SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- New York City Ballet principal ballerina Darci Kistler Wednesday dropped an assault charge against her husband, company ballet master Peter Martins, authorities said.
Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney Jerry Scarano issued a statement saying Kistler 'preferred to resolve the matter without the intervention of the court.'
Appearing before City Court Judge Lawrence LaBelle, Kistler 'freely and voluntarily' asked the charge be dropped, Scarano said.
Police arrested Martins early Sunday at the couple's summer home in Saratoga Springs, where the company this week is finishing up a three- week stand at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Kistler filed an affadavit with police alleging Martins had slapped her and thrown her into another room during an argument after a night of socializing with the apa city's cultural elite.
Police charged Martins with third-degree assault.
The ballerina, Martins' wife of seven months, reportedly suffered bruises during the alleged beating and wore heavy makeup to conceal them during her Tuesday night performance in 'In G Major.'
Kistler was scheduled Wednesday night to perform in 'Jeu de Cartes,' a ballet Martins created for her.
New York City Ballet spokesman David Gray was not immediately available for comment.
Kistler and Martins have been described as on-again, off-again lovers since 1982. The pair eloped to Martins' native Denmark around Christmas.
Martins is the successor to the renowned George Balanchine as the company's ballet master.
