Balanchine: An Evening with Mr. B

George Balanchine is one of the 20th century's foremost choreographers, and one of the pioneers of American ballet.  His work formed a bridge between classical and modern ballet.  An Evening with Mr. B will feature three of the finest works by the master choreographer, “Concerto Barocco”, “Apollo” and “Symphony in C”. 

“Concerto Barocco” is danced to Bach’s Double Violin Concerto and performed in signature Balanchine costume.  Of this landmark piece, Balanchine himself stated: "The only preparation possible is a knowledge of its music, for Concerto Barocco has no 'subject matter' beyond the score to which it is danced and the particular dancers who execute it."

“Apollo”, Balanchine’s first great public success, is his oldest surviving ballet choreographed in 1928 to a score by Stravinsky.  It marked the beginning of his significant and enduring collaboration with Stravinsky and featured the neoclassical style which Balanchine is renowned for.  The story centers around Apollo, the god of music, who is visited by three muses; Terpsichore, muse of dance and song; Polyhymnia, muse of mime; and Calliope, muse of poetry.

“Symphony in C”, created in 1947, is set to George Bizet's most danceable symphony of the same name.  It is based on formal symmetry that positions the ballerina and her cavalier as central, surrounded by a decorative and admiring corps de ballet.