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THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
In rehearsal, 1976, American Ballet Theatre
Dancers: Fernando Bujones and Hilde Morales with Antony Tudor
Photo courtesy of Hilde Morales
Synopsis:
Tudor’s interpretation of the ill-fated love story by William Shakespeare remains the only ballet
version of Romeo and Juliet presented in one act. One of the most shocking memories of Romeo and Juliet is the
fact that Tudor could not finish this forty-five minute epic by the date of the premiere. A finished version was
presented four days after the premiere.
Of note is the story of how the costumes and sets were designed: "I originally wanted sets and costumes by
Salvador Dali because I had conceived the décor in terms of Fra Angelico and Dali handles those notions
very well. However Dali’s ideas did not harmonize with mine," Tudor stated.
Eugene Berman eventually was brought on and he designed the scenery and costumes by drawing inspiration from Renaissance
paintings, notably by Botticelli. The designs were a success with both the audience and critics.
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| Choreography |
| Antony Tudor |
| Music / Composer |
Frederick Delius
A Walk to Paradise Garden from A Village Romeo and Juliet; Eventyr, Over the Hills and Far Away; Brigg Fair; Prelude
to Irmelin, orchestrated by Antal Dorati |
| Libretto |
| Based on Shakespeare's play; narrative ballet in one act |
| First Performance |
(Incomplete) New York
Metropolitan Opera House
April 6, 1943
Ballet Theatre |
| First Performance Complete |
New York
Metropolitan Opera House
April 10, 1943
Ballet Theatre |
| First Cast Performance |
| Hugh Laing, Alicia Markova, Nicholas Orloff, Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, Lucia Chase, Dmitri
Romanoff, Sono Osato, Borislav Ronanine, Miriam Golden, John Taras, Galina Rozoumova, Richard Reed, Hubert Bland,
Rex Cooper, Stanley Herbertt, John Kriza, Donald Saddler, Michael Kidd, Robert Lindgren, John Duane, Rosella Hightower,
Nicola Vassilief, June Morris, Hilda Wagner, Jean Hunt, BillieWynn, Muriel Bentley, Dividson, Virginia Wilcox,
Gromberg, Rosizika Sabo, Shirley Eckl, Barbara Fallis, Albia Kavan, Georgia Hiden |
| First Swedish Performance |
Stockholm
Royal Opera House
December 30, 1962
Royal Swedish Ballet |
| Notated |
Excerpts - Airi Hynninen
(Labanotation), 1975-76 |
| Average Length |
| NA |
| Number of Dancers |
| Large Cast |
| Costumes / Scenery |
| ABT; New York Theatre Ballet (Pas de Deux only); Royal Swedish Ballet |
| Licensing Information |
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