“La Source”, “Namouna, A Grand Divertissement”
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
April 29, 2023, evening
by Mary Cargill
copyright © 2023 by Mary Cargill
“La Source” and “Namouna” were both elaborate 19th century ballets first presented at the Paris Opera choreographed by Frenchman to French music. “La Source” (1866,) with music by Léo Delibes and choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon and “Namouna” (1882), with music by Édouard Lalo and choreography Lucien Petipa (Marius’ older brother), have complicated plots, full of exotic locations, put-upon heroines, and stalwart heroes (both danced originally, coincidentally, by Louis Mérante). The current versions by Balanchine, (“La Source”, 1968) and Ratmansky ("Namouna, A Grand Divertissement, 2010) both have heroes, but very little plot. Balanchine ignored the plot completely, but kept the French elegance; he choreographed the brief, expanded pas de deux for Violette Verdy and John Prinz in 1968. Alexei Ratmansky, on the other hand, mixed in elements of the original “Namouna” for his 2010 celebration/send-up of 19th century balletic conventions but dressed his hero as a Victorian child strutting around in a sailor suit. They may have used different approaches, but both clearly loved the lush, melodic scores.
Photo: New York City Ballet in "Namouna, A Grand Divertissement" photo © Paul Kolnik.