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New York City Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty

by Robert Abrams
February 25, 2004
Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.
140 West 65th Street
New York, NY 10023
212.875.5456

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New York City Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty

www.nycb.org

presented at the New York State Theatre, Lincoln Center
New York, NY

Robert Abrams
February 25, 2003

Tonight was the debut of Alexandra Ansanelli in the role of Princess Aurora. Ms. Ansanelli was spectacular in the Rose Adagio. She held perfectly still for extended lengths of time, on one foot, en pointe, with turns, without being distracted by the four eligible bachelors vying for her attention. She made a particularly difficult and demanding section of choreography look nearly effortless.

Amanda Hankes was perfectly graceful as the Lilac Fairy.

All of the other dancers were wonderful. The set and costumes are sumptuous. The whole production is stunning.

This ballet is full of references, but perhaps the most intriguing is the three jewels that appear in the wedding scene. These three roles clearly pre-figure Jewels the full length abstract ballet, but I will leave it up to you to ponder the connection between this most classical of ballets and that most contemporary of ballets.


New York City Ballet - Sleeping Beauty - Alexandra Ansanelli as Princess Aurora, Arch Higgins as a Suitor
Photo courtesy of Paul Kolnik

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