La Fille mal gardée at Opéra national de Paris - Opéra Bastille

One of the oldest, yet most enduringly loved, of all narrative ballets, La Fille mal gardée exudes the freshness, frothiness and sweetnatured innocence of a lovely summer day.

Sir Frederick Ashton's version of the ballet, which was brought into The National Ballet of Canada's repertoire in 1976 by then Artistic Director Alexander Grant, tells the simple love story of Lise, a village girl, who falls in love with and hopes to marry a handsome young farmer, Colas. Her mother, however, has promised Lise to the rich but buffoonish son of a local landowner.

The full flower of Ashton's choreographic genius, from the broadest comedy and the wittiest stagecraft to the most heartfelt moments of genuine tenderness, is on display in the ballet as he manoeuvres the young lovers through riotous escapades and affecting duets toward their inevitable and happy union. A pastoral delight, La Fille mal gardée buoys the spirit and touches the heart as few ballets can.

The National Ballet of Canada dedicates the performances of La Fille mal gardée to the memory of Aleksander Grant, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada 1976 to 1983. A celebrated dancer, ballet master and director, Mr. Grant was a member of the Royal Ballet for 30 years and created more than 20 roles in the works of Sir Frederick Ashton. He died in London, England on September 30, 2011 at the age of 86. Photos by Andrew Oxenham and Cylla von Tiedemann.