Choreographer

The Magic of Tchaikovsky Brings the Holiday Spirit to All.

Few experiences evoke the holiday spirit like seeing The Nutcracker on stage. This timeless classic enchants audiences of all ages, appealing to those who cherish the wonder of childhood and all who love Christmas.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

Royal Danish Opera

Get ready for an electrifying finale as we celebrate State Street Ballet’s 30th anniversary with The Brilliance Program. Experience contemporary innovation and classical elegance with George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” and “Birthday Variations” by Joffrey Ballet’s Gerald Arpino. Plus, be the first to witness a world premiere by the visionary Kassandra Taylor Newberry, a choreographer known for pushing artistic boundaries through audience favorites such as Fold and (con)version. Join us for an unforgettable evening of passion and brilliance that will leave you longing for more.

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The Brilliance Program

Lobero Theatre

Enjoy a night of classical and contemporary ballet and witness the astounding talent of Dayton Ballet’s dancers. Pointes of View showcases choreography from one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th Century, George Balanchine, to up-and-coming choreographers making their mark in today’s ever-evolving ballet stages.

Pointes of View

Victoria Theatre

With „Classics“, the Semperoper Ballett premieres a programme that unites three dance creations that have become signature pieces of their respective creators:

Classics

Semperoper Dresden

Colorado Ballet’s annual repertory production returns with a captivating trio of powerhouse masterpieces that put artistic excellence and innovation on full display—George Balanchine’s Serenade , Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort , and Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room.

Ballet Masterworks

Denver Performing Arts Complex

Join the Atlanta Ballet for a magical performance of "Coppélia" from March 21-23, 2025. This enchanting event marks the first presentation of the beloved fairytale classic in over twenty years by the Atlanta Ballet, in collaboration with a large cast of students from the Centre for Dance Education. Experience the original choreography by George Balanchine, brought to life by the talented dancers of the Atlanta Ballet and set to the captivating music of Léo Delibes.

"Coppélia" tells the whimsical tale of an eccentric toy maker, his lifelike creation, and a suitor caught in a web of comedy, danger, and mistaken identity, all unfolding in a narrative where love triumphs above all. This performance promises to be a visual and musical delight, featuring the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, and showcasing the artistry of Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers Leta Biasucci and Ryan Cardea, as captured in the stunning photography of Angela Sterling.

Don't miss this timeless masterpiece, a testament to the genius of George Balanchine and the enduring charm of Léo Delibes' score. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable journey into the heart of ballet's rich tradition and storytelling magic.

Coppélia

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Alberta Ballet is thrilled to host the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a multi-ethnic ensemble that paves the way for an inclusive future in embracing the belief of its founder: “ballet belongs to everyone.”

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

University of Alberta

Choreographer George Balanchine was not only crazy about women, but also about jewelry. In his Jewels the two come together in a masterful way: inspired by the most exclusive gemstones, the most important choreographer of the twentieth century pays tribute to women and to the French, American and Russian ballet styles respectively in this triptych.

Jewels

National Opera & Ballet

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker - tour performence

Musikhuset Aarhus

The irresistible holiday tradition of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® returns to Portland’s Keller Auditorium!

Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince as the mischievous Drosselmeier sends them on a magical adventure. Brave toy soldiers battle villainous mice, candy canes leap and snowflakes whirl, all to Tchaikovsky’s wonderous score – and don’t forget about a Portland Holiday favorite, Mother Ginger!

The Nutcracker

Keller Auditorium

George Balanchine's version is crafted for children, yet its elegant and classical choreography also captivates an adult audience.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (2024)

The Royal Playhouse and The Old Stage

A trailblazing force in the realm of ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has redefined the art form for the 21st century, blending cherished classics with contemporary innovation. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the company carries forward the belief that ballet belongs to everyone.

Naples Philharmonic

Experience the unparalleled spectacle of "Dracula" like you've never seen before, brought to life by the City Ballet of San Diego. This season, the ballet company dares to reimagine Bram Stoker's horror classic through the visionary lens of Resident Choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez. Prepare to be captivated by a tale that weaves around Countess Dracula and the transformation of other women into vampires, all set to the hauntingly beautiful compositions of Franz Liszt.

