If you miss the final two performances of ABT’s Sylvia today, you’ll be missing the boat to Bliss Island.
Last night’s cast of Skylar Brandt, Jake Roxander, Patrick Frenette and the ABT Orchestra brought us another glorious performance. We loved seeing Brandt challenged by the Ashtononics and would love to see her in more Fonteyn-inspired Ashton roles, particularly Cinderella with de la Nuez as her P.C. Roxander, though engaging to watch and a superb partner to Brandt, was less impactful without the opportunity to blast through his reality-bending feats. He needs a second performance to figure this out. Frenette built a powerful characterization of Orion. There was one particular moment when we thought his multiple pirouettes were going to peter out just to claim an extra rotation, but then he punctuated them with a strikingly fierce arabesque that really showed us who Orion was. Are we going to see Frenette as Albrecht in this lifetime, or will we have to wait until his next life? Is it so hard to recognize that he should just be turned over to Julio to get this done?
Corps members were given individual opportunities to shine in solos, duos, and trios with some uneven results. Elwince Magbitang made a decent start with Eros but did not approach what Carlos Gonzales and Takumi Miyake were able to pull out of the role and is not as technically gifted. Paula Waski as Diana didn’t fail but didn’t succeed notably, either. Fanqi Li and Jose Sebastian were a gorgeous match as Ceres and Jaseion. Finnian Carmeci as Apollo caught our eye for his gracious manner and obvious theatrical leaning whereas Remy Young as Terpsichore caught our eye for her difficulty with releves and the tension that reverberated through her torso, neck, arms, and facial expression. Zimmi Coker is still working her way back into shape after her long injury layoff; hopefully, she’ll be 100% by fall. And then, there was Elisabeth Beyer glowing in every corps step she took. Beyer is not your typical second year corps member; we’ve all been watching her since she was 10 years old at YAGP where she crushed the most technically demanding solos and applied artistry way beyond her years. Let’s get her a few challenges, uh?
Let’s talk about hair. Cut it, guys. Messy frizz in the face does no one any favors. And it looks utterly ridiculous sticking out from under some of the hats the men wear in the classics.
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So we’re coming down the home stretch of ABT’s summer season with another great lineup of Swan Lakes. Then it’s on to the Joyce Theater for Tiler Peck’s Jerome Robbins Ballet Festival that will include artists from NYCB, ABT, Royal Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet. You don’t want to miss a lineup like this. Wonderful artists all, and you get the opportunity to revisit Brooks Landegger since he grew out of NYCB’s Nutcracker Little Prince role years ago and now readies his move into the ABT corps.
46 responses to “observations 7/12”
Haglund, can we legally require ABT to program “Sylvia” every season or at the very least another Ashton work? Today’s matinee was joy unalloyed. And thank you for the shout out to Maestro LaMarche who conducted. He danced with the dancers from the conductor’s podium and beckoned the brass to shine in all their glory. What a performance! I’m suddenly not so eager to leave New York…
Haglund, can we legally require ABT to program “Sylvia” every season or at the very least another Ashton work? Today’s matinee was joy unalloyed. And thank you for the shout out to Maestro LaMarche who conducted. He danced with the dancers from the conductor’s podium and beckoned the brass to shine in all their glory. What a performance! I’m suddenly not so eager to leave New York…
It really was a beautiful program today. I love everything about this production and keep forgetting to mention the incredible costumes — especially those yellow tutus on the corps women in Act III. The long tulle worn by the creatures in the first scene move with such delicacy. And the outfits worn by Orion’s exotic man servants were delicious. All of the costumes – goats, gods & goddesses, attendants, all of them were simply gorgeous.
I saw five of the seven performances this week – unfortunately, had to give away this evening’s ticket – and was thrilled by how Carlos Gonzales grew every time he hit the stage. Same with Virginia Lensi. Same with Sierra Armstrong who I pray has some virtuoso skills hidden in her pocket to go with her stunning lines, articulate feet, creamy epaulement, and lovely expressive face.
I believe, though not sure, that the name of the exceptional horn soloist is Zohar Schondorf.
I was somewhat disappointed that we did not see Devon Teuscher as Sylvia although I know she had a fairly packed season. And I’m looking forward to some day seeing Jarod Curley as both Orion and Aminta.
It really was a beautiful program today. I love everything about this production and keep forgetting to mention the incredible costumes — especially those yellow tutus on the corps women in Act III. The long tulle worn by the creatures in the first scene move with such delicacy. And the outfits worn by Orion’s exotic man servants were delicious. All of the costumes – goats, gods & goddesses, attendants, all of them were simply gorgeous.
I saw five of the seven performances this week – unfortunately, had to give away this evening’s ticket – and was thrilled by how Carlos Gonzales grew every time he hit the stage. Same with Virginia Lensi. Same with Sierra Armstrong who I pray has some virtuoso skills hidden in her pocket to go with her stunning lines, articulate feet, creamy epaulement, and lovely expressive face.
