George Balanchine (1904–83,) born Georgiy Melitonovich Balanchivadze, was a Russian-American ballet choreographer, widely regarded as the father of American ballet. His innovative approach emphasized musicality, precision, and neoclassical style, shaping 20th-century ballet.
Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Balanchine trained at the Imperial Ballet School and studied music at the Petrograd Conservatory. He joined Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes (1925,) beginning his choreography career. In 1933, he moved to the U.S. at Lincoln Kirstein’s invitation, co-founding the School of American Ballet (1934) and later establishing the New York City Ballet (1948,) serving as artistic director for over 35 years.
His most celebrated works include Apollo (1928,) Serenade (1934,) The Nutcracker (1954,) Agon (1957,) and Jewels (1967.) His plotless, music-driven choreography revolutionized ballet, stripping away elaborate sets and costumes to focus on movement and form.
His writings include Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets (1954,) offering insights into classical ballet narratives.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George Balanchine
In my ballets, woman is first. Men are consorts. God made men to sing the praises of women. They are not equal to men: they are better.
—George Balanchine
Topics: Women
Dancers are instruments, like a piano the choreographer plays.
—George Balanchine
Topics: Dance, Dancing
Dance is music made visible.
—George Balanchine
Topics: Dance
I don’t want people who want to dance; I want people who have to dance.
—George Balanchine
Topics: Commitment, Dancing, Art, Dance, Dedication
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