Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – For one night only, the great Natalia Osipova conjures the versatility of her career in FORCE OF NATURE

• By drediman
• January 25, 2023
• No Comments

This past weekend, Natalia Osipova performed for one night only at New York City Center, giving her many dance fans a glimpse, once again, of the greatness that elevated her to international stardom. For the sold out event, the beloved Russian ballerina — who has danced with some of the world’s top ballet companies — assembled a program, entitled Force of Nature, that impressively showed off the breadth and versatility of her dancing. From classical ballet of various styles, to contemporary ballet, to modern dance, Osipova (alongside a handful of her fellow dancers and friends) performed an eclectic bill that provided an effective and efficient overview of her accomplished and important career, at least thus far.

The program began with the Act 2 Pas De Deux from Giselle, a work that’s largely considered the ideal Romantic ballet. Dancing the iconic Petipa choreography was an ideal way for Osipova — paired with Adolph Adane — to launch the evening, allowing the Russian star to display her solid classical ballet training. Then came the Flames of Paris Pas De Deux performed by Takumi Miyake and Yeva Hrytsak, two members of ABT Studio Company. Both of these young dancers displayed considerable talent dancing Vasily Vainonen’s dynamic choreography, with Hrytsak showing particular virtuosity. The bill continued with a taste of the MacMillan aesthetic with the “Bedroom” Pas De Deux from Act I of Manon; once again, Osipova (this time partnered with the statuesque Reece Clarke), exuding touching lyricism, recalibrated her dancing to the British choreographer’s unmistakably dramatic style. The first act concluded with the first sighting of modern dance — Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s “Pure”. Here, Osipova performed alongside her new husband — the contemporary dancer and choreographer Jason Kittelberger — convincingly making the transition from classical ballet to a more grounded manner of moving.

The second half commenced with a pair of Ashton dances — “Five Brahams Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan”, which partnered Osipova with Oleksandr Grynyuk, as well as “Dance of the Blessed Spirits”, which was danced soulfully by Reece Clarke. “Isadora Duncan” represented some of the finest aspects of Osipova’s dancing — the line and command she conveyed were superlative. Then came the evening’s sole premiere, Kittelberger’s “Weight of It” for Osipova, Kittelberger, and Marcelino Sambr. While stylish, the piece lacked the defining character of the Ashton pieces that preceded it. Perhaps the most gorgeous of the lot was “Valse Triste”, an Alexei Ratmansky duet set to music by Sibelius danced by Osipova and Clarke. It cast a spell with its immense humanity and poetic sensibility. The program ended on a contemporary note with “Ashes”, another pretty but forgettable Kittelberger ballet featuring Osipova and her hubby.

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FORCE OF NATURE
Dance
New York City Center
1 hour, 45 minutes (with one intermission)
Closed