NEWSLETTER
LONDON: BLAKE BALLET FOR LUNCH
At lunch time on 6, 7, 13, and 14 July 1982 the City of London Festival included performances of a ballet, Songs & Proverbs of William Blake, choreographed by Erica Knighton to the song cycle of the same name by Benjamin Britten. The selection of words for the cycle was made by Peter Pears. About twenty-two minutes in performance, the ballet was performed by two dancers—Anna McCartney, from the Scottish Ballet, and Christopher Blagdon, from the British Ballet—in simple costumes based on Blake’s drawings. The choreography is said to have been based in large part on Blake’s drawings as well. The music was performed live at each of the performances by Stewart Buchanan (baritone) and Paul Webster (piano). Further information might be obtained from Erica Knighton, the choreographer (32, Fellows Rd., London N.W. 3).