New Jersey Ballet's 2005 Gala Makes Critics' Eyes Sparkle
NJB held its annual Gala for 2005 on April 14 at the New Jersey
Performing Arts Center's Prudential Hall. The performances pleased
both audiences and dance critics. Here are excerpts from a selection
of reviews
"New Jersey Ballet's Gala was a sparkling occasion," wrote
Karyn D. Collins, dance writer for the Asbury Park Press. "Budget
concerns may have contributed to the decision not to offer a special
occasion piece or a superstar on the bill. But this year's gala showed
New Jersey Ballet has plenty to offer on its own.
"Its programs, particularly this season, have been stand-outs
for their focus on classicism at a time when most companies have
abandoned the classical side of ballet…
"For balletomanes, the gala program was a tempting feast… Included
were its staging of 'The Fairy Doll,' the pas de deux from 'Talisman,'
and 'Le Papilion,' which featured a delicately nuanced performance
by Era Korotaeva-Jouravleva.
"Other standout performances included the technically brilliant
Gabriella Noa-Pierson in the pas de deux from 'Halte de Cavalerie'
with the company's purest dancer (Andres Neira) and the electric
presence of Saule Rachmedova in the trick-laden pas de deux from
'Carmen.'"
"New Jersey Ballet's gala abounded in scintillating but brief
duets, "wrote Dance Critic Robert Johnson in the Newark Star-Ledger. "Although
the company has demonstrated its excellence in the mainstays of the
classical repertoire, this year it could not afford a new evening-length
production.
"Instead, the gala typified the kind of thrifty yet bountiful
program New Jersey Ballet presents during most of the year. Company
director Carolyn Clark turned this format to advantage, and made
a virtue of necessity by programming rarities like Marius Petipa's
'Halte de Cavalerie' and 'Le Talisman' pas de deux, and Marie Taglioni's
'Papillon,' together with crowd-pleasers like 'Don Quixote.' The
dancers maintained a consistently high level throughout…
"Classical ballet fans could find much to appreciate on this
program, The tone of each piece varied broadly, from the cynical
wit of 'The Fairy Doll,' created by the brothers Nicolai and Sergei
Legat, to the high melodrama of Vladimir Vasiliev's 'Macbeth' --
not to mention the stylized love-making of resident choreographer
George Tomal's 'Carmen,' Ali Pourfarrokh's tempestuous 'Tango,' and
the show-stopping athleticism of the 'Hopak,' a Ukrainian folk dance
solo brilliantly executed by Albert Davydov.
"Gala attendees were given many reasons to marvel. Special
mention, however, must go to Era Korotaeva for her seamless and delicately
nuanced rendition of the 'Papillon,' partnered by a svelte and supportive
Vladimir Roje. Whimsically outfitted in a headpiece with jeweled
antennae, Korotaeva's ballerina-butterfly brought the Romantic style
fully to life, her body and arms effortlessly flexible and expressive.
She received coaching from the famous Russian ballerina Irina Kolpakova,
for whom Pierre Lacotte revived the ballet in St. Petersburg in 1979.
"This degree of professionalism deserves more support."
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