This is great, great news. So very deserved. Houston Ballet: Well done!!
Congratulations to one of our most favorite home grown talents ever. Here are Jared and Yuriko as Romeo and Juliet. What a shame to have been denied this performance in New York:
18 responses to “Jared Matthews promoted to principal dancer”
I’m so thrilled to hear this, Haglund, and very much appreciate your reporting this news. Though it was difficult to see their talents disregarded by ABT, it’s heartening to see that they are flourishing in Houston. And it’s a work situation that suits their personal lives, to boot, so kudos to them for having the courage to make the leap.
I’m so thrilled to hear this, Haglund, and very much appreciate your reporting this news. Though it was difficult to see their talents disregarded by ABT, it’s heartening to see that they are flourishing in Houston. And it’s a work situation that suits their personal lives, to boot, so kudos to them for having the courage to make the leap.
I’m looking forward to going down there as soon as I can manage. It’s hard to arrange, though, because casting generally doesn’t surface until after the bargain air fares have been long gone. That said, I think I’ll attend the new Giselle next year at whatever the cost.
I’m looking forward to going down there as soon as I can manage. It’s hard to arrange, though, because casting generally doesn’t surface until after the bargain air fares have been long gone. That said, I think I’ll attend the new Giselle next year at whatever the cost.
I remember a performance of the Thaïs ppd, I think during that goofy Avery Fisher Hall season a few years ago, with Jared and Vishneva. Totally transcendent. I don’t even remember how technical the choreography was, but the world that was created! Jared was completely equal in presence to Visheneva. It was evident that he was a truly exceptional talent.
I hope he is very happy.
I remember a performance of the Thaïs ppd, I think during that goofy Avery Fisher Hall season a few years ago, with Jared and Vishneva. Totally transcendent. I don’t even remember how technical the choreography was, but the world that was created! Jared was completely equal in presence to Visheneva. It was evident that he was a truly exceptional talent.
I hope he is very happy.
Hi dc. I remember that performance well. It was back in 2010 when he and Vishneva gave the Thais an exotic and mysterious quality that made their PdD so memorable.
Hi dc. I remember that performance well. It was back in 2010 when he and Vishneva gave the Thais an exotic and mysterious quality that made their PdD so memorable.
dc, I was there! It was amazing the level he achieved partnering Vishneva. Definitely the most care taken with a ballerina since Gomes. It seemed like a milestone that ought to have led to his promotion at ABT. He kept improving his technique over the years (much like Radetsky and Abrera, sigh). Congratulations to him!
dc, I was there! It was amazing the level he achieved partnering Vishneva. Definitely the most care taken with a ballerina since Gomes. It seemed like a milestone that ought to have led to his promotion at ABT. He kept improving his technique over the years (much like Radetsky and Abrera, sigh). Congratulations to him!
Annie H. and dc —
You know what I remember most about that Thais PdD with Jared and Vishneva? When she was in arabesque and he slid his hand down the length of her extended leg without ever touching it. Old school and brilliant, and so very sensual.
Gosh, don’t we miss Jared and Yuriko.
Annie H. and dc —
You know what I remember most about that Thais PdD with Jared and Vishneva? When she was in arabesque and he slid his hand down the length of her extended leg without ever touching it. Old school and brilliant, and so very sensual.
Gosh, don’t we miss Jared and Yuriko.
I’m happy to report that I was at the Wortham Theater last Saturday evening to see The Taming of the Shrew, and I saw Jared receive his promotion! I was very happy for him, especially as I’d followed his trajectory through your blog.
Ellen (from Austin)
I’m happy to report that I was at the Wortham Theater last Saturday evening to see The Taming of the Shrew, and I saw Jared receive his promotion! I was very happy for him, especially as I’d followed his trajectory through your blog.
Ellen (from Austin)
OMG, Ellen, thank you for writing. Wait until you (and all of Houston) see Jared and Yuriko in Giselle next June. I will just die if it conflicts with Giselle week in New York.
OMG, Ellen, thank you for writing. Wait until you (and all of Houston) see Jared and Yuriko in Giselle next June. I will just die if it conflicts with Giselle week in New York.
One thing I noted in that Thais was the way he had honed his body as instrument. His upper body was more developed than before, allowing him to partner strongly and securely (in contrast to say, Hallberg, sublime yet lacking in that department). And that his feet were more arched and his leg line more lithe and sculpted than previously.
I think that when we criticize some dancers like Copeland, Osipova, and Boylston for their leg lines, it isn’t a simple discussion of body type. It is a matter of careful conditioning and proper technique. Too many repetitions and “muscling through” steps lead to the overdeveloped look. Bulky, noisy pointe shoes don’t help, though someone like Cojocaru has no alternative due to the condition of her feet.
What Jared was able to do was a slower and more difficult process.
One thing I noted in that Thais was the way he had honed his body as instrument. His upper body was more developed than before, allowing him to partner strongly and securely (in contrast to say, Hallberg, sublime yet lacking in that department). And that his feet were more arched and his leg line more lithe and sculpted than previously.
I think that when we criticize some dancers like Copeland, Osipova, and Boylston for their leg lines, it isn’t a simple discussion of body type. It is a matter of careful conditioning and proper technique. Too many repetitions and “muscling through” steps lead to the overdeveloped look. Bulky, noisy pointe shoes don’t help, though someone like Cojocaru has no alternative due to the condition of her feet.
What Jared was able to do was a slower and more difficult process.