Those ABT Odiles are a bunch of sharp-elbowed bitches, ain’t they? We’ll get to them, but it’s more important to first highlight the initial revelation of the season — one that we have been anticipating for a few years.
Last evening Bearcat Michael de la Nuez, a sixth-year corpsman, debuted as Prince Siegfried opposite the company’s adored Swan Lake senior specialist, Gillian Murphy. The profound depth of his characterization came as a shock; we had only expected great dancing.
When he first appeared at the top of the staircase to tumultuous cheers, it was difficult to tell who was more excited: this new, handsome Siegfried or the peasants below who were thrilled to see one of their own rise to royalty. This was going to be a group effort to make sure that Siegfried stayed the course and soared far above his exospheric leaps. No, there was never a need for the equivalent of the theatrical “Line, please.” But we did have a love-chuckle when Siggie’s buddies under the Maypole obviously re-positioned him back a step before they hoisted him up on their shoulders. And oh my goodness, the broad smiles of the peasants dancing for his benefit could not have been more genuine nor more proud.
It’s been a while since ABT’s Siegfried has so deeply conveyed the prince’s questioning and indecision as to what direction his life should take. De la Nuez’s bare honesty of Siegfried’s emotional dilemma captivated us from its very first moment. His long, scrupulous leg lines — there’s something in the Ohio water that triggers them (Klesa, von Enck, Catazaro) — hit their positions in the air and on the floor like magnets snapping together. To repeat, his grand jetes were exospheric in height. Beautifully shaped pirouettes and EF5 tornadic turns a la second were punctuated with exquisitely pointed feet. He aggressively went after the many double tours that landed in arabesque and steered most of them definitively and some elegantly. De la Nuez’s partnering of Gillian Murphy had a stutter or two, perhaps from over-partnering, but it was clear that he was going to err on the side of doing too much rather than too little. Siegfried’s devotion to Odette, his momentary lapse of fidelity, and his sincere regret were all palpable in this portrayal. Such a fine, fine debut.
Thus far, we’ve seen the Swan Lake performances of Misseldine/Bell, Teuscher/Ahn, and Murphy/de la Nuez. What a roaring start to the summer season it has been. Chloe Misseldine and Devon Teuscher herald a new era of Ivanov interpreters and Petipa progressives just as Gillian Murphy did almost twenty-five years ago. Aran Bell and Joo Won Ahn each have developed substantive interpretations of Siegfried that go with their gorgeous dancing. Bell is elegance personified but is still justifiably cautious compared to earlier seasons prior to injury; Ahn, a technical gambler, is thrilling when he finds his confidence and makes his own luck.
Words cannot fairly describe the beauty & majestic qualities of Misseldine’s and Teuscher’s Odettes/Odiles. One can only feel their true power in one’s own heart while watching. The viewer believes them. Who could possibly ask for more beautifully-lined limbs that convey honesty and suffering one minute and poisonous treachery the next? And yeah, they not only did all the steps; they relished in them. This includes Murphy who in her penultimate Odile managed thrilling stop-on-a-dime pauses to her pirouette/attitude en dehors combination — with a viper-like glare out to the audience.
Joseph Markey’s purple von Rothbart impressed with its toxic force. Sung Woo Han, Patrick Frenette, and Jake Roxander each excelled in the role of Benno. Frenette’s interpretation was particularly well-developed and suggested his own aristocratic bearing. Are we going to see him as Albrecht, like when, in his next life? Come on …
Elisabeth Beyer in the Pas de Trois reminded us that women should and can do entrechat six as well as men. Some of the women featured as soloists and demis couldn’t even manage to cheat their ways through entrechat six; some just gave up. The double tours of the corpsmen were awesome. Their coupe jete entournant were beyond formidable.
The Swan Corps was serviceable and at times rose to the level of great beauty, particularly in Act IV. David LaMarche’s nuanced and sensitive conducting instantly read what each artist needed. Charles Barker’s steady hand allowed the artists to know exactly what to expect. The exceptional violinist should have been credited in the program insert. Can we fix that for the final week of Swan Lake?
The H.H. Pump Bump Award, designed for acceleration and long mileage, is bestowed upon Michael de la Nuez for his courageous debut as Siegfried.
16 responses to “ABT Swan Lake 6/11 mat, 6/14 mat & eve
Holy Hiss & Spit!”
