This first release in VAI’s historic series features two of Balanchine’s most important works, Serenade and Orpheus, performed by an ensemble of legendary NYCB dancers.

Balanchine himself appears on screen to introduce Orpheus, which features Nicholas Magallanes and Francisco Moncion dancing the roles they created in the 1948 premiere.

Contents:

SERENADE
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48)
Cast:
- Waltz Ballerina: Diana Adams
- Russian Ballerina: Patricia Wilde
- Dark Angel: Yvonne Mounsey
- Elegy Cavalier: Jacques d’Amboise
- Waltz Cavalier: Herbert Bliss
Corps de ballet of New York City Ballet
The Strings of Orchestre de Radio-Canada
Hugo Fiorato, conductor
Telecast of November 5, 1957

ORPHEUS (introduced by Balanchine)
Choreography by George Balanchine
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Cast:
- Orpheus: Nicholas Magallanes
- Eurydice: Violette Verdy
- The Dark Angel: Francisco Moncion
- Apollo: Roy Tobias
- Leader of the Bacchantes: Judith Green
Corps de ballet of New York City Ballet
Orchestre de Radio-Canada
Robert Irving, conductor
Telecast of March 10, 1960

Black & White, 59 minutes, 4:3, NTSC (Playable all regions)