Washington Ballet's Italian Faux Pas De Deux

"If the situation was reversed, we would have died before canceling a tour like this," says Florence Dance Festival organizer Marga Nativo, shown instructing dancers. (Daniel Williams -- The Washington Post)

"There is a growing perception in Europe and the United States that our societies and cultures are going off in different directions," he said. "Artistic performances are subtle reminders that we speak the same idiom. They are a reality check on the more polarizing attitudes brought on by political differences.

"I'm bummed out."

The U.S. Embassy in Rome and the consulate in Florence were eager to provide financial support to the tour -- at least $10,000, said Mark Smith, the embassy's cultural attache. "Basically, the whole thing is a disappointment," Smith said.

Ferrone and his wife, Marga Nativo, a former ballerina, founded the Florence festival in 1990. Nativo placed the abrupt cancellation in the context of America's image in Italy.

In the past few years, an impression of U.S. arrogance has grown in the country after a pair of deadly actions by U.S. military personnel. In 1998, a Marine jet flying well below normal altitude cut the cables of a ski gondola at Mount Cermis in northern Italy, killing 20 people. The pilot was absolved of manslaughter charges but received six months in jail for destroying a videotape of the incident. In March, U.S. troops in Baghdad shot and killed an Italian intelligence agent who was escorting a freed Italian hostage to the airport. The Pentagon absolved the soldiers of any error.

Nativo suggested that passion seems to be missing from the Washington Ballet's thought processes. "I think if the situation was reversed, we would have died before canceling a tour like this," she said.

Ferrone said that two days before receiving word about the cancellation, he had been in contact with Webre to discuss the dances to be performed. Webre had told him that there were problems and that meetings were going on. "I assumed it was nothing real bad," Ferrone said, "but we never did get around to talking about the art program."

The festival had set aside $50,000 to $65,000 for the appearance.

Despite the Washington Ballet's pullout in 2004, the Florence, Rome and Civitanova Marche organizers were keenly interested in getting the troupe to come this year, and they say they worked for the better part of a year to organize it. Even after this year's debacle, Ferrone said he is willing to try again.

Not so Rome.

"Our losses are great," said Marina Michetti, artistic director of Rome's Invito alla Danza, which is holding its 15th festival this summer. "Clearly, it was going to be the most important event of our festival. If I were the Washington Ballet and had any doubts, I would rather make a figuraccia in January than in April." When the notification arrived by e-mail on April 12, she said, "I didn't even have the strength to send them a response. It was truly a knock to the head."

Michetti said it is difficult to estimate the amount of money lost on the project, given the number of work hours spent arranging the Rome stop.

Invito alla Danza stands to lose money from local government if authorities decide that without the Washington Ballet, contributions ought to be reduced, she said.

"The Washington Ballet doesn't have the professionalism that I had imagined," Michetti said. "Professionalism isn't just doing a good pirouette, it's management of the entire enterprise." She added that she has no desire to book the company again.

Palmquist said he is hopeful relations can be mended. "I hope that when we have a full collective bargaining agreement in place that we have not so damaged the company's reputation that we wouldn't be able to tour to Italy again."

That might not be so easy. Questions about the Washington Ballet's ability to fulfill its promises are also being raised in Civitanova Marche.

Gilberto Santini, the artistic director of the Festival Civitanova Danza, says the company "cut a rather unprofessional figure."

"It will be difficult for me to return to work with them," he said. "I could, but our world is a place of gentlemen. It is a bit 19th century, where your word is your bond."

Kaufman reported from Washington.