Fairytales
Introduction
The magical worlds of two master choreographers.
Programme
The Dutch National Ballet’s fairytale atmosphere continues into the spring of 2014. In co-production with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, the company is presenting a brand-new version of the fairytale ballet Firebird, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. The premiere will be combined with The Dream, a comical and magical highlight from the oeuvre of the greatest English choreographer of the twentieth century, Sir Frederick Ashton.
Both choreographers are counted among the most gifted ‘storytellers’ of the ballet world. But each has a totally different approach. Whereas Ashton operated from within the English tradition, Ratmansky – as the former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet – is an expert in the field of Russian ballet and cultural heritage.
Ratmansky has received international acclaim for his re-interpretations of Russian ballets and stories. This time, he has chosen Firebird: an exotic fairytale created by his compatriot Michel Fokine in 1910 for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. It has since been adapted by many choreographers, and like them Ratmansky was inspired by the magnificent music of the same name by Igor Stravinsky. Ratmansky adds his own accents to the story of Ivan, who captures a firebird in a magical garden, and when she escapes receives a magical feather from her to help him in his hour of need. At the world premiere of Ratmansky’s production in New York last June, the press repeatedly awarded it the top score of five stars.
Sir Frederick Ashton based his ballet The Dream on the marvellous woodland scenes from William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the story, three worlds come together: that of the mechanicals or craftsmen, that of the aristocrats and that of the spirits. This is due mainly to Oberon, the king of the fairies, who sets off an absurd train of events, assisted by the mischievous sprite Puck. However, Ashton’s choreography is not just a crazy dance comedy. It is also a fairytale ballet full of romantic atmosphere and darting pointe work.
‘A gem of a ballet in a perfect production, which looks gorgeous and is danced with great spirit’
- Het Parool about The Dream
Firebird
Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Igor Stravinsky
The Dream
Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton
Music: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Musical accompaniment: Holland Symfonia, conducted by Matthew Rowe
Schedule
The duration of the show is approximately 3 hours, including two intermissions
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sat 1 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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sun 2 mar 2014 |
14.00 uur |
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fri 7 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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sat 8 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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sun 9 mar 2014 |
14.00 uur |
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wed 12 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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thu 13 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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sat 15 mar 2014 |
20.15 uur |
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sun 16 mar 2014 |
14.00 uur |
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