Stars and Stripes (ballet)

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See also: List of New York City Ballet repertory and NYCB 2008 Winter Repertory

Stars and Stripes is a ballet choreographed by George Balanchine in 1958, using original music from "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa and performed in 5 acts (campaigns). It lasts an average of 28 minutes.

The original music by Sousa was adapted and orchestrated by Hershy Kay, the composer and preeminent orchestrator.

The ballet, which evokes Fourth of July parades, is one of several of Balanchine salutes to his adoptive country. It is a full-company ballet complete with baton twirling, military marching and a regiment of rifle-bearing ballerinas. The fourth campaign is a challenging pas de deux with a coda set to the "Liberty Bell" and "El Capitan" marches which shows the virtuosity of the dancers.

The original cast included four NYCB ballet stars of their time: Canadian ballerina Melissa Hayden, American principal Jacques d'Amboise, American Principal ballerina Allegra Kent and soloist Diana Adams. It premiered during New York City Ballet's distinguished 1957-58 winter season at the New York City Center.

When Balanchine was asked for his reason to choreograph a ballet to Sousa's marches, he famously replied: "Because I like his music."

This ballet was performed for many memorable occasions, including Nelson Rockefeller's inauguration as governor of New York, tributes for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the opening ceremonies for the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. The ballet is dedicated to the memory of Fiorello H. LaGuardia, mayor of New York City and founder of the City Center of Music and Drama.^[1]

It is still traditionally performed by the NYCB on or around the 4th of July.