Dear Joffrey Ballet friends, family, fans, and loved ones we are heartbroken to announce that Gerald Arpino passed away today. He was an amazing person and will be missed forever, if you would like to leave a comment or thoughts here feel free. Below is his obituary. Much love to everyone.
October 29, 2008 (Chicago, IL) -- Gerald Arpino, internationally-renowned Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of The Joffrey Ballet, passed away peacefully today in his Chicago home after a long illness. He was 85 years old.
Arpino was born in Staten Island, New York, and received early dance training in Seattle by Mary Ann Wells. He co-founded The Joffrey Ballet with Robert Joffrey in 1956 and served as associate director for many years. Upon Mr. Joffrey’s death in 1988, Mr. Arpino succeeded him as artistic director.
A leading dancer with the company in its early years, Mr. Arpino choreographed his first work for The Joffrey, Ropes, in 1961. Shortly thereafter, he became The Joffrey’s resident choreographer and created more than one-third of the company’s repertoire. His amazingly diverse work ranges from social commentary to pure dance gems. His ballets are in the repertoires of companies around the world.
Mr. Arpino was the first choreographer commissioned to create a ballet to honor the Office of the American Presidency: The Pantages and the Palace Present Two-a-Day. He was the first American commissioned by a city, San Antonio, to do a ballet, Jamboree. In 1993, Mr. Arpino produced America’s first full-evening rock ballet, Billboards, set to the music of Prince. In addition, he was the only choreographer to have had four of his ballets performed at the White House.
Mr. Arpino served on numerous boards and councils including the national advisory council of the ITI/USA International Ballet Competition and the board of the Dance Notation Bureau. He was a member of the Arts Advisory Committee of the New York International Festival of the Arts. He served as an advisor to the Artists Committee for The Kennedy Center Honors and was also a member of the board of The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Among many awards and tributes, Mr. Arpino held honorary doctorates from the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, and Wagner College. He was recipient of the 1974 Dance Magazine award and the Vaslav Nijinsky Medal. In 2005, Mr. Arpino received several prestigious awards, including the first award for Visionary Leadership from the Arts and Business Council of Chicago, the University Club of Chicago’s Cultural Award, and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters’ 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honored by the Chicago Tribune for the third time as one of the “Chicagoans of the Year” for his important contribution to the arts in Chicago and the world. In the summer of 2006, Mr. Arpino was presented with the prestigious Grande Ufficiale OSSI (Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana) by the President of the Republic of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Mr. Arpino became Artistic Director Emeritus in July 2007. He was succeeded in the position of Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director by Ashley Wheater, former Joffrey dancer and Ballet Master of the San Francisco Ballet.
Arpino is survived by a cousin and great-grand nephew, both of Staten Island, New York.
Information on the public memorial can be found at Joffrey.org
Donations in his name are being accepted by
The Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Tower
10 E. Randolph Street,
Chicago, IL 60601.
23 comments:
I was so sad to read this on the Tribune site this morning. Mr. A. was a sweet, ridiculously talented man. I thank him again for bringing the Joffrey to Chicago, for being so kind and for Light Rain, Billboards, Ruth, to name a few favorites. We missed seeing him in his usual seat at last week's performance. Chicago and the dance world will miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Joffrey family at this time of mourning.
It was Mr. Arpino, his magnetism and enthusiasm, that got me to leave the safety of my home town audience and take the leap into the midst of the Joffrey Ballet family. I am so grateful and blessed to have worked for and with him! I thank him for the chance to dance so many of the roles he created. I will always be his "rose".
Our condolences to Mr. Arpino's family, friends, and colleagues. We are greatful he brought such a fabulous group of dancers to Chicago. His presence in the audience was always reassuring, and we will truly miss seeing him there.
Condolences, to the Joffrey family. We were surprised and a bit sad to not see Mr. Arpino in his usual seat in the balcony this past weekend. Every performance we went to, for many years now, we always look up to see him.
And even with his passing we still will, as I'm sure he's going to be watching the company with fatherly eyes.
Many thanks to Mr. Arpino for bringing the Joffrey Ballet to Chicago, my home for the past 10 years. My husband and I attend a performance every season and we are in love with the company. My kids enjoyed The Nutcracker for the first time last year, and this past Saturday my daughter came with us again... it was sad to see Mr. Arpino's chair empty. He will be missed.
