Back in August, I discovered several photos of a very young Suzy Pilarre in the corps of Serenade:
Photos by Fred Fehl, 1964
Harry Ransom Center
I sent them to her right away and have been waiting to post them until now. I think the most special one is the one where Balanchine stands between Suzy and Maria Tallchief. Today she (@psz69) posted her own tribute to Serenade, and I repost it here for more of you to read, with her permission:
“Happy 90th birthday, dear Serenade. Here are pictures of me at City Center around your 39th birthday when I just joined the company at 15 with Mr. B and Maria Tallchief who was still dancing then. She was a great mentor to us young people always emphasizing what true Balanchine dancing was. I danced in the corps, then Russian girls, then the lead Russian girl.
“Throughout my whole career it remained an indescribable experience being a part of that world. I still feel the same when I sit in the audience and hear the overture before the curtain goes up. I know I share these feelings with thousands of dancers around the world that have been on stage blocking the light with their right hand when the curtain rises. Thank you Mr. B for giving us this incredible gift ❤️”
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