It seems that the "star power" of Maria Kochetkova is dragging down sales to Herman Cornejo's Swan Lake scheduled next week. Haglund knows people who would like to see Herman but are staying away because of the unappetizing guest artist who not only has no audience pull, but is an audience repellent. Maybe Rachel Moore can sign her up for a long term contract before Moore pulls out of ABT with her tail between her legs to go wreck some other organization.
––––––––––
One would think that when a guest artist is dismissed for unprofessional behavior that the New York Times would dig into it the way they dug into the firings of Gelsey and Patrick Bissell decades ago. Isn't the buying public who invested in the guest artist's performances due an explanation? Oh, wait – maybe we can ask her ourselves if she shows up for performances next week with the Royal Ballet.
––––––––––
There is lots to be excited about with Pennsylvania Ballet's 2015-2016 season. Angel Corella's brand new Don Quixote in March will likely be one of the most important dance events in the U.S. Haglund already has his subscription ordered and Amtrak tickets for the premiere.
18 responses to “observations 6-21”
Couldn’t help but notice that Kochetkova obnoxiously refers to herself as a principal with ABT as opposed to a guest artist: “Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet and ABT. Guest with Mariinsky, Bolshoi and Tokyo Ballets. Former dancer with ENB and Royal Ballet” on her Twitter bio: https://twitter.com/balletrusse despite the fact that ABT still lists her as a guest artist.
Couldn’t help but notice that Kochetkova obnoxiously refers to herself as a principal with ABT as opposed to a guest artist: “Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet and ABT. Guest with Mariinsky, Bolshoi and Tokyo Ballets. Former dancer with ENB and Royal Ballet” on her Twitter bio: https://twitter.com/balletrusse despite the fact that ABT still lists her as a guest artist.
Maybe she and ABT know something that we don’t know! Maybe she’s ABT’s newest principal dancer!
Maybe she and ABT know something that we don’t know! Maybe she’s ABT’s newest principal dancer!
Well, M&M, she’s certainly been lobbying for it ever since her pal Simkin arrived. And could someone remind me why HE is a principal?
Well, M&M, she’s certainly been lobbying for it ever since her pal Simkin arrived. And could someone remind me why HE is a principal?
I sure hope not! But she does that a zillion Instagram and Twitter followers which seems to be the golden ticket these days…
I sure hope not! But she does that a zillion Instagram and Twitter followers which seems to be the golden ticket these days…
If true, the news of Kochetkova becoming ABT principal would be horrible. Remember that the Bolshoi rejected her upon graduation. She has a demi charactere body at best. A cute face alone does not cut it.
If true, the news of Kochetkova becoming ABT principal would be horrible. Remember that the Bolshoi rejected her upon graduation. She has a demi charactere body at best. A cute face alone does not cut it.
She’s not the only Bolshoi reject who is seeking opportunities at ABT.
She’s not the only Bolshoi reject who is seeking opportunities at ABT.
Really, where does Kochetkova get off calling herself an ABT principal when she’s merely a guest artist? Is there no limit to the arrogance of these artists who lie about their positions and accomplishments and say “So what, it’s a lie, so what?” Even if ABT signed her on as a regular company principal, is it her place to announce it? I’m so sick and tired of this shit from the likes of Kochetkova, Copeland, and even Hallberg who knows damn well that he was NOT the first American to join the Bolshoi, but continues to lie about it in his ABT bio. I hope that he has made peace with Michael Shannon for stealing the man’s place in history. By the way, it wasn’t worth a damn sentence in the New York Times when Shannon joined the Bolshoi, but decades later it’s front page news for Hallberg simply because the asses at The Times didn’t perform due diligence within their own damn archives to see that they had reviewed one of Shannon’s wonderful principal performances with the Bolshoi at Lincoln Center. Nor have they offered a meaningful correction to readers and an apology to Shannon.
And it must be pointed out that this type of crap goes on almost exclusively at ABT. The media fraud isn’t an issue at NYCB or RB or POB. It’s not a “ballet problem”; it’s an ABT problem.
Really, where does Kochetkova get off calling herself an ABT principal when she’s merely a guest artist? Is there no limit to the arrogance of these artists who lie about their positions and accomplishments and say “So what, it’s a lie, so what?” Even if ABT signed her on as a regular company principal, is it her place to announce it? I’m so sick and tired of this shit from the likes of Kochetkova, Copeland, and even Hallberg who knows damn well that he was NOT the first American to join the Bolshoi, but continues to lie about it in his ABT bio. I hope that he has made peace with Michael Shannon for stealing the man’s place in history. By the way, it wasn’t worth a damn sentence in the New York Times when Shannon joined the Bolshoi, but decades later it’s front page news for Hallberg simply because the asses at The Times didn’t perform due diligence within their own damn archives to see that they had reviewed one of Shannon’s wonderful principal performances with the Bolshoi at Lincoln Center. Nor have they offered a meaningful correction to readers and an apology to Shannon.
And it must be pointed out that this type of crap goes on almost exclusively at ABT. The media fraud isn’t an issue at NYCB or RB or POB. It’s not a “ballet problem”; it’s an ABT problem.
This sort of lying happens a lot. Remember when Keenan Kampa was hailed as “the first American” to join the ranks of the Mariinsky ballet? Tell that to Rasta Thomas. Neither stayed for long…but that’s another story,
This sort of lying happens a lot. Remember when Keenan Kampa was hailed as “the first American” to join the ranks of the Mariinsky ballet? Tell that to Rasta Thomas. Neither stayed for long…but that’s another story,
I don’t think I agree that this sort of lying happens a lot. Rasta Thomas seemed to be a transient by nature throughout his career. He was offered six months with the Mariinsky but chose to leave midway through his residency. Keenan Kampa was a permanent member, put on a (inappropriate) promotion path and left or was let go following a long injury. I think Keenan can say that she was the first American member of the company – with an asterisk. Hallberg can’t and SHOULDN’T. It is really bad form, disappointing, and is a mistake that should never have been made by him or the NYT. I have to wonder why NYT wasn’t interested in Shannon joining the Bolshoi but the current critic couldn’t get enough of Hallberg’s story. In reality, which was the “bigger” story? Who really broke ground?
I don’t think I agree that this sort of lying happens a lot. Rasta Thomas seemed to be a transient by nature throughout his career. He was offered six months with the Mariinsky but chose to leave midway through his residency. Keenan Kampa was a permanent member, put on a (inappropriate) promotion path and left or was let go following a long injury. I think Keenan can say that she was the first American member of the company – with an asterisk. Hallberg can’t and SHOULDN’T. It is really bad form, disappointing, and is a mistake that should never have been made by him or the NYT. I have to wonder why NYT wasn’t interested in Shannon joining the Bolshoi but the current critic couldn’t get enough of Hallberg’s story. In reality, which was the “bigger” story? Who really broke ground?