A new collaboration between The English National Ballet and the Tate Britain Museum will see the magic and legacy of the Ballets Russes partnering in a project inspired by a Picasso exhibition, and Modern British Art. Here, an art collector of ArtKabinett network can experience a once-in-a-lifetime interaction between classical music and visual art. Three new ballets will premiere at 'Late at Tate' on 2 March and more than 150 works from major public and private collections will be exhibited, including 60 paintings by Picasso. The London stage will also enjoy a group of performances with a season of historic works inspired by the famous Company. These performances are a fantastic opportunity to rediscover some of the fabulous works raved about across Europe in the early 20th Century. Viewers will appreciate established work which emerged from the Ballets Russes and see newly created works in the spirit of the Ballets Russes. English National Ballet will celebrate the spirit of collaboration and creativity in this season with designs by David Bamber. There will be many commissions from George Williamson (a graduate of English National Ballet School) and Toer van Schayk; along with glittering heritage ballets which were directly inspired by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Highlights of the season include Kenneth MacMillan’s visceral reworking of The Rite of Spring, which provoked riots at its first performances by the Ballets Russes. Also presented will be two World Premieres; and Suite en Blanc, choreographed by Serge Lifar, and Apollo in which Lifar starred as a dancer, in the same program. Taking inspiration from little-known Ballets Russes ballet Toer van Schayk’s new work conjures up the magic of the Aurora Borealis as intended by Nabokov’s score. Williamson’s new Firebird promises to be a visually stunning reworking of the Stravinsky classic with opulent costumes by David Bamber.Programme 1 – L’apres-midi d’un faune, Faun(e), Firebird (new version by George Williamson), The Rite of Spring Programme 2 - Apollo, Ode by Toer van Schayk, Suite en Blanc The residency at Tate Britain will take place next February. It is inspired by the collaborations between Picasso and his affiliation with the Ballet company. Picasso, the master of Cubism designed both costume and set designs and worked closely with the Ballets Russes from 1916-1919, marrying the dancer Olga Khokhlova, during this period. The English National Ballet will take up residency from 27 February - 4 March. The Picasso Exhibition and Modern British Art will run at Tate Britain from 15 February - 15 July.
