Ratmansky to work with ABT

While visiting Orange County in February to choreograph a new ballet for Russian ballerina Diana Vishneva, Alexei Ratmansky, artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, told The Times that he was negotiating with New York City Ballet to become its resident choreographer -- although he became a bit testy when pressed about how close he was to making a commitment.

In any case, those plans fell through. But now the choreographer, 40, has another New York gig -- with New York City Ballet’s longtime rival. He has signed a five-year agreement to join American Ballet Theatre as artist in residence, to create new works and restage existing works. Ratmansky’s contract with the Bolshoi expires at the end of 2008.

The St. Petersburg-born Ratmansky’s first work for ABT, set to a score by Sergei Prokofiev, is scheduled for the company’s 2009 Metropolitan Opera House season.