Sir frederick ashton biography of donald

British dancer and choreographer (–)

For the American politician, see Fred Ashton.

Sir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton (17 September &#;&#; 18 August ) was a British ballet dancer and choreographer.

He also worked as a director and choreographer in opera, film and revue.

Frederick Ashton was famous for his good taste, and what I have to say is in bad taste.

Series of interviews on Frederick Ashton in preparation for book Frederick Ashton and His Ballets.

Frederick Ashton was the founding choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London and played a crucial role not only in the company but also at The Royal Ballet.

Sir Frederick Ashton, one of the greatest Classical choreographers of the 20th century and a former director of the Royal Ballet, died in his sleep Thursday.

Secret Muses: The Life of Frederick Ashton by Julie Kavanagh is a virtuoso biography of Sir Frederick Ashton, Britain's greatest ballet choreographer.

Determined to be a dancer despite the opposition of his conventional middle-class family, Ashton was accepted as a pupil by Léonide Massine and then by Marie Rambert. In Rambert encouraged him to try his hand at choreography, and though he continued to dance professionally, with success, it was as a choreographer that he became famous.

Ashton was chief choreographer to Ninette de Valois, from until his retirement in , in the company known successively as the Vic-Wells Ballet, the Sadler's Wells Ballet and the Royal Ballet. He succeeded de Valois as director of the company, serving until his own retirement in

Ashton is widely credited with the creation of a specifically English