SUMMER SONATA – A FESTIVAL OF OPERA, BALLET AND CONCERT FILMS

SUMMER SONATA – A FESTIVAL OF OPERA, BALLET AND CONCERT FILMS 
Curated and Introduced by Sunit Tandon

BALLET
Ferdinand Hérold / John Lanchbery: La Fille Mal Gardée
(The Wayward Daughter)
Comic Ballet in two acts and three scenes
(108 min; 2005 dvd)

From the Royal Ballet, London, with William Tuckett (Widow Simone, a rich farmer); Marianela Nuñez (Lise, her daughter); Carlos Acosta (Colas, a young farmer in love with Lise); David Drew (Thomas, a prosperous vineyard owner); Jonathan Howells (Alain, his son); Giacomo Ciriaci (Cockerel); etc.

Choreography: Frederick Ashton
Music: Ferdinand Hérold
Adapted and arranged by: John Lanchbery
Scenario: Jean Dauberval
Designs: Osbert Lancaster
Lighting: John B. Read
Staging: Alexander Grant assisted by Christopher Carr
Directed for the Screen by: Ross MacGibbon
Orchestra of The Royal Opera House
Associate Concert Master: Sergey Levitin
Conductor: Anthony Twiner

La Fille Mal Gardée ("The Wayward Daughter") is a joyful, pastoral comic ballet, first created by Jean Dauberval in 1789. The most popular version, choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton for The Royal Ballet in 1960, is known for its technical brilliance, colourful countryside setting, and affectionate humour, featuring famous scenes like the clog dance and ribbon dance.

The story follows Lise, a village maiden in love with a poor farmer Colas, who contrives to outwit her mother, the Widow Simone, who tries to marry her off to the wealthy but simpleton son of a vineyard owner.