Cynthia Gregory's Aurora

[passionofpersephone]

WOW. La Gregory was one of the tallest dancers of her generation; you wouldn't think she could pull off the delicate feminine daintiness that this role requires. But she convinces you. And that signature move of hers -- the slow unfolding of the arabesque -- is her trump card. I've never seen any other dancer do that.

[minissa2009]

Thanks for posting. I have the same second generation copy. Much as I preferred Van Hamel overall (one of the great under-sung ballerinas of her time), I have never seen anything like Cynthia's Rose. She's working, but she looks so much like she's saying "I could stay up here all day if I want to in attitude, but now I just happen to want to extend slowly into arabesque and stay there for a while." I like a lot of younger dancers, but BIG extensions do not equal artistry.This is artistry

[estnyc]

@minissa2009 At the time I was more of a fan of Van Hamel's than Gregory's, but this video makes me wish I'd paid a bit more attention to her. You described perfectly the effect of her amazing control. Even blurry and degraded, this is still the finest Rose Adagio video I've seen anywhere.

[WilesWales]

Once again, every time I have watched another dansuese even try to dance this part, no one can match Gregory's performance here. It exhibits such mastery, perfection, control, grace, confidence, and so much more that no other can even come to close to matching this one. She is a legend, as was Dame Alicia Markova. The students at the Maple Conservatory in CA are BLESSED to have such a wonderful teacher. I wish during my days with Joffrey, I had had her as my coach. She is a legend!

[aj92507]

stunning. it is true, Cynthia was always turned out <3

[WilesWales]

As the great ballerina, Dame Alicia Markova, after retiring, and lived to be 94, was a professor of dance at the University of Cincinnati, and was training one danseuse and said, "The stage is your kingdom; use it." In 1986, the Director of Presentations at the Met at Lincoln Center, NYC, said, "The Met can intimidate a dancer..." Cynthia fulfills not only probably the great ballerina in the world and make the stage her "kingdom," but make it seem small. She is Dame Alicia's "kingdom." Gregory!!

[WilesWales]

Cynthia Gregory commands control, grace, style, and as the great Ballerina, Dame Alicia Markova said while teaching up until she 94 at the University of Cinncinati, said, "The stage is you kingdom, use it." Cynthia does this and much more; she was born on pointe; she is is perfection. There has been, aren't, and never will be a dancer like her again. She went on from 1991 to form Tranisition for Dancers, and is now an instructor at hte Marple Conservatory in CA. This cannot be matched.

[estnyc]

Avalon, I think there are copies of that "out there." You might even find bits of it on YouTube if you search carefully....

[AvalonMorley]

Cynthia Gregory was, and will always be, the Queen of Ballet to me, whatever wonders others may bring. She had a magnitude, elegance, grandeur & simply excellence to her dancing that was so unique. Wish someone would post the PBS ABT special from the early 70s, where she danced Black Swan; also included were big segments from RODEO w. Christine Sarry(?), from ETUDES, & I don't remember what else, except for little interviews w. DeMille & others. Glorious.

[Scabrous77]

What a treat. Gregory is perfection. Flawless technique paired with musicality and artistry. This is a joy to watch!

[expate1]

I think Gregory's Raymonda was beyond perfection. I don't think I breathed when she danced. Just thinking about it now makes me sit straighter and slows my breath. So regal, the epitome of elegance.

[Rysanekfan]

I saw this performance when it was broadcast and then never again. I was thrilled to see it posted. Gregory was one of the great ballerinas and found that perfect balance between line, technique and expression that singles classicism in dance. I was fortunate to see her dance "live" on several occasions and those performances still resonate in my mind.

[TheFloridaBallet]

Thank you for posting this - Cynthia Gregory's performances were always memorable. This video at least gives a glimpse of a great artist. I agree - there aren't enough videos of her performances on You Tube.  Any videos of her performance of Theme & Variations?

[aleinad314]

@estnyc Cynthia's Aurora is the most beautiful I've ever seen so far. She has a particular grace that I've seen a few other dancers. Perfect in the role of the girl Aurora, perfect technical mastery. I've seen her recent photos, she has a face very beautiful and sweet. Thank you for this video.

[PointePrincess95]

Absolutely amazing! I wish i was as good as her...

[ruialex1]

i love her !!! thx !

[karenofbethany]

She infuses it with joy!

[karenofbethany]

She's so musical....I remember ABT in San Francisco and I almost went out of my body with her Black Swan Pas De Deux with Bujones, his beautiful developpes and his totally gentlemanlike manner. What fireworks they produced. I recently saw in interview with her where she says they were exhausted at that performance and didn't know it would be so good.

[tenorbear60]

I love the way she breathes open that last balance. Spectacular - so rare to see this kind of control.

[affectivity]

Those were the days, all right. I saw ABT all the time back then. And Cynthia Gregory was the best Black Swan in the business. She was a lovely Aurora too!