I believe, though not sure, that the name of the exceptional horn soloist is Zohar Schondorf.
I was somewhat disappointed that we did not see Devon Teuscher as Sylvia although I know she had a fairly packed season. And I’m looking forward to some day seeing Jarod Curley as both Orion and Aminta.
I personally thought Jake was wonderful. It was his debut in a principal role. The ballet doesn’t give the male lead a chance to show off, but I thought he was touching in the opening solo and showed he’s more than a trickster.
Patrick was the best of the three Orions I saw. He took what can be a forgettable role and gave it depth and made it memorable.
I personally thought Jake was wonderful. It was his debut in a principal role. The ballet doesn’t give the male lead a chance to show off, but I thought he was touching in the opening solo and showed he’s more than a trickster.
Patrick was the best of the three Orions I saw. He took what can be a forgettable role and gave it depth and made it memorable.
Yes, BalletomaneBK, Jake was super. Not a lot of opportunity to give the stuff we already know he can give, but it was an opportunity to develop further theatrically and strengthen his partnering. All for the good.
Yes, BalletomaneBK, Jake was super. Not a lot of opportunity to give the stuff we already know he can give, but it was an opportunity to develop further theatrically and strengthen his partnering. All for the good.
Skylar Brandt’s performance was particularly good – she understood how to create three different personas, one for each act. I would also love to have seen Devon Teuscher in the role, and, of course, miss Gillian Murphy – and Paloma Herrera.
Your recognition of David LaMarche and the orchestra is well-deserved. In fact, the response to the orchestra all season has been wonderful. I suspect that more and more young audience members are being exposed to a sizable live orchesra for the first time.
Skylar Brandt’s performance was particularly good – she understood how to create three different personas, one for each act. I would also love to have seen Devon Teuscher in the role, and, of course, miss Gillian Murphy – and Paloma Herrera.
Your recognition of David LaMarche and the orchestra is well-deserved. In fact, the response to the orchestra all season has been wonderful. I suspect that more and more young audience members are being exposed to a sizable live orchesra for the first time.
ITA about Skylar’s performance. The moment in Ashton’s choreography where the lightbulb goes off in Sylvia’s head and she decides to trick Orion is a fairly fleeting moment which can easily be missed by the audience. I thought Skylar handled it quite clearly.
ITA about Skylar’s performance. The moment in Ashton’s choreography where the lightbulb goes off in Sylvia’s head and she decides to trick Orion is a fairly fleeting moment which can easily be missed by the audience. I thought Skylar handled it quite clearly.
Haglund, not sure which Swans you will see this week, but I thought Cate Hurlin’s tonight was beautiful. She has an ankle something or other and could not do the fouettés, but managed a complicated ménage that was to the beat of the music and quite fast and varied and I suspect some of the audience didn’t even notice. Isaac Hernandez brought emotion to Sigfried, but I felt the dancing itself was underwhelming (perhaps simply compared to Cate). There were some double tours in the Act III variation where both the entry and landing weren’t from clean positions.
My ballet neophyte guest walked out of the theater with me and said “was the friend better”? And I had to agree. Roxander made a great Benno. I was sad to hear you didn’t think his Amrinta was quite there – perhaps he just has to build up a bit more to the lead roles.
Haglund, not sure which Swans you will see this week, but I thought Cate Hurlin’s tonight was beautiful. She has an ankle something or other and could not do the fouettés, but managed a complicated ménage that was to the beat of the music and quite fast and varied and I suspect some of the audience didn’t even notice. Isaac Hernandez brought emotion to Sigfried, but I felt the dancing itself was underwhelming (perhaps simply compared to Cate). There were some double tours in the Act III variation where both the entry and landing weren’t from clean positions.
My ballet neophyte guest walked out of the theater with me and said “was the friend better”? And I had to agree. Roxander made a great Benno. I was sad to hear you didn’t think his Amrinta was quite there – perhaps he just has to build up a bit more to the lead roles.
Thanks, H.B. I look forward to seeing Cate Hurlin’s Odette/Odile when her ankle is better. Somewhat disappointed to hear about Hernandez. Apparently, it’s going to take him some time to figure out his way at ABT, although I was already very impressed with his Kingdom of the Shades pdd when he first arrived. I’m seeing several Swan Lakes this week. Hopefully, one of them will include Roxander as Benno. That role requires the kind of oomph in which he specializes whereas Aminta really doesn’t. Everyone and his dog wishes that ABT would announce the casting of such a major role as Benno and the PdT in Swan Lake.
