New York City Ballet
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New York City Ballet (NYCB) is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein with musical director Leon Barzin. City Ballet company grew out of earlier troupes: the Producing Company of the School of American Ballet, 1934; the American Ballet, 1935, and Ballet Caravan, 1936, which merged into American Ballet Caravan, 1941; and directly from the Ballet Society, 1946.[1][2]
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[edit] History
The company was named the New York City Ballet (NYCB) when it became resident at City Center of Music and Drama in 1948. Its success was marked by its move to the New York State Theater, designed by Philip Johnson to Balanchine's specifications. New York City Ballet went on to become the first ballet company in the United States to have two permanent venue engagements: one at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater on 63rd Street in Manhattan, and another at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in Saratoga Springs, New York. School of American Ballet is the associated school which Balanchine founded as the training school of New York City Ballet.
After the company's move to the State Theater, Balanchine's creativity as a choreographer flourished. He created works that were the basis of the company's repertory until his death in 1983. His vision influenced dance both across the United States and in Europe. He worked closely with choreographer Jerome Robbins, who resumed his connection with the company in 1969 after having produced works for Broadway.
NYCB still has the largest repertoire by far of any American ballet company, and it often stages 60 ballets or more in its winter and spring seasons at Lincoln Center each year and 20 or more in its summer season in Saratoga Springs. City Ballet has performed The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and many more. City Ballet has trained and developed many great dancers since its formation, including:
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[edit] Stravinsky Festival
In 1972 Balanchine offered an eight-day tribute to the composer, his great collaborator, who had died the year before. His programs included twenty-two new works of his own dances, plus works by choreographers Todd Bolender, John Clifford, Lorca Massine, Jerome Robbins, Richard Tanner and John Taras, as well as repertory ballets by Balanchine and Robbins. Balanchine created Symphony in Three Movements, Duo Concertant and Violin Concerto for the occasion. He and Robbins co-choreographed and performed in Pulcinella.
Balanchine produced an earlier Stravinsky festival as ballet master of the American Ballet while engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in 1937. The composer conducted the April 27th premiere of Card Party.
[edit] Ravel Festival
In 1975 Balanchine paid his respects to the French composer Maurice Ravel with a two-week Hommage a Ravel. Balanchine, Robbins, Jacques d'Amboise, and Taras made sixteen new ballets for the occasion. Repertory ballets were performed as well. High points included Balanchine's Le Tombeau de Couperin and Robbins' Mother Goose.
[edit] Tschaikovsky Festival
In 1981 Balanchine planned a two-week NYCB festival honoring the Russian composer Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky. Balanchine, Joseph Duell, d'Amboise, Peter Martins, Robbins and Taras created twelve new dances. In addition to presenting these and repertory ballets, Balanchine re-choreographed his Mozartziana from 1933. Philip Johnson and John Burgee's stage setting of translucent tubing was designed by to be hung and lit in different architectural configurations throughout the entire festival.
[edit] American Music Festival
After Balanchine's death in 1983, Peter Martins was selected as ballet master of the company. For its 40th anniversary, Martins held an American Music Festival, having commissioned dances from choreographers Laura Dean, Eliot Feld, William Forsythe, Lar Lubovitch and Paul Taylor. He also presented ballets by George Balanchine and Robbins. The programs included world premieres of more than twenty dances. Ballet master-in-chief Martins contributed Barber Violin Concerto, Black and White, The Chairman Dances, A Fool for You, Fred and George, Sophisticated Lady, Tanzspiel, Tea-Rose and The Waltz Project.
[edit] Present
[edit] Ballet Master in Chief
Martins, who first danced with City Ballet in 1967 joined the company as a principal dancer in 1970.[3] In 1981 Martins was named ballet master, a title he shared with Balanchine, Robbins, and Taras. Martins served as co-ballet master in chief with Robbins from 1983 to 1989 and assumed sole directorship of the company in 1990.
[edit] Ballet Mistress
- Rosemary Dunleavy
[edit] Ballet Masters
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[edit] Assistant to the Ballet Master in Chief |
[edit] Teaching Associate
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[edit] Children's Ballet Master
- Garielle Whittle
[edit] Dancers
[edit] Principal dancers
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[edit] Soloists
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[edit] Corps de ballet
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[edit] Former dancers
[edit] Former principal dancers
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[edit] Former soloists
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Laura Raucher (2008). Kirstein 100: A Tribute Online Exhibition. New York City Ballet. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Jane Philbin Wood. "Memories of Ballet Society and choreographer George Balanchine", Dance Magazine, November 1998. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins. New York City Ballet (2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Rebecca Krohn. New York City Ballet (2008). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
