After a week off for the Chelsea Challenge, it was back to the ballet this week to see Syliva.
This ballet had its world premiere in 1952 by The Royal Ballet. It was revived by The Royal Ballet in 2004, which was followed by its ABT premiere in 2005. It’s a mythological love story unites the huntress Sylvia and Aminta, a shepherd, who loves her with the divine intervention of the deity Eros. Along the way, the evil hunter Orion has to be vanquished.
Sir Frederick Ashton’s choreography was stunning with a lot of fast, intricate leg and footwork. Gillian Murphy, in the title role, was outstanding with some gorgeous solo work as well as some partnering that nearly went into the acrobatic realm. For the men, Jared Matthews, one of ABT’s soloists, was great as Aminta. Sascha Radetsky, another soloist, was strong as Orion, especially in act two where he’s trying to woo Sylvia to stay with him.
Other standouts in the performance were Corps De Ballet members Grant DeLong and Arron Scott as Orion’s slaves. They did some of the most complex looking choreography of the ballet during the second act and were great to watch. Also from the Corps, Misty Copeland and Joseph Gorak appearing as goats (although they looked more like they came from Cats) were also wonderful.
Next week the ABT season at the Met concludes with The Sleeping Beauty
