In the mid-1960s, a visit to renowned French jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels inspired George Balanchine to choreograph a glittering ballet. New York City Ballet premiered Jewels in April of 1967 at the New York State Theater (now called the David H. Koch Theater) and it remains a fan favorite 44 years later, delighting audiences from that same stage.
Not so many moons ago, opening night at the Opera House meant dressing up—dinner jackets, long dresses and furs, with of course, the obligatory embellishment of the family jewels. Alas, jeans, shirtsleeves and sneakers are all too often seen these days, so glamour and style must stem from the stage outwards into the auditorium.
