NYCB 'Ballo della Regina' reviews 'Ballo della Regina' reviews Weese in reviews Millepied in reviews recent NYCB reviews

The NYCB is in Parma from the 8th to the 13th of September at the Teatro Regio. The first program, which I saw on Sunday evening, was a homage to Verdi, who died 100 years ago. Verdi composed ballet music for many of his operas, but unluckily the opera productions are so expensive that usually the divertissements are cut. "Don Carlos" was recently performed in Milan at the Teatro alla Scala and in Bologna at the Teatro Comunale and the dances were of course missing. Luckily Balanchine created one of his ballets to this music. "Ballo della Regina", which opened the program, has no reference to the Spanish drama and its historical period. The atmosphere is pure Blanchine, womanly beauty and elegance that match the 19th century melodies extraordinarily well. The 12 ballerinas and 4 soloists are the ensemble backing the Queen, a glittering icon of command and charm. The interpreters in Parma were amazing and Miranda Weese a true queen, totally eclipsing her partner Peter Boal.

The Verdi Festival commissioned a new creation and Peter Martins choreographed two new ballets to Verdi's music. Both are for 5 dancers: the first, "Quartet for strings", for three women and two men, the second, "Viva Verdi", for four women and one man. Unfortunately the inspiration deserted the choreographer, the green costumes on the men in "Quartet" reminded of surgeons, the leading couple in "Viva Verdi" was uninspiring as Darci Kistler was an echo of the ballerina and Charles Askegard a heavy jumper.

At this point the cameras who were recording the evening for RAI, the Italian broadcasting company, were dismantled. On stage the NYCB appeared at its peak in "The four seasons" by Robbins. This ballet, which closed the program, offers all the company, from corps the ballet to soloists and principals, the chance to entertain the audience with a lively choreography whose colors are transfused by the music itself. A triumph for everyone, but especially for Benjamin Millepied as the Faun and most of all for Alexandra Ansanelli and her partner Damian Woetzel who tackled the leading roles in the Autumn.

The Symphonic Orchestra Arturo Toscanini was conducted by Hugo Fiorato and brought the performance to the highest level.