For the past 11 years, my passion for dance has led me to see numerous companies perform through out New York City. However, from a young age I have found ballet to be the most enticing compared to other genres. With Manhattan housing the two world renown ballet companies American Ballet Theater and New York City Ballet, one may be uncertain when having to pick a favorite. However, Since watching my first performances of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake at an early age, I have been entranced by the striking beauty and grace possessed by the New York City Ballet dancers.
Since the conclusion of the New York City Ballet 2010-2011 season, I have patiently waited to receive their new program schedule for the upcoming 2011-2012 season. Its pages are overlayed with veteran soloists and principal dancers such as Rebecca Krohn, Ana Sophia Scheller, Sara Mearns, Robert Fairchild, Amar Ramasar, Benjamin Millepied and many more. This season has a promising future. This season is featuring four world premiering ballets, one NYCB premier, and three commissioned scores including Ocean’s Kingdom, featuring the music of Sir Paul McCartney.
Despite these delightful new additions, I personally look forward to George Balenchine’s Jewels, a childhood favorite. Inspired by a trip made my Balenchine to Van Cleef and Arpels, the dancers gracefully glide across the stage to scores of Stravinsky and Tschiakovsky. Their costumes coated in Emeralds, Rubies, and diamonds mesmerize the audience, reflecting Balenchine’s regal Russian heritage. Rest assure that I will be a regular visitor of the Koch Theater (the home of NYCB) to see other favorites, including The Four Temperaments, Concerto Barocco, Apollo, Romeo and Juliet, and of course the annual Nutcracker. Even if you are not a dancer yourself, I highly recommend going to any of NYCB’s performances, because they are guaranteed to leave you eternally enchanted.