On October 11, 1948, the weather was fair in New York City. Low sixties, a moderate breeze, a waxing gibbous moon. A crowd entered the New York City Center of Music and Drama and found their seats. The 8:45pm debut performance of a brand-spanking-new company—the New York City Ballet Company—was about to begin.
As part of New York City Ballet’s 75th Anniversary Season, PBS will stream and broadcast the US premiere of “Great Performances: New York City Ballet in Madrid” on Friday, October 27 at 9pm.
New York City Ballet hosted a gala with unfortunate new costumes for Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” But the repertory is what matters, and it’s been dazzling.