Arpino, << ahr PEEN oh, >> Gerald (1928-2008), was an important American ballet choreographer (dance creator). Arpino’s career was closely identified with the American choreographer Robert Joffrey. Arpino and Joffrey cofounded the Joffrey Ballet in 1956 in New York City. Arpino was a principal dancer with the company until 1964 and then served as its chief choreographer. After Joffrey died in 1988, Arpino became the company’s artistic director. He held this position until 2007. Arpino moved the company to Chicago in 1995.
Gennaro Peter Arpino was born on Jan. 14, 1928, in the New York City borough of Staten Island. He made his debut as a choreographer in 1961 with Ropes. His other works include Partita for Four (1961), Sea Shadow (1963), Viva Vivaldi! (1965), Olympics (1966), Trinity (1969), Kettentanz (1971), Celebration (1980), Light Rain (1981), Billboards (1993), and Ruth: Ricordi per Due (2007). He died on Oct. 29, 2008.
