An Evening with the Royal Ballet / Nureyev, Fonteyn
InAn Evening with the Royal Ballet(1963), Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, the most famous ballet partnership of the 20th century, dance together in the first two numbers, a dreamily romantic treatment ofLes Sylphides, with the choreography by Michel Fokine, and a dazzling pas de deux fromLe Corsaire.Les Sylphidesis treated as an ensemble number, with full involvement by the Covent Garden company as well as graceful solos by the two stars.Le Corsaire, as choreographed by Nureyev, gives him opportunities to display his remarkable technique but also allows Fonteyn to shine.Neither appears in Frederick Ashton's choreography forLa Valse, which gets to the heart of Ravel's music in a visually impressive treatment. In "Aurora's Wedding" fromSleeping Beautychoreographed by Marius Petipa, Fonteyn dances beautifully with David Blair, an excellent Florimund, though not on the Nureyev  level. "Aurora's Wedding" has many brilliant solos and, likeLa Valse, is an impressive showcase for the company.--Joe McLellan