Performer: New York City Ballet

If the famous fairy variations in the Prologue can sometimes expose weaknesses, NYCB proved that it excels in pure classical ballet and not only in the neo-classical repertory.

Over twenty-two vignettes, some long, others short, a cast of thirty pedestrianizes ballet. The work suggests that who you are matters more than what you do. 

The company’s latest Firebird is Isabella LaFreniere. She’s perfect for the role. LaFreniere is tall, commanding, magisterial, with unusually liquid arms and an expressive back.

I must admit I like NYCB’s recent trend away from the themed programming. The combinations can seem strange, but the performances have more variety.

When she retires next week, part of me likes to think she’s not really retiring. She’s just decided to stay in the Land of Sweets.

Concerto DSCH received a raucous reception during curtain calls. It’s a classic closer for an evening in that it sends everyone home happy. It doesn’t below as the middle ballet. Programming gods at NYCB, are you listening?