SERENADE A Balanchine Story

Author Toni Bentley delivers the opening chapters of this evocative ode to her career as a dancer for the legendary choreographer George Balanchine of the New York City Ballet. The main narrative, performed by Leslie Howard, is a minute-by-minute, movement-by-movement deconstruction of Balanchine's first original American ballet, SERENADE. Bentley's thorough research and insider perspective provide fascinating details on topics that range from the history of ballet to Balanchine's life story, diverse aspects of SERENADE's origins and evolution, and Bentley's years as a devoted Balanchine ballerina. Howard's narration serves this memoir well. With her bright, engaging tone and nuanced inflections, she seems perfectly chosen to voice this intimate portrait of a ballet, the creative genius behind it, and the impact of both on the author's life. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]