Thanks, H.B. I look forward to seeing Cate Hurlin’s Odette/Odile when her ankle is better. Somewhat disappointed to hear about Hernandez. Apparently, it’s going to take him some time to figure out his way at ABT, although I was already very impressed with his Kingdom of the Shades pdd when he first arrived. I’m seeing several Swan Lakes this week. Hopefully, one of them will include Roxander as Benno. That role requires the kind of oomph in which he specializes whereas Aminta really doesn’t. Everyone and his dog wishes that ABT would announce the casting of such a major role as Benno and the PdT in Swan Lake.
Thanks for the writeups, Haglund! I saw the first part of Hurlin’s O/O on Tuesday but ended up leaving at intermission as I was still soaking wet from the thurderstorm!
Today I saw Boylston and she was wonderful. She nailed the turns in Act III and finished with solid double.
Wondering about the future stars of ABT? I don’t know the dancers as well as I do NYCB, but it’s hard to point to any specific dancer other than Beyer (for the ladies) who is clearly a potential Principal. We’ll see how Jaffe decides to build the Company!
Thanks for the writeups, Haglund! I saw the first part of Hurlin’s O/O on Tuesday but ended up leaving at intermission as I was still soaking wet from the thurderstorm!
Today I saw Boylston and she was wonderful. She nailed the turns in Act III and finished with solid double.
Wondering about the future stars of ABT? I don’t know the dancers as well as I do NYCB, but it’s hard to point to any specific dancer other than Beyer (for the ladies) who is clearly a potential Principal. We’ll see how Jaffe decides to build the Company!
Hip, hip, Cream Soda! I also thought Boylston excelled today, far more lyrical than previously as Odette. Her back bends as the White Swan were meltingly feminine but her movements as Odile were fascinatingly predatory. Camargo was glorious. Few performers have his gift of Innigkeit that invites the audience into the character’s innermost thoughts. The orchestra under Wilkins was magnificent. So sad that after Saturday’s matinee, our ABT summer season comes to an end. One could feast forever!
Hip, hip, Cream Soda! I also thought Boylston excelled today, far more lyrical than previously as Odette. Her back bends as the White Swan were meltingly feminine but her movements as Odile were fascinatingly predatory. Camargo was glorious. Few performers have his gift of Innigkeit that invites the audience into the character’s innermost thoughts. The orchestra under Wilkins was magnificent. So sad that after Saturday’s matinee, our ABT summer season comes to an end. One could feast forever!
I also saw Boylston today, and agree she was wonderful. Fleytoux and Zimmi Coker stood out as well. Fleytoux is such a beautiful dancer, and Coker acts such a range of emotions for each of her characters. Lensi was very graceful as one of the two swans (she was such a graceful Diana in Sylvia). The new artistic direction seems good for the company, but they are losing two principals (three if one counts Copeland) and I’m curious who gets promoted.
I also saw Boylston today, and agree she was wonderful. Fleytoux and Zimmi Coker stood out as well. Fleytoux is such a beautiful dancer, and Coker acts such a range of emotions for each of her characters. Lensi was very graceful as one of the two swans (she was such a graceful Diana in Sylvia). The new artistic direction seems good for the company, but they are losing two principals (three if one counts Copeland) and I’m curious who gets promoted.
You guys are making me wish I’d been at the matinee today, too. Thanks for the reports.
You guys are making me wish I’d been at the matinee today, too. Thanks for the reports.
Finally (ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration given there have only been like 3 NYC performances) had the pleasure of seeing the Misseldine/Bell pairing in Swan Lake last night. They were both wonderful. Curiously, I am not sure which is the traditional choreography in the Act II pdd but Chloe did not do the turns a la seconde where she is “caught” by Sigfried – she and Aran did a lot of supported pirouettes instead. Chloe really is such a beautiful dancer and dances with a maturity, especially as Odette, that seems beyond her age. Loved seeing the clean landings in fifth in Aran’s double tours.
Elizabeth Beyer was crystal clear and beautiful in the peasant odd – her epaulment is unrivaled. Roxander was predictably great in the Neopolitan divert- quite the little show off with his pirouettes.
Finally (ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration given there have only been like 3 NYC performances) had the pleasure of seeing the Misseldine/Bell pairing in Swan Lake last night. They were both wonderful. Curiously, I am not sure which is the traditional choreography in the Act II pdd but Chloe did not do the turns a la seconde where she is “caught” by Sigfried – she and Aran did a lot of supported pirouettes instead. Chloe really is such a beautiful dancer and dances with a maturity, especially as Odette, that seems beyond her age. Loved seeing the clean landings in fifth in Aran’s double tours.
Elizabeth Beyer was crystal clear and beautiful in the peasant odd – her epaulment is unrivaled. Roxander was predictably great in the Neopolitan divert- quite the little show off with his pirouettes.
I’m still speechless after watching last night’s performance. Need to spend the day recovering.
I’m still speechless after watching last night’s performance. Need to spend the day recovering.
