Such a beautiful film. As someone who has been in the audience from 1968 (La Fille Mal Gardee at 14 years old) until now, with absences at various times, this film is so meaningful to me. It's very important for these exceptional ballets to be carried on through generations. I saw the original Enigma Variations and seeing the footage, I feel very lucky that I was there. But also, the latest version didn't disappoint. Ashton's choreography always looks brand new. Thank you to everyone who continually keeps these treasures alive.
What phenomenal riches are contained in these Ashton insights. I love seeing Monica Mason in coaching action, and her exquisite arms and hands. AND...what a total charmer Vadim M. has become , with perfectly fluent English . BRAVI to all!
Muntagirov is very special, i saw him on stage for the last time in Lausanne at Beaulieu, last February , he is one of the most expressive dancer i saw on stage, an unbelievable technique and an extra soul in his interpretation especially what he explained about the dance of Blessed spirits. He amazed me when he danced Frantz in December 2019 with M Nunez, stunning partnership.A great artist and a great human being🔥🌹💥💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💥💥💯💯💯💯
Oh yes! A great artist and humble, too. I'm glad to see he's working with perpetuating Ashton's work with Anthony Dowell. This is like the Balanchine Foundation for Balanchine's work.
Wow! That brings back a lot of memories when Mr.Asthon came to Toronto at the National Ballet of Canada to look at the finish product of his Mid Summer Night's Dream in the studio a few days before opening night. I was doing Oberon at the time and half way through my solo, Mr Asthon stops the music and looks at me and says: My goodness, young man! You are not a left turner, are you? And naturally, I replied! Is it that obvious? The ballet mistress whom staged this production insisted that it be identical to the original cast and since Mr Dowell was a left turner, I had to abide by her rules. (I won't name her here) Mr Ashton looks at this ballet mistress who was sitting next to him with a look on his face that said : What is this?......Some kind of torture? Mr Ashton, who was freaking out because opening night for the presentation of The Dream, which was also a gala performance involving Baryshnikov's first appearance after his defection, looks at me and says: Young man, please! Adjust every thing to the right! Without a word I proceeded to please him (and myself). Being unusually tall for a dancer, moving fast is quite a challenge however I do enjoy speed. And since nobody else wanted to take up the challenge of that role, I said to myself. Let's make the best of it! When you are 19 years old, what have you got to loose? Just imagine an elephant moving like a bee! That's essentially what it felted like! After the rehearsal, Mr Ashton came over to me and said: Damn!.........That was better than Anthony! Somehow........I doubt that! But it sure got me boosted for opening night! Thank you Mr Ashton!
My goodness, I had not imagined to see a film making an historical tribute of 1970 of the then Royal Ballet of Ashton works. I was a young enthusiastist of the Royal Ballet in this rich time of the 'Golden Age of Ballet.' So many of the members of Ashton's creations that set the company into a roar of excitement in USA and the world. What a privelege I knew I was part of this time watching such great dancers and Ashton creations. Many audiences made their loud 'thank yous' from within the NY Lincoln Center and other world houses. Yes, the 'Golden Age of Ballet and Opera' filled houses full to which ticket seats were a challenge to get. This was time like no other and may be a very, very long time to ever exist as then. Thank you, to all of those glorious days! And now with passing the treasures you performed by Ashton's hand is quite a restoration of care to give onto the next generation. I had so much pleasure seeing you all again of then 1970...best to all! And the company who are no longer with Royal Ballet, RIP. Thank you, again.
Do so agree. I grew up in that era, going to dress rehearsals at the Opera House, queuing for hours to buy stalls 'standing tickets', and knowing all the dancers by sight - a Golden Age indeed. Fascinating to hear that even today, the wonderful dancers in the company, with such brilliant techniques and physiques, still find Ashton's choreography challenging!
What a fantastic and moving film. Watching the older dancers pass on their heritage, and seeing lovely dancers like Fumi and Vadim and Francesca and William learn it with their bodies and souls, is such a privilege.
So glad to see this - and to see Benesh Notation mentioned - an amazing tool for capturing the entire dance 'score', and a huge time saver when the ballet is revived or mounted elsewhere.
This wonderful documentary giving us a glimpse of the mastery and genius of Frderick Ashton is an absolute treat to watch! It includes comments and descriptions by some of the great artists who worked directly with Ashton and present-day talented dancers of the Royal Ballet who are dancing Ashton's ballets now (2021). Brilliant Direction by Lynne Wake!
This is a wonderful film. So moving to see footage of Fonteyn in Symphonic variations, more than I have ever seen before and Beriosova briefly but so beautiful in Enigma Variations. So inspiring to look at the range of work Ashton produced and listen to some of the generation that worked with him. He was a theatrical genius who shaped the Royal Ballet into a company which is unique for the wide variety of works they are able to perform.
I returned to my youth for this time. Wonderful, thank you.
Such a beautiful film. As someone who has been in the audience from 1968 (La Fille Mal Gardee at 14 years old) until now, with absences at various times, this film is so meaningful to me. It's very important for these exceptional ballets to be carried on through generations. I saw the original Enigma Variations and seeing the footage, I feel very lucky that I was there. But also, the latest version didn't disappoint. Ashton's choreography always looks brand new. Thank you to everyone who continually keeps these treasures alive.
What phenomenal riches are contained in these Ashton insights. I love seeing Monica Mason in coaching action, and her exquisite arms and hands. AND...what a total charmer Vadim M. has become , with perfectly fluent English . BRAVI to all!