This world premiere is a highlight of the City Ballet of San Diego's 2024-25 Season, showcasing a diverse collection of ballets by three different choreographers, each conveying a unique spirit and emotion in their signature style. "Dracula" promises to be a mesmerizing blend of storytelling and ballet that will leave audiences spellbound.

Performances are scheduled at two prestigious venues, starting with the Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 8:00pm, followed by a matinee on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 2:00pm. The ballet will then move to the Concert Hall at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, with a performance on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 8:00pm.

Enhance your experience with a free lecture by City Ballet Artistic Director Steven Wistrich, starting 45 minutes prior to each performance, offering insights into the production and its creation.

Tickets are available as part of a season ticket package, with individual tickets going on sale on September 5, 2024. Prices range from $39 to $99, with facility and Ticketmaster/Box Office ticketing fees applicable to all single ticket sales.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness a groundbreaking interpretation of "Dracula," a ballet that promises to be as enchanting as it is thrilling. Reserve your seats early to be part of this unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness and beauty.

Dracula

California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Balboa Theatre

This program highlights the range and creativity George Balanchine brought to all of his work, and how he used the music of Vivaldi, Corelli, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky to inspire and influence his choreography.
This meeting of music and dance is as thought-provoking now as it was when Balanchine created these now-classic ballets. Don’t miss this intriguing blend of American folk dance (Square Dance), dramatic parable (Prodigal Son), and ballet blockbuster (Stravinsky Violin Concerto).

All Balanchine

Seattle Center

Sylvia Pas de Deux

Lincoln Center

Immerse yourself in the world of ballet with the captivating performance of "LUDMILLA," a mixed bill presented by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. This extraordinary event is set to take place from October 24th to 26th, 2024, at the prestigious Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts. With performances scheduled at 2 P.M. and 8 P.M., this event promises to be a highlight of the 2024-2025 season.

"LUDMILLA" pays homage to the boldness and visionary spirit of Ludmilla Chiriaeff, the founder of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary. As a pioneer of dance in Canada, Chiriaeff's legacy is celebrated through the works of renowned choreographers who have been influenced by her or have crossed paths with her. The program features creations by Jean Grand-Maître, James Kudelka, George Balanchine, and Ginette Laurin, offering a vibrant exploration of Ludmilla's enduring impact on the world of dance.

The performance includes the following pieces:

- "The Four Temperaments" by George Balanchine, set to music by Paul Hindemith, is a neo-classical masterpiece that explores human character traits through expressive and precise body language.
- "Le Funambule" by Ginette Laurin, a compelling quest for balance that stretches the boundaries of bodily expression, set to music by Andreas Burckhardt.
- "Desire" by James Kudelka, a series of pas de deux that delve into the dynamics of human relationships, set to the waltzes of Sergei Prokofiev.
- "Continuum" by Jean Grand-Maître, a piece that honors Ludmilla's roots and the journey of an artist, set to traditional Latvian music and featuring the talents from the École supérieure de ballet du Québec.

This event not only showcases the artistic excellence of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens but also offers a unique opportunity to save up to 40% with package bookings, allowing audiences to enjoy exclusive benefits. Join us in celebrating the legacy of Ludmilla Chiriaeff and experience the magic of ballet through the visionary works of these acclaimed choreographers.

Ludmilla

Place des Arts

Experience the mesmerizing blend of horror and elegance as the Nashville Ballet presents "Dracula" at the James K. Polk Theater from October 3-7, 2024. This fall, immerse yourself in a captivating double bill that pairs the dark, passionate world of "Dracula" with the serene beauty of George Balanchine's "Serenade." Set against a Gothic backdrop, "Dracula" tells a tale of love, lust, and eternal desire, while "Serenade," danced to Tchaikovsky's haunting "Serenade for Strings in C" performed live by The Nashville Symphony, showcases the beauty of classical ballet. Tickets start at $50, with single tickets going on sale August 5, 2024, at 10 AM. Don't miss this unforgettable blend of thrilling narrative and exquisite dance. For more information, visit TPAC's Ticketing Info page and ensure your experience is seamless by reviewing TPAC's patron entry protocols.

