Black and white photograph of George Balanchine rehearsing two ballet dancers by Costas

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Black and white photograph of George Balanchine rehearsing two ballet dancers by Costas, C0465, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 photograph
Creator:
Costas
Abstract:
Black and white matted photograph of George Balanchine rehearsing two ballet dancers, taken by the dance photographer Costas, circa late 1970s or early 1980s.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Black and white photograph of George Balanchine rehearsing two ballet dancers by Costas, C0465, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Black and white matted photograph of George Balanchine rehearsing two ballet dancers, taken by the dance photographer Costas, circa late 1970s or early 1980s. In the photograph Balanchine demonstrates his choreography to a presumably female and male pair of ballet dancers. It is unknown which ballet they are rehearsing for. The photograph is signed on the matte by Costas andis stamped on the verso with the text "Choreographed by George Balanchine - Choreography [Registered] - The George Balanchine Trust[.]"

Biographical / historical:

George Balanchine is one of the greatest dancers, choreographers, and performing arts giants of the 20th century. Born in 1904 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Balanchine's career started in the Imperial School of Ballet in the renowned Mariinsky Theatre. In addition to ballet training, Balanchine also had professional musical training, which later informed his choreography abilities. In 1924 Balanchine was invited to join the Ballets Russes by another giant of the dance world, Sergei Diaghilev, and his career grew from there. In 1948 Balanchine made his greatest contribution to the dance world, the founding of the New York City Ballet. As Artistic Director of the company, Balanchine choreographed classic and new, interpretive ballets alike. His versions of traditional ballets, such as The Nutcracker, are now considered classics of their own.

Costas Cacaroukas - known by the mononym Costas - is a Greek-American dance photographer. He was the photographer in residence for the New York City Ballet for the majority of his career and was closely associated with George Balanchine. He was also the photographer in residence for American Ballet Theatre. In additon to the New York City Ballet, Costas photographed many other dance companies, both national and international.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by Steve Gerber from Schubertiade Music on January 26, 2010.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Amanda Brent in January 2021. EAD markup completed by Amanda Brent in January 2021. This item was formerly part of the Performing Arts Manuscript Materials collection, C0215

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 1
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Ballet
Photography
Names:
Balanchine, George