New York City Ballet: Jewels
$40-$218
Gabriel Fauré — Shylock Suite, Op. 57 (excerpts; part of Emeralds by George Balanchine)
Igor Stravinsky — Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra (part of Rubies by George Balanchine)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 (mvts II-V; part of Diamonds by George Balanchine)
A season celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of New York City Ballet, with the fall repertory devoted exclusively to George Balanchine works, kicks off in sumptuous style. Balanchine's only full-length plotless ballet, Jewels has been a perennial favorite of both connoisseurs and popular audiences since its 1967 premiere. Taking inspiration from gemstones after a visit to Van Cleef and Arpels, Balanchine created a three-part ballet that is also a tribute to disparate eras: "Emeralds" evokes the gracious elegance of the art form's history in France, "Rubies" celebrates the jazzy energy that American dancers brought to the ballet, and the glittering finale, "Diamonds," honors Balanchine's roots in Russia and the height of the classical period.
At the September 24, 3pm performance, Principal Dancer Russell Janzen will take his final bow on the New York City Ballet stage. Join us in celebration!
Runs Sept. 19-24.