Messages are coming one after the other. “American Ballet Theatre” (ABT) announced the closure of its fall season… Canceled performances of “new York city ballet” (NYCB), including the most popular performance of “all times and peoples” “the Nutcracker”, always going to new York in a production of George Balanchine, starting in 1943, at Christmas, and brought the theatre a huge profit…. Paralyzed the entire industry of American performance and entertainment events… As it turns out, behind the scenes functioning of the industry performing arts, too, is politics. Everyone is waiting for the presidential election.
the Theme of the abolition of the seasons and other problems well-known American ballet companies commented extensively on the American press. In particular, several articles of this issue devoted influential “new York times”. In this scenario apokaleptichesky theatre community is not considering, but it is.
From the files in MK: “American ballet Tietr” (ABT) and “new York city ballet” – two new York ballet companies that are among the most significant ballet companies in the world, along with the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, the Paris Opera and the Royal ballet.
the ABT was established in new York in 1940 on the basis of the troupe Mikhail Mordkin its rich student Lucia chase and this season was supposed to mark its 80th anniversary (the troupe was then called “Ballet theatre”; its current name was given in 1956). ABT acquires worldwide the most outstanding performers of ballet, inviting them to join your company as Prime Ministers and prima ballerina. In the 70-ies the company for about 10 years, was led by Mikhail Baryshnikov.
“new York city ballet” (NYCB), created by the founder of American ballet, a Russian immigrant George Balanchine (Georgi Balanchivadze), originates from the School of American ballet, founded in 1934, soon after in October 1933 Balanchine at the invitation of the patron of the Lincoln Kirstein came to the United States. Over the next years, they created several ballet companies, which in wartime conditions soon ceased to exist until 1948 created a troupe called “new York city ballet”, which thanks to the genius of Balanchine and his colleague Jerome Robbins (also a descendant of Russian immigrants) soon gained international recognition.
Though the soloists and the premiere and that and the other U.S. companies periodically participate in gala concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg, all members of the troupe on tour in Russia is extremely rare.
“the industry has returned to normal operation will take a few years”
My companion, who agreed to comment on the “MK” the cancellation of the fall season of amerecinska companies, Director and producer Sergei Danilyan is an absolute expert in this matter, because for many years working in the us industry market for the performing arts. According to his plan created such famous programs as “kings of the dance”, “Diana Vishneva: Beauty in motion” and many others.
-In the “new York times” over the last week several articles were published about the situation in the field of performing arts-related coronavirus, as well as statements of major creative organizations on the abolition of the autumn part of the new season 2020/2021 – says Sergey Danielyan. – Actually, we are all witnesses of how difficult the coronavirus in the United States, where the largest number of infected and dead from the virus people. In particular, in new York, the largest number of people from the dead in America. As it so happened, that the whole American industry of performing arts was in a catastrophic situation, major cultural institutions (Lincoln Center, Carnegie hall, companies such as ABT and “new York city ballet”) were forced to announce that they, unfortunately, cancel the fall portion of their seasons. “American ballet theatre” was forced to cancel its 80 anniversary season, which traditionally was planned to take place at the Metropolitan Opera.
– Anniversary season of the famous American ballet company had to pass because just in these June days?
the Season was held from mid-may to early July – 8 weeks. It was actually last season, when “American ballet theatre” (ABT), had the opportunity to spend their spring and summer season at the Metropolitan Opera on this scale. Because the Metropolitan Opera was interested in expanding its own season, and needed an extra week, so nearly twice had to reduce the time for ABT for next year. Given that NYCB is territorially located and based in the theater David H. Koch and, in fact, is the operating company of this theater. Since this theater is missing the new York Opera company, NYCB, roughly speaking, leases it to other companies for this period when they’re not playing. So we have “American ballet theatre” holds its autumn and the company of Paul Taylor, and many others. Including the Russian troupe of Boris Eifman, very popular in America.
Tour of the theatre of Boris Eifman in America are held here almost every year – such is the popularity of this world-famous orchestra from the Americans. Your company Ardani Artists is their organizer. The next scheduled tour is now probably cancelled, too?
– When in March this history began with the coronavirus, we have been waiting for Thu�� NYCB opens its spring season, and if that happens, then we will be able in June to conduct tours of the theater of Boris Eifman. And since I was all the time in touch with colleagues in new York, I tried to convince them that this story is quite complicated. After all, the state of new York was for some time closed, in order to localize the virus. Was announced, as elsewhere, the quarantine, but unlike Russia, the United States declared a state of Emergency. And in a situation of Emergency on the basis of existing international law, all obligations between the organizations, companies have lost their power. This force majeure situation, that for two months I discussed with the theatre David H. Koch (which is based, as I said, NYCB). I explained that we will not be able to hold the June tour due to the fact that the theater of Boris Eifman is a foreign company and that foreign company could enter the territory of the United States, you need to work all the institutions. In particular, the Institute of migratory services, creative unions, which was given permission to address the U.S. foreign artists. These organizations were closed until the beginning of may. Then an emergency has been extended until the beginning of June, and it became clear that about any tour in June of the question, and touring theatre, Eifman moved to March 2021. We were lucky – we had an extra week, which we held in March 2021. And just a few days, NYCB has announced that they will not be able to spend the spring season the year 2020 due to the fact that the Emergency situation is prolonged, and, accordingly, “American ballet theatre” also came out with this statement. However, we assumed that the autumn season will take place. But the development of the virus occurred in such a way that it became clear: a large crowd of people in the theater – is unrealistic.
the situation has changed dramatically!
the Situation began to turn out that many well-known foreign cultural figures talking about the fact that in order for the industry back to normal operation you will need, most likely, several years. Now we are faced with the fact that since March (two and a half months) so will that be suspended the entire year. After all, this is not the situation that has developed in Russia, when he announced that from June 8 to rehearse in the theater.
