Stars and Stripes (ballet)

Stars and Stripes (ballet)

"Stars and Stripes" is a ballet choreographed by George Balanchine in 1958, using original music from "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa and performed in 5 acts (campaigns). It lasts an average of 28 minutes. The original music by Sousa was adapted and orchestrated by Hershy Kay, the composer and preeminent orchestrator.

The ballet, which evokes Fourth of July parades, is one of several of Balanchine salutes to his adoptive country. It is a full-company ballet complete with baton twirling, military marching and a regiment of rifle-bearing ballerinas. The fourth campaign is a challenging pas de deux with a coda set to the "Liberty Bell" and "El Capitan" marches which shows the virtuosity of the dancers.

The original cast included four NYCB ballet stars of their time: Canadian ballerina Melissa Hayden, American principal Jacques d'Amboise, American principal ballerina Allegra Kent and soloist Diana Adams. It premiered January 17, 1958 at City Center of Music and Drama, New York, with costumes by Barbara Karinska and lighting by Mark Stanley.

When Balanchine was asked for his reason to choreograph a ballet to Sousa's marches, he famously replied: "Because I like his music."

This ballet was performed for many memorable occasions, including Nelson Rockefeller's inauguration as governor of New York, tributes for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the opening ceremonies for the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. The ballet is dedicated to the memory of Fiorello H. LaGuardia, mayor of New York City and founder of the City Center of Music and Drama. [ [http://www.nycb.org/company/rep.html?rep=177 Repertory Index - New York City Ballet ] ] It is still traditionally performed by NYCB on or around the 4th of July during their resicency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

Music

1. Stars and Stripes: First Campaign 2. Stars and Stripes: Second Campaign 3. Stars and Stripes: Third Campaign 4. Stars and Stripes: Fourth Campaign 5. Stars and Stripes: Fifth Campaign - Variation I 6. Stars and Stripes: Fifth Campaign - Variation II 7. Stars and Stripes: Fifth Campaign - Coda: Allegro molto 8. Stars and Stripes: Fifth Campaign - Finale: The Stars and Stripes Forever

Notes

References

*"Playbill", New York City Ballet, Friday, June 27, 2008

External links

* [http://www.nycballet.com NYCB website]

* [http://www.balanchine.com George Balanchine Trust website]

* [http://www.balanchine.org George Balanchine Foundation website]

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/arts/dance/09whee.html NY Times review by Alastair Macaulay, February 9, 2008]

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/arts/dance/30ball.html NY Times review by Alastair Macaulay, June 30, 2008]


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