No replies to this topic

[glebb]

Sir Fred & Mr. B, a fundraising gala in celebration of the centenaries of Sir Frederick Ashton and George Balanchine
11 March 2004  The Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham, UK
Birmingham Royal Ballet - David Bintley Artistic Director
Royal Ballet Sinfonia - Barry Wordsworth, Music Director



ACT I was hosted by Marion Tate and Desmond Kelly.  The evening began with an overture:
Polacca from THEME AND VARIATIONS (Tchaikovsky) accompanied by a screen presentation.

TARANTELLA (1964)
Tchaikovsky/Balanchine (solo piano - Jonathan HIggins)
Ambra Vallo, Chi Cao - Birmingham Royal Ballet

MONOTONES II  (1965)
Satie/Ashton
Valerie Robin, Samuel Pergande, Matthew Prescott - Joffrey Ballet

CONCERTO BAROCCO (3rd movement)  (1941)
Bach/Balanchine
Molly Smolen, Rachel Peppin and artists of the Birmingham Royal Ballet

LES PATINEURS  (1937)  (White Pas de deux and Blue Pas de trois)
Meyerbeer/Ashton
Sophie Le Roeux, Alex Jones - Royal Ballet School
Romany Pajdak, Elizabeth Harrod Stephen McRae - Royal Ballet School

AGON (Pas de deux)  (1957)
Stravinsky/Balanchine
Zenaida Yanowsky, Federico Bonelli - The Royal Ballet

LA FILLE MAL GARDEE  (Clog dance)  (1960)
Dauberval/Ashton
David Bintley and artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet


ACT II

Overture:  The Huntresses from SYLVIA (Delibes)

FIVE BRAHMS WALTZES IN THE MANOR OF ISADORA DUNCAN  (1975)
Brahms/Ashton  (solo piano - Jonathan Higgins)
Molly Smolen - Birmingham Royal Ballet

SLAUGHTER ON TENTH AVENUE (Pas de deux)  (1936)
Rogers/Balanchine
Monica Zamora - George Piper Dances, Iain Mackay. Lee Fisher - Birmingham Royal Ballet

THAIS PAS DE DEUX  (1971)
Massenet/Ashton
Melissa Morrissey, Duncan Cooper - Dance Theatre of Harlem

FACADE (Tango and Finale)  (1931)
Walton/Ashton
Marion Tate, Irek Mukhamedov with students of Elmhurst School for Dance

CINDERELLA (Act II pas de deux)  (1948)
Prokofiev/Ashton
Miyoko Yoshida, Federico Bonelli - The Royal Ballet

WESTERN SYMPHONY (Fourth Movement)  (1954)
Hershy Kay/Balanchine
Asta Bazeviciute, Tiit Helimets, Molly Smolen, Iain Mackay, Ambra Vallo, Sergiu Pobereznic, Angela Paul, Michael Revie and Artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an evening of dance this much.  All of the artists were extremely talented and their work was impeccable.  There was tremendous electricity on the stage and in the house.  Pamela May, Peter Wright and Alexander Grant were among those in attendance.