Which Ballet Companies Currently Perform Apollon Musagete?

Short and practical: many major companies currently perform 'Apollon Musagète' from time to time, especially those that license Balanchine works through the Balanchine Trust. New York City Ballet is the most steady presenter, but you’ll also see it at places like San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and certain European houses such as Staatsballett Berlin or the Paris Opera Ballet when they have the rights.

A useful trick — check the program notes for the Balanchine Trust credit or a répétiteur’s name; that usually means a traditional staging. If you want to catch a performance nearby, watch company season announcements and gala lineups, since 'Apollon Musagète' often pops up in mixed bills rather than as a full-evening standalone.

I love how many different flavors 'Apollon Musagète' can take depending on who’s staging it, so here’s a slightly different angle: start with the Balanchine pedigree and then follow the trail of répétiteurs. New York City Ballet is the obvious home base — their performances are often considered the reference. From there, companies that have relationships with the Balanchine Trust regularly revive it: San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and a handful of European institutions like the Paris Opera Ballet and Staatsballett Berlin. Often these houses invite former NYCB dancers or certified stagers to preserve Balanchine’s intentions.

If you’re hunting down a live performance, I recommend scanning festival programs and gala nights; 'Apollon Musagète' shows up in those places a lot because it’s a striking, shorter ballet that fits mixed bills. Also, streaming platforms and company archives are gold mines—NYCB has some digital recordings and gala clips that capture the piece’s musical crispness and neoclassical lines. Personally, I find comparing a couple of different companies’ takes illuminating; the choreography stays familiar but the dancers’ musicality and the staging choices make each production feel new.

If you’re tracking where to see 'Apollon Musagète' live, the short version is that it’s pretty widely staged by companies with access to Balanchine’s works — but the long version is a bit more fun. New York City Ballet is the most consistent presenter because Balanchine co-created and curated that choreography, so you'll often find a canonical 'Apollon Musagète' in their seasons and gala nights. Beyond NYCB, many leading companies around the world license it through the Balanchine Trust: think big houses like the Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and regional powerhouses such as The Joffrey Ballet and Staatsballett Berlin.

One practical thing I watch for is the credit line in a program — if it says the Balanchine Trust or lists a Balanchine répétiteur, that’s a good clue the staging aims to follow Balanchine’s style closely. Also, be prepared for occasional guest stagings: smaller or touring companies will sometimes bring in former NYCB dancers to set the piece. If you want a current list, I usually check company season archives or the Balanchine Trust’s roster, because companies rotate works year by year and festival lineups can be unpredictable. In short: look to major international houses first, then regional companies that have relationships with the Balanchine Trust, and keep an eye on festival programs if you want surprises.

Okay, quick, enthusiastic take from me: 'Apollon Musagète' turns up in the repertoires of quite a few major ballet companies worldwide, especially those that stage Balanchine pieces. New York City Ballet is the headline performer — they’re like the living library for Balanchine’s choreography. But don’t stop there: companies such as San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, and some European houses like Staatsballett Berlin or the Paris Opera Ballet have all mounted it at times.

What matters is licensing and staging by the Balanchine Trust; so if a company lists that or mentions a Balanchine répétiteur, they’ve likely done a faithful production. I’d check company websites or social feeds for upcoming seasons — 'Apollon Musagète' often appears in mixed bills or gala programs rather than full-length resident seasons, so keep an eye out for those special events.