Rochester City Ballet Rehearsal

A while ago, with extended family, I attended the Rochester City Ballet’s performance of The Ugly Duckling. Our two great-nieces were enchanted and transfixed; I had only ever seen them that hypnotized by cartoons before. I wondered how awkward it was for the dancers to switch gear from ‘real’ ballet to a performance geared to children, but admired their attitude – they certainly seemed to be having fun. This Thursday evening, four soloists danced to Piazzolla’s Tangazo, on the RPO’s program. The choreography, by former Artistic Director Jamey Leverett, was ‘real’ ballet, and it must have been a pleasure for the dancers to perform with live music for a change.

In between, I had the privilege of attending a rehearsal of the RCB, in the inconspicuous building that also houses the Draper Center. David Palmer, their recently appointed Artistic Director, was running the troupe through his most recently choreographed work Under the Moonlight:, in preparation for their upcoming performances at Nazareth College. In a major coup – other dance organizations had requested the rights but been denied – Palmer has secured the rights to choreograph to the music of the late David Bowie. 

The rehearsal was a complete run-through – the dancers had obviously already learned their parts, and it seemed like they were at the point of fine-tuning. The energy was performance-ready, and there was no compromise in their dancing or expressions. And there was no stopping and restarting to work something out, although the dancers occasionally applaud each other as they completed a section. It was thrilling to be in the rehearsal hall, so close to the dancers. At the end of one song danced by six ballerinas, we could hear them breathing hard, in unison to the fading beat. The rehearsal was being videoed, and it made me wonder how choreographers worked before the advent of this inexpensive technology!

At a break, Palmer chatted with the handful of onlookers, sharing some of his inspiration for the Bowie piece. He liked “the cynical nature of the lyrics,” calling Rock & Roll songwriters “today’s poets.” He also communicated the need to be current – to put ballet steps together in a contemporary way, to contemporary music, and reminded us that Mozart and Beethoven and Tchaikovsky were the rock stars of their day. He also described his interaction with the Bowie estate, which opened up the catalog to him (“give us the list of what you want” must have been music to Palmer’s ears), and he chose the ones that fit the mood he wanted, not just the big hits (although he did fit in “Changes,” my personal favorite!). Given his relationship with them, he might be able to add additional songs later, as he works this piece into the RCB’s regular repertory, and adapts it as the makeup of the company changes. He also shared his aspiration to create a triptych – David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles.

His only observation about the actual rehearsal was that some of the dancers are not yet trusting each other, and that, as their new Artistic Director, he’s working with all of them to build trust with him and each other. My only disappointment with the piece was that the women weren’t on pointe. But I guess the audience has to trust the Artistic Director as well! I have a feeling we’re all in good hands…

For information and tickets to the upcoming performance: http://www.rochestercityballet.org/currentSeason.php