Birthday Variations

Choreography by Gerald Arpino
Music by Giuseppe Verdi

Originally commissioned by a Chicago arts patron as a birthday gift for his wife, Birthday Variations is one of Gerald Arpino’s most delightful and technically dazzling ballets. Set to a selection of buoyant operatic melodies by Giuseppe Verdi, this neoclassical jewel brims with elegance, charm, and effervescent musicality.

A showcase for female dancers, the ballet opens with a sweeping ensemble of variations, each showcasing crisp footwork, delicate port de bras, and joyful athleticism. The male soloist enters later with a commanding presence, adding dynamic contrast to the ballet’s airy celebration of movement. With its romantic costuming and virtuosic flair, Birthday Variations captivates audiences while paying homage to ballet’s classical roots.

Ballet 5:8 is honored to bring this iconic work back to the stage as part of its 2025–26 season, in celebration of Arpino’s enduring legacy and contribution to American ballet. Carefully restaged with attention to the original choreography and spirit of the work, this revival continues Ballet 5:8’s mission to preserve historic repertoire while sharing beauty and joy with today’s audiences.