BALANCHINE, GEORGE

born Jan. 22 [Jan. 9, old style], 1904, St. Petersburg, Russia died April 30, 1983, New York City original name Georgy Melitonovich Balanchivadze most influential choreographer of classical ballet in the United States in the 20th century. His works, characterized by a cool neoclassicism, include The Nutcracker (1954) and Don Quixote (1965), both pieces choreographed for the New York City Ballet, of which he was a founder (1948), the artistic director, and the chief choreographer. He was also a pioneer in choreography for the musical theatre and motion pictures. Additional reading An autobiographical chapter is contained in George Balanchine and Francis Mason, Balanchine's Complete Stories of the Great Ballets, rev. and enl. ed. (1977). See also Bernard Taper, Balanchine, rev. and updated ed. (1974), a full account of the man and his work; and Anatole Chujoy, The New York City Ballet (1953, reprinted 1981), an account of publications of Balanchine and his company.