Ballet in Two Acts

Music: By Riccardo Drigo (from Les Millions d'Arlequin, produced 1900).

Choreography: By George Balanchine.

Production: Scenery (partially from the New York City Opera production of La Cenerentola, 1953), costumes, and lighting by Rouben Ter-Arutunian. Scenery executed by Feller Scenery Studios.

Premiere: February 4, 1965, New York City Ballet with children from the School of American Ballet, New York State Theater. Conductor: Robert Irving.

Cast: Harlequin, Edward Villella; Colombine, Patricia McBride; Pierrot, Servant to Cassandre, Deni Lamont; Pierrette, Wife of Pierrot, Suki Schorer; Cassandre, Father of Colombine, Michael Arshansky; Léandre, Wealthy Suitor to Colombine, Shaun O'Brien; La Bonne Fée, Gloria Govrin; Les Scaramouches, Friends to Harlequin, 4 couples; Les Sbires, Hired by Cassandre to Capture Harlequin, 3 men; La Patrouille, 5 men; Le Laquais; Alouettes, Carol Sumner, 8 women; Les Petits Harlequins, 8 children.
Act I: House of Cassandre
Act II: An Enchanted Park

Note: In 1919, as a student, Balanchine danced in Petipa's Les Millions d'Harlequin. Balanchine's production follows the tradition of the commedia dell'arte, in the spirit of Petipa. In Act I, Harlequin outwits his adversaries, and with the help of the Good Fairy wins Colombine's hand. Act II is a celebration of this happy event. The décor was taken from Pollock's toy theaters of London.

Revisions: New York City Ballet: 1966, CARNIVAL NUMBER added to Act I, BALLABILE DES INVITÉS (8 couples) added to Act II; 1973, lengthened version using complete score, with addition of 12 couples, 24 children.

Film: 1968, Direct Cinema Ltd., Man Who Dances: Edward Villella (excerpt from first pas de deux).

Video/DVD: 1980, Direct Cinema Ltd., Man Who Dances: Edward Villella (excerpt from first pas de deux).