How did George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky collaborate on ballet productions?

The collaboration between choreographer George Balanchine and composer Igor Stravinsky was one of the most significant artistic partnerships in 20th-century dance. Their professional relationship began in 1925 when Balanchine choreographed a new version of Stravinsky’s Le Chant du rossignol for the Ballets Russes.1

Following this initial project, the two artists developed a long series of ballets, some of which were composed through direct collaboration. Their work together was foundational to Balanchine’s neoclassical style, most notably exemplified by the 1928 ballet Apollo.1

Their creative bond remained a defining feature of Balanchine’s career in the United States. To honor this enduring partnership, the New York City Ballet held major Stravinsky Festivals in 1972 and 1982, the latter marking the centenary of the composer’s birth. During these festivals, Balanchine choreographed several works set to Stravinsky’s music, cementing the legacy of their shared artistic vision.1