Balanchine’s first work for the New York City Ballet, which for two seasons served as resident ballet company for the New York City Opera.

Accompanying Balanchine and Dollar to Mexico were Marie-Jeanne, Nicholas Magallanes, and twelve girls from the School of American Ballet, including Patricia Wilde. Printed programs do not list dances or dancers. Balanchine choreographed Aïda, Faust, and Samson et Dalila. He may also have choreographed Carmen and Rigoletto, but no documentation has been located. Concerto Barocco [195], Apollo [84], and Dollar’s Constantia and his staging of Les Sylphides were also performed.

At least three versions of Aïda were danced by the American Ballet Ensemble at the Metropolitan Opera. Choreography was variously credited to Balanchine, William Dollar, and Marius Petipa.