Washington Ballet's Italian Faux Pas De Deux

"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.