Georges Bizet was only 17 years old when he composed his Symphony in C Major, but it was lost for nearly 80 years. Balanchine got wind of the rediscovered piece from Igor Stravinsky, and in 1947 choreographed La Palais de Cristal for the @Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris on Bizet's work. One year later, Balanchine staged the ballet for NYCB's first performance, having refined the costumes and set design, and simplified its title to Symphony In C. The ballet instantly became one of NYCB's signature wor