English National Ballet

Since Dame Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin founded what is now English National Ballet in 1950, the Company has always been committed to achieving the highest musical as well as dancing standards. From the very beginning, the orchestra of English National Ballet has played an important part in creating the magic which is a vital part of every live performance.

The critically acclaimed Orchestra of English National Ballet is the largest of its kind in Europe and English National Ballet is one of the only ballet companies in Europe to tour with its own symphony orchestra. Recently, it was a particular thrill to have English National Ballet's Orchestra play at Wembley Stadium both for the Company's performance of Swan Lake and for the whole Concert For Diana.

For these performances the full Orchestra of around 60 musicians will accompany the dancers led by newlyappointed Music Director Gavin Sutherland. The dancers and the musicians do not usually see each other until the dress rehearsal, instead rehearsing separately. However, the conductor will attend as many of the dancers' rehearsals as possible so they know the tempi at which the ballet should be played. This is not an easy task – each Principal dancer will want his or her solo at a specific speed whilst every other divertissement must be at a consistent tempo so the other dancers know what to expect. It is one thing to conduct a piece of music, it is quite another to conduct it as the accompaniment for ballet.

Members of English National Ballet's Orchestra