Monday, May 9, 2011

The Ladies of the Night

Brassaï ~ Dancers in Les Demoiselles de la Nuit, 1949
Les Demoiselles de la Nuit tells the story of a musician who falls in love with his beautiful cat Agathe, who has assumed semi-human form.  Agathe tries to be faithful to her human lover but is lured away by the sound of tomcats and the call of freedom.  She leaps off the rooftops and the musician falls to his death as he tries to grab hold of her.  She falls after him and they are united in death.

Agathe/Margot Fonteyn


World Premiere Les Ballets de Paris de Roland Petit, Theatre Marigny, Paris, May 21, 1948

Music by Jean Francaix 
Choreography by Roland Petit 
Libretto by Jean Anouilh 
Scenery and costumes by Leonor Fini 
Lighting by Peggy Clark 

Cast Margot Fonteyn, Roland Petit, Gordon Hamilton, Joan Sheldon

 

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