Sir Frederick Ashton - A True Star In The World Of Ballet
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Frederick Ashton, the legendary choreographer and dancer, was born on September 17 1904. Ashton left an extensive body of work behind when he died in 1988 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th Century. Later knighted, Sir Frederick was the founding choreographer of the Sadler's Wells ballet that later became known as The Royal Ballet. His career lasted for over 50 years.
Ashton's first three-act ballet for the Royal Ballet, formerly known as Sadler's Wells Ballet, was his interpretation of Prokofiev's Cinderella in 1948. Met with great critical acclaim Ashton had first had the idea for creating the ballet as early as 1939 but the outbreak of the Second World War put a halt to proceedings. The choreographic style utilized by Ashton in his Cinderella is in homage to legendary Russian choreographer Marius Pepita. His interpretation has a dream-like quality and dreams are a major theme running through this version of Cinderella.
The ballet Sylvia followed Cinderella in 1952 as Sir Frederick's next three-act ballet and Ashton was applauded for resurrecting this long forgotten ballet. He completely revised the choreography for Sylvia and made the plot less convoluted as it was felt that it was the complex storyline that had put people off the ballet in previous years. The entire choreography for the role of Sylvia is said to be Sir Frederick's tribute to the great ballerina Margo Fonteyn as it was devised with the legendary female dancer in mind.
Another vehicle for Margot Fonteyn came in the form of Ondine, Ashton's last three-act ballet created for the Royal Ballet in 1958. The recurring theme in Ashton's version is the imagery of water, and imagery of the sea in particular. It has been reported that Ashton did not find the music for Ondine inspiring but choreography for the heroine is generally considered to be outstanding.
La La fille mal gardee is believed to be perhaps the most notable of Sir Frederick Ashton's works. His version premiered in London in January 1960 and is now widely considered to be the definitive version, overtaking even the version choreographed by the legendary Marius Pepita. Ashton chose the 1928 score by Ferdinand Herold for his version although other choreographers had used different music. It is said that this score greatly inspired Ashton's choreography and was behind the success of this masterpiece.
Sir Frederick resigned as Director of the Royal Ballet in 1970 under circumstances that have never been confirmed. It is believed that there was some dispute that greatly upset Ashton. He continued to choreograph for the company for many years however and also worked for other companies and provided choreography for films and stage musicals too. He died at home in Suffolk in August 1988.
Learn More : Frederick Ashton
Ashton's first three-act ballet for the Royal Ballet, formerly known as Sadler's Wells Ballet, was his interpretation of Prokofiev's Cinderella in 1948. Met with great critical acclaim Ashton had first had the idea for creating the ballet as early as 1939 but the outbreak of the Second World War put a halt to proceedings. The choreographic style utilized by Ashton in his Cinderella is in homage to legendary Russian choreographer Marius Pepita. His interpretation has a dream-like quality and dreams are a major theme running through this version of Cinderella.
The ballet Sylvia followed Cinderella in 1952 as Sir Frederick's next three-act ballet and Ashton was applauded for resurrecting this long forgotten ballet. He completely revised the choreography for Sylvia and made the plot less convoluted as it was felt that it was the complex storyline that had put people off the ballet in previous years. The entire choreography for the role of Sylvia is said to be Sir Frederick's tribute to the great ballerina Margo Fonteyn as it was devised with the legendary female dancer in mind.
Another vehicle for Margot Fonteyn came in the form of Ondine, Ashton's last three-act ballet created for the Royal Ballet in 1958. The recurring theme in Ashton's version is the imagery of water, and imagery of the sea in particular. It has been reported that Ashton did not find the music for Ondine inspiring but choreography for the heroine is generally considered to be outstanding.
La La fille mal gardee is believed to be perhaps the most notable of Sir Frederick Ashton's works. His version premiered in London in January 1960 and is now widely considered to be the definitive version, overtaking even the version choreographed by the legendary Marius Pepita. Ashton chose the 1928 score by Ferdinand Herold for his version although other choreographers had used different music. It is said that this score greatly inspired Ashton's choreography and was behind the success of this masterpiece.
Sir Frederick resigned as Director of the Royal Ballet in 1970 under circumstances that have never been confirmed. It is believed that there was some dispute that greatly upset Ashton. He continued to choreograph for the company for many years however and also worked for other companies and provided choreography for films and stage musicals too. He died at home in Suffolk in August 1988.
Learn More : Frederick Ashton