I don't think I'll ever be able to see a bentwood side chair without imagining it supporting his erect frame. Oh -- did I mention the chair is turned backwards, and we're in a ballet studio? And that his vision of his "babies" is
eagle-sharp?
The silencing of Mr. A's "Bravo! Bravo!" creates a vacuum that can never be filled. An icon has left the mortal bounds of earth, but his joy and spirit will dance forever with the Joffrey.
Mr. Arpino has always been my favorite choreographer. Thank you for making me gasp so many times at your work, for creating entirely new ballet vocabulary, and for bringing the audience on stage with your dancers.
"And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."
Kahlil Gibran
Julianne Harmon
I am heartbroken.As a dancer from the early Joffrey - 1958 till mid 60's - I knew Mr.Joffrey and Mr. Arpino as Bob and Gerry. Co-dreamers of what has become an enduring American company,Mr. Arpino's passing completes the end of an era. I feel blessed to have been a part of that early history.
What a huge loss for the dancing world. My mother and I had season tickets to the Joffrey in Los Angeles during the years the company was there, and we often saw Mr. Arpino in the Founders Circle. When I heard he was retiring, I flew to Chicago to see Light Rain one more time while he was still in the audience. His incredible talent will live on as long as his ballets are performed.
About 10 years ago I was a member of the children's cast in the Nutcracker, and it was by far the most memorable experience of my childhood. I remember coming to dress rehearsals and seeing Mr. Arpino sitting in his chair "his" way, in his navy and red pull-over sweater. And during the second act when all the first act children were able to go in the audience and watch, I always listened for his "bravo" at the end of The Waltz of the Flowers and the Sugar Plum. He was one of the greats in American Ballet and I was deeply saddened to hear this news. This year when I go see the Nutcracker, I will imagine his enthusiastic bravos at the end of his magnificent ballets and know that he is still watching.
Remembering Gerry, I see all of us, his dancers, those he made ballets on, his clay, how he called us his “babies” and got us to move fast, fast, fast, light and quick and scintillatingly. Skittering across the floor and flying through the air --- that’s how I remember his ballets. Lively, full, fun, sensuous, sexy --- way before anyone ever thought that ballet could be like that.
There was this intense camaraderie when he created ballets because he wasn’t a choreographer who came in with clear ideas. He worked through you, waiting to see what you would produce from his initial idea or spark. I remember when he was creating what became a signature piece of the company’s in the late 70s, early 80s “Suite Saint-Saens”, we spent days just running across the floor--- back and forth, on diagonal lines, in swirls, circles, maybe if you were lucky, getting to throw in a jump or a spin. We thought we’d never do any steps.
“Light Rain” – the music was this repetitive, what we thought, weird, other-world sound. We couldn’t find the beginning or end of a phrase. And then these strange square shapes we had to make and stand flat-footed vibrating. Odd, odd, odd, we thought. And all that gyrating. And hip grinding. Fun. But we thought, “This will never work.” It became a major hit of the company’s repertoire.
And that was a big part of who he was. He just made ballets. Some were hits, some were serviceable, some were plain awful. But when the company needed a ballet and couldn’t pay for it, he just went to work and came up with something. We’d run, jump, slither, crawl on the floor, over each other, under each other, throw or be thrown. When I was first in his rehearsals, he used to call me Bella Lagosi, because I’d get this look on my face watching others pretzel themselves to do what he asked. “Valleskey,” he’s say, (he’d often call us by our last names, like ballplayers) “get that Bella Lagosi look off your face and get in there.” At the time, I had no idea who Bella Lagosi was, but I knew it wasn’t good.
He could scream, fling insults, and yes, be demeaning in rehearsals, which he would end with, “but you know I love you all.” There was never a bigger fan of every dancer in the company. He would remark on and compliment the smallest part --- when it was good. He loved when you made mistakes onstage and covered it well or turned it into something better. Every time, and I mean every performance, every time, it was Gerry who would bravo and whistle when we ran forward (we were always running) to take our curtain calls.
We moved fast in the Joffrey and particularly in his ballets. We were always running or jumping in his ballets. I once counted the split jetes I did in his ballet Trinity. I remember the number being 37.
We were called “lard-asses” (often), the girls were too “butch”, the guys too “flitty”, “I wish you’d lose 20 pounds,” “go home and have a piece of fish, a vegetable and that’s all”. He would complain when we danced “prettily.” “I don’t like pretty. I want beautiful, gorgeous. Forget pretty. I hate pretty.”
