Photograph of Donald MacLeary in the original production of Elite Syncopations

The material in this file contains correspondence and agreements relating to works by Kenneth MacMillan performed by the National Ballet of Canada. It includes

1. A handwritten letter from Celia Franca relating to Solitaire, 20 May 1965
2. Correspondence and agreements for Song of the Earth, 1977-1988
3. Correspondence and agreements for Elite Syncopations, 1978-1992
4. Correspondence and agreements for Gloria, 1989
5. An agreement for Concerto, 1987
6. Two handwritten letters from Alexander Grant
7. One fax from Reid Anderson re Karen Kain in Song of the Earth, 31 Jan 1991

This recording of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer with Joshua Rifkin at the piano was first released by Nonesuch Records as a single in 1974, having been taken from the Nonesuch LP Piano Rags by Scott Joplin. Kenneth MacMillan used both of these pieces in his ballet Elite Syncopations

Three typed faxes from the Royal Ballet of Flanders to Kenneth MacMillan, requesting permission to perform Elite Syncopations, 1991-1992

This stereo long playing record of Ragtime Classics by Scott Joplin, directed by Gunther Schuller, was issued by EMI Records Ltd in 1973. It includes several of the pieces that Kenneth MacMillan used in his ballet Elite Syncopations

This file contains correspondence between Patricia Wilde, Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Ballet, her office, Kenneth MacMillan and Ros Chatto, his agent, about terms and conditions for the Company performing Elite Syncopations, 1992

Kenneth MacMillan became Artistic Associate of Houston Ballet in August 1989, the Company having previously performed Song of the Earth in 1987. They performed Gloria in 1989, Elite Syncopations in 1990 and Solitaire in 1991. The correspondence in this file is largely concerned with agreements and arrangements for these ballets and for MacMillan's role as Artistic Associate. It includes a letter of agreement for Manon which was ultimately not performed until 1993, the year after MacMillan's death. It also includes handwritten cast lists for Song of the Earth and Elite Syncopations

Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Elite Syncopations for The Royal Ballet which premiered at the Royal Opera House on 7 Oct 1974. The material comprises:

1. 11 telegrams wishing Kenneth MacMillan good luck for the first night, including from John Auld and the Touring Group, Barbara Fewster, Ann Jenner, John Tooley, Peter Wright, colleagues at The Royal Ballet, 7 Oct 1974
2. One telegram from Becky with covering note from Ken Davison, Organising Secretary of The Friends of Covent Garden, 8 Oct 1974
3. Two page handwritten letter from Zoe Dominic, photographer, to Kenneth MacMillan expressing her admiration for Elite Syncopations, 20 Oct 1974
4. One card signed 'With Love from The Elite Cast', n.d. (large)
5. One envelope with Kenneth MacMillan's handwritten notes Elite and numbers of girls, boys, men and ladies

This stereo long playing record is of the music by Scott Joplin and others used by Kenneth MacMillan in his ballet Elite Syncopations and was recorded by CRD Records Ltd in 1976 using members of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The record sleeve is decorated with costume designs by Ian Spurling and photographs of the musicians by Richard Holttum. There is a sleeve note by Noel Goodwin