Apollo
Choreography
George BalanchineMusic
Igor StravinskyApollo marked a turning point for George Balanchine, a moment he described as his artistic coming of age. In creating this ballet, he discovered the power of restraint—learning to refine, simplify, and strip a work down to its essential elements. Set to Igor Stravinsky’s luminous score, Apollo follows the young god of music as he is guided by three Muses—Calliope (poetry), Polyhymnia (mime), and Terpsichore (dance and song). Their interactions shape his artistic journey, blending elegance with a striking sense of modernity.
Originally choreographed in 1928, Apollo was Balanchine’s second ballet set to Stravinsky’s music and the start of a lifelong creative partnership. More than 50 years later, in 1979, he reworked the ballet for Mikhail Baryshnikov, removing the opening birth scene and altering the ending—changes that sparked discussion but underscored Balanchine’s belief that less is often more.
Ballet in a Box
The Choreographer
The Choreographer
George Balanchine (1904-1983), born in St. Petersburg, Russia, is often referred to as the "Father of American Ballet" for his transformative influence on the art form. He trained at the Imperial Ballet School and danced with the Ballets Russes before emigrating to the U.S. in 1933. In 1948, he co-founded the New York City Ballet and served as its artistic director, creating over 465 ballets during his lifetime.
Among Balanchine’s most significant early works is Apollo (1928), a ballet that marked his artistic breakthrough and solidified his partnership with composer Igor Stravinsky. With its striking neoclassical aesthetic, Apollo distilled movement to its essence, emphasizing form, musicality, and structure over elaborate storytelling. The ballet became a cornerstone of Balanchine’s style, influencing generations of choreographers. In 1979, he reimagined the work for Mikhail Baryshnikov, omitting the original birth scene and subtly altering the ending—an evolution that sparked discussion but reflected Balanchine’s ever-refining artistic vision.
The Score
The Score
Ballet Credits
Ballet Credits
Choreography
George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music
Apollon Musagète by Igor Stravinsky
Costume Design
Karinska
Lighting Design
John Hall
