Sylvia

The 2012/2013 Season opens with the first performances in Japan of my 1993 production of Leo Delibes 'Sylvia'.
This production already has a Japanese connection as it was created for famous Japanese ballerina Miyako Yoshida and her partner Kevin O'Hare, the next Director of The Royal Ballet. This 2009 revision was made for another Japanese dancer Nao Sakuma and Chinese dancer and star of the film 'Mao's Last Dancer', Chi Cao. I am delighted that these two artists will be guesting with us during performances of 'Sylvia' this season.

Delibe's score was greatly admired by Tchaikovsky, who considered it superior to his own 'Swan Lake', and although it remains somewhat in the shadow of the composers more famous ballet, 'Coppelia', it has inspired choreographers as varied as Frederick Ashton, John Neumeier and Mark Morris.

The story of the Nymph, Sylvia, and her devoted admirer Aminta, who are brought together by Eros, the God of Love, derives from antiquity but is given a fresh and modern setting in this updated version. As well as Sylvia, Aminta and Eros, the ballet features Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, Orion, the black hearted woodsman and a huge cast of Pirates, Slave Girls and Huntresses.

- DAVID BINTLEY

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