– Russia has allowed not only to rehearse. Not so long ago the Mariinsky theatre first in Europe to adopt the audience, though, it was a one-time event.
– Yes, within the limits of festival “stars of the white nights” Maestro Gergiev will give two concerts. But we must understand, if we talk about America, what it is and that no one is there to rehearse is not going to. No one is going to risk life��and their employees in order to rehearse. Understand the implications of all this as lessons via Skype or Zoom – all in favor of the poor, they say. Therefore, the situation for industry is catastrophic.
– U ballet dancers especially. If Opera can somehow and at home not to lose their skills, it is for ballet dancers it’s really a disaster. I heard that in America as a result of a pandemic, a huge number of dancers were left without work.
– Not only dancers, although they do everything very hard. We are talking about the fact that the orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera (and not only the Metropolitan Opera) dissolved in times of crisis. And the musicians, and the choir disbanded. Today the number of unemployed in America, over 45 million! How quickly the situation can change now it’s hard to say. Just have to wait. I understand that in Russia the mortality rate is lower. In the West wonder about that, but I think that the precautions taken initially were very correct and thanks to this, the level of infection and mortality is low. But we have every day, the number infected is not falling. In this situation, when it starts a gradual exit from isolation, we imagined all the consequences of what happened. But one of the most affected categories of people – Opera and ballet artists, musicians, workers of the production team.
“Everything will depend on who comes to power in presidential elections: Republicans or Democrats”
In Russia and some of the theatres of Europe theatre supported by the state. The situation in America is completely different. Whether it is allocated to the theatres any sponsorship?
– still the cultural community in America operates through philanthropy and private foundations, individuals, corporate assistance. Yes, there is no state regulation, but still there is a national Foundation in the arts, from which many were assisted. Recently, the Metropolitan Opera, and “American ballet theatre” received the funds (certainly not to the extent in which they suffered losses) in connection with the fact that cancelled a lot of shows that the staff was either fired or sent on leave. And this has occurred in almost all the cultural centers around the country. Today I received information that the Segerstrom art center in California that we actively and many years of working together had reduced two thirds of their staff: they sent people on vacation, still have their jobs, but without pay. Carnegie hall officially announced that, of the 270 workers remain 50 and the 50 will be on a reduced wage, and they are still working remotely. That is the situation with coronavirus has affected all andndustri the performing arts dramatically. When it became clear that the fall season will not take place, for the past few days still trying to get it all. They can only plan: for example, the Metropolitan 31 December, Carnegie hall from January 7. Same with “new York city ballet”.
But in January, in your opinion, seasons American theaters will be able to open?
– We have to understand one simple thing, the solution which was adopted was not easy, but it is based on the analysis that was presented to the American specialists, physicians, and virologists. It was based on the analysis of the General situation in the world and recommendations from influential political circles. In November presidential elections in the United States and probably the calculation is made in such a way that everything will depend on who comes to power: Republicans or Democrats. And how will continue or will change the shape of the support of cultural institutions, whether they exist, even after the New year to get started.
Mal scenes functioning of the industry performing arts, too, is a politician?
I think one of the important political circumstances of decision-making on cancellation of the fall season in American theatres was the fact that throughout America there were mass demonstrations, the protest movement against racism. Hence, a huge number of unprotected people who do not observe any security measures, social distance. The masks on their faces often hide the face of criminals of the lowest class. Plus, officially, it is known that in new York and Atlanta, and Minneapolis from prison were released a huge number of prisoners, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in prison. It is not excluded that a second wave could engulf America in the fall, if not sooner. In fact, it might be pushed to not to risk and not to “play chess”.
You mean the chess seats for spectators in the theatres? This possibility has been discussed by us, but very criticized by the managers of theatres and theatre practitioners
Director of the Paris Opera, Stephane Lissner believes that the Seating arrangement in a checkerboard pattern carries not only economic damage, but also artistic. There are a lot of factors, but the most important is the virus that captured the masses and whose effects may continue. Will take the risk to say that the announced deadlines that the industry performing arts, particularly in America, will begin their seasons in early 2021 is still in question. Recently, I discussed with colleagues the possibility of the spring season, which seemed to take place. The season is coming to an end, and no one was able to finish it �� auditorium. At Lincoln center the numbers going through the roof. After all, he is the holder of real estate, leases premises in which there are three major cultural institutions: the Metropolitan Opera, the building of the theater David H. Koch, where dancing and Philharmonic hall David Geffen, where is the new York Philharmonic orchestra. The Lincoln center has its own program. And loss to date is enormous. The newspaper “new York Tajms” has published the data that the center has lost income from ticket sales, from the rental of premises for 1 billion 300 million dollars. The figure is huge, because in fact the first ten months of this year performing centres do not function, and their contents are covered by the funds allocated by the city and the Federal government. Moreover, funds for the maintenance of these buildings. This is not funds for the maintenance personnel.
– what are Your predictions?
it’s Hard to say, especially because the borders are closed – both European and American. It is necessary in the autumn to see how the situation will be favorable to the New year, in January, began the season in 2021 for the whole industry. I know that there are specialists who claim that all this is the machinations of enemies, that it was the flu, which will be held. But we see how people die and how much effort you invest doctors worldwide to save the infected. This bitch is ruthless!
