Last week, Frederick Ashton's ballet The Two Pigeons was performed at the Royal Opera House for the first time in 30 years. The ballet has not been seen at Covent Garden since 1985 and its hotly-anticipated return went down a storm with both the press and public.
According to Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O'Hare, more people have pressed for a revival of The Two Pigeons than any other ballet. Of course, there are many reasons why a ballet may disappear from the repertory, including changing trends and audience tastes, but the return of The Two Pigeons and the strong response to it shows that there's still an appetite and appreciation for high-quality heritage works.
Inspired by this revival, we asked our Twitter following which rare or neglected ballets they'd like to see returned to the repertory. Here is a selection of their choices:
@TheRoyalBallet I would love the chance to see Anastasia - particularly to see MacMillan's choreography for Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1.
— DaveTriesBallet (@DaveTriesBallet) November 23, 2015
@TheRoyalBallet Some of the less performed Balanchine, and Ashton's Ondine. And Checkmate - does that count as rare? — Delph (@delphzzzz) November 24, 2015
@TheRoyalBallet Tcherepnin's 'La Pavillon d' Armide'. Premiered Mariinsky, (Pavlova/Nijinsky/Fokine). Opened Diaghilev's first Paris season.
— Melvyn Madigan (@myaskofiev) November 23, 2015
@TheRoyalBallet Les Rendezvous (Ashton), Lieberslieder Waltzer (Balanchine) - anyone remember the RB perfs in late 70's? Requiem. Please!!! — Catherine Davis (@daviscatherinem) November 23, 2015
@TheRoyalBallet more Ashton, please - Persephone, Nocturne, Facade, Ondine and throw in a Cinderella whilst you're at it
— sandra (@bicoated) November 23, 2015
@TheRoyalBallet some of the early English ballets; The Quest, Comus (the sender designs R fabulous) even Adam Zero — Nicholas Bradshaw (@necbradshaw) November 23, 2015
@RoyalOperaHouse Pineapple Poll (I remember seeing it as a child) and Anastasia. Come to think of it seems a long time since Coppelia..
— Paula Jennings (@pitsij) November 23, 2015
Which rarely staged ballets would you like to see return to the repertory?
Let us know via the comments below.
The Two Pigeons is part of two mixed programmes during 2015/16: with Monotones I and II until 5 December 2015; and with Rhapsody 16–30 January 2016.
The ballet will be relayed live to cinemas around the world on 26 January 2016. Find your nearest cinema and sign up to our newsletter.
The production is staged with generous philanthropic support from the Fonteyn Circle.