Spring Passions

Two uplifting stories of the survival of young love when tested to breaking-point

DAPHNIS AND CHLOË
A fantastical tale set on an island paradise in ancient Greece. A young man's lover, taken from him then returned by a god. Struggling against his jealous rival, Dorkon, the beautiful Lykanion's attempts to seduce him and bands of wild Pirates, Daphnis must turn to creatures of myth and legend for aid. When Chloë is kidnapped by the pirate leader, Bryaxis, the distraught Daphnis has a vision of three beautiful nymphs. The Nymphs invoke the god Pan, who rescues Chloë and reunites her with her lover.

Considered by many to be Maurice Ravel's greatest orchestral score and with choreography by Frederick Ashton, Daphnis and Chloë is is one of the great ballets, including The Firebird and Petrushka, from the priceless legacy left by Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes.

'Ashton at his most inspired'
The Sunday Times

'As near balletic perfection as one can get'
The Sunday Express

Supported (2012) by the Eranda Foundation


THE TWO PIGEONS
Frederick Ashton's poignant Parisian idyll tells of a young man, growing up and finding himself frustrated with the immaturity of his fiancée. He flies the nest, leaving her to her tears, and falls in with a group of wild gypsies. The young girl pursues him and battles for his heart with a gypsy beauty. The beauty's jealous lover beats the young man to within an inch of his life. Realising what he had given up, he returns to his apartment in Paris, into the forgiving arms of his sweetheart.

Created shortly after his hit comedy La Fille mal gardée, Ashton's 1961 version of this romantic classic, which has been in the repertory continuously since its original premiere in 1886, features some of his best choreography. The closing reconciliation pas de deux, which features two live pigeons, is a true tear-jerker and a favourite in galas the world over. A lush romantic score by André Messager perfectly complements the drama and emotion of the dance.

'One of the choreographer's tenderest and most poignant love stories'
The Sunday Times

'What a ravishing ballet it is'
The Financial Times

Birmingham Hobson's Choice and Spring Passions leaflet
London Coliseum Coppélia and Spring Passions leaflet