Ballet

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

A Ballet based on Jane Austen’s novel – Premiere

Duration 2:10 with 1 intermission

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Preview

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Synopsis

Pride and Prejudice
Ballet in two act

Synopsis
When Charles Bingley, a rich single man, moves to the Netherfield estate, the neighbourhood residents are thrilled, especially Mrs. Bennet, who hopes to marry one of her five daughters to him. When the Bennet daughters meet him at a local ball, they are impressed by his outgoing personality and friendly disposition. They are less impressed, however, by Bingley's friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, a landowning aristocrat who is too proud to speak to any of the locals and whom Elizabeth Bennet overhears refusing to dance with her.

Bingley and the oldest Bennet daughter, Jane, soon form an attachment. Any serious relationship between the two, however, is opposed by Bingley's sisters (who do not approve of Jane as a wife for Bingley because of her mother's lower status) and by Darcy (who believes that Jane is indifferent to Bingley). Meanwhile, Darcy finds himself attracted to Elizabeth despite his objections to her family. He is drawn to her spirited wit and expressive eyes, and Caroline Bingley's jealous criticisms of Elizabeth can do nothing to lessen Darcy's admiration. As Darcy grows more interested in Elizabeth, Elizabeth continues to despise him and is instead attracted to George Wickham, a handsome and personable militia officer. Wickham tells Elizabeth that his father worked for Darcy's father and that he and Darcy grew up together. Stating that he was favoured by Darcy's father, Wickham claims that Darcy disobeyed his father's bequest of a clergyman's revenue to Wickham out of selfish resentment. Wickham's tale makes Darcy appear not only proud but cruel, and Elizabeth accepts Wickham's account without question, disliking Darcy even more because of it.

In the midst of Jane and Elizabeth's developing relationships, the Bennet family is visited by Mr. Bennet's cousin, William Collins, a clergyman who will inherit Mr. Bennet's estate when he dies because of a legal stricture known as an entail. Full of apologies for the entail and praises for his patroness, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Mr. Collins informs the Mrs. Bennet that Lady Catherine has instructed him to marry and that he plans to choose a wife from the Bennet daughters. He settles on Elizabeth, but is stunned and offended when she refuses him. He quickly turns his attention to Elizabeth's friend, Charlotte Lucas, who wants to marry for security rather than love, and the two are soon engaged and married. At the same time, Jane is dismayed to find out that Bingley and the entire Netherfield party have unexpectedly left for London. Caroline Bingley writes to Jane that they do not intend to return, and she predicts a match between Bingley and Darcy's sister, Georgiana, who is also in London. Although Jane quietly resigns herself to a life without Bingley, Elizabeth is angry for her sister and suspects that Bingley's sisters and Darcy are trying to keep him from Jane. At the same time, Jane is dismayed to find out that Bingley and the entire Netherfield party have unexpectedly left for London. Caroline Bingley writes to Jane that they do not intend to return, and she predicts a match between Bingley and Darcy's sister, Georgiana, who is also in London. Although Jane quietly resigns herself to a life without Bingley, Elizabeth is angry for her sister and suspects that Bingley's sisters and Darcy are trying to keep him from Jane.

Elizabeth visits Charlotte at her new home in Hunsford, Kent, and meets Mr. Collins' patroness and Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, an overbearing woman who thrives on meddling in other people's lives. Soon after Elizabeth's arrival in Kent, Darcy visits his aunt with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy puzzles Elizabeth with his behaviour, he seems to seek out her company, but he never says much. One day, he surprises Elizabeth by proposing to her. Still repelled by his pride and believing Darcy is responsible for Bingley's separation from Jane and for Wickham's misfortune, Elizabeth refuses him. The next day, Darcy gives her a letter explaining his role in influencing Bingley away from Jane and details the facts of Wickham's situation. A careful examination of the facts reveals that Darcy, while proud, is innocent of wrongdoing, leaving Elizabeth mortified at her discovery of how her own pride prejudiced her against Darcy. After returning home for a month, Elizabeth goes on a trip with her aunt and uncle Gardiner to Derbyshire county, where they visit Darcy's estate of Pemberley. There they meet Darcy unexpectedly and are all surprised at how graciously he treats them. He calls on Elizabeth at her inn, introduces her to his sister, and invites her to Pemberley for dinner. Darcy is still in love with Elizabeth, and Elizabeth begins to have similar feelings for him. In the midst of this promising situation, Elizabeth receives two letters from Jane telling her that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, causing Elizabeth and the Gardiners to leave for home immediately. Elizabeth fears that Lydia and the Bennet family are permanently disgraced and that her newly-discovered love for Darcy is hopeless. When Lydia is found, however, she and Wickham marry. After the wedding, Elizabeth discovers that Darcy was instrumental in orchestrating the marriage, thereby saving the reputation and marriageability of the other Bennet daughters.

