NYCB 9/21 Divertimento No. 15, Scotch Symphony, La Sonnambula

After a day of chasing away recurring thoughts about redecorating the apartment in yellow and white with blue accents, Haglund plopped down in a seat in one of the theater rings so that he could gaze down upon the beauty of Barbara Karinska’s tutus in Divertimento No. 15. Madame Karinska was Ukrainian; so it comes as no surprise that she knew how to put together the national colors of yellow and blue in their most exquisite fashion. Tonight her tutus were worn by a taller cast of Ashley Hod, Emily Kikta, Isabella LaFreniere, Ashley Laracey, and Tiler Peck in performances that were just as stunning as the previous evening's but included individual detailing.

Ashley Hod’s intelligent musicality was pure pleasure to watch. She delivered it with such spontaneity in unexpected places that it made us think that we were seeing the variation for the first time. Meanwhile, Tiler Peck chaînéd the designs atop the pancake tutu like they were loose glass in a kaleidoscope. It is such a relief to see her dancing full force again. All the women danced with grandness but always with a sense of generosity as well.

 

Joseph Gordon repeated his brilliant performance from the prior evening. Davide Riccardo and Aaron Sanz dazzled in their allegro and allowed each of their partners to appear to dance effortlessly.

 

Scotch Symphony was led by Sterling Hyltin, Anthony Huxley, and Olivia MacKinnon debuting as the pink footed soloist in the red kilt. It was quite the celebratory debut, successful in every way, and with the added pleasure of her sister Mary dancing close by in the corps with nearly combustible pride and joy. 

 

As the Scotchman and the sylph-like lassie, Anthony Huxley and Sterling Hyltin were everything one could ask for in this ballet: beauty, partnering ease, joyous expression, perfection in form, complementary musicality. It was a tremendous joy to watch them.

 

In the opening night review, we forgot to compliment the fine dancing of Alec Knight and Victor Abreu as the demi-soloists in Scotch Symphony. So happy to see Alec dancing in top form and hope to see him featured in more prominent roles.

 

La Sonnambula’s all-debuting cast included Unity Phelan and Harrison Ball as the Sleepwalker and Poet, Jared Angle and Georgina Pazcoguin as the Baron and Coquette, and creating a striking impression as the Harlequin was Cainan Weber. Unity was lovely and had no issues with the choreography, but she motored it along slightly over-charged and too expansively rather than gently bourreeing along with tiny steps that made the sleepwalker appear to almost float. 

 

Harrison Ball was outstanding as the Poet, so expressive and believable. The wonderment on his face as the sleepwalker stepped over his arm was real. His own dancing impeccable and clear — here, another dancer who has set high standards for himself. For that we bestow the evening’s HH Pump Bump Award, a little black stiletto by a favored designer, upon Harrison Ball.

 

 

Comments

[Marta]

Hi Haglund,

Thanks for these detailed reviews, especially to those of us who cannot unfortunately see anything this fall season. Joseph Gordon is a thrilling dancer. Can't wait to see him again.

[Haglund]

Oh, Marta, so sorry that you have to miss the entire fall season. The company overall looks in fabulous shape.