ABT announced its 2017 Spring Met lineup, with details on the company website. As in the previous several seasons, works by Alexei Ratmansky dominate the rep as he is making his mark on the company. Similar to last year, there are no guest artists, marking a dramatic reversal from several years ago in which the company relied heavily on stars from other companies. This year marks the debut of several young dancers in major roles, an exciting and welcome development.
New works by Ratmansky dominate the rep highlights with company premiers of Whipped Cream and Souvenir d’un lieu cher. Whipped Cream, with a libretto and score by Richard Strauss, is based on the two-act ballet originally created as Schlagobers, which premiered at the Vienna State Opera in 1924. Ratmansky’s production will receive its World Premiere by ABT on March 15, 2017 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, according to ABT website. ABT is placing a big bet on this production as it will be presented 12 times in the spring season.
Souvenir d’un leiu cher is set to music of the same name by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, orchestrated by Alexander Glazunov. Featuring sets and costumes by Keso Dekker with lighting by James F. Ingalls, the ballet for four dancers received its World Premiere by Het National Ballet on February 16, 2012 in Amsterdam.
Other full lengths are Don Quixote, Giselle, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, and Onegin. A mixed bill Tchaikovsky Spectacular rounds out the season.
Dancer highlights:
- Major ABT role debuts include: Misty Copeland and Jeffrey Ciro in Don Quixote; Christine Shevchenko and Alban Lendorf in Don Quixote; Misty and Alban in Giselle; Sarah Lane in Giselle; Devon Teuscher in Swan Lake; Gillian Murphy in Giselle.
- Mark your calendars for: Stella Abrera and Marcelo Gomes in Giselle (Tuesday, May 30), Marcelo’s 20th anniversary at ABT; Diana Vishneva’s final ABT performance (Friday, June 23); Onegin with Alessandra Ferri and Roberto Bolle (Thursday, June 22).
- Misty Copeland will move to prime time with two Saturday evening performances (Don Quixote-May 20, Swan Lake-June 17) and one Friday evening (Giselle-May 26). Previously her leading role performances were generally in matinees.