went to the ballet last night. it's been awhile. it was nice of one of my students' families to invite me. it was nice to be in the 3rd row.

but i felt a bit strange. i used to go to the ballet all the time, thanks to the freebies which i took major advantage of. i remember all the excitement of the diamond projects, etc. but last night...i felt slightly removed. yes, lots of places in the scenes moved me to tears, the pure athleticism, how human bodies can be manipulated into doing things that LOOKED so effortless...

what i'm trying to say is, i felt strange watching something so animated, obviously with a story line (this being the Swan Lake), yet i felt like i was watching a mime show! all the gesturing, expressions (good thing about seating so close yet bad)... i half expected them to sing arias.

maybe i've grown up in my musical/arts life and i expect more from an artistic event. perhaps i'm just a snob.

plus, ABT wasn't very good. i never remembered them as good. they lack the consistency of a true company (like NYCB). its principals are fair enough but that's about it.

in order to judge a real good dance company is to sit around 1st or 2nd tiers and see how the company really does the company dance (formations).