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Our season comes to a close with Four Seasons, featuring four choreographers, each with their own distinct style. After a critically-acclaimed debut in 2019, Disha Zhang’s Elapse returns to the stage for an encore not to be missed. Exploring the idea of aging and the passage of time, her first piece choreographed for an American company is set to a captivating original score by Zeng Xiaogang. George Balanchine’s Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux is described by New York City Ballet as “an eight-minute display of ballet bravura and technique.” Welch’s The Four Seasons dramatizes the stages of a woman’s life from the vigor of youth in spring to the introspection of old age in winter. Set to Antonio Vivaldi’s beloved score of the same name, the large ensemble work returns for the first time since its premiere in 2007. Rounding out the program is a world premiere by Dwight Rhoden, Founding Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet – his first for Houston Ballet. Rhoden has created works for notable companies such as New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and The Washington Ballet.

Four Seasons

Wortham Theater Center

Colburn Dance Academy, Ballet, and Modern Dance students close the year with a culminating performance showcasing their growth and artistry. The choreography has been carefully selected to feature the extraordinary accomplishments of our dancers.

Colburn Spring Dance Festival

California State University, Los Angeles

Pre-performance DJ and dancing in the Grand Tier Lobby.

2024 New York Season

New York City Center

New Beginnings offers a glimpse of the exciting new era that lies before the Dayton Ballet. The Ballet’s new Artistic Director will handpick the repertoire for this performance, sharing a sampling of their vision for the next generation of the historic company.

New Beginnings

In an inspiring season that celebrates both newly named Artistic Director Robert Garland and the 90th birthday of the Company’s legendary founder Arthur Mitchell, Dance Theatre of Harlem reaffirms that the future of ballet is in Harlem. Honoring Mitchell’s legacy and ushering in the next generation of his vision, this festival-style weekend of performances features audience favorites and new repertory alike.

Program Six opens with George Balanchine’s Emeralds, the opening ballet in the choreographer’s renowned three-act ballet Jewels, the ballet whispers French perfume with its graceful clouds of tulle
in Romantic-length tutus. Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s tense psychological drama Las Hermanas* takes
a 180 degree turn from the splendor of the previous work. Profoundly musical, structurally complex,
yet exquisitely refined, the ballet is based on Federico García Lorca’s, The House of Bernarda Alba.
Las Hermanas is a remarkable dramatic ballet about sensuality under harsh repression as well as the emotional and violent consequences that follow. What better combination to bring audiences back from the weight of Las Hermanas than the brilliance of George Balanchine and George Gershwin? Closing Program Six, Who Cares? brings audiences through a wonderful series of solos, duets, quartets, and ensemble pieces all set to remarkable jazzy classics of Gershwin.

Portraits of Expression

Sarasota Opera House

With its extreme speed, dynamism and athleticism, Balanchine’s choreography pushed the boundaries of the art form. 

Balanchine: Three Signature Works

Royal Opera House

Enter Shakespeare’s enchanted forest of whimsy, mistaken identity, and jest—where fairies rule and love (eventually) reigns supreme. A delight for all ages, the Shakespearean favorite choreographed by George Balanchine returns to our stage set to music by Mendelssohn, with updated costume and set designs by celebrated French designer Christian Lacroix.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

War Memorial Opera House

Concerto Barocco, set to Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins is one of George Balanchine’s greatest ballets. Often described as music made visible, Balanchine’s brilliant, eloquent movement exquisitely personifies the virtuosic energy of the instruments themselves.

Balanchine & Robbins

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Whether a long-standing family tradition or a first trip to the theater, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is ready to delight one and all. From the liveliest lobby in town to the dazzling sets and costumes and unforgettable performances, The Nutcracker is an integral part of the holidays for ballet fans of all ages!!

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

A return to regality and beauty, George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations opens Program Three.
This masterful work transports audiences to the height of the Russian Imperial Ballet with its glittering costumes, masterful choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s evocative score. Twyla Tharp’s, In the Upper Room, closes the December program with a “transcendent experience for both audience and performers”. Created in 1986, the work features a commissioned score by Philip Glass and showcases Tharp’s choreography, which blends a diverse range of movements, including boxing, tap dance, yoga, ballet, and full-speed sprinting.

Moments of Meaning

Stroll through the liveliest lobby in town and settle in for the holiday treat of the season. From the dazzling costumes to the unforgettable performances, come discover why The Nutcracker is an integral part of the holidays for ballet fans of all ages.

As the father of American ballet, George Balanchine opened the eyes and ears of audiences to the marriage of music and dance. He famously said, “see the music, hear the dance.” Balanchine Extravaganza celebrates that marriage of music and dance with three of Mr. B’s finest works.

