(Read More NYC Ballet Reviews).

Carousel (A Dance) (2002): (See November 26, 2002 Review). Music by Richard Rodgers, Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, Arranged and Orchestrated by William David Brohn, Costumes by Holly Hynes, Lighting by Mark Stanley, Guest Conductor, David Briskin, Performed by Tiler Peck, Damien Woetzel, Amanda Hankes, Craig Hall, Rebecca Krohn, Jonathan Stafford, and the Company.

With chemistry and eye contact, the ever-virtuosic Damian Woetzel partnered the ever vivacious Tiler Peck in this most romantic ballet. Resident Choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon, created this work to a new arrangement of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Carousel Waltz". Richard Rodgers was honored by City Ballet in 2002, when Mr. Wheeldon crafted this tribute. The Company positions themselves in the formation of an actual carousel, a daring design, and the Woetzel-Peck pas de deux is incandescent. It seems to sparkle of young love and summer and fancy, and the ensemble, with a noteworthy performance by Craig Hall, carried off this too rarely seen ballet.

Tarantella (1964): (See February 16, 2003 Review). Music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Reconstructed and Orchestrated by Hershy Kay, Choreography by George Balanchine, Costumes by Karinska, Lighting by Mark Stanley, Guest Conductor: David Briskin, Piano Solo: Nancy McDill, Performed by Megan Fairchild and Joaquin De Luz. This music is from Gottschalk's "Grande Tarantelle for Piano and Orchestra". Gottschalk was well known in the Nineteenth Century as a pianist and composer from Louisiana. He was praised by Chopin and toured Europe. Hershy Kay was an orchestrator and composer of Musicals and Ballets. The Tarantella is a classical dance with instantaneous spins and directional changes.(NYCB Notes).

I never tire of this ballet, and today was no exception, as Joaquin De Luz' tambourine literally fell apart onstage, as he swung it against his hip. Mr. De Luz found the attention he deserves today in his partner, Megan Fairchild, who sometimes eludes him emotionally. Their dance was electric, charged, and filled with lightning leaps across the stage, as Mr. De Luz chased and caught Ms. Fairchild with a kiss and a hug. Nancy McDill kept the piano momentum seamless, as the dancers catapulted to and fro, with ruffles, gold waistband, and white stockings.

Symphony in Three Movements (1972): (See May 15, 2003 Review). Music by Igor Stravinsky, Choreography by George Balanchine, Lighting by Mark Stanley, Conducted by Fayçal Karoui, Performed by Sterling Hyltin, Jennie Somogyi, Abi Stafford, Adam Hendrickson, Amar Ramasar, Adrian Danchig-Waring, Faye Arthurs, Melissa Barak, Saskia Beskow, Amanda Hankes, Glenn Keenan, Robert Fairchild, Kyle Froman, Vincent Paradiso, Henry Seth, Christian Tworzyanski, and the Company.

One of my favorite dances in City Ballet repertoire, Balanchine opens the curtain to stark pony-tailed females in white, then sideways leaps, angularity of arms, and imagery of internal space. I often miss Jock Soto, who frequently partnered Wendy Whelan in this work, but today's youthful ensemble (only one principal, Jennie Somogyi) generated energy, elegance, and excitement. There was even the new Conductor, Maestro Karoui, to lead this powerful Symphony. Sterling Hyltin, Adam Hendrickson, and Amar Ramasar were especially dynamic in the first movement, and the second movement pas de deux of Ms. Somogyi and Mr. Ramasar riveted the audience with their undulating arms, intertwining torsos, and exotic figures. Kudos to George Balanchine.

I'm Old Fashioned (1983): (See January 20, 2007 Review). Music by Morton Gould (based on music by Jerome Kern), Choreography by Jerome Robbins, Costumes by Florence Klotz, Lighting by Ronald Bates, Conductor: Maurice Kaplow, Performed by Ellen Bar, Jenifer Ringer, Sara Mearns, Tyler Angle, Jared Angle, Stephen Hanna, and the Company. Film sequence from You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.

In today's matinee, one week after seeing this same glorious work, I focused on the syncopation of the City Ballet dancers along with Rita and Fred. The female leads, Ms. Bar, Ms. Ringer, and Ms. Mearns were the stronger cast of the two (Ms. Ringer danced in both), with the sensual Ms. Mearns, the theatrical Ms. Bar, and the sophisticated Ms. Ringer. The male cast as well was better served with Jared Angle (dancing alongside his charismatic brother, Tyler, and performing his solo with carefree cleverness) in today's performance, and Stephen Hanna fit the mood with aplomb on both occasions. Kudos to Jerome Kern.

Jennie Somogyi and Amar Ramasar in NYCB's Symphony in Three Movements Photo © & courtesy of Paul Kolnik

Megan Fairchild and Joaquin de Luz in NYCB's Tarantella Photo © & courtesy of Paul Kolnik