<P><BR>Helgi Tomasson is interviewed as he rehearses NYCB in a new work, his first for the Company since he departed for San Francisco Ballet 15 years ago. As the article tells us, '"Prism" represents a homecoming, one that might have taken place sooner had Mr. Tomasson's responsibilities as artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet not been so all-consuming. In addition to leading his troupe to a new level of achievement and international recognition, he has choreographed 25 one-act ballets and his own productions of 4 classics there since taking over in June 1985.' <P>Rather more controversially, the article says that, Tomasson's, '.... restrained approach and attention to the refinements of classical technique represented a big change from the flashy showmanship of the previous director, Michael Smuin.'<P>Hmm.....<P><BR> <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/artleisure/tomasson-dance.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/artleisure/tomasson-dance.html</A>

Revealing comment there about Tomasson vs Smuin. Tomasson indeed has a streak of conservatism about him that some say was what SFB needed to improve its image and standing. He is also a very careful concert master and has an eye for details.<P>Here is an article in the SF Chronicle about his piece for NY:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/04/30/PK71303.DTL&type=performance" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/04/30/PK71303.DTL&type=performance</A>