Details

In 1980 Frederick Ashton created Rhapsody to celebrate the distinctive techniques of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Lesley Collier, using Rachmaninoff's exhilarating Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The energy and style of the two solo roles beautifully complement the virtuoso piano playing. Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor continues to explore the connections between the arts in his keenly anticipated new ballet, which is set to music by J.S. Bach. The work is brought to the main stage with designs by Tauba Auerbach and lighting designs by Lucy Carter. The programme is brought to a close by Gloria, MacMillan's poignant tribute to the fallen of World War I, set to Poulenc's sublime choral music. As soldiers stagger across a barren landscape, they encounter ghostly figures in grey - angels who both comfort them and lead them towards death. Gloria is another searing MacMillan masterpiece.

Creatives/Company

Music(s): Isobel Waller-Bridge, Sergey Rachmaninoff (Rhapsody), Francis Poulenc (Gloria)
Choreographer(s): Frederick Ashton (Rhapsody), Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan (Gloria)
Design(s): Jessica Curtis (Rhapsody), Andy Klunder (Gloria)
Costume(s): Jessica Curtis (Rhapsody), Andy Klunder (Gloria)
Lighting(s): Neil Austin (Rhapsody), John B Read (Rhapsody), Bill Besant (Gloria), John B Read (Gloria)
Other(s): Christopher Carr (staging - Rhapsody), Grant Coyle (staging - Rhapsody), Monica Mason (staging - Gloria), Christopher Saunders (staging - Gloria)