Catching on to the Technique in Pagoda-Land

Abstract

The prince of the pagodas, Britten's only ballet score (his only mature score originally composed for the ballet, that is), and that comparatively rare bird in the 20th century, afull-lengthballet, was first performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1957, on the first day of the new year, with the composer conducting. The choreographer was John Cranko and the scenery was designed by John Piper.