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Richard Strauss (concert suite, ca. 1917). Libretto after Molière
George Balanchine. Assistant to the Choreographer: Susan Hendl
Scenery and costumes by Rouben Ter-Arutunian. Lighting by Ronald Bates
May 22, 1980, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater. Conductor: Robert Irving
M. Jourdain, Frank Ohman; Cléonte, Peter Martins; Lucille, Suzanne Farrell;
DIVERTISSEMENT: Heather Watts, Victor Castelli; 6 women; Maid; 6 Lackeys; 4 Cooks; 2 Assistants to Cléonte
Performance Type
Ballet
See Also
Note
Originally presented by the New York City Opera, 1979. The 1980 production used the same sets and costumes, with the choreography for Cléonte substantially revised.
Additional Productions
Other Versions
1932, Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo.
1944, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
Source Notes

Susan Hendl

Richard Strauss (concert suite, ca. 1917). Libretto after Molière
George Balanchine
Scenery and costumes by Eugene Berman. Scenery executed by E. B. Dunkel Studios; costumes executed by Karinska, Inc.
September 23, 1944, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, City Center of Music and Drama, New York. Conductor: Emanuel Balaban
Cléonte, Nicholas Magallanes; Coviel, His Valet, Peter Deign; M. Jourdain, Michel Katcharoff; Lucile, His Daughter, Nathalie Krassovska; Nicola, Her Maid, Vida Brown; 4 Ladies in Waiting; 4 Blackamoors.
DIVERTISSEMENTS: Fencers, 2 men; PAS DE SEPT: Mary Ellen Moylan, 6 women; HARLEQUINADE: Ruthanna Boris, Leon Danielian, Nikita Talin; DANSE INDIENNE: Maria Tallchief, Yurek Lazowski; PAS DE DEUX D’AMOUR: Krassovska, Magallanes
Performance Type
Ballet
See Also
Note
Balanchine’s three productions of this ballet were completely different.
Additional Productions
Revisions
1945, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo: Reviews imply some reworking.
Other Versions
1932, Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo.
1979, New York City Opera
Source Notes

Balanchine

Richard Strauss (concert suite, ca. 1917). Book by Sobeka [Boris Kochno] after Molière
George Balanchine
Curtain, scenery, and costumes by Alexandre Benois. Curtain executed by Georges Geerts; scenery executed by Prince A. Schervashidze; costumes executed by Karinska, Paris
May 3, 1932, Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo, Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Conductor: Paul Paray
Cléonte, David Lichine; Covielle, His Valet, Jasht Dolotine; Two Gypsy Tailors; Monsieur Jourdain, le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Marian Ladré; His Retinue, 4 women, 2 men; Cléonte’s Friends Disguised as Slaves, 4 men; Lucille, Tamara Toumanova; Nicole, Her Servant, Eleanora Marra;
BALLET GIVEN BY M. JOURDAIN IN HONOR OF THE SON OF THE GRAND TURK: Valentina Blinova, 6 women;
TURKISH DIVERTISSEMENT: I. Olga Morosova, Yurek Shabelevsky, Léonide Katchourovsky; II. Natalie Strakhova, Metek [Mezeslav] Borovsky; III. Acrobats, Roman Jasinsky, 3 women.
Performance Type
Ballet
See Also
Note
1.Cléonte disguises himself as the son of the Grand Turk. 2.Cléonte enters the house of Monsieur Jourdain. 3. Dance of Cléonte and his friends disguised as slaves. 4. Ballet given by Monsieur Jourdain in honor of the son of the Grand Turk. 5. Entrance of Lucille, accompanied by her servant Nicole. 6. Turkish ceremony to ennoble Monsieur Jourdain. 7. Turkish Divertissement. 8. Lucille, not recognizing Cléonte, attempts to flee. 9. Betrothal of Lucille to Cléonte, who removes his disguise.
Additional Productions
Other Versions
 1944, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
1979, New York City Opera. According to Balanchine, each of the three versions was completely different.
(In 1980, a revision of the New York City Opera production entered the repertory of the New York City Ballet.)
Recorded Performances
Videos/DVD
2005, Zeitgeist Films, Ballets Russes (excerpt)
Source Notes

Note corroborated by Balanchine