The Royal Ballet - Jewels

History tells us that as George Balanchine walked past Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery salon on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue he was so taken by the beauty of the creations in the window he immediately went inside to talk to Claude Arpels about a jewel inspired ballet.  The result premiered at the Lincoln Center on 13 April 1963, danced by New York City Ballet.

George Balanchine’s three act ballet Jewels is certainly the crowning glory of his choreographic career and will be a treasured new addition to The Royal Ballet’s repertory. Previously the Company has only performed Rubies.  Now the trio is complete with Emeralds and Diamonds being performed either side of Rubies with each separate ballet reflecting the different influences on Balanchine throughout his life. 

Emeralds, set to Gabriel Faure’s music for Pelleas et Melisande and Shylock is a sensuous and sweeping piece drawing on French Romantic dance from his time with Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes.  Rubies, set to Igor Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, is New York and the lively heat of jazz from the 1930s and 40s, influenced greatly by the Hollywood films and Broadway musicals he worked on.  Diamonds, set to Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s Third Symphony, pays homage to Balanchine’s early life and training in Russia. It is a dazzling example of the purely classical style associated with Imperialist Russia. 

New set designs are being created for Jewels with the original costume designs from Barbara Karinksa re-created by Holly Hynes at the Royal Opera House.

Two of the Royal Opera House’s much valued sponsors are coming together in a unique partnership in support of The Royal Ballet’s exciting new production of Jewels; the exclusive jewellers Van Cleef and Arpels and private bank Coutts & Co.  Two world-class brands, both of whom boast premium clientele, have been inspired to create a number hospitality events to engage and entertain clients. 

Together they will host a number of joint events, as well as drawing on the historic association to recreate key artistic moments in history.

Monica Mason, Director of The Royal Ballet commented: “I am thrilled to have acquired Jewels for the repertory of The Royal Ballet and immensely grateful to Van Cleef & Arpels for their support of this new production. As the jewellers from whom Balanchine took his inspiration for this work, their continued interest keeps the history of the ballet alive in a most special way. I am also delighted that Coutts have chosen to support this wonderful new acquisition."

Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive of Coutts & Co said: “Coutts has supported the arts and, in particular the performing arts, in a wide variety of ways throughout its 300 year history, not least through clients such as the Composer Frederic Chopin and the ballerina Fanny Elssley.  Coutts has enjoyed a very special relationship with the ROH, dating back to the 1700s. 
Indeed, in recognition of Thomas Coutts’ patronage, he was given two silver coins in 1811 which ‘granted the holder any seat in the House.’  This was given in recognition of his frequent attendance at The Covent Garden Theatre, and was used by many of Thomas Coutts’ friends and clients. So we are delighted to continue Coutts’ support of the Royal Opera House, by helping to ensure this ballet is seen and heard.”

“Jewels is a tribute to the invention and imagination of George Balanchine and the excellence of The Royal Ballet.  I know, the production will be an inspiration to each and every audience and I look forward to following in the footsteps of Thomas Coutts in taking some of our clients to celebrate these performances.”

JEWELS

Conductor: Valeriy Ovsyanikov
23, 27, 28, 30 November at 7.30pm / 1 December at 7pm
4, 5, 7 December at 7.30pm

Production sponsored (2007) by Van Cleef & Arpels and Coutts & Co with additional support from Dianne and Michael Bienes (‘Diamonds’).

For further information on The Royal Ballet:
Janine Limberg
Head of Ballet Press
Tel: 0044 02(0) 7212 9165
Fax: 0044 02(0) 7212 9725
Janine.limberg@roh.org.uk

Simon Magill
Ballet Press Officer
Tel: 0044 02(0) 7212 9241
Fax: 0044 02(0) 7212 9725
simon.magill@roh.org.uk

For further information on Van Cleef & Arpels:

Joan Rolls
Tel:  0044 (0)20 7706 0606
Mob: 07710 634 140
joan@joanrolls.com

For further information on Coutts & Co:

Joanna Thorne
Tel: 0044 (0)207 957 2650
Mob: 07766070859.
joanna.thorne@coutts.com

Notes to Editors

·Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.

·Coutts manages the wealth of 96,000 high net worth clients worldwide through a network of over 40 offices globally.

·The first Coutts regional office to be opened was Eton in 1961. Today, Coutts has regional offices in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Eton, Guildford, Hampshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells.

·Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.

·Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.

·Calls may be recorded.

www.coutts.com