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 Facts about Ondine
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A page of detailed information about Ashton's Ondine. Any additions or corrections will be eagerly received! Production details Ondine elsewhere Read more Ondine and Palemon
Production details Ondine
Ballet in three acts First performance: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 27th October 1958 Cast:
Ondine: Margot Fonteyn Early reviews The first night reviews of Ondine were unanimous about one thing: Fonteyn's triumph in the title role. A.V.Coton spoke of 'the supernormal sensitivity of feeling, interaction and mutual understanding which exists between Ashton and his heroine', and Cyril Beaumont saw the ballet as Ashton's 'greatest gift' to his ballerina. Nothing else about the piece pleased everybody, though most reviewers liked Lila de Nobili's designs and praised the contribution of the supporting cast - Beaumont called Alexander Grant's Tirrenio 'of Miltonic stature, magnificently danced and mimed.' The stumbling block for most writers was the music. Mary Clarke called it 'rich and romantic and superbly rhythmical' but few agreed with her: at the opposite end of the spectrum, Fernau Hall thought Henze showed 'little understanding of the needs of classical dancing', and that Ondine would establish itself firmly in the repertoire 'if it were not for Henze's music'. It's interesting to trace the gradual acceptance of the music through successive revivals - nearly 50 years on it has become much more accessible.
Ondine, diary of a ballet, by Hans Werner Henze(Dance Books, 2003)) Ondine elsewhere Although other choreographers have used Henze's music, Ashton's ballet has so far had only one production outside the Royal Ballet, by the Ballet of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan on April 21st, 2000. Alessandra Ferri and Adam Cooper danced the principal roles. (David Vaughan's Ashton Archive includes more details of this production and also of the changes which Ashton made to the Royal Ballet's version.) Ondine and Palemon A list, as complete as possible, of all the dancers who have played the leading roles in performances of Ondine by the Royal Ballet. ** indicates a guest artist.
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