One of George Balanchine’s earliest and most groundbreaking abstract ballets, The Four Temperaments explores the expressive potential of classical dance stripped of narrative. Inspired by the medieval theory of the four humors—Melancholic, Sanguinic, Phlegmatic, and Choleric—the ballet does not tell a literal story, but instead translates musical structure into movement with striking clarity and invention.

Set to Paul Hindemith’s incisive score, the choreography is bold, angular, and emotionally charged, blending classical technique with unexpected off-balance shapes, sharp transitions, and sculptural groupings. Dancers move as if the music itself were shaping their bodies, creating a work that feels both intellectually rigorous and viscerally human. Widely regarded as a turning point in 20th-century ballet, The Four Temperaments remains a powerful meditation on individuality, energy, and the complexity of human nature.

Often described as Balanchine’s vision of “dancing in heaven,” Mozartiana is one of the choreographer’s final masterpieces and among his most spiritual works. Set to Tchaikovsky’s orchestral homage to Mozart, the ballet unfolds as a series of formal dances—beginning with a quiet prayer and building toward a radiant communal finale.

The choreography is classical and reverent, emphasizing purity of line, musical sensitivity, and an atmosphere of contemplation and grace. Black-and-white costumes and ceremonial pacing give the ballet a timeless, almost sacred quality, while moments of virtuosity and lyricism lift the work into a state of quiet joy. Created late in Balanchine’s life, Mozartiana reflects a deep engagement with music, faith, and transcendence, offering audiences a moving and luminous experience.

A rarely performed gem, Gounod Symphony is a grand tribute to the power and beauty of the corps de ballet. Set to Charles Gounod’s Symphony No. 1, the work features expansive ensemble choreography for large groups of dancers, organized into intricate geometric patterns that continuously evolve across the stage.

Rather than focusing on narrative or emotional drama, the ballet delights in structure, symmetry, and motion, transforming musical phrases into sweeping visual designs. With its formal elegance and unmistakably French musical sensibility, Gounod Symphony showcases Balanchine’s mastery of large-scale choreography and his belief that dance, at its core, can be a pure expression of music made visible to the audience.

“What are you waiting for? What are you saving for? Now is all there is.”
―George Balanchine

George Balanchine was one of the 20th century’s most prolific choreographers. He created more than 400 works throughout his career and is celebrated widely for his signature neoclassical style that transformed the ballet world. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Balanchine came to the United States in 1933, established the School of American Ballet and ultimately New York City Ballet, where he was Ballet Master and Principal Choreographer. Balanchine also played a vital role in establishing Boston Ballet, serving as artistic advisor to the Company in the early 1960s.