In Stuttgart, Cranko also created many small choreographic jewels such as Jeu de cartes and Opus I, as well as his symphonic ballet Initials R.B.M.E., but it was his dramatic story ballets such as Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, Carmen, Poéme de l’Extase and Traces that secured Cranko his place in the pantheon of great choreographers. He also made stagings of the classics, which he felt so necessary for the development of his company, remounting Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. In addition, he encouraged young dancers in his company – including Jiri Kylian and John Neumeier – to try their hand at choreography. Cranko’s gift for nuanced story-telling, clear dramatic structure and his exquisite mastery of the art of the pas de deux conquered New York audiences during a triumphant season at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1969. Worldwide acclaim soon followed, as Cranko and his young company toured the globe.