Robert Fairchild Says Goodbye To City Ballet With An Emotional Performance

According to The New York Times, Fairchild closed out his New York City Ballet career on Sunday afternoon, performing George Balanchine's Duo Concertant. Fairchild is the youngest principal dancer to have a farewell event at the City Ballet.

He had an unusual flower presentation, handing one rose to each of his fellow principal dancers, who came on stage one by one, to bid them farewell. The last rose in Fairchild's batch was for Peter Martins, the ballet master in chief, who also presented Fairchild with a rose of his own, which he placed at the front of the stage.

Balanchine's Duo Concertant is a 1972 pas de deux set to Stravinsky. Fairchild danced with his long time partner, Sterling Hyltin. The pair were the original Romeo and Juliet in Peter Martin's 2007 production.

Fairchild plans to pursue a career in musical theatre and acting after his retirement from the New York City Ballet. In 2015 he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor In A Musical for his role as Jerry Mulligan.

Photo: Johan Persson and Tristram Kenton