Stuttgart asked him to assume the directorship of its company in 1961, and from that moment on he was to find the ideal outlet for his energies; molding a company, a school and a repertory that were to bring the Stuttgart Ballet vast international acclaim. At the beginning of his time in Stuttgart, Cranko created short ballets and gathered together a group of dancers, among whom were Egon Madsen, Richard Cragun, Birgit Keil and, most importantly, a young Brazilian dancer named Marcia Haydée who was to become his prime muse and inspiration. Cranko’s breakthrough came in December 1962 with the world premiere of Romeo and Juliet, which was highly praised by critics and audience alike. 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.