He was flamboyant, crazy, could be off-putting, irrational, illogical, irritating and irritable. He was one of the most decent men I’ve ever known. For all his flamboyancy, he was never fake, never catty, always true to himself and what he believed in. The Joffrey Ballet. Us. Goodness and humanity.
He couldn’t abide negativity. He would say, “If someone comes by you complaining about this, that or the other, don’t talk, don’t listen. Just do your tendus.” I’m still trying to follow that advice.
Carole Valleskey
Joffrey dancer 1976-1991
I was a Joffrey dancer from 1973 until 1978, and look back on those years as the most meaningful time of my life, thanks so much to Gerry Arpino. Sitting in the audience at City Center Theater as a Joffrey II member and being stirred to tears by the sheer joy and enthusiasm of ballets like "Trinity", "Confetti", and "Kettentanz" will always be an indelible memory. What I soon learned from Gerry is that it takes a lot of hard work and passion to achieve that level of dancing. I am saddened by the news of his passing, and, like so many other Joffrey dancers, I feel blessed to have been yelled at by him so many times, even though I may not have been able to appreciate it then. -Tom Fowler
I can only express mixed feelings over the news of Mr. Arpino's passing. Of course, I am saddened by his loss and what it means to those whose lives he touched directly. However, I am also moved by gratitude for what he brought to me personally.
Prior to the move for the Joffrey to Chicago I had only attended one ballet performance and that many years ago when, as a class, we attended an ABT performance. My wife and I attended our first Joffrey performance shortly after their move to Chicago and we have enthusiastic supporters since.
I had an opportunity to relate this story to Mr. Arpino at a party and he placed his hands on my face and thanked me. I always believed him to be sincerely thankful for that little bit of feedback from a new fan.
Of late, I have found myself looking for him in the first box on the right side of the Auditoreum and missing his presence. But he left us, all of Chicago, a great and lasting gift so he will never be far from our thoughts.
Our condolences to the Arpino and Joffrey families. Gerry's death is a great loss for the arts community, but we were lucky to have had him for this many years and for his move to Chicago. We live in the same building. No matter how rushed he was (and he usually was) he always had a smile and a kind word for you when you ran into him, particularly when he knew that you were as passionate about the arts as he.
Rich & Ingrid Dubberke
How sad I was to hear about the passing of Mr. Arpino. I had the privilege of working very closely with Jerry and Mr. Joffrey in New York City from 1966-72. Jerry was able to see a dancer’s potential and knew what they could become. He made us reach far beyond ourselves to provide the animation and spirit to his mercurial, choreographic and creative genius. We moved so fast at times we nicknamed ourselves the Joffrey Jets. Innovation, dazzle, beauty, and a respect and celebration of the past were hallmarks of the company’s two co-founders. We did things that were breakthrough, new, and exciting. Mr. Joffrey and Jerry were pioneers in broadening ballet and its audience. The company today is a living legacy and tribute to these two great men.
I was in Joffrey stage management from 1980 to 1985, my very first salaried job, oh boy new curtains for my NY apt! I have many memories of Gerry (of course I would always call him Mr. Arpino.) Often as I moved the ballet barres out of the way from class to make way for rehearsals, he would come bustling into studio 5 where the linoleum was peeling up in 1000 pieces and say :Baby, cant we do something about this?
These years were more important to me than my college years as I sat in the tech rehearsals for Light Rain and watched Pat be endlessly turned upside down. Later, when I taught someone else to call the cues, some of the dancers would find it amusing to lift me upside down in the wings. Good times!
Catching the blackout cue at that special moment in Suite Saint Saens, always a challenge!
Carole V's memories bring that period back so clearly, there was no bigger fan of dance than Mr. Arpino, its true when we had cash flow problems he would whip something up in a flash. I do remember spending time in his office with handfuls of ribbons, for what purpose I was never quite clear. Mr Joffrey and Mr Arpino taught me so much of the work ethic I have used my entire career.
It must be perfect, the audience is expecting that! This reminds me of so many people I love so dearly, Philip, Patrick, Charlene, Leslie and many more. I saw the Joffrey perform in May, and I did not go back stage to see Mr. Arpino which I will always regret.
I am so proud to have been part of the Joffrey Ballet.
Jeffrey Hughes said...
