Sarasota Ballet performs Ashton's 'Enigma Variations,' Balanchine's 'Stars and Stripes'

The Sarasota Ballet is known for its explorations of the works of the great of Sir Frederick Ashton, arguably the greatest British balletic choreographer of the 20th century. The company usually performs several Ashton works every season.

But there's one Ashton piece that the Sarasota Ballet has never performed. And, in fact, it's never been performed by any American company.

That will change Friday, when the Sarasota Ballet becomes the first American company to perform "Enigma Variations (My Friends Pictured Within)," the Ashton 1968 one-act set to music by Edward Elgar.

The ballet's story has to do Elgar and his friends gathering at Elgar's house as Elgar, an unknown at the time of the ballet's action, awaits a telegram concerning what could be his big break.

Also on the program for the weekend's performance is "Stars and Stripes," by George Balanchine, who is probably America's greatest balletic choreographer. The half-hour, five-part ballet is set to music by John Philip Sousa, and it's Balanchine's tribute to his adopted homeland.

Details: April 8-9, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $35-$105. Information: 941-959-0099, sarasotaballet.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Sarasota Ballet performs Ashton's 'Enigma Variations,' Balanchine's 'Stars and Stripes' ."