Customer Reviews

Tributes: Celebrating Fifty Years Of New York City Ballet

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As an avid patron of the New York City Ballet, I purchased Tributes hoping to learn more about the ballets and dancers who have been part of the Company at present and during their fifty year history. While the book itself is a nice presentation, with some interesting tidbits, but there is little if any of the information I was after. Mostly, the "tributes" are from writers and visual artists who are as interested in the ballet as I am. But I cannot help but to get the feeling that the book is a self-aggrandizing tome to their own selves courtesy of their close-knit artsy-fartsy friends.There are some truly beautiful photographs, such as Allegra Kent and Edward Villella on the cover, as well as some artist renderings of set designs. I would have loved to see more of the beautiful costumes (especially by Karinska) and perhaps a brief history of ballet. I would have liked notes about each of the pieces performed throughout their fifty year history as well as biographies and new photographs of the principal dancers. I mean, of course there is a picture of the current prima ballerina, Darci Kistler because not only is she a terrific dancer but she is married to Peter Martins who was a dancer and is the current Ballet Master in Chief of the NYCB (but so much for nepotism because there is no photograph of his son, Nilas, who is also a principal dancer at the NYCB). The contributors to Tributes are impressive as is the NYCB and it is too bad that the book falls short and that more thought did not go into this book to truly make it as wonderful a treasure as the company itself.

This is a book with many types of media tributes to the NYC ballet...if you are looking for a book with illus. devoted to the ballet...you need to look further.

This coffee table picture book is truly a wonderful collection of pictures, sketches, photographs, stories, and historic information about the New York City Ballet. With its larger than life presentation and color it would be a thoughful gift for anyone with a love affair with Balanchine or the NYCB.

This book had exquisite pictures of famous and unknown dancers from Tallchief to Susan and even the great man behind all the beautiful dancers. Worth every penny

I was lucky enough to see a preview copie of the book at the Ballet. Its amazing and destined to become a keepsake.