The latest season of City Ballet The Podcast begins with this special two-part Hear the Dance celebration of George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son. Host Silas Farley is joined by former NYCB Principal Dancer and founding Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet Edward Villella, on whom Balanchine revived the role of the Prodigal Son in 1960. Villella describes his early ballet training as a child in Queens, NY before entering the School of American Ballet, often the only male dancer in his class; after receiving his degree from the New York State Maritime College, Villella defied his father’s wishes and joined the Company, quickly rising to the rank of soloist. In retelling the story of the Son, Villella revisits how his own rebellious youth and desire to become a dancer were an inspiration. (52:10)

Continue listening to Part Two of this episode. Reading list: Prodigal Son: Dancing for Balanchine in a World of Pain and Magic by Edward Villella with Larry Kaplan Balanchine's Ballerinas: Conversations with the Muses by Robert Tracy with Sharon DeLano Sergei Prokofiev: A Biography by Harlow Robinson Stravinsky: An Autobiography by Igor Stravinsky Ma Vie: From Kiev to Kiev; An Autobiography by Serge Lifar

Music: Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un Faune (1892-1894) by Claude Debussy Le Fils Prodigue Op. 46 (1928-29) by Sergei Prokofiev