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This Apollo production uses Balanchine's original prologue that he later
deleted (Leto giving birth to Apollo). It is danced in an
abstract set with a staircase -- a mid-step toward his more modern
productions. The staircase is used both for the birth of Apollo and for
the final tableau of the Apotheosis where Apollo begins to climb to the
summit, pointing the way to Olympus. The Muses follow, their and Apollo's
figures silhouetted against the sky, holding out their arms to the sun.
Leto, Apollo's mother, falls back in the arms of his handmaidens [the
two nymphs] as she reaches up to her son in farewell.
A complete story of this work may be found in Balanchine's Complete
Stories of the Great Ballets (Doubleday 1977, and other editions).
Photo images copyright © 2002, Bob Shomler.
Please see the Copyright page.
Apollo choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.
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