George Balanchine once said, “Ballet is important and significant, yes. But first of all, it is a pleasure.” With this in mind, he created myriad works of all shapes and sizes. Raymonda Variations, Balanchine’s 1961 interpretation of a section of the Petipa ballet, shows a sweeter, more charming side of our founding choreographer’s style. The ballet, here performed by Erica Pereira leading the ballet's corps and soloists, returns this fall. | New York City Ballet