Saisons Russes Du XX1e Siècle productions are some of the most beautiful presentations to be seen in Moscow, Paris and London. They return to the UK with three programmes of performances.

Cleopatra – Ida Rubinstein
An original idea by Andris Liepa this exquisite production recounts the story of the creation of Fokine’s ballet Cleopatra, for Ida Rubinstein in 1909. Choreographer Patrick de Bana makes some great choreography in this new ballet, and has chosen music by composers including Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Ravel and the wonderful music of new composer Omar Faruk Tekbilek. The world premiere was staged on 28th June 2012 at Paris Champs-Elysees Theatre to press reviews of ‘beautiful’ ‘interesting’ ‘wonderful’ ‘great work in the choreography’ ‘a real study of Egyptian style’.

Le Spectre De La Rose
A young girl returns exhausted from her first ball. Falling asleep in her chair she dreams the rose in her hand is dancing with her. When this dance partner disappears through the window, she awakens, still under the spell of her dream. Danced to Carl von Weber’s Invitation to the Ball, it was first presented by Ballets Russes at the Theatre de Monte Carlo in April 1911 with Karsavina and Nijinsky in the main roles.

The Firebird
Based on the Russian folk tale of the Firebird… the mythical character who protects Prince Ivan, the hero of the tale. Originally created for Tamara Karsavina and choreographed by Michel Fokine. It was Stravinsky’s breakthrough work of 1910.