Word: ballets
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There ought to be a word to describe Peking opera, but there isn't, and for a very good reason: it is unique in all the world; no theatrical or musical experience in the West is remotely comparable. It is ballet, gymnastics, circus, mime, silent movie and, to a degree, even opera...
Ashton returns with a dazzling frolic for the Royal Ballet...
Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Sir Frederick Ashton wrote: "The older I get, the less interested I am in ballets of the pests, persecutions and cynicism of contemporary life, and frankly I only like ballets which give an opportunity for real dancing." He is 75 now, and those words may well stand as his artistic creed. For the Royal Ballet, he has whirled up Rhapsody, a dazzling, sun-drenched frolic that premiered last week as part of England's birthday tribute to the Queen Mother. There is no plot except from the music, Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody...
There are brief references to that masterpiece of innocence, The Sleeping Beauty: Collier might be Princess Aurora as she appears in the vision scene. Mostly, though, the ballet stays close to the music and its own fresh nature. That makes the gaudy, tacky costumes, designed by William Chappell, all the harder to understand. Baryshnikov has a golden garter and a necklace. The other men have little glitters sewn onto their tights. The women look less camped up, but they do wear quantities of rhinestones. The kindest conclusion is that it was all intended to convey some imaginary land where...
...been associated with the Royal Ballet almost since its beginning in 1931 and has created dozens of works for it, including Symphonic Variations, Daphnis and Chloe, La Fille Mai Gardée and A Month in the Country. In this century there has been only one comparable partnership, George Balanchine's with the New York City Ballet. Since Ashton's rather premature retirement as director in 1970, the Royal has lacked direction and has had difficulty developing young stars. It would be good if he worked with the company more often. After last week's premiere, Ashton...