Muntagirov is very special, i saw him on stage for the last time in Lausanne at Beaulieu, last February , he is one of the most expressive dancer i saw on stage, an unbelievable technique and an extra soul in his interpretation especially what he explained about the dance of Blessed spirits. He amazed me when he danced Frantz in December 2019 with M Nunez, stunning partnership.A great artist and a great human being🔥🌹💥💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💥💥💯💯💯💯
Agreed ..he is a magnificent dancer and quite humble..What a great asset to the Royal..
Yes he is. There is a reason why his nickname is Vadream. 😊
Oh yes! A great artist and humble, too. I'm glad to see he's working with perpetuating Ashton's work with Anthony Dowell. This is like the Balanchine Foundation for Balanchine's work.
Vadim, I got to appreciate what a lovely dancer you are with this choreography. Bravo!
Glad Vadim grew so much in ROH
So many beautiful insights. The moment Anthony Dowell gives his blessing, having passed on his knowledge, to Muntigirov with a kiss on the head!
Yes, that was sweet, Vadim soaked up every detail into his lovely head and Sir Anthony sealed it with a kiss!
Wow! That brings back a lot of memories when Mr.Asthon came to Toronto at the National Ballet of Canada to look at the finish product of his Mid Summer Night's Dream in the studio a few days before opening night. I was doing Oberon at the time and half way through my solo, Mr Asthon stops the music and looks at me and says: My goodness, young man! You are not a left turner, are you? And naturally, I replied! Is it that obvious? The ballet mistress whom staged this production insisted that it be identical to the original cast and since Mr Dowell was a left turner, I had to abide by her rules. (I won't name her here) Mr Ashton looks at this ballet mistress who was sitting next to him with a look on his face that said : What is this?......Some kind of torture? Mr Ashton, who was freaking out because opening night for the presentation of The Dream, which was also a gala performance involving Baryshnikov's first appearance after his defection, looks at me and says: Young man, please! Adjust every thing to the right! Without a word I proceeded to please him (and myself). Being unusually tall for a dancer, moving fast is quite a challenge however I do enjoy speed. And since nobody else wanted to take up the challenge of that role, I said to myself. Let's make the best of it! When you are 19 years old, what have you got to loose? Just imagine an elephant moving like a bee! That's essentially what it felted like! After the rehearsal, Mr Ashton came over to me and said: Damn!.........That was better than Anthony! Somehow........I doubt that! But it sure got me boosted for opening night! Thank you Mr Ashton!
Fabulous and so moving. Thank you Lynne for making this precious film.
Gary Avis as one of the step sisters in Cinderella is worth going to the performace alone! Stupendous production, well done ROH 💫🥇
My goodness, I had not imagined to see a film making an historical tribute of 1970 of the then Royal Ballet of Ashton works. I was a young enthusiastist of the Royal Ballet in this rich time of the 'Golden Age of Ballet.' So many of the members of Ashton's creations that set the company into a roar of excitement in USA and the world. What a privelege I knew I was part of this time watching such great dancers and Ashton creations. Many audiences made their loud 'thank yous' from within the NY Lincoln Center and other world houses. Yes, the 'Golden Age of Ballet and Opera' filled houses full to which ticket seats were a challenge to get. This was time like no other and may be a very, very long time to ever exist as then. Thank you, to all of those glorious days! And now with passing the treasures you performed by Ashton's hand is quite a restoration of care to give onto the next generation. I had so much pleasure seeing you all again of then 1970...best to all! And the company who are no longer with Royal Ballet, RIP. Thank you, again.
Do so agree. I grew up in that era, going to dress rehearsals at the Opera House, queuing for hours to buy stalls 'standing tickets', and knowing all the dancers by sight - a Golden Age indeed. Fascinating to hear that even today, the wonderful dancers in the company, with such brilliant techniques and physiques, still find Ashton's choreography challenging!
What a fantastic and moving film. Watching the older dancers pass on their heritage, and seeing lovely dancers like Fumi and Vadim and Francesca and William learn it with their bodies and souls, is such a privilege.
So glad to see this - and to see Benesh Notation mentioned - an amazing tool for capturing the entire dance 'score', and a huge time saver when the ballet is revived or mounted elsewhere.
This wonderful documentary giving us a glimpse of the mastery and genius of Frderick Ashton is an absolute treat to watch! It includes comments and descriptions by some of the great artists who worked directly with Ashton and present-day talented dancers of the Royal Ballet who are dancing Ashton's ballets now (2021). Brilliant Direction by Lynne Wake!
Vadim...the finest.of male dancers
Inspiring and never forgotten
This is a wonderful film. So moving to see footage of Fonteyn in Symphonic variations, more than I have ever seen before and Beriosova briefly but so beautiful in Enigma Variations. So inspiring to look at the range of work Ashton produced and listen to some of the generation that worked with him. He was a theatrical genius who shaped the Royal Ballet into a company which is unique for the wide variety of works they are able to perform.
beautiful work. Thank you all of you who did this possible
Thank you so, so much for posting this on UA-cam! It has inspired me and was really informative.
this was such a beautiful presentation!
Excellent video
Ah, memories !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The presenters are stiff and dreadful. A bore. Wants you to skip fast forward
same sentiments, it was the same as the first part on the Royal Opera House page. they're literally just reading and standing
There are no presenters in the film itself. Pity you didn't watch it.