Balanchine Extravaganza

Founded by Arthur Mitchell, who was the first African-American principal dancer of New York City Ballet, the company is steeped in the neoclassical style developed by George Balanchine. The current artistic director and resident choreographer, Robert Garland, has choreographed contemporary ballets to the music of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Motown music. The company’s most recent performance at the Detroit Opera House in 2022 featured Claudia Schreier’s Passage, a work commissioned to mark the 400th year of the arrival of enslaved Africans in North America, and Higher Ground, a ballet set to songs by Stevie Wonder.

Detroit Opera House

Our first triple bill of the season sets the stage with a playful look at classical ballet. Welch’s Tu Tu is full of agility and speed, with tongue-in-cheek choreography that showcases superb classical technique. Set to Ravel’s Concerto for Piano in G major, the dancers are outfitted in brilliantly colored costumes inspired by Gustav Klimt’s gold-hued paintings. Next, the Company adds a new Balanchine work to its repertoire with the Houston Ballet premiere of the iconic Stars and Stripes. In all-American costumes with exuberant patriotic touches, this classic Balanchine work is set to five rousing marches from composer John Phillip Sousa. The program is capped with a world premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, a Colombian-Belgian choreographer who has created works for internationally renowned companies such as Dutch National Ballet, Scottish Ballet and Les Grand Ballet Canadiens. Her first commission for Houston Ballet, this new work is inspired by the life of the famous 20th century Uruguayan poet Delmira Agustini, known as one of the first female poets of the modernist era.

Tu Tu

The curtain comes down on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Season with its annual Season Encore Performance, a crowd-pleasing reprise of audience favorites from PNB’s repertoire, and a bittersweet but celebratory salute to the career of retiring principal dancer Lesley Rausch. The program will feature PNB’s entire Company, along with the world-famous PNB Orchestra under the baton of Music Director/Principal Conductor Emil de Cou, performing works by George Balanchine, Alejandro Cerrudo, Kiyon Ross, Penny Saunders, and Kent Stowell, among others.

Season Encore Performance

Three ballets by the Father of American Ballet, George Balanchine. Ib Andersen is one of a handful of artists worldwide entrusted by the Balanchine Trust to stage these masterpieces.

Symphony Hall

International ballet star Nina Ananiashvili (former prima ballerina with Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre) leads this dynamic group with a program of mostly George Balanchine, considered one of the most important choreographers of the last century, accompanied by full orchestra.

The State Ballet of Georgia

For the first time, Cleveland Ballet has been granted the rights to perform one of the most celebrated ballets in the history of dance, Serenade, choreographed by George Balanchine. Serenade, as a signature work of New York City Ballet’s repertory, has been added to our very own fast-growing repertoire, making the very first ballet our company will perform with a live orchestra.

George Balanchine's Serenade with Symphony of Life

Playhouse Square

Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. It is the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet's repertory. Named after its music, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade in C major for String Orchestra, Serenade tells its story musically and choreographically, without any extraneous narrative.
A collection of new and invigorating works, Symphony of Life will include an exclusive commissioned musical score by world-renowned Israeli composer Anna Segal as well as extraordinary choreography by celebrated choreographer Ilia Zhivoi. The beautiful score will be performed by a live orchestra of 24 musicians, headed by the distinguished conductor Caleb Young with musical advising from illustrious violinist Alexandra Preucil, effectively immersing the audience into the piece.

George Balanchine's Serenade & Symphony of Life

Get swept away to an enchanted realm with a ballet that’s equal parts drama, romance, and comedy. In George Balanchine’s witty adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, joy reigns supreme (no disrespect to Oberon). Add Felix Mendelssohn’s glorious score, lavish sets, and dazzling costumes and it’s no wonder this exuberant production has been captivating PNB audiences for over 25 years.

One of Stanton Welch’s hallmark ballets, Clear showcases the depth of talent of Houston Ballet’s male dancers, featuring seven men and one woman. Sleek, stripped-down costumes emphasize the sheer magnitude of emotion in choreography set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Company brings back one of George Balanchine’s greatest masterpieces for the first time since 1977. Concerto Barocco uses the music of Bach's Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins to spotlight the balletic relationship between dance and music. Houston Ballet also premieres Cathy Marston's Summer and Smoke, a co-production with American Ballet Theatre set to a commissioned score by Michael Daugherty. Inspired by Tennessee Williams' eponymous play, Summer and Smoke brings Marston’s unique perspective on storytelling, often inspired by works of literature, to Houston audiences for the first time. 

