George Balanchine's Jewels is considered the first full-length ballet without a plot. Inspired by a visit to the Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry store in New York, the choreographer decided to create a piece based on the properties of various gemstones for the New York City Ballet in 1967.
In three parts, a different „jewel” – emerald, ruby, diamond – is at the center of the choreography, in which George Balanchine – a true visionary of the art of dance – combines the tradition of romantic ballet with a modern approach to dance. In unique costumes created by designer Karinska, Jewels combines delicate poetry, noble beauty and cool humor and is considered „the perfect introduction to ballet”.
Although precious stones give this ballet its name and adorn the costumes, Jewels can be seen above all as Balanchine's analysis of the history of classical ballet and his own artistic journey throughout his life: in Emeralds, we experience the ephemeral beauty of early 19th-century French Romanticism, which almost echoes ballets like La Sylphide or Giselle. The vigor of 20th-century American metropolitanism, with virtuoso dancing and contemporary, jazzy dynamics, in Rubies and a tribute to late 19th-century Russian classicism and the great ballet master Marius Petipa in Diamonds.
With works by Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky, the musical choice for the ballet Jewels is something else entirely, music that the body can dance to.
To reserve/purchase group tickets, contact Glossar travel Agency.
The ballet will take place on 30/01, 04/ 05/ 08/ 09/ 14/ 15 February 2026
