 Albert in Western Symphony, photo by Paul Kolnik |  Craig Hall, Megan Fairchild, and Callie Bachman in Western, photo by Paul Kolnik |
I was going to move on and post a dance review today, but the response to my Albert Evans tribute has been so overwhelming that I wanted to thank everyone first. Several of you have commented on this site and many others have emailed, called, or texted me privately. I was astonished by the number of current and former dancers, ballet fans, old friends, teachers, musicians, stagehands, and volunteers who felt compelled to contact me and share memories of the universally beloved Albert. This outpouring of love is a testament to his graceful spirit as well as to the intensity of the bonds one forms in the dance world. We have lost one of the best of our ilk, yet the past week has served as a reminder of the magnanimity of those who remain. I am humbled and oh so thankful to be a part of this exalted community.
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
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
signature roles—the Rhinestone Cowboy in Western Symphony—in Saratoga next week. I know Craig will honor Albert’s memory brilliantly.
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!**
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!**
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