Summer And Smoke

Enter a world of myth and magic as Prince Ivan, the thirteen princesses, and the Firebird battle the evil sorcerer Koschei. Ma Cong’s one-act Firebird, set to Stravinsky’s triumphant score, will make its East Coast premiere on the Carpenter Theatre stage this February. Featuring powerful choreography and striking costumes, sets, and lighting, Cong’s modern take on this classic folktale is not to be missed.

Firebird with Serenade

Dominion Energy Center

A 50th Anniversary coup! This collection of innovative ballets beautifully demonstrates the vast landscape from which choreographic creativity can spring. PNB is thrilled to be the second company to present Crystal Pite’s The Seasons’ Canon, which joins Emergence and Plot Point in PNB’s expanding collection of Pite works. The Seasons’ Canon shares the bill with a world premiere by international choreographer and artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet Dwight Rhoden, and George Balanchine’s musically-modeled Duo Concertant.

The Seasons' Canon

Experience the unmatched energy of this PNB fan-favorite extravaganza, complimented by the joyous, pure dance spectacle of George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, an early PNB Balanchine acquisition, and a world premiere by Alexei Ratmansky (Don Quixote, Pictures at an Exhibition).

Carmina Burana

George Balanchine’s elegant and animated Jewels (1967) has been dazzling audiences ever since it premiered more than 50 years ago. A beloved favorite in the Balanchine canon, Jewels is a triptych of dances evoking French (“Emeralds”), American (“Rubies”), and Russian (“Diamonds”) ballet traditions, inspired by the choreographer’s visit to the jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels. Miami City Ballet is famed for its dedication to Balanchine’s repertory, style, and technique, and returns for the first time in more than a decade to perform his seminal ballet, danced to music by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky. “Bold, light, immediate, intensely musical, the dancing of Miami City Ballet flies straight to the heart” (The New York Times).

Miami City Ballet

University of California, Berkeley

We move fearlessly forward with a contemporary, neoclassical and bracing program. This is an unrivaled opportunity to experience all that SacBallet can do. We will premiere the much anticipated work, Soar. Jennifer Archibald, Resident Choreographer for Cincinnati Ballet, was a Choreographic Fellow for Alvin Ailey’s New Directions Choreography Lab. Her work, Soar, pushes contemporary movement to its most beautiful limits. Sacramento Ballet’s own national choreographer in the making, Julia Feldman creates Hearts her first mainstage piece following Nutcracker 2021 for the company. And we gift a long-awaited return of George Balanchine’s classical masterwork, Allegro Brillante.  “It contains everything I know about the classical ballet in 13 minutes.” ~George Balanchine

Catalyst

The Sofia


The Magic of Tchaikovsky Brings the Holiday Spirit to All.

Few experiences evoke the holiday spirit like seeing The Nutcracker on stage. This timeless classic enchants audiences of all ages, appealing to those who cherish the wonder of childhood and all who love Christmas.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker on tour

Aarhus Music Hall

George Balanchine’s Jewels is considered to be the first full-length ballet without a plot. Inspired by a visit to the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery store in New York, the choreographer decided to create a work based on the properties of various precious stones for his New York City Ballet in 1967.

Vienna State Opera

Soirée Balanchine

San Carlo Theatre

A Tribute to Balanchine and Wheeldon with Pure and Powerful Dance.

This season, Giant Steps presents two of George Balanchine’s most iconic masterpieces—Apollo and Symphony in C—alongside Christopher Wheeldon’s Corybantic Games, which carries the torch forward into the 21st century.

Choreographer

George Balanchine

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 21 - Dec 21, 2025

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker · Det Kongelige Teater

29 - 30 Dec, 2025

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker on tour · Det Kongelige Teater

Jan 30 - Feb 15, 2026

Jewels · Wiener Staatsoper

Apr 28 - May 3, 2026

Soirée Balanchine · Teatro di San Carlo

21 - 26 May, 2026

Giant Steps · Det Kongelige Teater

Past events

Nov 21 - Dec 21, 2025

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker · Det Kongelige Teater

9 - 10 May, 2025

The Brilliance Program · Lobero Theatre

About

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