The David H. Koch building: “Opus 19/ The Dreamer/”, “Standard Deviation”, and “Symphonie Espagnole” Tuesday May 12th, 2026.
Welcome back friends!
Yay!
Welcome this week, once again, to the Performing Arts, and to the dazzling world of classical ballet.
Yay!
Welcome to 3 wonderful, vastly different, and highly entertaining classical ballets: 1 from the 1970’s, and 2 from the 2020’s, set to gorgeous Romantic music from composers hailing from various parts of the globe: from France, Russia and Australia, from the late 19th century (Lalo), from the early 20th century (Prokofiev) and the early 21st century (Frerer), danced beautifully by the NYCB.
Yay!
These ballets, have each been choreographed by 3 terrific artists: my favorite 20th century, iconic, and highly influential, American choreographer extraordinaire, Jerome Robbins (1918-1998), was in charge of the first ballet “Opus 19/ The dreamer”. The second ballet ,”Standard deviation”, was equally expertly crafted, by living Canadian choreographer, Alysa Pires, recognized as a rising, current, influential choreographer, as is American choreographer and current NYCB Principal dancer, Tiler Peck, in charge of the third and last ballet (and her second choreography for the NYCB) “Symphonie Espagnole” .
Yay!
1)”Opus 19/ The Dreamer”: this gorgeous Robbins ballet, is set to Prokofiev’s gorgeous Concerto no.1 in D major from 1923.
Wow.
And in this dreamy, modern, and totally flowing ballet, from 1979, but which could also have been easily conceived recently/today, this is how modern the ballet feels, what timelessness.
Yay!
Originally danced in 1979, by iconic Mikhail Baryshnikov and Patricia McBride, last Tuesday, it was equally beautifully performed, and this time, by 2 other incredible dancers: the wonderfully gifted and inspiring Joseph Gordon, and the charismatic, Alexa Maxwell.
Yay.
Simply incredible and fairytale-like to watch, and to me, evocative as well, of Cocteau’s (1950)”Orphée” movie, starring Jean Marais and Maria Casares, based on the Orpheus myth, this “Opus 19/ The Dreamer ballet, as in the film, depicts beautifully, the poetic fascination the male dancer feels for the female dancer, as Orphée (Marais) feels for “Death” (Casares) in the movie, as they travel together through various worlds.
Yay.
Simply a huge treat for the senses, and filled with utmost poetry, beauty and grace.
Wow.
Just pure perfection.
2)”Standard Deviation”: the intriguing Pires ballet, was equally imaginative, and set to another very cinematic score, evocative (for me), of a mix between a long gone era, think Spielberg’s (1993) “Jurassic Park”, meets Johnston (1995) “Jumanji” movie.
Yay and so fun!
And what gorgeous abstract costumes from Dana Osborne, to add even more drama to the music, to the overall mystery rising, and the movement.
Yay!
Epic in its atmosphere, and yet, light hearted, joyful, and incredibly beautiful, principal dancer, Emma von Enck, was especially brilliant, and displayed with great charm, many, if not all, of the colors and expressions, she is capable of.
Bravo and yay!
3) “Symphonie Espagnole”: the all things Spanish honoring T. Peck ballet, is set to a very famous (1875) violin concerto (of the same name) admired by many, including iconic French composer Claude Debussy (1862-1918), by another, slightly less famous, but incredibly talented, and also, a French composer, Edouard Lalo (1823-1892), a Frenchman, with Spanish ancestry.
Yay!
And Lalo, in this musical masterpiece, not only displays French finesse, but he also mixes his music, with flamenco flair, and in particular, with the intoxicating rhythms of the (Spanish-Cuban) habanera and the seguidilla, which are always pure delight to listen to, and also always, just incredibly inspiring.
Wow and yay!
So unsurprisingly, Lalo wrote this piece for the Spanish violin virtuoso of the time, Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908). Renowned for his purity of tone and impressive technical facility, Sarasate’s playing style was uniquely suited for the flowing melodies and virtuoso passages conceived by Lalo.
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And other fun fact, Lalo was also taking advantage in terms of inspiration, as many of his peers did, as well, Lalo took advantage of the general artistic fascination at the time, with Spain and with its “celebrities”, in particular, the marriage of Napoleon III to Eugenie de Montijo, in 1853.
Wow.
And as mentioned, Lalo was not alone in doing so: many other famous French composers wrote some of the best Spanish music, in the late 19th century/early 20th century: Georges Bizet (1838-1875) for one, with his iconic work, his (1875) “Carmen” opera (composed the same year as Lalo’s violin concerto), comes immediately to mind (think “the Habanera”/ “l’Amour est enfant de ” or the “Toreador” song). Illustrious Claude Debussy (1862-1918) as well, later, with his (1903)”Evening in Granada” or his gorgeous (1905-1912) “Iberia”, also took advantage of the fascination of the times, with all things Spanish, as did the great Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), with his (1907) “Rapsodie espagnole”, and of course, with his iconic and now timeless, (1928) “Bolero”.
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And of course, T. Peck has impeccable taste, including regarding classical music, and loves French composers (and is also a fan of Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), so how lucky for us), and one can tell, how much, of course, she also, as many of us do, she loves and delights in honoring Spanish culture as well, in her choice of choreographed movements, costumes, and dancers.
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And Kloe Walker, as well as especially, principal dancers, Indiana Woodward, Mira Nadon, and Roman Mejia, were all wonderful, last Tuesday, and gave their all to this delightful and “hermoso” T. Peck ballet.
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So, to sum up my feelings, about the “Eclectic NYCB III” program, admired last Tuesday, in great company, what beautiful, classical ballet pieces choreographed by Robbins, Pires and T. Peck, to pay homage to great composers of their dazzling art form, and entertain their audiences thoroughly, through wonderful movement, costumes, and always, spectacular, sunny performers.
Yay!
Just awe-inspiring.
Not to be missed!
Until next time friends…
Soft…
Fluttering…
Sunny…
Joyful…
Happy…
Loving…
Eternal butterflies…