All Balanchine I

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Highlights

  • Siscover the work of famous choreographer George Balanchine in part one of this captivating series.

Why you should watch All Balanchine I: the first of the series

The NYC Ballet is a leading international dance company with a group of immensely skilled dancers. The company brings you a classic collection in the form of All Balanchine I, which features scores by the likes of Stravinsky and Ravel. The programme will surely mesmerise you.

Balanchine and Ravel’s inspirations

In 1937, George Balanchine choreographed the full-length ballet, “The Fairy’s Kiss” or “Le Baiser de la Fée”. It was for the American Ballet at the MET Opera House, accompanying a melodious score by Stavinsky. Balanchine immersed himself in this project for years until 1974; that was when he thought he had perfected it.

Maurice Ravel was captivated by the fall of the waltz form. So, he began to work on La Valse, which takes place in the Imperial Court of Vienna in 19th century. He imagined the score to be a poem outlined via choreography and a summit of the waltz from Vienna.

Watch and listen to every element that is presented in All Balanchine I and let your mind float freely like it wants to.

All Balanchine I
All Balanchine I

The show you will experience

Taken from Le Baiser de la Fée, “Divertimento” accompanies a score with roots in a gloomy Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. This eerie score creates an augering image with Divertimento and establishes the mood for Balanchine’s adept choreography.

“Rubies” is another one of Balanchine’s masterpieces, which sees dancers soaring across the stage to Stravinsky’s tantalising piano capriccio. It builds a medley of two of the most well-known Balanchine ballets, both of which have their unique expressive style. Daring style enhances the rich jazz score, creating a tangy flavour. It is a 3-movement capriccio that was prepared for piano and orchestra in the year 1928. The intention behind it was to make him appear as a concert pianist and alter taste from the general concerto for piano and wind instruments which were the standard for more than half a decade. Balanchine set the second movement as a pas de deux for the primary dancers, and the corps de ballet would join them in various combinations for the remaining movements.

Following it is the ballet “La Valse”, another one of Balanchine’s choreography. Similar to the former, it also accompanies a thoughtful and dark score. The music is by Maurice Ravel, and it puts forth the feeling of imminent danger wonderfully.

The highlight of this ballet is a gorgeous lady who waltzes to Balanchine’s expert choreography, nearing the chasm with each step, and finally falling into the disaster. In fact, Ravel’s notes state that they were dancing at the edge of a volcano.

Since it is more art and dance, All Balanchine I is perfect for watching and can barely be expressed in words. If you love ballet or any other forms of dance, this show is just what you need.

Additional

  • Performance Information

    Cast
    New York City Ballet

    Choreographer
    George Balanchine

    Composed by
    Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky

  • Performance Times

    6th May 2020: 7:30 PM
    8th and 23rd May 2020: 8:00 PM
    10th May 2020: 3:00 PM

  • Getting your tickets

    You will receive your tickets via email shortly after booking. Please present a printout at the ticket office.

  • Theatre Information

    The theatre has a seating capacity of 2,586. It is wheelchair accessible and has a bar and cloakroom.

  • Cancellation Policy

    Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled.