[Moncion, Francisco. (1918–1995)] Vechten, Carl Van. (1880-1964) [Menotti, Gian Carlo. (1911–2007)]
Sebastian, 1944
Gelatin silver print, [November 20, 1944] depicting the dancers Francisco Moncion, Viola Essen and Kari Karnakoski in the ballet Sebastian with music by Gian Carlo Menotti and choreography by Edward Caton. 7.8 x 9.8 inches (20 x 25 cm). Photographer's notation in green ink "XIV.aa.1" beneath his credit wet stamp on verso ("Photograph by Carl Van Vechten / 101 Central Park West/ Cannot be Reproduced without Permission") and his raised blindstamp ("Photograph by Carl Van Vechten") lower right. Small pinholes and scratches along upper edge, else fine.The scenario of the ballet Sebastian, as with many of his works, was written by Menotti himself. The first production of it took place in New York during October 1944, and was given by the Ballet International Company, founded by the Marquis de Cuevas, whose wife was the grand-daughter of John D. Rockefeller, and so a valuable source of finance. This, the only season to be presented by the company, lasted two months, and ended with a deficit of $800,000. The choreography by Edward Caton for Sebastian received mild praise, while Menotti’s score was deemed to be much more successful.
Francisco Moncion was born in the Dominican Republic, but came to New York while still a child. He enrolled in George Balanchine's School of American Ballet in 1939 and became one of the original members of the Ballet Society, founded by Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein in 1946; he continued with the company when it became the New York City Ballet in 1948, remaining, as its senior principal dancer until 1985. The present image is a rare early photograph of him. (23241)
Unsigned Photograph Dance