Germany has never had a strong ballet tradition. But “now, as a curious result of Germany’s and Berlin’s arts-subsidy meltdown, a company with such potential may finally be emerging in the German capital. After only its first season, it is far too early to tell how distinguished the new Berlin State Ballet can become. And there might seem to be disadvantages: a star dancer with little managerial or choreographic experience as artistic director, ever dwindling subsidies and no school to help shape a cohesive corps de ballet. Still…”