Composer

:

John Lanchbery

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Average_duration

:

7:01

"Tales of Beatrix Potter" is a ballet composed by John Lanchbery in 1971. The ballet is based on the stories of Beatrix Potter, a British author and illustrator who is best known for her children's books featuring animal characters such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. The ballet is divided into seven movements, each of which tells a different story from Potter's books. The first movement, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," follows the mischievous rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden and narrowly avoids being caught. The second movement, "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck," tells the story of a duck who is tricked by a fox into laying her eggs in his den. The third movement, "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin," features a group of squirrels who play pranks on an owl. The fourth movement, "The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle," follows a hedgehog who works as a washerwoman. The fifth movement, "The Tale of Two Bad Mice," tells the story of two mischievous mice who wreak havoc in a dollhouse. The sixth movement, "The Tale of Jeremy Fisher," features a frog who goes on a fishing trip and has a series of misadventures. The final movement, "The Tale of Tom Kitten," follows three kittens as they get into trouble while trying to dress up for a party. The ballet premiered on December 14, 1971, at the Royal Opera House in London. The choreography was by Frederick Ashton, who was the director of the Royal Ballet at the time. The ballet was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a beloved classic of the ballet repertoire. One of the most notable characteristics of "Tales of Beatrix Potter" is its use of animal costumes. The dancers are dressed in elaborate costumes that make them look like the animal characters from Potter's books. The costumes were designed by Christine Edzard, who also directed a film adaptation of the ballet in 1971. Overall, "Tales of Beatrix Potter" is a charming and whimsical ballet that captures the spirit of Potter's beloved stories. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of Potter's characters and the skill of Lanchbery and Ashton in bringing them to life on stage.

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