I was a dancer in The Joffrey in the 70's. It was an exciting, creative time and Gerald Arpino was so much at the front of it all. I will always cherish the memories of going into an empty studio with just Gerry and having him spur me on to; fly, move baby, as he choreographed and gathered ideas. His spontaneous, physically honest, stripping away of the exterior self, approach to choreography has been an influence for me as a choreographer. He wanted the best from us and for us as dancers. He wanted us to manifest that into a transcendent performance for the audience. His passion and demand for raising our art form will have a lasting influence.
We were all lucky to have had him as a friend and mentor.
God Bless Gerry,
Jeffrey
October 29, 2008 6:33 PM
Posted to Gerald Arpino, Co-Founder and Artistic Director Em...
I first met Mr. Arpino when my fahter, Basil, was working with him on Petrushka back on 2004. It was the last Ballet my father ever did. I know there are people who knew Mr. Arpino and cared for him much more than I probably ever could; but I will always be grateful by the way he honored my father and my family with his presence and dedication. If I had but one wish, I would like to thank him for all the kindness he showed me and my family. And it saddens me to know that i will never see him again.
Upon hearing of the death of Gerald Arpino I wept openly for a long time and felt a heavy heart and a great loss. As one of the only two surviving founding members of the original Joffrey Ballet memories of Arpino and Joffrey flashed across my mind. Robert Joffreyi had been my teacher and mentor at the High School of Performing Arts. After school I studied with both of them. Gerry was very dear to my heart.I wrote him a letter before I knew he was so sick to congratulate him for continuing the legacy of Robert Joffrey. As aritstic director and choreographer he saved the company from closing through his strong belief and determination that what Joffrey initialy created--a company representing all that was artistically great in a ballet company--should not perish.I thank you, Gerry, for all the balletsyou created for me and for all the years we spent toouring in that now famous station wagon, blazing the trail and developing converts to the ballet. Scrubbing the floors and washing the costumes we did with love and the strongest of convictions that some day the Joffrey would be known as a great American ballet company.May the company continue to develop new choreographers as well as honoring the great classical ballets which Joffrey and Arpino did so beautifully, both perfectionists in every aspect. I love you, Gerry, and will never forget you. Much love always, Brunie
The previous blog was written by my mom, Brunilda Ruiz, on the Chicago Tribune site. Upon this writing she and Paul are on a
40th wedding anniversary trip to Buenos Aires---I took it upon myself to paste it on here...
When I saw Uncle Jerry (that's what he called himself to me) at the 50th in Chicago....all he had to do is call me "doll" and I lost my nervousness....He was always good to me. Growing up in the station wagon days wasn't always easy and as a kid I didn't realize the greatness of it all for a long time. Bob and Jerry dubbed me the "Joffrey Mascot"...
When I was little,if I wasn't in the office having my nails painted red by Mrs. D, or cruising from studio to studio watching rehearsals, I was in Jerry's office helping myself to this HUGE jar of candy that he said I could help myself to ANYtime....When I went to the dentist and had 22 cavities---
7 years old----Mom forbade him to give me any more..to my dismay!....Mom and Dad went to Harkness Ballet and I wasn't around Joffrey Co. again till the 70's...when she re-joined...In that era he'd put me in a 'Viva Vivaldi' costume (the labels said either 'D'Angelo' or 'Corkle')and he'd take me to a smaller stage at City Center to help him with lecture demos to school kids....I knew that was special but still didn't realize the greatness of it all!....I remember hoping some of Ann Marie's or Francesca's magic would rub off on me.... In '92 when my Dad, John Wilson, died: we asked Jerry to write his eulogy. It was a wonderful piece of writing. In it he said- and I quote "John dubbed me "Arpinsky, the poor man's Nijinsky" as we toured the country.....I am a choreographer today because, in 1961, John Wilson grabbed me and insisted that I share a program with him and Joyce Trisler at the YMHA on lexington Avenue. I have always joked that John invited me to share the program so that thier costs would be less. But, in reality, John's suggestion that I choreograph a third of the program, gave me tremendous incentive, a boost of confidence, and a new career." Unquote. In Chicago I thanked him belatedly and he said "Oh Doll, it was my pleasure....." I have fond, fond memories of "Uncle" Jerry---Brush Ranch, Watch Hill, the studio, City Center.....I am grateful to have been a part of his life.
Mhari Wilson-McLaughlin
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