[glenoid16]

This broadcast, this very one, was the one that lead me to a lifelong love of the ballet.

Thank you so much for putting it up!

[glenoid16]

This broadcast, this very one, was the one that lead me to a lifelong love of the ballet.

[brunoverzino1]

THOSE WERE THE REAL TIMES OF BALLET...TODAY?....GINNASTICA.­...WITHOUT ANY CLASS....

[franceseattle]

Cynthia Gregory was the most underrated and overlooked ballerina of the 20th century. I don't think the ABT ever gave her enough credit or publicity. I remember this broadcast on TV. I still cannot believe this has never been made commercially available. Having seen her Swan Queen 3 times live, and Makarova live once, it is my impression that Gregory's Odette-Odille was much more moving. Cynthia's Swan Queen was right up there along with Maya Plissetskaya's & Margot Fonteyn's.

[SuperBalletgirl101]

Gergory is one of the most amazing, musical, radiant, fabulous, and beautiful dancers of all time. She is so beautiful in this role and every other role she performed. The transitions from each step to the next are so smooth and nature looking, the balances are rock-on and the endings seemed to go on forever. Such a spectacular dancer and actress. And so technical too.... I could go on forever!!!

[opacifie]

Of all the ballet videos on YouTube this is the one that I watch over and over again...simply sublime - beautiful technique and musicality. Thank you for posting this!

[tammygun71]

Amazing poise and understated grace in this fabulous, underrated ballerina. I share her surname... I really wish I also shared her control, placement and beautiful arms :o

[minitay12]

No one does balances like Cynthia Gregory...

[Pywacket2]

The standard by which we measure all Auroras.

[Pywacket2]

Cynthia is sublime.

[estnyc]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. It seems there's not very much video available of Gregory in her prime (or at all, really) which is a shame. I didn't see this Aurora back when it was broadcast, but only about ten years ago off a crappy VHS copy, and I thought, "holy crap!" It doesn't get much better than this, or any better than this, really. And look at her arms!

[edkearns]

@estnyc And the fact that she is so tall (6' en pointe) makes it all the more to appreciate her talent.

[dchiapello]

@edkearns You remind me that at intermission, when her interviewer mentioned her being 6 feet en pointe, she interrupted and said "Almost 6 feet - I'm very sensitive about that!" He was embarrassed and apologized, but she was quick to reassure him she was just teasing. Her whole manner during the interview was sweet and down-to-earth. She seemed not to have had a "diva" bone in her body.

[edkearns]

@dchiapello You're correct. I met her on the street when I still lived in NYC. Very friendly. In fact, I would venture to say she was a little shy. She is one of the best Giselles I've seen. Right up there with Makarova, and Cynthia Gregory.

[edkearns1]

@estnyc it isn't easy to be as graceful and beautiful as her when you're almost 6ft tall en pointe

[edkearns1]

@estnyc Perfect arabesque! I remember hearing my sisters' ballet saying that you should be able to balance a tea cup on your ankle if you're in perfect arabesque. How true.

[edwardswift1]

I saw Cynthia Gregory's Sleeping Beauty many times. I was a huge fan. And I still am. We must not forget her White Swan. Her 2nd act exit full face to the audience, eyes lifted to the balcony was the best! Today all the ballerinas I've seen exit back to the audience, but Gregory's exit still remains in my mind as the most dramatic and beautiful. Surely there's a video of it, but I can't seem to find it.

[pabloabba]

One of my favorite full-length ballets... & one of my favorite ballerinas of all time! I had the great fortune of seeing her perform in San Francisco MANY times... one of those performances was "Swan Lake" partnered by Fernando Bujones. She was so on balance that she gave 6 perfect pirouettes coming out of 32 perfectly excecuted grand fouettes In the Black Swan pas de deux... I nearly fell out of my seat in mezzanine landing on someone in orchestra!!! Both stars signed my program that night!

[AuthenticNavyPeaCoat]

Love your tagline in the description "those were the days" -- OMG, classical ballet will never see the luminaries of Gregory, Makarova, Kirkland dancing at the same time, ever again..., I haven't started on NYCB dancers too. Sigh. Yes, Sylivie Gilliem and Zakharova have vertical extensiions and perfect feet, but they're cold in comparison to the greats I never tire of watching. Thank you for posting this great piece of ballet!

[Kandushka]

i loved her rose adagio she was brilliant

[JeremyNasmith]

WOW!!!! Such exuberance! such joy in the balances!! I'm in tears writing this! She sparkled! The most joyous Rose Adagio I've ever seen! Cynthia Gregory has been a long time favorite of mine, but after seeing this... Incredible! The daring of her balances, the control as she rolls down of pointe in ecarte, and the pure joy of her approach. She makes this technical monster of an adage look effortless and radiant!

BRAVA!!!

This is quality ballet!

Thank you SO MUCH to estnyc for posting!!

