Walpurgisnacht Ballet

George Balanchine (1904-1983) was a Russian-American choreographer, widely regarded as the “Father of American Ballet”. He revolutionized the art form, and co-founded the New York City Ballet in 1948, creating over 465 ballets. 

Balanchine Technique emphasizes athleticism, speed, and expressiveness, shaping a style that highlights the dancer's individual artistry. 

Some of Balanchine’s most iconic ballets include Serenade, Agon, Jewels, Firebird, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, and of course, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

At Miami City Ballet, Balanchine’s legacy is at the core of who we are. As one of the few companies to have performed the majority of his works, we are deeply rooted in his innovative vision and timeless choreography. 

Charles Gounod (1818–1893) was a pivotal figure in 19th-century French music, influencing composers such as Georges Bizet, Gabriel Fauré, and Jules Massenet.  

Gounod wrote 12 operas, with Faust (1859) and Roméo et Juliette (1867) being his most celebrated. Beyond opera, he composed enduring works like Ave Maria (an arrangement based on a piece by Bach) and Funeral March of a Marionette.  

Faust premiered in 1859 as a five-act opera in Paris. The ballet music, which appears in the opera’s final act, was added in 1869. Unlike the grand spectacles typical of French opera at the time, Faust placed greater emphasis on musical storytelling and character development.

Karinska, Costume Designer  

"I attribute to (Karinska) fifty percent of the success of my ballets to those that she has dressed." — George Balanchine  

Varvara Andryevna Zhmoudsky, later known as Karinska, (1886-1983) was born in Ukraine in 1886. She learned Victorian embroidery from German and Swiss governesses before studying law at Kharkiv Imperial University. After moving to Moscow in 1916, she became deeply involved in the arts, hosting influential salons attended by leading figures of the Russian cultural scene.  

Karinska eventually relocated to Paris, where she began designing costumes for Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, including works by George Balanchine. Their collaboration flourished, leading to more than 75 ballets together, including Serenade and Jewels.  

One of her most revolutionary contributions was the “powder puff” tutu, created for Balanchine’s Symphony in C in 1950. This softer, fuller tutu allowed for greater movement and became a defining element of ballet costume design.