Kobi Malkin, the ABT Orchestra’s Concertmaster, has been playing the Swan Lake violin solos though once or twice Associate Concertmaster Katie Hyun played them, as brilliantly as her purple hair. She’s a very exciting new addition to ABT.
I suspect that who is playing when is decided too late to make the insert but your noticing the playing is reassuring.
Kobi Malkin, the ABT Orchestra’s Concertmaster, has been playing the Swan Lake violin solos though once or twice Associate Concertmaster Katie Hyun played them, as brilliantly as her purple hair. She’s a very exciting new addition to ABT.
I suspect that who is playing when is decided too late to make the insert but your noticing the playing is reassuring.
Thanks much, NYCPlayer, for the info.
Thanks much, NYCPlayer, for the info.
Haglund, thank you for this! I won’t be able to see my swans until the second Swan Lake week of the season.
Did you see that Gonzalo Garcia has been appointed as the AD of MCB?
Haglund, thank you for this! I won’t be able to see my swans until the second Swan Lake week of the season.
Did you see that Gonzalo Garcia has been appointed as the AD of MCB?
I did not hear that, but oh, what a good choice by MCB and what a good move by Garcia! He’ll leave a big gap in the NYCB artistic staff. I’ve thought that his incredible energy and optimism have had a noticeable impact on NYCB performances. Hard to replace.
I did not hear that, but oh, what a good choice by MCB and what a good move by Garcia! He’ll leave a big gap in the NYCB artistic staff. I’ve thought that his incredible energy and optimism have had a noticeable impact on NYCB performances. Hard to replace.
How wonderful for Michael de la Nuez! Sadly for us who did not catch his performance, the ABT calendar indicates it is his one and only Siegfried this season. Last week’s Wednesday and Friday matinees were masterfully conducted by David LaMarche. I’ve been attending ABT performances for decades but never, as I did Friday at the curtain calls, have I heard an audience cheer a ballet conductor as LaMarche was cheered–deservedly so. Bell and Misseldine on Wednesday gave us a breathtaking beautiful performance as did Shevchenko and Royal Friday. We are fortunate to have two such swan queens at ABT. Frenette was Benno at both performances and danced magnificently. Wednesday, he made it look easy but on Friday he made it look like child’s play: Just thrilling! The corps is looking exceptionally clean–Jaffe’s shock and awe?
How wonderful for Michael de la Nuez! Sadly for us who did not catch his performance, the ABT calendar indicates it is his one and only Siegfried this season. Last week’s Wednesday and Friday matinees were masterfully conducted by David LaMarche. I’ve been attending ABT performances for decades but never, as I did Friday at the curtain calls, have I heard an audience cheer a ballet conductor as LaMarche was cheered–deservedly so. Bell and Misseldine on Wednesday gave us a breathtaking beautiful performance as did Shevchenko and Royal Friday. We are fortunate to have two such swan queens at ABT. Frenette was Benno at both performances and danced magnificently. Wednesday, he made it look easy but on Friday he made it look like child’s play: Just thrilling! The corps is looking exceptionally clean–Jaffe’s shock and awe?
Hi, Eulalia. Literally overnight de la Nuez has become an easy “go-to” if a Siegfried is needed. It’s early in the season. No one likes to see injuries, but they are inevitable. I’d be surprised if all the currently scheduled Siegfrieds make it to mid-July.
Hi, Eulalia. Literally overnight de la Nuez has become an easy “go-to” if a Siegfried is needed. It’s early in the season. No one likes to see injuries, but they are inevitable. I’d be surprised if all the currently scheduled Siegfrieds make it to mid-July.
I also caught the Murphy/de la Nuez performance. I initially wanted to see Misseldine/Bell, but was disappointed that I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. Boy, am I now glad I got to witness this. Murphy herself seemed to be dancing with renewed vigor.
I also caught the Murphy/de la Nuez performance. I initially wanted to see Misseldine/Bell, but was disappointed that I couldn’t fit it into my schedule. Boy, am I now glad I got to witness this. Murphy herself seemed to be dancing with renewed vigor.
Glad you saw it, yukionna. ITA with you that Murphy is dancing with renewed vigor. So nice to see.
Glad you saw it, yukionna. ITA with you that Murphy is dancing with renewed vigor. So nice to see.