Many creative talents have found inspiration in the books of Lewis Carroll, and Glen Tetley’s ballet on this theme is set to music by David Del Tredici. His multi-layered ballet presents many of the famous characters from the Alice books and also speculates on the relationship between Carroll and his real life muse, ten-year-old Alice Liddell. Music, dance and design are combined to great dramatic effect in this specially-staged studio recording, which stars prima ballerina Karen Kain.
La Ronde
Prima ballerina Karen Kain leads an outstanding cast in this studio recording of Glen Tetley’s probing dance drama, based on Schnitzler’s play La Ronde, which scandalised the public when it was premiered in 1903. It shows a linked series of sexual encounters exposing the decaying morals of Vienna at the turn of the nineteenth century. Set to Erich Korngold’s Sinfonietta, Tetley’s translates La Ronde into a stunning series of pas de deux, danced by ten characters, ranging from a prostitute to a count.
The Merry Widow
Prima ballerina Karen Kain stars as the widow Hanna Glawari in this specially-staged recording of Ronald Hynd’s three-act ballet, set to the music of Franz Lehár, adapted by John Lanchbery. This dazzling production captures perfectly the gaiety and elegance of Parisian high society at the turn of the nineteenth century, the setting for Lehár’s charming tale of political and amorous intrigue. The other principal roles are danced by John Meehan, Raymond Smith and Yoko Ichino.