Fascinating look at ballet

[ERinVA]

It seems the recent premiere of "Black Swan" prompted this writer to delve more deeply into the subject of a life as a ballerina. Fascinating read.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter ... 60441.html

[dongringo]

Fascinating read indeed. A couple comments struck me:

1. "And while girls have, historically, outnumbered boys seven to three, admission of the two sexes is now equal. "Billy Elliot did more to sort out that bias than anything," says Jeanetta Laurence, associate director of the Royal Ballet.

2. Homans is a vociferous critic of the state of the discipline, and has argued that ballet as a creative force is at risk of dying. According to this view, both the choreographers and ballet dancers have failed to live up to the legacy of their predecessors. The result is an international repertoire of little variation, in which the classics – such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty – are revisited time and time again.

The second view, I believe, depends on which Ballet Company and the demographic. I remember years ago when James Canfield was the artistic director of Oregon Ballet Theater, I would always get excited when looking at a new schedule. He was someone who pushed the envelope. His choreography was daring and modern. But the ballet crowd here wanted rehashed classics. While I appreciate the classics occasionally, now when I look at a new OBT schedule my reaction is, "Meh. Not interested." I wish he would have never left because I miss the enjoyment of the ballet. Now it just seems tired so I tend to go for local modern dance events instead, which fortunately is in good supply (and much cheaper). The point is, I'd have to agree with the point Homans made in this matter.

[ERinVA]

I think you are absolutely right about the general public wanting rehash, dongringo. The problem with presenting new works is that ticket sales fall and the companies can't support themselves on the proceeds from sales. If you look at regional opera companies, such as our Virginia Opera, it's the same story. They end up doing all the "old favorites" instead of bringing in new things. However, having said that, I do have to commend the Virginia Opera this year, as they are premiering a brand new work, "Rappahannock County," in April. It is not actually referred to as an opera, but a "musical theater piece," so we will see what it turns out to be.

[dongringo]

With a name like Rappahannock it could be anything.

[ERinVA]

Rappahannock is both the name of a river and a county in Virginia. It is also the name of a group of Native Americans.
The story is about the Civil War. http://www.visitrappahannockva.com/element.php?eid=18

[dongringo]

I see. Thanks for the clarification.