Program

All Balanchine I

SEPT 26, 27, 28, OCT 3

Approx. 2 hours

{{ perf.day }} {{ perf.month_date }}

{{ perf.time }}

{{ perf.day }} {{ perf.month_date }}

{{ perf.time }}

{{ perf.day }} {{ perf.month_date }}

{{ perf.time }}

BALANCHINE’S VISION OF BALLET AMERICANA TAKES CENTER STAGE

Balanchine’s deep affection for his adopted home animates this program of ballets all set to American music. Western Symphony is a vivacious suite of dances taking inspiration from the mythical Wild West. A similarly buoyant spirit infuses Stars and Stripes, with Balanchine seamlessly wedding classical steps with the rhythmic marches of John Philip Sousa, orchestrated by Hershey Kay. Tarantella employs a sprightly piece of music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk for a zesty and playful pas de deux that never fails to delight. Rounding out the program is The Unanswered Question from Ivesiana, a hypnotically alluring dance that captures the haunting, otherworldly music of Charles Ives.

Ballets on this Program

Western Symphony

Music Traditional American melodies orchestrated by Hershy Kay

Choreography George Balanchine

Western Symphony is a rodeo of frisky fillies and lonesome cowpokes with a rousing, non-stop finale that brings the curtain down.

The Unanswered Question (from Ivesiana)

Music Charles Ives

Choreography George Balanchine

Tarantella

Music Louis Moreau Gottschalk, reconstructed and orchestrated by Hershy Kay

Choreography George Balanchine

The virtuosic pas de deux Tarantella showcases two pyrotechnical dancers in an ever growing profusion of steps.

Stars and Stripes

Music John Philip Sousa, orchestrated by Hershy Kay

Choreography George Balanchine

Set to Sousa's buoyant marches and dressed in Karinska's delightful all-American costumes, Stars and Stripes contains as much pure dancing as many full-length classical ballets.