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Welcome to City Ballet The Podcast, an exploration of New York City Ballet introduced by Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, where we'll journey through our history, delve into our new and existing repertory, and reveal insider tidbits.

The Rosin Box with Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz

The Rosin Box gives you the opportunity to listen in on candid conversations with members of the New York City Ballet. Hosted by NYCB Soloist Aarón Sanz and recently retired Soloist Claire Kretzschmar, these episodes take you behind-the-scenes, offering you exclusive insight into the lives of the Company’s dancers.

New Combinations with Wendy Whelan

During our performance season, New York City Ballet showcases recent works from some of the most influential choreographers working today. Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan hosts the New Combinations episodes, where she talks to the choreographers and other artists behind the unique new works premiering this season at New York City Ballet.

Hear the Dance 

Explore our expansive repertory, from the earliest Balanchine works to more recent classics, with an insider’s take on the Company’s rich history with Hear the Dance. Taking on a new ballet each episode, the host is joined by many key players, from original cast members to ballet masters to current NYCB dancers, who share their personal experiences performing and coaching works from our illustrious repertory.

See the Music with Andrew Litton

In See the Music, New York City Ballet’s Music Director Andrew Litton takes us off the stage and into the orchestra pit, giving listeners an in-depth look at the scores from some of our most notable ballets, featuring discussions with both orchestra members and commissioned composers.

Feb 22, 2021

The latest season of City Ballet The Podcast begins with this special two-part Hear the Dance celebration of George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son. Host Silas Farley is joined by former NYCB Principal Dancer and founding Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet Edward Villella, on whom Balanchine revived the role of the Prodigal Son in 1960. Villella describes his early ballet training as a child in Queens, NY before entering the School of American Ballet, often the only male dancer in his class; after receiving his degree from the New York State Maritime College, Villella defied his father’s wishes and joined the Company, quickly rising to the rank of soloist. In retelling the story of the Son, Villella revisits how his own rebellious youth and desire to become a dancer were an inspiration. (52:10)

Continue listening to Part Two of this episode.

Reading list:
Prodigal Son: Dancing for Balanchine in a World of Pain and Magic by Edward Villella with Larry Kaplan
Balanchine's Ballerinas: Conversations with the Muses by Robert Tracy with Sharon DeLano
Sergei Prokofiev: A Biography by Harlow Robinson
Stravinsky: An Autobiography by Igor Stravinsky
Ma Vie: From Kiev to Kiev; An Autobiography by Serge Lifar

Music:
Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un Faune (1892-1894) by Claude Debussy
Le Fils Prodigue Op. 46 (1928-29) by Sergei Prokofiev