The Ballet Lover's Companion

About this book

A richly informed up-to-date performance guide to more than 140 favorite ballets from the classical era to the present day This engaging book is a welcome guide to the most successful and loved ballets seen on the stage today. Dance writer and critic Zoe Anderson focuses on 140 ballets a core international repertory that encompasses works from the ethereal world of romantic ballet to the edgy muscular works of modern choreographers. She provides a wealth of facts and insights including information familiar only to dance world insiders and considers such recent works as Alexei Ramanskys Shostakovich Trilogy and Christopher Wheeldons The Winters Tale as well as older ballets once forgotten but now returned to the repertory such as Sylvia. To enhance enjoyment of each ballet Anderson also offers tips on what to look for during a performance. Each chapter introduces a period of ballet history and provides an overview of innovations and advancement in the art form. In the individual entries that follow Anderson includes essential facts about each ballets themes plot composers choreographers dance style and music. The author also addresses the circumstances of each ballets creation and its effect in the theater and she recounts anecdotes that illuminate performance history and reception. Reliable accessible and fully up to date this book will delight anyone who attends the ballet participates in ballet or simply loves ballet and wants to know much more about it.