NYC Ballet Announces SPAC Programs: 17 Ballets from 7 Different Choreographers [Berkshire on Stage]

By Larry Murray

For dance lovers, there is lots to look forward to this summer in Saratoga as the New York City Ballet returns for two weeks of glorious ballet with live music at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Highlights include iconic ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and August Bournonville, as well as contemporary work by Christopher Wheeldon. The Balanchine favorites returning to SPAC during the residency include La Valse, Symphony in Three Movements and The Four Temperaments.

The announcement by the New York City Ballet, one of the world’s great dance companies, detailed the summer’s plans. When it returns to SPAC from July 7–18, it will present a diverse repertory of 17 extraordinary ballets, resuming its two-week summer residency in Saratoga. Featured works include the Saratoga premiere of Peter Martin’s La Sylphide, one of the oldest Romantic ballet productions still in existence; iconic ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Danish choreographer August Bournonville; and contemporary works by Christopher Wheeldon, Alexei Ratmansky and Justin Peck. Additional highlights of the programs include the Saratoga premiere of Peck’s newest work, R­ōdēō: Four Dance Episodes, set to Aaron Copland’s symphonic score; a gala tribute to some of the brightest choreographers of the 21st century; and the return of favorites not seen at SPAC in several years, including Bournonville Divertissements, Martins’ Symphonic Dances, and Balanchine’s La Valse.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.