the country's orchestra whose unions were, before Bocca's arrival, a most politically powerful organization. When Bocca became fed up with the orchestra's obstacles and opted to have his company perform to taped music, the orchestra union protested aggressively in the streets of Montevideo and demanded his departure. His frustration in having to re-negotiate his agreements and re-argue the needs and value of BNS every time there is a change in the country's cultural governing body is understandable. Having to deal with dancers who perhaps see an opportunity to leverage the disputes to achieve their own objectives cannot be helpful to the ballet's mission.
Bocca has given Uruguay a polished ballet company which can continue to build an international cultural reputation with or without him. As one of the ballet world's most admired and talented figures who has shown brilliant skills on and off the stage, it would be a loss to the art form if he continued to waste his efforts where he is not fully appreciated by the cultural authorities.
18 responses to “Bocca brewings continued”
Thank you for sharing this Haglund! It would be great to have him back in the US, especially if he can change things for the current ABT! Sorry for my ignorance but just very curious if the offer for Bocca is $1M annual what is the current AD getting? Does the current administration really earn that or more for doing nothing?
Thank you for sharing this Haglund! It would be great to have him back in the US, especially if he can change things for the current ABT! Sorry for my ignorance but just very curious if the offer for Bocca is $1M annual what is the current AD getting? Does the current administration really earn that or more for doing nothing?
Hi, H.F.
McKenzie’s last reported salary from the 2013 Form 990 is $298,574 with additional “other” compensation of $9,117. It is a lot less than what Peter Martins is paid, but Martins’ job encompasses far more than McKenzie’s and, of course, he’s doing a much better job in all respects. Julio is definitely worth $1 million — if indeed an offer was made.
Hi, H.F.
McKenzie’s last reported salary from the 2013 Form 990 is $298,574 with additional “other” compensation of $9,117. It is a lot less than what Peter Martins is paid, but Martins’ job encompasses far more than McKenzie’s and, of course, he’s doing a much better job in all respects. Julio is definitely worth $1 million — if indeed an offer was made.
Thank you Haglund for this interesting information. That would be a significant boost then for Bocca and agree about the worthiness!! Totally agree about Martins too! Guess we will have to wait and see?!
Thank you Haglund for this interesting information. That would be a significant boost then for Bocca and agree about the worthiness!! Totally agree about Martins too! Guess we will have to wait and see?!
The offer from ABT is one rumor I am hoping turns out to be true. I can’t even imagine how incredible that would be. It would be a reason to be excited about ABT again.
The offer from ABT is one rumor I am hoping turns out to be true. I can’t even imagine how incredible that would be. It would be a reason to be excited about ABT again.
Agree, SM. The overall quality of the men’s dancing would soar with Julio as the leader, but we will never in our lifetimes ever again see anything close to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLEoRiSC0no To discover such talent, physique, commitment, and heart all rolled into one being is a once in a lifetime find.
I don’t think Bocca would have excelled as he did without having Baryshnikov as example, wrangler, and propellant.
Agree, SM. The overall quality of the men’s dancing would soar with Julio as the leader, but we will never in our lifetimes ever again see anything close to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLEoRiSC0no To discover such talent, physique, commitment, and heart all rolled into one being is a once in a lifetime find.
I don’t think Bocca would have excelled as he did without having Baryshnikov as example, wrangler, and propellant.
Thank you for the link! I had to pick myself off the floor after watching that video. Julio Bocca was indeed a once in a lifetime find. His performances should be required viewing for all dance students and for all mankind for that matter. 🙂
Thank you for the link! I had to pick myself off the floor after watching that video. Julio Bocca was indeed a once in a lifetime find. His performances should be required viewing for all dance students and for all mankind for that matter. 🙂
I hope Julio comes back to ABT!
I hope Julio comes back to ABT!
Delayed post… more a repost but this video of Julio is still amazing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI1jHIwPbVw
Delayed post… more a repost but this video of Julio is still amazing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI1jHIwPbVw
Thanks Anon! One of my favorite moments of this variation is about 24-25 seconds into the video. Julio has just completed all of those double tours and then accelerates into a soutenu, finds the balcony with his face, and keeps accelerating.
I’ve seen this whole video (can’t seem to find it now) and he and Ferri do take liberties with Balanchine’s choreography, but it still is remarkable what they do with it.
Thanks Anon! One of my favorite moments of this variation is about 24-25 seconds into the video. Julio has just completed all of those double tours and then accelerates into a soutenu, finds the balcony with his face, and keeps accelerating.
I’ve seen this whole video (can’t seem to find it now) and he and Ferri do take liberties with Balanchine’s choreography, but it still is remarkable what they do with it.