Robbins, Jerome. (1918-1998)
Signed Photograph in "Circus Polka."
Large original color photograph, boldly signed by the great choreographer. 12 x 14 inches, matted to 16 x 20 overall. Robbins is shown on stage in costume, taking a bow after his 1972 Stravinsky ballet "Circus Polka," for 48 children and himself as the Ringmaster. The photograph is signed additionally on the mount by the photographer, Costas, regarded as one of the most important dance photographers of the 20th Century."Stravinsky wrote the music for George Balanchine to choreograph (in 1942) for circus elephants, and it is legend that he agreed only when Balanchine assured him that the elephants were “very young.” Actually it was choreographed for 50 women (and starred Balanchine’s wife Vera Zorina) and 50 elephants (and starred the cow elephant Modoc), but no matter: Stravinsky’s score is dedicated, “For a Young Elephant.” It was Robbins, however, who for City Ballet’s 1972 Stravinsky Festival brought “Circus Polka” back to the stage, now for children of the School of American Ballet: his whip-cracking role preserved the circus element...In the 1972 Robbins original, they ended up in the formation of the initials “I. S.” (Igor Stravinsky). Now, they read “J. R.” This was first done for a 1998 tribute to Robbins, when the Ringmaster was Mikhail Baryshnikov." (Alastair Macaulay, NY Times May 1, 2008) (1715)
Signed Photograph Dance