'The Royal Ballet' of London: Les Biches and Les Noces Bronislava Nijinska

frederick ashton (1904–1988).

in 1964 nijinska asked choreographer frederick ashton stage revival of ballet les biches (1924) @ covent gardens royal ballet. ashton had become resident choreographer there in 1935. associate director of london company since 1952, appointed director in 1963.

as young ballet student, nijinska had mentored career. in 1928 when choreographer ida rubenstein, d been dancer in company , performed in several of choreographed works. ashton consider influential in development of ballet, , choreography had informed own progress in art. staging of revived les biches went well. 2 years later, ashton asked return london , stage les noces (1923) on company.

these london productions, according dance critic horst koegler, confirmed reputation 1 of formative choreographers of 20th century. in 1934 ashton had written:

“her achievements have proved me time , again through medium of classical ballet emotion may expressed. might called architect of dancing, building work brick brick amazing structures result in masterpieces les noces.“

following these london events, nijinska repeatedly invited revive several of ballets . staged les biches in rome in 1969, , in florence , washington in 1970. les noces in 1971 in venice where, during rehearsal @ teatro fenice, celebrated eightieth birthday onstage.