IndexNew York City Ballet rehearsal for “Chaconne” with George Balanchine, Peter Martins and Suzanne Farrell

“Après moi, le board,” Balanchine said to me near the end of his life. I guess he wasn’t completely sure about me or the future.

The Board was always starstruck by [George Balanchine], and the dancers adored him. He was like a god, but always a constructive and supportive god. And he could be funny. Once [during a rehearsal] he was watching from the audience with a microphone when Violette Verdy made a mistake. “Oh God,” she exclaimed.

Over the PA system came the reply, “Just call me George.”

        from “A life in ballet” by Peter Martins [The New Criterion, Volume 42, N 7]

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