Riccardo Drigo (from Les Millions d’Arlequin, produced 1900)
Choreography
George Balanchine. Staged by Frederic Franklin
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
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.
Additional Productions
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.
1966 pas de deux (NBC, Bell Telephone Hour)
1979 pas de deux (WETA, Washington, D.C., “Baryshnikov at the White House”)
2004 children’s dances (PBS, Live from Lincoln Center, “Balanchine 100”)
