SPAC 2024 New York City Ballet Season: July 9-13

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 75th anniversary celebration of the New York City Ballet will continue with its seasonal return to Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer. 

From July 9 – 13, the company’s 58th season at SPAC features more than 90 dancers under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, accompanied by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, led by Music Director Andrew Litton. 

Opening the season on July 9 is “NYCB On and Off Stage,” hosted by NYCB principal dancers for a unique “behind the curtain” experience featuring excerpts from the week’s ballets and culminating with a celebratory after party. Highlighting the residency is George Balanchine’s three-act work Jewels, returning for the first time since 2016 and featuring Fauré’s elegant Emeralds, Stravinsky’s jazz-inflected Rubies, and Tschaikovsky’s symphonic Diamonds. 

Also featured are two evenings dedicated to works by contemporary choreographers including a new work by Amy Hall Garner, which is set to hold its world premiere as part of NYCB’s 2024 spring season; Gustave le Gray No. 1, a SPAC debut choreographed by Pam Tanowitz and set to the music of Caroline Shaw; Ulysses Dove’s dynamically charged, abstract work Red Angels, set to a riveting score for electric violin, and Justin Peck’s sneaker ballet The Times are Racing, heralded by audiences and critics alike since its premiere in 2017. 

Rounding out the season will be two performances of some of Balanchine’s most beloved works, including the classic story ballet Swan Lake; the exuberantly patriotic Stars and Stripes; the SPAC-commissioned work The Steadfast Tin Soldier, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s charming fairytale; and scenes from Coppélia, featuring children from the Capital Region, in celebration of the work’s 50th anniversary, which held its world premiere at SPAC in 1974.   

New York City Ballet: July 9 – 13

NYCB On and Off Stage – Tuesday, July 9 @ 7:30 p.m. NYCB principal dancers host a unique “behind the curtain” experience featuring excerpts from the week’s ballets. A compelling evening for newcomers and aficionados alike. Immediately following the program is a celebratory “dance party” in the Hall of Springs. 

Jewels – Wednesday, July 10 @ 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 11 @ 2 p.m. Emeralds (Fauré/Balanchine); Rubies (Stravinsky/Balanchine); Diamonds (Tschaikovsky/Balanchine) 

Contemporary 

Choreographers – Thursday, July 11 @ 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 13 @ 7:30 p.m. New Garner* (TBA/Garner); Red Angels (Einhorn/Dove); Gustave le Gray No. 1* (Shaw/Tanowitz); The Times Are Racing (Deacon/Peck). 

 Swan Lake & Stars and Stripes – Friday, July 12 @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 13 @ 2 p.m. Swan Lake (Tschaikovsky/Balanchine); Scenes from Coppélia (Delibes/Balanchine and Danilova, after Petipa); The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Bizet/Balanchine); Stars and Stripes (Sousa, orch. by Kay/Balanchine).

 *Indicates SPAC premiere 

Tickets will be available beginning on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. for members (tiered by level) and on Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.