Danses Concertantes, commissioned by Ninette de Valois in 1955, was MacMillan’s first major work. An early sign of the incredible artistic output that would follow, the work’s critical success spurred MacMillan to abandon performing in favour of choreography. It is followed by Different Drummer, MacMillan’s complex and haunting balletic interpretation of Woyzeck, Georg Büchner's play about a soldier’s descent into madness. The mixed programme concludes with Requiem, his 1976 work for Stuttgart Ballet, created in memory of its late artistic director, MacMillan’s friend and former Royal Ballet dancer and choreographer John Cranko.

Choreography Kenneth Macmillan

Danses Concertantes
Music Igor Stravinsky
Designer Nicholas Georgiadis
Lighting Designer John B. Read

Different Drummer
Music Anton Webern/ Arnold Schoenberg
Set designs Kenneth Macmillan
Costume designs Yolanda Sonnabend in association with Peter Farley
Lighting design John B. Read

Requiem
Music Gabriel Fauré
Designs Yolanda Sonnabend in association with Peter Farley
Lighting design John B. Read
Conductor Koen Kessels

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House