(The Fantastic Toyshop)
A ballet, based on music by Rossini, arranged by Respighi played by BBC Orchestra (Section A)
Leader, Paul Beard
Conducted by Constant Lambert
The music of La Boutique Fantasque (The Fantastic Toyshop) is taken from some of the light pieces, chiefly written for the piano, which Rossini composed in his last years. Respighi has orchestrated and arranged them to make a delightfully fresh and dainty ballet. The choreography is by Leonide Massine and the scenery and costumes are executed by Andre Derain.
On the stage the dolls in the shop come to life and dance. The ballet consists of a Cossack Dance, a Nocturne, a Mazurka, an Italian Tarantella, a slow Waltz, a boisterous Can-Can, and a Galop.
The ballet was first performed in London at the Alhambra Theatre in the summer of 1919 and has since remained one of the most popular ballets in the repertoire.