[dchiapello]

@JeremyNasmith I'm as wild about this Rose Adagio as any of us here. But definitely check out Margot Fonteyn (NOT the early black and white). It's broken up, unfortunately by talking heads, but for exuberance projected right to the upper tiers, Fonteyn's performance is unforgettable.

[Rysanekfan]

Cynthia Gregory was an exceptional artist and I had the privilege of seeing her a number of times. I've long wondered if this Sleeping Beauty would ever surface as I remember it as spectacular. My memory was correct...!

[ploplisphilin]

A true ballerina in the classical style! (I never cared for her in Romantic repertory.)

[adrageli]

I used to watch this on tape practically EVERY DAY as a kid and I still haven't found a Rose Adagio I admire quite as much. Thanks for posting!

[SPACETIMEBEAUTY]

Miss Gregory is ABSOLUTELY SPLENDID HERE. BRAVA!!!

[nessie96]

Cynthia Gregory was always one of my faves....this performance was about as good as it could possibly be done...wow!!!!!

[Pywacket2]

Cynthia Gregory never took a back seat to Soviet artists. They couldn't compete with her technically or artistically. Gregory was stupendous--right up to her retirement--which I attended. The stage was piled high with bouquets. And the audience at the Met was on its feet for what seemed like forever.

[dmpfc]

Did anyone else notice how she kicked the flower that was on the stage?

Able to do that and have flawless technique, priceless!

[RegularJesus]

this is a favorite - emotionally involving - fantastic balances and great technique.

[vparksie]

A wonderful performance, but she was always a favorite of mine. I disagree that Ashley was a more stupendous technician. They had different strengths. I think Gregory had a wider range, but they had different repertories so that is hard to say.

[kabardinka1]

When Gregory was dancing, people were so crazy over Soviet defectors they didn't pay attention to what they had. She was one of the greatest dancers of the 20th Century... amazing technique and expressiveness. If she'd had a long term partner who would have matched her physically and in talent, she would have been an even bigger star. I so glad this video is on YouTube.

[passionofpersephone]

One of the tallest dancers around at the time, you would never have expected her to be able to handle an ingenue role like this. But she pulls it off -- not just with the technique (which is perfect), but she captures the character in her face.

[Upstreamswimmer]

Adagio in ballet means control with slow enfolding movements, and Ms. Gregory is teaching the class.

[ecj177]

OMG!!!!! I am so happy that you have this. She was such an amazing dancer!!!

[dchiapello]

I still cannot get over how she so slowly unfolds from attitude, unsupported. I haven't seen that particular move done nearly so impressively by any other dancer.

[lashenova]

That was unbelieveable!

[solor1]

I love ballet, but in last time I am bored of lot of todays ballet videos. THIS ONE IS PERFECT. Gregory is dancing in highest level - not only technical, but also artistic. There is everything so beautiful in her Aurora. I love this performance. And that was in the 70s. Most of todays ballerinas should learn from her. She was the real queen of ABT.

[dchiapello]

Can't thank you enough, estnyc!

[Leonnidik]

EstNYC- Thank You. I was present at the performance.The cavaliers are (I think) Kevin McKenzie William Carter Charles Ward Michael Owen I saw her in "Rose" in a Gala (75) with Igor Youskevitch Andre Eglevsky Erik Bruhn Rudy Gregory was a queen, not a princess, but who cares?If she had been russian at the time, she would have been greater than sliced bread.

[TheGracieGregory]

I'm so proud to say she's my cousin... she was an absolutely exquisite dancer, and I wish I had as much talent! What an angel!

[tommytubez]

yes cynthia was the most amazing dancer..and balanchine loved her..i also saw her dance apollo at the state theatre wonderful!!!

[Andante735]

Cynthia Gregory was the greatest Aurora i've ever seen. It's not surprising in the least, she was a virtuoso, and a truly brilliant performer. I've never seen any dancer generate that much excitement and adulation, ever. Our great american ballerina.

[9415908]

This was fantastic, Gregory really commanded the stage, and she is so radiant and joyful here. Beautiful clean line and great balances.

[LaKimmois]

Wow, never expected THAT from Cynthia Gregory, one of the best rose adagios I've seen.

Alina Somova needs to watch this continually until something penetrates.

[estnyc]

Back in the day I didn't appreciate Gregory as well as I should have. She was sharing the New York stage with the likes of Kirkland, Makarova and Van Hamel, and, over at NYCB, Merrill Ashley was an even more stupendous technician.

A few years ago I saw this video and realized she was a tremendous artist in her own right; this is one of the best Rose Adagios I've ever seen, despite the degraded video quality.

[estnyc]

Shame on me? I'm the one who posted this, silly. I wouldn't have gone through the trouble if I didn't think this was a fantastic performance. But remember, back then there were a lot of stupendous ballerinas dancing regularly in NYC.

[ag2322]

The way she floats out of those balances in attitude ... wow.

Thanks so much for posting this! There's not enough Cynthia Gregory on Youtube, especially given how many of her performances were taped. Do you have any more from this broadcast?