“I’ve wondered…what I will do after I stop dancing? Be a florist?” joked San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Gennadi Nedvigin in a media Q&A on Wednesday. “I could have performed for two or three more years,” said the soon-to-retire 39-year-old who will become Atlanta Ballet’s next artistic director in August. “But being offered this position took priority. I wanted to focus on one thing.”
“My aesthetic has been formed by the diverse range of choreographers and dancers I’ve worked with and by the diverse range of pieces I’ve performed in my career. Different styles of dance and choreography are like different languages,” he said. “The more languages you know, the better.” Drawing further upon the language parallel, the Bolshoi-trained Nedvigin related that he’s experienced the challenge of being immersed in new language environments before—first when he moved from his native Russia to dance with Le Jeune Ballet de France in France, and then again when he came to the United States to join San Francisco Ballet in 1997. “It’s like being dipped in water and forced to swim—twice,” he said.
Nedvigin will be “dipped in water” again as he transitions from dancer to director. Though this will be his debut in such a role, he has worked with Atlanta Ballet before when he staged Yuri Possokhov’s Classical Symphony on the company in 2014. “I was drawn to the sense of community among Atlanta Ballet’s dancers,” he said. “And I was proud of their performance.”
Nedvigin announced that Atlanta Ballet’s 2016-2017 season will include works the company has performed before, such as John McFall’s Nutcracker, David Bintley’s Carmina Burana, and Helen Pickett’s Camino Real, as well as mixed repertory performances he personally selected. “I’ve carefully chosen these programs. They will hint at the direction I will take the company,” he said. He also emphasized that the company will perform “classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works”– bringing to mind the “many languages” analogy again.
Among the mixed repertory programs, Gennadi’s Choice will feature his staging of selections from Paquita, the Atlanta premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Vespertine, and a world premiere by Gemma Bond. Firebird will include Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, and Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort.
What other changes might Nedvigin bring to Atlanta Ballet? He indicated that he’s open to the idea of a ranking system for the currently unranked company. “Ranking exists whether it’s announced or not,” he said. “Ranking helps give dancers recognition and it doesn’t prevent lower-ranked dancers from performing lead roles.” Another possibility he’s looking into is touring. However, he acknowledges that changes will take time and that it will be at least a few years before he begins to attain his vision for the company. One thing that won’t significantly change for the present is the roster of Atlanta Ballet’s dancers. All had their contracts renewed, though some have opted not to return in the fall.
Nedvigin will conclude his 19-year performing career with San Francisco Ballet in May as Lensky in John Cranko’s Onegin. He will succeed John McFall who retires in June after 23 years as artistic director of Atlanta Ballet. Nedvigin will be just the fourth artistic director in the history of the 87-year-old company. “It’s an honor to be joining Atlanta Ballet,” he said. “These are exciting times.”
Atlanta Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season
ATLANTA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER
December 9 – 24, 2016 | The Fox Theatre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
Encore Presentation of David Bintley’s CARMINA BURANA
February 3 – 11, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
One Hour Family Ballet – TITLE TO BE ANNOUNCED
February 11 & 12, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Recommended for families and younger audiences.
GENNADI’s CHOICE (Mixed Repertory)
March 17 – 19, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Selections from Paquita choreographed by Marius Petipa and staged by Gennadi Nedvigin, the Atlanta premiere of Vespertine by Liam Scarlett, and a world premiere by Gemma Bond.
FIREBIRD (Mixed Repertory)
April 14 – 16, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Firebird by Yuri Possokhov, Allegro Brillante by George Balanchine, and Petite Mort by Jiří Kylián.
Encore Presentation of Helen Pickett’s Tennessee Williams-Inspired CAMINO REAL
May 12 – 14, 2017 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Choreography by Helen Pickett
Music & Sound Design by Peter Salem
Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra
