Apollo e Dafne and Other Ballets
A dynamic mixed bill with choreography by Matthew Ball, Marika Brussel, Jenna Lee and Valentino Zucchetti
This spring, we are celebrating our love for ballet with a spellbinding combination of Baroque music, Greek mythology and contemporary choreography.
Our programme opens with Apollo e Dafne by Royal Ballet First Soloist, Valentino Zucchetti, created for the London Handel Festival. It explores the Greek myth of Apollo – the god of arts and music – and the nymph Daphne. Apollo’s quest for love, his battles with choice and anguish, and his acceptance of fate are brought vividly to life through drama and dance.
The second act opens with the ‘Summer’ pas-de-deux from The Four Seasons, choreographed by Jenna Lee. Set to Max Richter’s re-composition of Vivaldi’s famous score, this sensual work evokes languid, hot, endless summer evenings where everything is possible, just before the storm breaks loose …
It is followed by Marika Brussel’s excerpt from By a Thread, a new adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. This section puts Calypso centre stage, and shows women who don’t need rescuing, but instead lead the narrative.
The programme closes with Acts of Exaltation by Royal Ballet Principal Matthew Ball, a joyous exploration of communities coming together to worship, to tell stories and to believe.
“Across the eight pieces of dance, and their different dance styles, what remains a constant pleasure is the skill and dedication of the New English Ballet Theatre dancers.” – Seen and Heard International
Apollo e Dafne
Choreography: Valentino Zucchetti
Music: George Fredric Handel – Apollo e Dafne
Costume Design: TBC
Lighting Design: TBC
The Four Seasons
Choreography: Jenna Lee
Music: Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons
Costume Design: April Dalton
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis
By a Thread
Choreography: Marika Brussel
Music: Ryan Cockerham
Costume Design: Erica Johnston and Marika Brussel
Lighting Design: TBC
Acts of Exaltation
Choreography: Matthew Ball
Music: Claudio Monteverdi
Costume Design: Elin Steele
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis