The New York City Ballet (NYCB) is one of the most renowned and respected ballet companies in the world. Founded in 1948, the company was created with the intention of bringing classical and contemporary ballet to a wider audience.
The two founding choreographers of the NYCB were George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein.
George Balanchine was a Georgian-born American dancer, choreographer, and teacher who is often considered one of the greatest choreographers in ballet history. He founded the School of American Ballet (SAB) with Lincoln Kirstein in 1934 and became one of the first two artistic directors of the NYCB in 1948.
He was responsible for creating some of the most iconic ballets in history, including The Nutcracker, Serenade, Apollo, Jewels, and many more. His style focused on movement, precision, speed, and grace, making him an influential figure in both classical ballet and modern dance.
Lincoln Kirstein was an American writer, philanthropist, impresario, and co-founder of both SAB and NYCB. He wrote extensively about art history as well as about dance criticism – particularly for The New York Times – which helped to raise awareness about ballet in America.
In addition to his writing career, he was also involved in politics as well as fundraising for his various projects. Kirstein served as General Director at NYCB until 1989 when he retired.
The partnership between George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein created a lasting impact on classical ballet that continues to be felt today. Through their vision, they were able to bring a timeless form of art to a wider audience while also inspiring generations of dancers to come.
Conclusion:
George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein are recognized as two founding choreographers for their influential roles at New York City Ballet (NYCB). Their creative partnership brought classical ballet to a wider audience while also establishing NYCB as one of the foremost companies in global contemporary dance.