Re-Connecting with ABT

This Spring I'm determined to get more involved with ABT. Over the past several seasons I have found myself attending their performances only once or twice a year and that's no way to get connected with a big Company like ABT. And it's a Company that includes some of my most-admired dancers - people like Julie Kent (photo left), Gillian Murphy, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Herman Cornejo, Angel Corella and Craig Salstein - all of whom deserve more of my attention. I'm sure I'll find lots of other people on their roster to enjoy as well.   

Last year we (like so many people) were really disappointed with ABT's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Despite the excellent dancing of Diana Vishneva, David Hallberg and Stella Abrera, the over-ladened narrative and some garish costuming and scenic oddities killed it dead. But I've heard that changes have been made so I will be giving it another go. Beyond that I have booked for BAYADERE with Marcelo, a starry CORSAIRE with Julie, David and Craig, and of course David Hallberg's debut in GISELLE.

The other day Craig - who was an opera buddy of mine before I even knew he was a dancer - spoke enthusiastically of the new Twyla Tharp ballet, Rabbit & Rogue (to a Danny Elfman score) which has a big cast and shares the bill with ETUDES, which I've never seen. So that is on my "to see" list and maybe I can even squeeze in a SWAN LAKE or try MERRY WIDOW.

I'm hoping that by going more frequently I'll get to know and enjoy more of their dancers among the soloist and corps ranks. So I'm really looking forward to the ABT Met season.

Comments

[jose]

Can't wait for your always perceptive reviews esp among the soloists and corps rank(who are always neglected by reviewers).

[Philip]

It's going to take me a while to start matching names to faces among the corps at ABT; and the Met poses the added difficulty of its sheer size which gives a distancing effect. It wont be like eavesdropping on Faye or Adrian at NYCB, that's for sure.

It would be enormously helpful if ABT could find a few empty seats for the blogging community (there are only a half-dozen of us and the Met rarely sells out...if they gave us passes we would give them some buzz!) But they seem disinterested, at last so far.

[M]

Perhaps I should have a little talk with ABT about the bloggers? Not sure if it would be heard, but it might be worth a try.

Glad to see you are giving the company a chance! Will be very interested to hear your take on things.

[Philip]

It would be great if someone could convince ABT to give the bloggers some access...basically most of us don't go there very often because we can't afford it.

[tonya]

Thank you Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!