description The Cage Overview
George Balanchine’s *The Cage* is a stark, minimalist ballet set to Penderecki's unsettling string compositions, depicting a group of women trapped in an oppressive environment through precise, repetitive movements and a deliberately unsettling atmosphere.
help The Cage FAQ
Who choreographed The Cage?
Jerome Robbins choreographed The Cage for New York City Ballet in 1951. George Balanchine did not create it, although Robbins made the ballet while working within Balanchine's company.
What happens in The Cage?
A predatory female insect colony initiates a Novice and teaches her to kill male intruders. The Novice briefly hesitates when she encounters a second man, but the tribe's violent instinct ultimately prevails.
What music is used in The Cage?
The ballet is set to Stravinsky's Concerto in D for String Orchestra. It does not use music by Krzysztof Penderecki.
Who created the role of the Novice?
Nora Kaye originated the Novice at the 1951 premiere. The role demands pointe work combined with crouching, stabbing, and insect-like gestures that deliberately disrupt conventional ballerina elegance.
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