Landmarks: Unmissable Ashton

We are presented with a triple bill that highlights the defining characteristics of the British ballet style through three distinct musical textures. You will hear scores by Auber, Franck, and Ravel, each providing a different rhythmic and emotional foundation for the choreography. The evening is structured to showcase Frederick Ashton’s lyrical movement, which often emphasizes a fluid upper body and intricate footwork. In the more minimalist sections, listen for how the dancers interact with the clarity of the set designs, allowing the purity of the form to take precedence. You should notice a transition from the light, melodic charm of Auber to the more introspective and harmonically dense atmosphere of Franck, concluding with the evocative, impressionistic layers of Ravel. The programme is designed to show the breadth of a signature aesthetic that values grace and technical precision in equal measure, offering a coherent journey through the history of the company’s creative identity.

The Royal Ballet and Opera performs this programme at its home ground in London. As the resident company of the Royal Opera House, this ensemble is the primary custodian of Frederick Ashton’s choreographic legacy. They are internationally recognised for maintaining a specific school of movement that balances classical rigour with a soft, expressive quality. The company’s dancers are trained to navigate both the demands of nineteenth-century heritage works and the mid-century modernism that shaped the British tradition, making them the definitive interpreters of this particular repertoire.

This performance takes place at the Royal Opera House in London. As a triple bill, the evening consists of three shorter works rather than one long narrative, which may suit you if you prefer variety or are attending a ballet for the first time. The venue does not enforce a specific dress code, though many visitors choose smart-casual attire. While the total running time is not specified here, programmes of this nature typically include two intervals. We recommend arriving early to navigate the foyer of this historic Covent Garden building.