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Written in 1721, Antonio Vivaldi’s four masterful violin concertos, famously known as The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni), may be the most widely heard piece of classical music ever composed. Choreographer Jenna Lee rejuvenates this much-loved classic into an elegant contemporary ballet with costume designs by April Dalton and lighting design by Andrew Ellis, accompanied by Max Richter’s dynamic re-composition of Vivaldi’s score.

“I really enjoy how familiar melodies do unexpected things, constantly taking you in different directions. The texture in the music perfectly represents each season. The high-pitched plucking from the strings that sound like cold icy rain in winter contrasts beautifully with the balmy music representing a warm August evening. Neoclassical in its ballet vocabulary, The Four Seasons will take the audience on a stylish journey; I think it’s a bold ballet and I’m very proud of it!” (Jenna Lee)

New English Ballet Theatre (NEBT) is a dynamic ballet company created to nurture a new generation of dancers, choreographers, musicians and artists, and to create uplifting and engaging experiences for contemporary audiences. Having just celebrated its 10^th Anniversary, NEBT has gained respect and recognition for its visionary, holistic approach to ballet making.

Returning to The Grange after their unforgettable performance of Contagion in Precipice in 2020, the internationally celebrated Shobana Jeyasingh Dance present an exquisite and explosive fusion of opera and dance.

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance are one of the most dynamic and distinctive forces in UK dance. Their vivid and powerful productions live long in the memory, and their work has been applauded by audiences and critics alike across the globe.

Monteverdi’s ground-breaking operatic cantata, Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, chronicles the love affair between a Saracen woman, Clorinda, renowned as a warrior, and the Christian crusader Tancredi. Concealed in body armour, Clorinda challenges Tancredi in combat and falls mortally wounded, leaving him to realise all too late that this was the woman he had fallen in love with across the battle lines.

Clorinda Agonistes is performed live in both Monteverdi’s version and in the accompanying piece by Syrian-American composer Kareem Roustom. Created by the multi award-winning choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh CBE, the new work responds to Monteverdi’s epic story and explores gender and the power of individuals to give voice to their own unique lived experience; as resonant today as when Monteverdi created his masterpiece.

Tenor Ed Lyon (Belmonte in 2018) and Robert Hollingworth (of I Fagiolini) perform both works.

Co produced by Sadler’s Wells.

Supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society with funding from the RPS Drummond Fund.

Images: Chris Nash