Bingley returns to Netherfield and soon asks Jane to marry him. Jane, of course, accepts, and Mrs. Bennet's exultation is only lessened by her irritation at Darcy's occasional presence. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's happiness for her sister is interrupted by a visit from Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who has heard a rumor that Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, which they are not. She lectures Elizabeth on the imprudence of such a match, and then demands that Elizabeth promise not to accept any proposal from Darcy. Elizabeth refuses, causing Lady Catherine to tell Darcy about Elizabeth's impertinence and to scold him about the folly of an engagement between them. Lady Catherine's description of Elizabeth's response to her demands gives Darcy hope that Elizabeth has had a change of heart. He proposes again and Elizabeth happily accepts.Meanwhile, Elizabeth's happiness for her sister is interrupted by a visit from Lady Catherine De Bourgh, who has heard a rumor that Darcy and Elizabeth are engaged, which they are not.She lectures Elizabeth on the imprudence of such a match, and then demands that Elizabeth promise not to accept any proposal from Darcy. Elizabeth refuses, causing Lady Catherine to tell Darcy about Elizabeth's impertinence and to scold him about the folly of an engagement between them. Lady Catherine's description of Elizabeth's response to her demands gives Darcy hope that Elizabeth has had a change of heart. He proposes again and Elizabeth happily accepts.

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The performance includes the following musical selections:

Act One

1. Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on Greensleeves. (Orchestration Ralf Greaves)

Performed by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Judd.

The performances are given by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited on behalf of Oxford University Press. Licensed courtesy of Naxos Music UK Ltd. (8.557789)

2. Ralph Vaughan Williams

– English Folk Song Suite - 1. March: Seventeen come Sunday. (Orchestration Gordon Jacob)

Performed by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Judd. The performances are given by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Limited.

Courtesy of Naxos Deutschland GmbH (8.572304)

3. Music from the set “Petronella”, arranged by John M. Mason.

Рerformed by the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. Used by permission of JDC Publications Ltd. (RECD521)

4. Ralph Vaughan Williams – English Folk Song Suite

- 3. March: Folk Songs from Somerset. (Orchestration Gordon Jacob)

Performed by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Judd. The performances are given by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Limited.

Courtesy of Naxos Deutschland GmbH (8.572304)

5. Sir Hubert Parry – Symphonic Variations

Рerformed by London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. Сourtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited on behalf of Lyrita Recorded Edition www.wyastone.co.uk (SRCD220).

6. Sir Edward Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance Marches: I. No 1 in D major (Land of Hope and Glory from The Proms).

Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult; Label: Heritage Records (HTGCD250)

7. Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Wasps – Aristophanic Suite III: March past of the Kitchen Utensils

By arrangement with CHESTER MUSIC LTD trading as J CURWEN & SONS

Рerformed by New Philharmonia Orchestra (leader Carl Pini) conducted by Sir Adrian Boult courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited on behalf of Lyrita Recorded Edition www.wyastone.co.uk (SRCD246)

8. Sir Hubert Parry – Lady Radnor's Suite: I. Prelude

Рerformed by London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited on behalf of Lyrita Recorded Edition www.wyastone.co.uk (SRCD220)

9. Peter Warlock – Capriol Suite (SRCD336): I. Basse-Danse: Allegro moderato, II. Pavane: Allegretto, ma un poco lento, IV. Branles: Presto.

Рerformed by London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite. Сourtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited on behalf of Lyrita Recorded Edition www.wyastone.co.uk (SRCD336)

10. Henry Purcell – Rondeau from the music to “Abdelazer”

Рerformed by “Voices of Music”, used by permission. (Z570)

11. Sir Edward Elgar – The Wand of Youth Suite No. 2, Op. 1b - I. March. Рerformed by Academy of “St. Martin in the Fields” Orchestra, Sir Neville Marriner. Courtesy of NAXOS Deutschland – www.naxos.de (C10501)

12. Sir Edward Elgar – Carissima

Performed by English Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Boughton. Courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited www.wyastone.co.uk (NI7029).

13. Sir Edward Elgar – Serenade for Strings - III. Allegretto.

Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra with Sir Andrew Davis, Label: Signum Classics (SIGCD168)

14. Ralph Vaughan Williams – Serenade in A Minor: II. Scherzo – Allegro.

Performed by The Оrchestra of the Sofia Оpera and Ballet with Zhorzh Dimitrov. The performances are given by permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited on behalf of Oxford University Press.

15. Sir Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations - Variation 14 (Finale: Allegro)

Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra with Sir Andrew Davis

Label: Signum Classics (SIGCD168)

Act Two

1. Sir Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations - Theme (Andante), Variation 1 (L'istesso tempo)

Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra with Sir Andrew Davis. Label: Signum Classics. (SIGCD168)

2. Sir Edward Elgar – Contrasts Op. 10 No. 3

Рerformed by English Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Boughton, courtesy of Wyastone Estate Limited www.wyastone.co.uk (NI1769)

3. Sir Edward Elgar – Chanson de matin Op. 15 No. 2

Performed by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Judd
Courtesy of Naxos Deutschland GmbH (8.557577)

4. Sir Edward Elgar – Salut d'amour, Op. 12.

Performed by Maria Evstatieva – violon and Yolanta Smolianova – piano

5. Sir Edward Elgar – Overture Cockaigne (In London Town), Op.40