Celebration of American Music
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Program:
In the Gray by Zalman Raffael
Intermission
An American in Paris by Amy Hall Garner
Pause
HELIX
World Premiere by Gianna Reisen
Intermission
Stars and Stripes by George Balanchine
This April, we proudly present Celebration of American Music, a spirited program honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Through four compelling works and the vitality of live music, we reflect on the nation’s cultural spirit, artistic legacy, and complex identity.
Bursting with energy, precision, and unmistakable American flair, Stars and Stripes is one of George Balanchine’s most exhilarating works. Set to the iconic marches of John Philip Sousa, the ballet transforms patriotic pageantry into a dazzling display of virtuosic classical dance.
Structured in five “campaigns”, each section draws from a different Sousa composition, building momentum toward a thrilling grand finale. While its spirit is celebratory, the work is also a rigorous showcase of pure technique, demanding speed, clarity, and brilliance from its dancers. From crisp corps formations to showstopping principal variations, Stars and Stripes highlights the full power and athleticism of classical ballet.
When asked why he chose Sousa’s music, Balanchine simply replied, “Because I like his music,” a response that reflects the ballet’s joyful sincerity and unapologetic exuberance.
Since its premiere, Stars and Stripes has been performed for numerous historic occasions, including the inauguration of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, tributes honoring Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the opening of the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. The ballet is dedicated to Fiorello H. LaGuardia, former mayor of New York City and a champion of the performing arts.
Both a tribute to American musical heritage and a tour de force of classical dance, Stars and Stripes remains a rousing audience favorite.
Set within the spirit of the theater, An American in Paris captures the essence of entertainment through movement, music, and human connection. Without a defined narrative, the ballet evokes the feeling of George Gershwin’s iconic score, offering a glimpse into a day in Paris shaped by shifting relationships and shared moments on stage.
Originally choreographed for Carolina Ballet over a decade ago, In the Gray emerged from a deeply personal connection to Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Introduced to the score by Olga Kostritsky, Artistic Director Zalman Raffael was immediately struck by its emotional resonance, envisioning the ballet almost instantly. The work unfolds with clarity and intensity, shaped by the music’s driving structure and introspective tone.
The program also features, HELIX, a world premiere by Gianna Reisen, set to Aheym by Bryce Dessner, sponsored by Katherine and Tom White.
This program will feature live music.
Sponsored by: The John William Pope Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts
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