On this day, January 22, 1904, George Balanchine is born in, St. Petersburg, Russia. Balanchine would go on to become the 20th century's foremost choreographer and found the New York City Ballet. I figured it was worth noting considering the importance that the NYCB has on our area with it's residency at SPAC, compounded by Balanchine's importance in the world of dance.
Born before the Russian Revolution, Balanchine showed significant promise as a young dancer, in one of Moscow's top ballets. After the revolution was over, Balanchine used a trip to Germany, in 1924, to escape to Paris with other members of the dance group.
Arriving in the states, Balanchine set up several different dance companies, mostly to reflect his own dance style. One of these companies would become the NYCB, after it was offered residency by the City of New York, in 1948. The Ballet would start spending its summer residency at SPAC, in 1966. There still is a tireless and concerted effort, by many local individuals, to keep the ballet in Saratoga and to extend the summer season.
Balanchine would climb to fame by collaborating with such notable greats as Igor Stravinsky and adapting classics like the Nutcracker, which is still performed annually around Christmas time and makes for a fabulous Pas de deux. He would choreograph over 400 hundred ballets, in his lifetime, working with the music of Stravinsky on 39 of them.
Balanchine died on April 30th, 1983. However, before he died he received the Kennedy Center Award, in 1978 and the Presidential Freedom of Honor award. In 1987 he was inducted into the National Dance Hall of Fame, in its inaugural class, along with Fred Astaire. There are several events over at the Hall of Fame dedicated to the memory of Balanchine throughout the time it is open.
On this day, January 22, 1904, George Balanchine is born in, St. Petersburg, Russia. Balanchine would go on to become the 20th century's foremost choreographer and found the New York City Ballet. I figured it was worth noting considering the importance that the NYCB has on our area with it's residency at SPAC, compounded by Balanchine's importance in the world of dance.
Born before the Russian Revolution, Balanchine showed significant promise as a young dancer, in one of Moscow's top ballets. After the revolution was over, Balanchine used a trip to Germany, in 1924, to escape to Paris with other members of the dance group.
Arriving in the states, Balanchine set up several different dance companies, mostly to reflect his own dance style. One of these companies would become the NYCB, after it was offered residency by the City of New York, in 1948. The Ballet would start spending its summer residency at SPAC, in 1966. There still is a tireless and concerted effort, by many local individuals, to keep the ballet in Saratoga and to extend the summer season.
Balanchine would climb to fame by collaborating with such notable greats as Igor Stravinsky and adapting classics like the Nutcracker, which is still performed annually around Christmas time and makes for a fabulous Pas de deux. He would choreograph over 400 hundred ballets, in his lifetime, working with the music of Stravinsky on 39 of them.
Balanchine died on April 30th, 1983. However, before he died he received the Kennedy Center Award, in 1978 and the Presidential Freedom of Honor award. In 1987 he was inducted into the National Dance Hall of Fame, in its inaugural class, along with Fred Astaire. There are several events over at the Hall of Fame dedicated to the memory of Balanchine throughout the time it is open. 
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