This classical family ballet began its history in 1789. The current production of the ballet La fille mal gardée, about a widow Simone and her vain endeavour to prevent her daughter’s love for a young farmer, carries the signature of the choreographer Frederick Ashton. The popular comedy ballet title with beautiful pas de deux, big corps de ballet character dances and amusing mise-en-scene returns to the stage of the Slovak National Theatre after thirty years. Ashton’s production, with musical arrangements by John Lanchbery and the original sets by Osbert Lancaster, is one of the most frequently performed productions and is the centrepiece of the repertoire of many of the world’s leading ballet companies.

 

Frederick Ashton’s choreography is performed courtesy of Jean-Pierre Gasquet. This work is presented with the permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited on behalf of Oxford University Press.

Première November 18, 2022