Ashton’s Sylvia was restored to the splendour of its elegant and oppulent three-act form for the 75th anniversary celebrations of The Royal Ballet and it is now firmly back in the Company’s repertory. Its story, from Greek myth, tells of Sylvia, whose vows of chastity mean she cannot return the love of the shepherd Aminta. Eros, up to his tricks, intervenes, only to see Sylvia abducted by the hunter Orion. Rescuing her, Eros finally brings the lovers together.

Ashton was inspired by the music of Leo Délibes to create such great choreographic sequences as the famous Act III pas de deux and the role of the mischievous Eros, one of those delightful, darkly comic characterizations for which Ashton became known and loved. With Margot Fonteyn as his original Sylvia, Ashton made the title role a wonderful showcase for virtuosity, invention and classical beauty. And it is indeed a beautiful ballet to look at – the epitome of Ashton style in stage settings of great detail and painterly splendour.