Author

The first time the Kirov ballet was seen in America was on Sept. 11, 1961. The ballet was 'Swan Lake.' The ballerina was Inna Zubkovskaya. The place was the old Met, on what must have been one of the hottest nights of the year, and there was no air-conditioning.

From Robert Gottlieb

'Eclipse' is overlong and overly self-conscious, but it isn't a fake or a zero; it just gets exhausting. It raises a crucial question: 'When does Concept morph into Gimmick?'

From Robert Gottlieb

Paris, as always, is swarming with Americans, and these days, it's also swarming with hamburgers. Oddly, though, it's not typically the Americans who are pursuing the perfect burger on the perfect bun with the obligatory side of perfect coleslaw; the Americans are pursuing the perfect blanquette de veau.

From Robert Gottlieb

Writing happened to me. I didn't decide to start writing or to be a writer. I never wanted to be a writer.

From Robert Gottlieb

I don't like writing - it's so difficult to say what you mean. It's much easier to edit other people's writing and help them say what they mean.

From Robert Gottlieb

Like all editors, I assume, I'm a reactor.

From Robert Gottlieb

Ballet is like any other art form in that we all start out knowing nothing about it.

From Robert Gottlieb

The best seat in the house often depends on the ballet. For instance, much of the first act of 'The Nutcracker' is domestic and small scale, so it's great to sit up close. But the second act features elaborate scenery and choreography, which are better to observe from a distance.

From Robert Gottlieb

Dance stories, unlike those in opera, are usually simple.

From Robert Gottlieb

As an editor, I have to be tactful, of course.

From Robert Gottlieb

Robert Gottlieb

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