Louise Nadeau...Tina LeBlanc...Alexandra Ansanelli...and now Miranda Weese: each of these wonderful ballerinas has announced her retirement at the end of the current season. I'd like to hope we might see them dancing again in some capacity but as of now there's no indication of that. (Photo of the rose by JRC).
Ms. LeBlanc (above, with Joan Boada in Erik Tomasson's photo) has already had her gala good-bye at San Francisco Ballet, and Ms. Nadeau takes her final curtain calls at Pacific Northwest Ballet on June 7th. Alexandra's final performances with the Royal Ballet are slated to take place on their tour to Washington DC and Havana.
The recent news of Miranda's bidding farewell to Pacific Northwest Ballet appeared in the Playbill of their current programme. Miranda is of course a former principal at New York City Ballet where she danced a vast repertoire, illuminating the music with her luxuriant technique and striking presence. I always have a clear picture of her in my mind: the fair skin, the jet-black hair, the radiant eyes. (Photo of Miranda and Damian Woetzel).
I ran into Miranda last year when she was here for a visit. I simply said: "I love you!"...and that sums it up.
What a truly lovely headline and post, Philip!
Posted by: Deborah | May 29, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Thanks, Deborah...
I've received some nice e-mails from West Coast fans about Tina, Louise and Miranda.
Posted by: Philip | May 29, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I miss Miranda. She has the looks of a beautiful girl in a Bronte novel and her dancing combines two seemingly impossible traits, virtuosity and elegance.
I hope she is happy and fulfilled in her future endeavors.
Posted by: perky | May 30, 2009 at 02:05 PM
That's a really nice description of Miranda's dancing, Perky...
Posted by: Philip | May 30, 2009 at 04:54 PM