Opus Arte Ashton Collection, Vol. 1: [The Royal Ballet; Frederick Ashton] [Opus Arte: OABD7209BD] [Blu-ray]

This special collection from The Royal Ballet includes nine of Frederick Ashtons most loved short ballets, which showcase the range of his style. The pure classical perfection of Symphonic Variations is contrasted with the light-hearted exuberance of Voices of Spring. Both are complemented by the passion and drama of Marguerite and Armand and the romance and comedy of The Two Pigeons and The Dream. The collection is completed by Rhapsody, La Valse, Monotones and Méditation from Thaïs, four of the most iconic abstract works created by The Royal Ballets founding choreographer. '...a bill which revealed the variety of the Royals founder choreographer from the perfumed sway of La Valse, to the lyrical loveliness of the Thais pas de deux, and the audacious joy of Voices of Spring. Monotones I and II, on the other hand, show his geometric modernism and his ability to conjure a kind of mysterious beauty by the simplest of means ... the performances throughout the evening made the choreography look as fresh and important as ever' (The Daily Telegraph).