Raymonda Variations was made for the New York City Ballet, with the two lead roles originated by Patricia Wilde and Jacques d'Amboise.
Raymonda Variations is danced by two principal dancers, a man and a woman, and ensemble of twelve women.
[2]: 471 Balanchine explained, "The music itself, its grand and generous manner, its joy and playfulness, was for me more than enough to carry the plot of the dances.
[2]: 471 The 1898 ballet Raymonda featured choreography by Marius Petipa and a score by Alexander Glazunov.
[3] In fall 1961, Balanchine decided to make another ballet to musical excerpts from Raymonda, with Patricia Wilde and Jacques d'Amboise.
[5] The principal dancers in the original cast were:[5] The ballet premiered on December 7, 1961, at the City Center of Music and Drama.
[10] Following the premiere, New York Times critic John Martin called the ballet a "an adorable confection, concocted of marzipan, diamonds, youth and nostalgia.