“Amaria,” “Opus 19/The Dreamer,” “Russian Seasons”
David Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
New York, New York
September 25, 2021
by Gay Morris
copyright © 2021 by Gay Morris
New York City Ballet is at last back at Lincoln Center, and a cause for celebration it is, after eighteen months of virus induced absence. The fall season, which began September 21, continues through October 17. Yet, it seems no gain can come without loss these days, and so we learn that by the end of May six senior principal dancers will have left the company. Among them is ballerina Maria Kowroski, who will retire in October after twenty-six years with the company. On Saturday evening she was featured in the premiere of a pas de deux by Mauro Bigonzetti entitled “Amaria,” dedicated to her in both title and dance. Her partner was Amar Ramasar, another of the principals who will leave in the coming year. The costumes, also by Bigonzetti, consisted of a dress for Kowroski in a rich green, and subdued grey t-shirt and pants for Ramasar, as if to stress the fact that this dance was hers.