COPPELIA Act III NYCB 1978

Every time I watch this I get a pang in my heart. Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova, who staged this version, had originally started choreographing this on me and Gelsey Kirkland. Danilova had been the most celebrated "Swanilda" (the female lead) of her time, and she was setting all her parts. Balanchine was choreographing new variations for my role, "Franz" and new divertissements. Unfortunately (and I'm still kicking myself), both Gelsey and I decided to leave the company a month into rehearsals. She, to dance with Baryshnikov, and me, to spend full time with my newly created Los Angeles Ballet. I certainly could have waited a year because I had just turned 27. Balanchine was also starting his STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER on me and Gelsey for that season, so that's two major roles I never got to dance. If I had returned to the company, as Balanchine had made clear he wanted me to do, I would have been doing them. In any case, Patricia McBride and Helgi Tomasson here in the 1978 broadcast give great performances, as does everyone.