The lost jewel.

In 1967, Balanchine revolutionized ballet. From an idea suggested by Claude Arpels of Van Cleef and Arpels, he created the first full length plotless ballet. Its theme was simple and beautiful —jewels. It’s three acts: Emeralds, to the music of Gabriel Fauré, Rubies, to the music of Igor Stravinsky, and Diamonds, to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

But Balanchine originally intended a fourth act. Sapphires, to the music of 20th century giant Arnold Schoenberg.

This year, for the worldwide celebration of Arnold Schoenberg's 150th birthday, ACB imagines what this jewel might have looked like, including costumes designed in line with the genius Barbara Karinska’s original concepts, and the exaltation of feminine beauty that was the ballet’s true subject.

American Contemporary Ballet

6 - 29 Jun, 2024

Sapphires

American Contemporary Ballet

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