We at the NYCB began our Saratoga rehearsal period on Tuesday with a Four Temperaments rehearsal, which felt appropriate if a little surreal. As I have mentioned, Albert’s interpretation of Phlegmatic will always loom large in my memory, so to be able to dance this ballet for him in the upcoming weeks is a gift. And fortuitously, the beautiful Craig Hall will be dancing one of Albert’s
But these programming developments were not the only glimmers of Albert’s legacy to shine through this week. Yesterday, a cover story in the New York Times announced the promotion of Misty Copeland to principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater—a long overdue historical first for an African-American ballerina. Albert, naturally, is mentioned in the article for having paved the way. Albert has clearly influenced so many of us in highly personal ways; but he has also altered the course of the art form on a grand scale.
**Andrew Scordato was kind enough to share this video of Albert rehearsing Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit. I think it’s hysterical. As you can see, Albert was a most involved ballet master!**