“Contrary to vulgar legend the lives of great ballerinas are not entirely given up to a few minutes of graceful movement every night followed by champagne drunk out of their toeshoes till dawn, in the company of financiers ... no, most of their time is spent in filthy rehearsal halls, inhaling dust, or else in class, daily, year in year out, practicing, practicing even after they are already prima ballerinas.” YearsNightGivenCompanyClassMinutesMovementContraryDrunkDustDawnHallsLegendsBalletEvery NightVulgarRehearsalGiven UpChampagneFilthyBallerinaFinanciers Book:Death in the Fifth Position Source: Death in the Fifth Position
“I haven't seen so much tippy-toeing around since the last time I went to the ballet. When members of the arts community were askedthis week about one of their biggest benefactors, Philip Morris, and its requests that they lobby the New York City Council on the company's behalf, the pas de deux of self- justification was so painstakingly choreographed that it constituted a performance all by itself.” ArtSelfLastsCommunityCitiesCompanyWeekHavensNew YorkMembersPerformancesCorruptionHypocrisyNew York CityBalletJustificationLast TimeBehalfCouncilRequestPhilipBenefactorsMorrisSelf JustificationCity CouncilPhilip Morris Author:Anna Quindlen