Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1923

First Performance

:

Jun 5, 1923

Average_duration

:

18:56

"Old King Cole" is a ballet composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1923. The plot of the ballet is based on the traditional English nursery rhyme of the same name. The ballet tells the story of Old King Cole, who is a merry and jovial king, but also a bit lazy and careless. He throws a grand feast for his subjects, but in the midst of the revelry, he falls asleep and has a dream in which he is visited by various characters from his kingdom, including his queen, his jester, and a group of fairies. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Feast," is a lively and energetic dance that sets the scene for the grand feast that Old King Cole is hosting. The second movement, titled "The Dream," is a more introspective and dreamlike dance that explores the inner world of Old King Cole's mind as he falls asleep and has his dream. The third movement, titled "The Awakening," is a triumphant and celebratory dance that marks the end of the dream and the return to reality. One of the characteristics of "Old King Cole" is its use of folk melodies and traditional English music. Vaughan Williams was known for his interest in folk music, and he incorporated many traditional tunes and melodies into the score of the ballet. Another characteristic of the ballet is its use of character dance and pantomime. The various characters in the ballet are portrayed through dance and gesture, rather than through spoken dialogue. "Old King Cole" premiered on June 11, 1923, at the Royal Opera House in London. The ballet was choreographed by Ninette de Valois, who went on to become one of the most influential figures in British ballet. The premiere was well-received, and the ballet went on to be performed several times in the years that followed. Today, "Old King Cole" is considered a classic of British ballet and a testament to Vaughan Williams' skill as a composer.

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