Choreographic Fantasy

Music: By Franz Schubert (The Wanderer, fantasy for piano, Op. 15, 1822, transcribed by Franz Liszt, orchestrated by Charles Koechlin). Book by Pavel Tchelitchew.

Choreography: By George Balanchine.

Production: Costumes, lighting, and dramatic effects by Pavel Tchelitchew. Tilly Losch's dress by Molyneux.

Premiere: June 10, 1933, Les Ballets 1933, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris. Conductor: Maurice Abravanel.

Cast: Tilly Losch; Roman Jasinsky; 8 women, 3 men; child.

Note: As in Schmidt von Lübeck's poem, set by Schubert, a wanderer seeks lost love amid phantom dreams; she encounters figures of hope, despair, and memory in an atmosphere of dark shadow and diffused light. Scenic effects achieved by lighting and silks dramatized the actions of the dancers. In later productions, characters were identified as Woman in Green, Youths, Shadows, Angels, Revolutionaries, and others.

Revisions: 1935, American Ballet: A second male role made more prominent.