Symphonic Variations Ballet is a one-act ballet and it was choreographed by Frederick Ashton. The music was done by César Franck and set to the eponymous music (Variation Symphonies for piano and orchestra). The decor was done by Sophie Fedorovich (who had decorated Ashton’s first ballet twenty years prior – A Tragedy of Fashion), and … Read more
Ashton’s wedding bouquet ballet is a ballet in one act that was choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton. It was first performed by the Sadler’s Wells Ballet at the Sadler’s Wells Theater on the 27th of April 1937. All About Ashton’s A Wedding Bouquet The music and decor for this ballet were done by Lord Berners … Read more
Let’s take a look at the Les Patineurs Ballet, its history, and why it is still being performed to this day. I have always loved watching this ballet as it is lively, fun and the music has some beautiful strong waltzes that have become very popular over the years. I am sure you will recognise … Read more
Facade the ballet is one of those that some of us have forgotten about, as Facade the ballet doesn’t come to mind when you talk about going to the ballet. Swan Lake or Gizelle are more likely to come to mind first. Facade is a ballet done in one act. The Choreography of this ballet was … Read more
This website wouldn’t be the same without an article devoted to Sir Frederick Ashton. He is regarded as the ‘Foundling Father of Britsh Ballet’ and he developed the English Style of ballet dancing. The Life Of Sir Frederick Ashton Doing an article on Sir Frederick Ashton is like writing about the history of the Royal … Read more
The Rakes Progress Ballet is a short ballet done in six scenes. It was first performed by Vic-Wells Ballet at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre on the 20th of May 1935. The Choreography for The Rakes Progress was done by Ninette de Valois and the scenery and costumes by Rex Whistler after Hogarth. William Hogarth was the … Read more
Let’s look at the life and times of Dame Ninette De Valois and the influence she had over ballet in the early 1900s. One of the greatest dancers and choreographers of her time, Ninette de Valois not only danced at the royal court, but she was also the first-ever Director of The Royal Ballet. Dame Ninette … Read more
Les Biches Ballet is a one act ballet choreographed by Nijinska in a neoclassical style. The music is by Poulenc and the Decor by Marie Laurencin. Most of the music is choral and if you watch the ballet below this post you will hear that it sounds almost operatic. Les Biches Ballet was first performed by … Read more
Let’s face it we have all heard of the famous Vaslav Nijinsky, but I wonder how many of you know that his sister, Bronislava Nijinska was also a very talented dancer and choreographer? Although Bronislava Nijinska is often identified as the sister of the celebrated Vaslav Nijinsky, she was a major artist in her own right … Read more
If you Google ‘Nicholas Brothers Tap Dancing’ you will see these brothers are considered the greatest tap dancers of their time. The Nicholas Brothers Tap Dancing is a sight to behold as you can see in this video below: Aren’t they amazing? Their performance in the musical number “Jumpin’ Jive” (with Cab Calloway and his orchestra) featured … Read more