Mr. B: George Balanchine’s 20th Century by Jennifer Homan has won the 2023 Plutarch Award! Named after the Father of Biography, the Plutarch Award is given to the best biography of the year.

George Balanchine was one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, and is considered the Father of American Ballet. You can watch the PBS documentary about him below:

George Balanchine’s biography

George Balanchine (1904-1983) was a Russian-Georgian American ballet choreographer, widely recognized as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. He is known as the father of American ballet and co-founded the New York City Ballet, where he remained as artistic director for more than 35 years. Balanchine’s choreography is characterized by plotless ballets with minimal costume and décor, performed to classical and neoclassical music. He was a choreographer known for his musicality and worked extensively with leading composers of his time like Igor Stravinsky.

Balanchine was born Georgiy Melitonovich Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1904. Balanchine left the Soviet Union in 1924 and went to Europe, where he worked as a freelance choreographer. He moved to the United States in 1933, where he was invited by a young arts patron named Lincoln Kirstein. Together, they founded the School of American Ballet in 1934 and the New York City Ballet in 1948. Balanchine’s choreography for the New York City Ballet included many of his most famous works, such as “Serenade,” “Agon,” and “Symphony in C”.

Balanchine’s choreography was characterized by its musicality and its use of neoclassical ballet. He was known for his ability to express music with dance and his use of simple costumes and sets. Balanchine’s choreography was also notable for its speed and athleticism, which was a departure from the more traditional style of ballet that was popular at the time.

George Balanchine was married four times and had several romantic relationships throughout his life. He was known for his love of women and his ability to inspire them. Balanchine died in New York City in 1983 at the age of 79.