An Introduction to Rhapsody (The Royal Ballet)
Rhapsody was created in 1980 and is one of Frederick Ashton’s final
works – a virtuoso conclusion to his series of non-narrative ballets.
It
was created on acclaimed Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, who
requested the Ashton commission and whose personality is at the heart of
the work. The male Principal role is characterized by exceptionally
fluent leaps, turns and lightness of movement. It is twinned with the
strength and grace of the ballerina, a role created on the pure,
fleet-footed style of former Royal Ballet Principal Lesley Collier.
The
ballet is set to Sergey Rachmaninoff’s well-known Rhapsody on a Theme
of Paganini, which moves from stormy passages to calmer interludes. The
premiere of Rhapsody was given at the Royal Opera House in honour of
Ashton’s close friend Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, on
the occasion of her 80th birthday.
srsfunny