Performance Log-Swan Lake

May 28, 2008
Dance

And so ABT moves on to a week of Swan Lake.

The Corsaire boat is put away, and the feathers come out. Its really amazing how quickly a week goes by at the Met, one ballet and then before we get comfortable, on to the next.

(back of the boat)

Last night’s opening of Swan Lake was a very fulfilling performance. Michele Wiles, my frequent partner, and I have discovered Swan Lake together, it being one of our very first full lengths. It has been a nice road to go down with her.

But Swan is SO EXHAUSTING! The prince does not leave the stage all of first act, then lifts all of second, and dances Black Swan pas de deux in third. By the fourth act, THE JUMP at the end is one of the most liberating moments. An act of salvation with Odette but in reality, TOTAL FATIGUE! Its a moment I always look forward to.

The “quick change” table backstage for the corps de ballet ladies going into second act… Its quite a fast change.

Comments

Just_a_fan

Great job last night. I’ve seen the three Swan Lakes that David and Michelle have done at the Met the past three seasons, this was the best by far. Michelle was totally on top of her game, danced brilliantly and we could see she was really “enjoying herself”. Double pirouettes into triple attitude turns - TWICE - during her variation… i don’t think the audience even realized what they saw, it was so smooth and effortless. And the best kick-butt double al second en dedans! Wow….
David was elegant and spectacular and gets better with every performance. And of course … the feet. Amazing. The jump at the end as he cast himself into the lake was GREAT! We wanted to hold up numers (”10!”).
Marcello did an amazing solo as Von Rothbart - wow.
Everyone was great. The corps was particularly lovely. Even the facial expressions worked - it was just a beautiful, beautiful performance. I wish they had all been given more curtain calls. It’s particularly wonderful to watch Michelle grow in this role…

Bravo to David!

May 28, 2008 @ 15:51

xtanzer

I concur wholeheartedly. The “dive” into the lake was great! — I hope someone was underneath to catch David. Tough thing about Swan Lake, sitting on that throne all of Act III and THEN having to run out there and do Black Swan Pas.
Great show.

May 28, 2008 @ 18:10

yuko morimoto

I saw you yesterday. It was AMAZING.
you were absoloutely positively FABULOUS.
I loved your performance, and will
see you again this season in Don Quixote.
I am very very very excited!!
Thank you for taking a picture with me,
and waving to me when i waved from my car.

May 28, 2008 @ 20:11

I still remember vividly EVERYTHING that you described here that I saw in the last swan performance in the music center. UNFORGETTABLE visionary experience (ABT also got the best corps in the world, and the set and costume design. and this is the only swan choreography and performance that I felt TOO short). and now I read all your hardwork, feelings, and sacrifice as a dancer, plus all the pix of the mysterious backstage… what a privilege. Thank You David.

yes, your feet! those turns on demi pointe. your final dive. everything. just phenomenal. and you are such a gentleman offstage
did you dive into a swimming pool or trampoline? no, can’t be either. swimming pool would make big noise (i mean the way you dive), and trampoline would spring you back stage. haha, just wondering…

May 28, 2008 @ 22:28

A Little Tea or Something

I have thoroughly enjoyed all your behind-the-scenes posts, David; thanks so much. I saw ABT’s Swan Lake at the Kennedy Center a few years ago (Corella/Murphy) when it was taped for Great Performances (and ultimately released on DVD). Question: Is the version currently in ABT’s rep the same one I saw, with the WAY shorter Act IV, or does the company get to do a more traditional, expanded version now?

Many thanks,
Deb Young

May 29, 2008 @ 01:02

Emily

I know Swan Lake must be exhausting, but it is an absolute thrill for the audience. I cry everytime I see it. This is truly Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.

May 29, 2008 @ 12:08

matthew

I figured I’d answer a few of these questions…since I have the time. Hope everyone doesn’t mind!

Deb: Yes, the version that ABT does is the same one you saw with a shorter Act IV. Although I believe we might have even condensed it a LITTLE more for the broadcast.

The two principals dive off of the ramp onto a giant blue gymnastics mat. It’s pretty thick, but they always hit pretty hard regardless. It’s quite a difference seeing it from the wings, where you see the principals take a beautiful dive, only to break their line a moment later to prepare for the “splatter” on the mat.

May 29, 2008 @ 15:29

xtanzer

Matthew - you are saying they dive onto a gym mat? Splat? There aren’t crew members back with something a bit more “giving”? That’s gotta hurt. David gets some height and speed. Wow… These are the really thick thick ones yes?
That is fascinating.

May 29, 2008 @ 17:02

Patricia

Sorry I didn’t get to “Swan Lake” but amazing photo in today’s NY TIMES! Congratulations!

May 29, 2008 @ 18:48

matthew

Hey Xtanzer! Yes they are VERY thick, and a few piled on top of each other (if my memory serves me correctly). It ends up being not nearly as long of a fall as you would think, but could probably still hurt if you hit wrong! Perhaps gymnastics mat is the wrong term for it (as I know what you are thinking of…and it’s not that firm). More of a gymnastics mattress

May 29, 2008 @ 19:14

Thank you Matthew for answering our questions again! I dont mind it at all, instead, think you being very sweet and helpful. One more backstage mystery (big) resolved. YAY.

(mattresses are much better than swimming pool, water can hurt BAD. a bit relieved :p)

May 29, 2008 @ 23:41

Candy

Thanks for sharing this!!
Swan Lake is my favorite ballet! I hope you post more photos from behind the scenes.
What do you land on when you jump in the end?

May 30, 2008 @ 02:52

kristin sloan

those little stencil graphics are really funny!
we only get text stencils

May 30, 2008 @ 02:53

Julianne

Can someone please tell me WHY is ABT’s act IV of Swan lake completely butchered?
Some of the most crucial scenes were cut. The scene of Odette’s despair is so amazing….and how does Seigfreid get to the lake before Odette does?
Is this Kevin McKenzie’s doing?

May 30, 2008 @ 02:55

Lauren

If scenes weren’t cut out of act IV I’d say ABT’s Swan Lake is the best I’ve ever seen! I really wish they’d be put back in!!
The DVD doesn’t do it justice. The way the costumes and the sets sparkle is amazing!! And I love how the backdrop is always changing throughout act 2 and IV!
I saw a Murphy//Hallberg performance last June, it was spectacular!
Great Job David!!

May 30, 2008 @ 15:12

Rob

I like the Pirate flag one. That would be great for a guerilla marketing logo for Corsaire. As for the mattress they use to land the suicide leap, I always figured it was the same type of mattress they use in gymnastics studios to practice flips and jumps and stuff. It’s got enough bounce to let you do that stuff, but at the same time, if you fall in a weird way, you wont hurt yourself as much as get pushed back up from the ground. Heh, too bad it’s not a pit of balls they fall into…be funny to see those go flying onto the stage.

May 30, 2008 @ 17:42

Barbara Lewkowitz

David was always amazing and it is my great sadness to miss him in Swan Lake. As a teenager at Ballet Arizona, we knew he had the work ethic and talent to be a star. Even when he was the Nutcracker prince and lifting the wooden sword up and down in the back (before the transition to the adult Prince taking over), you could tell he loved dancing. My sons were in the party scene, or mice or little boys in the Chinese chariot but they looked up to David and watched him onstage and in the studio. He was an inspiration.
Congrats to the Pride of Phoenix–
Barbara, Geoffrey, Charles and Aaron Gonsher

Jun 01, 2008 @ 17:16