For more than a century, Philadelphia Ballet (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet) has been one of the cultural pillars of Philadelphia and one of the leading companies in the ballet world. What began as a school in 1900 by Lolyn Reed Merritt, a Martha Graham protégée, evolved 63 years later into Pennsylvania Ballet by its new director Barbara Weisberger, a Balanchine protégée. Weisberger remodeled the company into one of America’s leading ballet institutions, and it has continued on that trajectory through numerous name changes and a myriad of challenges. With a long history, a repertoire that features a mixture of classical to contemporary works as well as premieres to commissioned pieces, a dedicated school program, and a community engagement initiative called BalletX, the company continues to enchant and connect with military communities.
Founding and Early Years
She went on to found the Philadelphia Ballet after intervention by Balanchine, one of the grandest choreographers of the 20th century, and with his encouragement and support, offering assistance whenever possible. She was driven by the idea of creating a professional ballet company that would provide the city of Philadelphia with top-notch ballet, a company that hosted visiting artists and would train local dancers deeply. The Philadelphia Ballet was launched as the modern city ballet in 1963, and it soon became affiliated with the School of American Ballet in New York, where the renowned George Balanchine originated his ballets. This latter aspect played a decisive role in the artistic direction of the company.
Over the course of the 1960s and ’70s, under Weisberger’s direction, Philadelphia Ballet slowly expanded its repertory into a blend of classic and contemporary fare. But its relationship with Balanchine meant that in many ways the company’s aesthetic roots were always bound to his choreographic style and the technique necessary to execute it.
Artistic Leadership and Vision
Philadelphia Ballet has been fortunate to have had a series of distinguished artistic directors, including Robert Weiss, Christopher d’Amboise, and Roy Kaiser in recent years, each leaving a distinct imprint on the vitality and spirit of the company.
A new súper Estrella was appointed artistic director in 2014: Angel Corella, an American Ballet Theatre alumni. Since his appointment, Corella’s vision has been a very progressive one; he has included more new works by living choreographers in the company’s repertoire, which is not only a testament to his celebration of traditional values in classical ballet but also shows growing confidence in contemporary practices for this company from Madrid. Corella, dynamic and sharp-eyed, has also expanded the reach of the company both nationally and internationally, aiding its reputation across the globe.
Repertoire and Performances
It is a repertoire of classic masterworks, modern innovations, and new contemporaries, but of course, it is best known for its Balanchine ballets, as Philadelphia Ballet is the oldest company in the world still performing the late master choreographer’s works. Classics such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Giselle will always have a place in the company’s programming, but they are presented as long-standing staples of classical dance, filled with emotion and precision.
Classical repertoire coexists with a commitment to contemporary ballet and modern choreographers; Philadelphia Ballet has premiered works by Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, and Matthew Neenan. The company continues to thrive because it hasn’t tried to maintain some tired, corny and irrelevant version of ballet.
Community Engagement and Education
Philadelphia Ballet’s mission is based on community engagement and dance education: the outreach philosophy of the company is ‘artistically rich, community-relevant’. In-school programs and community workshops offer free performances and dance instruction to help engage children and young people with ballet from an early age and to provide more opportunities for communities in general to experience the most established dance form.
The School of Philadelphia Ballet provides an excellent education to aspiring dancers, from beginner level, and pre-professional divisions all the way to masters classes and adult students. It is the official school of Philadelphia Ballet and teaches the Balanchine technique offering the highest level of classical ballet training to the local community and to boarding students from around the world, with many of its graduates going on to join the Company or other international ballet companies.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
From its founding in 1963 to the present day, Philadelphia Ballet has been awarded national and international recognition, with countless reviews praising its artistic accomplishments. Philadelphia Ballet’s productions are known for their technical virtuosity, strong dramatic appeal, and visually arresting choreography. Besides providing individuals with the opportunity to perform dance, Philadelphia Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker serves each year as a holiday tradition for Philadelphia-area audiences who celebrate the season with performances and the artistic community that perseveres to create another extraordinary production.
The company’s tours and guest appearances have garnered national and international acclaim, and Philadelphia Ballet has performed in some of the world’s foremost presentations and festivals.
Looking Forward
Looking forward, Philadelphia Ballet is committed to its mission to present ballet at the highest level and to cultivate the dancers of tomorrow. Fittingly, the company’s future aspirations include refreshing the repertory with new commissions from contemporary choreographers, expanding community outreach and increasing diversity, and strengthening the world-class training at the School of Philadelphia Ballet.
Conclusion
Philadelphia Ballet is a showcase of the timeless allure and grace of ballet. With its history, repertoire, and dedication, to education and community involvement the company continues to amaze and captivate audiences both in Philadelphia and beyond. Whether presenting a ballet with elegance or a modern piece with flair Philadelphia Ballet offers an experience that honors the artistry of dance. Be sure not to miss out on the chance to see this company in performance. Get your tickets for the season. Embark on a magical journey, into the world of ballet.