Cream Soda, I don’t think there’s any women in the soloist ranks ready for promotion. Lea and Sun Mi could get there, but I think at least two years away. It’ll be an interesting peroid; I wonder if we’ll see guest artists.
Cream Soda, I don’t think there’s any women in the soloist ranks ready for promotion. Lea and Sun Mi could get there, but I think at least two years away. It’ll be an interesting peroid; I wonder if we’ll see guest artists.
Haglund, I was fortunate to be at Misseldine’s and Bell’s “Swan Lake” June 11. I know exactly what hit you!
Haglund, I was fortunate to be at Misseldine’s and Bell’s “Swan Lake” June 11. I know exactly what hit you!
Andrw Robere has done three Rothbarts (Act III) in the last three days and gives one of the best performances of the “Russian Dance” that I have seen – both the dancing and acting. And Thursday evening’s “green” Rothbart, Duncan Lyle, was riveting in Act IV and actually made you feel sympathy for the character. And Virginia Lensi continues to thrill.
Andrw Robere has done three Rothbarts (Act III) in the last three days and gives one of the best performances of the “Russian Dance” that I have seen – both the dancing and acting. And Thursday evening’s “green” Rothbart, Duncan Lyle, was riveting in Act IV and actually made you feel sympathy for the character. And Virginia Lensi continues to thrill.
Robare’s Von Rothbart was certainly one of the many highlights this year — just eccentric enough to keep us on the edge of our seats. Looking forward to seeing his Oberon someday.
Robare’s Von Rothbart was certainly one of the many highlights this year — just eccentric enough to keep us on the edge of our seats. Looking forward to seeing his Oberon someday.
Haglund, can’t wait for your review of Misseldine/Bell! I was there for that show, as well as Boylston and Hurlin. But back to Chloe and Aran…
OMG. I was fortunate enough to see Chloe’s debut in this last year at the Met when she was promoted onstage, but she was even better this time around. Is there anything she can’t do? Is there any emotion she can’t convey? Her Odette is so heartbreaking, you think, how could she do Odile? And then her Odile is even better. And Aran Bell is one hell of a dancer. He’s just matured so much and is frankly quite hunky!
Shout out to Zimmi Coker. All three shows I, Coker was featured in each and every act. She danced the whole night, and was a joy in each and every part. She is a star in her own right, IMHO, and I hope she fully recovers and is promoted to Soloist soon!
Haglund, can’t wait for your review of Misseldine/Bell! I was there for that show, as well as Boylston and Hurlin. But back to Chloe and Aran…
OMG. I was fortunate enough to see Chloe’s debut in this last year at the Met when she was promoted onstage, but she was even better this time around. Is there anything she can’t do? Is there any emotion she can’t convey? Her Odette is so heartbreaking, you think, how could she do Odile? And then her Odile is even better. And Aran Bell is one hell of a dancer. He’s just matured so much and is frankly quite hunky!
Shout out to Zimmi Coker. All three shows I, Coker was featured in each and every act. She danced the whole night, and was a joy in each and every part. She is a star in her own right, IMHO, and I hope she fully recovers and is promoted to Soloist soon!
Blue Door, second your thoughts on Zimmi Coker. She is truly a standout in each part she dances. I noticed she is featured in a few ballets in the fall programme. I hope that means she is on a Soloist shortlist.
I missed Misseldine’s dancing this season but I hope to see her dance in the fall.
Haglund, who was your favourite Odette/Odile this season?
Blue Door, second your thoughts on Zimmi Coker. She is truly a standout in each part she dances. I noticed she is featured in a few ballets in the fall programme. I hope that means she is on a Soloist shortlist.
I missed Misseldine’s dancing this season but I hope to see her dance in the fall.
Haglund, who was your favourite Odette/Odile this season?
Gillian was WONDERFUL last night. I am so impressed at a 46 yr old artist dancing at the level she danced last night. What a way to go out. I’m going to miss her.
Gillian was WONDERFUL last night. I am so impressed at a 46 yr old artist dancing at the level she danced last night. What a way to go out. I’m going to miss her.
Promotions announced at ABT and Zimmi isn’t one of them. I am disappointed. I hope if she stays healthy through the fall she is promoted then. She is so deserving of it.
Promotions announced at ABT and Zimmi isn’t one of them. I am disappointed. I hope if she stays healthy through the fall she is promoted then. She is so deserving of it.
Blue Door, all will be fine with Zimmi. Proving one can maturely manage one’s injuries and maintain one’s fitness comes with the territory. If she were not on her road back, she would not have been given such prominent opportunities in the fall.
Blue Door, all will be fine with Zimmi. Proving one can maturely manage one’s injuries and maintain one’s fitness comes with the territory. If she were not on her road back, she would not have been given such prominent opportunities in the fall.