Britten's Wartime Concerto Fuels Poignant New Ballet at Royal Opera House

In a captivating triple bill at the Royal Opera House in London, choreographer Cathy Marston has created a new work that delves into the emotional resonance of Benjamin Britten's Violin Concerto. Written in 1938-39 as Britten, a pacifist, was preparing to flee the UK with his partner Peter Pears, the concerto reflects the composer's personal turmoil against the backdrop of the impending Second World War.

Marston's piece, titled "Against the Tide," features dancer William Bracewell as an unnamed protagonist whose inner struggles are vividly expressed through his twisting, turbulent movements. Bracewell is torn between the rigid demands of military men and the allure of freedom and beauty, embodied by dancer Matthew Ball. Melissa Hamilton appears as the spirit of Bracewell's/Britten's mother, adding an emotional layer to the work.

Complementing Marston's powerful new ballet are two pieces showcasing the pure joy of dance. Choreographer Justin Peck, the pre-eminent American ballet choreographer of the 21st century, makes his Royal Ballet debut with "Everywhere We Go," a fast-paced, intricately detailed work set to music by Sufjan Stevens. And George Balanchine's timeless "Serenade," from 1935, opens with one of the most arresting images in ballet - a stage full of women in long tulle skirts, hands raised to the sky.