, Square Dance (1957), and Stars and Stripes (1958) Although he also created story ballets -- Le Baiser de la Fe(1934), Don Quixote (1965), La Sonnambula (1946), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (1962) -- most of his ballets were called abstract (plotless). Balanchine's most famous story ballet, The Nutcracker (1954), has become the money-maker of all time. It has been performed every year during the holiday season since its premiere.Balanchine married Vera Zorina in 1938 and starred her on Broadway and in the movies. After Zorina he married Maria Tallchief in 1946, and created Orpheus (1948), Firebird (1949), Swan Lake (1951), Scotch Symphony (1952), The Nutcracker (1954), and Allegro Brillante (1956) for her. After eight years of marriage she got an annulment, because she said the marriage had never been consummated. For Tanaquil LeClerq, his fourth wife (whom he married in 1952) he created La Valze (1951), Bourre Fantasque (1949) Western Symphony and Ivesiana (both in1954). Her career ended after she was tragically stricken with polio. Before their divorce was finalized Balanchine became infatuated with his final protg, Suzanne Farrell, for whom he created many of his last great ballets: Mozartiana (1981), Don Quixote (1965), and Diamonds in Jewels (1967). After Balanchine recovered from a mysterious illness, he continued to work until his death. He died of Jakob-Creutzfeldt syndrome, on April 30, 1983. Balanchine's funeral was held in a Russian Orthodox Church and that night the New York City Ballet performed as scheduled. Balanchine’s repretare is still widely performed and he has made a mjor impact on the world of ballet. ...
