Choreography by George Balanchine
Staged by Richard Tanner
Music by John Philip Sousa
Orchestrated by Hershy Kay
Costumes by Barbara Karinska

TIMING: 10:00

The pas de deux from Stars and Stripes was given its American Ballet Theatre Company Premiere at New York City Center, New York on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, danced by Sarah Lane and Daniil Simkin.

Stars and Stripes, a ballet in five acts (campaigns) with costumes by Barbara Karinska and lighting by Nananne Porcher, was given its World Premiere at City Center, New York on January 17, 1958, danced by Allegra Kent, Robert Barnett, Melissa Hayden, Jacques d’Amboise and Diana Adams.

The fourth campaign is a challenging pas de deux with a coda set to the Liberty Bell and El Capitan marches that shows the virtuosity of the dancers.

When Balanchine was asked his reason to choreograph a ballet to Sousa’s marches, he famously replied: “Because I like his music.”