Architecture of Dance @ NYC Ballet

New York City Ballet are about to launch an ambitious season which will include seven new ballets (four of them to commissioned scores) and features the participation of architect Santiago Calatrava in his debut as a theatrical scenic designer. Above: Wendy Whelan in rehearsal for the new Ratmansky ballet. Photo from the NYCB website.

Above: Sean Suozzi rehearsing the new Millepied ballet, photo by Andrea Mohin. Teaser video from an orchestral rehearsal here.

Casting for the opening night gala has been announced:

SPRING GALA 2010
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 7 PM (Conductor:  Fayçal Karoui)

New Ballet by Benjamin Millepied World Premiere
Score by Thierry Escaich (Commissioned for NYCB)
*Kathryn Morgan (replacing Janie Taylor), *Sara Mearns, *Sean Suozzi, *Amar
Ramasar
     
New Ballet by Alexei Ratmansky World Premiere
Score by Edouard Lalo
*Wendy Whelan, *Jenifer Ringer, *Sara Mearns, *Robert
Fairchild, *Megan Fairchild, *Abi Stafford, *Daniel Ulbricht

Kokyat’s photo above. The Company have created a mini-site dedicated to the current season.

Above, the NYCB stage crew readying a set piece by Santiago Calatrava for the new Millepied ballet.

Among revivals, SERENADE tops the Balanchine list along with AGON, BRAHMS-SCHOENBERG, DIVERTIMENTO #15 and LA SOURCE. One of the few Robbins works I really love, OPUS 19/THE DREAMER returns. Two of the best ballets Peter Martins has made will be presented: BARBER VIOLIN CONCERTO and MORGEN, the latter being my favorite among Peter’s works. And I for one will be pleased to see THE LADY WITH THE LITTLE DOG again.

Once June arrives, waves of nostalgia will sweep thru the theatre as four of our principal dancers bid farewell to the Company: Yvonne Borree (June 6), Philip Neal (June 13), Albert Evans (June 20) and Darci Kistler (June 27). And on June 24, the beloved maestro Maurice Kaplow will preside from the podium over his own farewell. All five of these artists have played major roles in my super-intense phase of NYCB-going over the past twelve years and in fact the six of us go way back: I remember Yvonne, Philip and Albert when they were just kids, and the great flurry of excitement surrounding Darci Kistler’s ‘birth’ – with Balanchine’s blessing.  And how many evenings had Maestro Kaplow had his hand on the rudder, taking the NYCB musicians thru the wide range of musical styles with which their seasons are filled? It’s going to be a big change not having these folks right where I know I can always find them.