From Balanchine's Ballerinas : Conversations with the Muses by Robert Tracy Robert Tracy: Prodigal Son must have been strange for you to learn. The role of the Siren is very far from the classical parts you were trained for. Doubrovska: Yes, it was difficult. But Diaghilev and Balanchine tell me to go home and think about my part. About the pas de deux with Lifar. And I think about a snake, which is not human, but which hypnotizes and be-witches. I used my eyes, and the move

Serge Lifar as the Prodigal Son. Photo by Roger Violett, 1929 The most complete account of the creation of the original Prodigal Son ballet is found in the diaries of Serge Prokofiev, the composer of the ballet. From his commission in October, 1928 to premiere in May, 1929, his entries describe the personal animosity that existed between himself and Balanchine, which partly explains why Balanchine was so apathetic about reviving the ballet for NYCB decades later.  Excerpts fr

“In Apollo’s second variation, Balanchine hit on a startling image to convey that the god is conscious of his divinity. Twice Apollo...

Three Balanchine Duets* Part 3 *commissioned for the Vail Dance Festival This week, Vail’s International Evenings of Dance performances...