In Search of "Serenade" photos

[cobweb]

In talking to a friend who knows little about ballet, I was trying to describe some of the mystical, beautiful moments of "Serenade."  This led me to an internet search for photos of the iconic moments. I am eager to find a picture of the moment that the Dark Angel and the man enter - just the two of them, him with his arm outstretched and her behind, with her hand over his eyes. Surprisingly, I can find no photo of this moment on the internet. If anyone can point me to a pic, I would appreciate it. More generally, I would love to see everyone's favorite moments of "Serenade." And in poring through the online photos, I really CAN'T WAIT to see this again. There could be no better re-introduction to performances of live ballet. 

[California]

12 minutes ago, cobweb said:

In talking to a friend who knows little about ballet, I was trying to describe some of the mystical, beautiful moments of "Serenade."  This led me to an internet search for photos of the iconic moments. I am eager to find a picture of the moment that the Dark Angel and the man enter - just the two of them, him with his arm outstretched and her behind, with her hand over his eyes. Surprisingly, I can find no photo of this moment on the internet. If anyone can point me to a pic, I would appreciate it. More generally, I would love to see everyone's favorite moments of "Serenade." And in poring through the online photos, I really CAN'T WAIT to see this again. There could be no better re-introduction to performances of live ballet. 

Here is their exit:

https://www.balletchicago.org/serenade?pgid=jpvq0knw-10873e28-bf96-4891-a4f6-eeceaeddab9d

Agree with you on the power of Serenade -- it's one of several Balanchine ballets that can make me tear up at the sheer genius of it all. Never gets old!

 

[Quiggin]

Came across the Museum of Performance and Design's images of Serenade from San Francisco Ballet performances of 1952, 1960 and 1962 with Sally Bailey, Janet Sasson, Richard Carter and Roderick Drew. Less streamlined costumes than City Ballet's productions, but interesting peek at past versions.

https://mpdsfdance.omeka.net/items/show/2997

https://mpdsfdance.omeka.net/items/show/283

Complete list of images:

https://mpdsfdance.omeka.net/search?query=serenade&query_type=keyword&record_types[]=Item&record_types[]=File&record_types[]=Collection&submit_search=Search

Edited December 24, 2020 by Quiggin

[cobweb]

32 minutes ago, Quiggin said:

 

Came across the Museum of Performance and Design's images of Serenade from San Francisco Ballet performances of 1952, 1960 and 1962 with Sally Bailey, Janet Sasson, Richard Carter and Roderick Drew. Less streamlined costumes than City Ballet's productions, but interesting peek at past versions.

 

Those are fascinating photos. It looks so different without the costumes I’m used to, it’s hard to recognize it as the same ballet. The long tulle skirts worn now add an entirely new dimension to the ballet. 

[Quiggin]

39 minutes ago, cobweb said:

Those are fascinating photos. It looks so different without the costumes I’m used to, it’s hard to recognize it as the same ballet. The long tulle skirts worn now add an entirely new dimension to the ballet. 

Yes, the City Ballet dancers look slightly like columns in a temple (even though they were supposed to look like "one of those orange groves you see in California"). I do like the sculptural simplicity black and white photography brings to dance, the way it eliminates distractions and bores down to forms.

My favorite Serenade part (too?) is where the man enters and the three of them make a little vehicle together to move around the stage and then he turns one of the dancers while lying on the floor, like slowly turning pages in a book (my memory may be a little untrustworthy since I haven't seen the ballet for a while).

Also came across this earlier costumed Orpheus:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-NYC-Ballet-GEORGE-PLATT-LYNES-Drama-Dance-ORPHEUS-EURYDICE-Photo-Art-16X20-/193487612350

Edited December 24, 2020 by Quiggin

[pherank]

Good idea to look into the MPD image library. Those are crazy costumes, to be sure:

https://mpdsfdance.omeka.net/items/show/282

The women have headdresses and the men have some kind of head covering too. Men's costumes by Oskar Schlemmer? Kidding.

Edited December 25, 2020 by pherank