Music: By Christoph Willibald Gluck (ballet music from Orfeo ed Euridice, produced 1762, with music from the Paris production of 1774).

Choreography: By George Balanchine, staged by Brigitte Thom.

Production: Lighting by Ronald Bates.

Premiere: January 22, 1976, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater. Conductor: Robert Irving.

Cast: Suzanne Farrell, Peter Martins; PAS DE TROIS: Renee Estopinal, Wilhelmina Frankfurt, Jay Jolley; PAS DE DEUX: Susan Hendl, Jean-Pierre Frohlich; PAS DE CINQ: Elise Flagg; Bonita Borne, Elyse Borne, Laura Flagg, Nichol Hlinka; PAS DE DEUX: Farrell, Martins; CHACONNE: Farrell, Martins; Susan Pilarre, Marjorie Spohn, Tracy Bennett, Gerard Ebitz, corps de ballet.

Note: The finale of Gluck's opera is in the form of a dance rather than song. This choreography, first performed in the 1963 Hamburg State Opera production of Orfeo ed Euridice [345], was somewhat altered for presentation as the ballet Chaconne and Balanchine added a new pas deux at the beginning for Farrell and Martins. Initially danced in practice clothes; costumes by Karinska were added in the spring of 1976.

Revisions: Spring 1976, New York City Ballet: Opening ensemble added to 'The Dance of the Blessed Spirits.'

Film: 1978, The Film Company, Peter Martins: A Dancer (PAS DE DEUX).

Video/DVD: 1995, Nonesuch, The Balanchine Library: Choreography by Balanchine (excerpts [1978]); 2001, Kultur, Peter Martins: A Dancer (PAS DE DEUX); 2004, Kultur, Balanchine (excerpts).