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The Four Temperaments

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description The Four Temperaments Overview

Balanchine’s “The Four Temperaments” is a neoclassical ballet built upon ancient humoral theory. The work depicts four distinct personalities—sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic—represented through contrasting movement vocabulary and Hindemith's score. It’s notable for its abstract exploration of human character and remains relevant for dancers and audiences interested in the intersection of music, movement, and psychology.

help The Four Temperaments FAQ

What are the four temperaments in Balanchine's ballet?

The ballet refers to the old humoral theory of melancholic, sanguinic, phlegmatic, and choleric temperaments. Balanchine turns those personality types into abstract movement rather than telling a literal story.

Who wrote the music for The Four Temperaments?

Paul Hindemith wrote the score, which was commissioned before the ballet took its final form. George Balanchine choreographed The Four Temperaments for Ballet Society, the company that preceded New York City Ballet.

Why does The Four Temperaments look so stripped down?

Balanchine removed the heavy scenery and narrative conventions associated with older ballet. The work is known for leotard-style simplicity, exposed lines, and a close relationship between the dancers' geometry and Hindemith's music.

Is The Four Temperaments classical ballet or modern ballet?

It is classical ballet technique pushed into a modern, abstract form. The pointe work and turnout are still there, but the shapes, partnering, and dramatic tone belong to Balanchine's mid-20th-century neoclassical style.

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