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Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Concerto for the Deutsche Oper Ballet which premiered on 30 Nov 1966 at the Deutsche Oper, Berlin. The ballet was first performed by the Royal Ballet Touring Company in 1967 and by the Paris Opera Ballet in 1982. The material comprises:

1. One page of handwritten notes by Kenneth MacMillan on Deutsche Oper Berlin headed notepaper. The notes list the suggested dancers for the different movements for the staging by the Royal Ballet Touring Company. Undated
2. Handwritten letter from Ninette de Valois to Kenneth MacMillan following the staging by the Royal Ballet Touring Company, saying how much she enjoyed the ballet but how it suffered from the choreographer not being there. De Valois gives detailed critique of some of the dancer. With envelope postmarked 1 Jun 1967
3. Telegram from Frederick Ashton to Kenneth MacMillan expressing his delight in the triumph of Concerto, 22 May 1967
4. Telegram in French from Helen Trailine and Jean Albert Cartier to Kenneth MacMillan wishing Concerto great success and thanking him for his collaboration, 2 Oct 1982

Frederick Ashton, dancer and choreographer, was Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet from 1963-1970. The correspondence in this file consists of letters and telegrams of thanks, congratulations and good luck. Most are undated but can be dated from the context.

1. Typed letter with handwritten additions, on Royal Opera House, London, headed notepaper, thanks Kenneth for his good wishes for the first night [of A Month in the Country], Feb 1976
2. Handwritten letter with thanks for telegram of congratulations and speaks of the impressive ceremony at Oxford, undated
3. Handwritten letter with thanks for the 'fromage' - he eats a lot of cheese now 'being a semi toothless septuagenarian'. Mentions difficulties with Lynn [Seymour] and going away for his 'month in the country', undated with envelope postmarked 19 Feb 1976
4. Handwritten letter wishing 'Dearest Kenneth 'good luck and thanks for the 'flattering dedication' [Mayerling]. He sends an antique Austrian waistcoat. 'The buttons have different Emperors on them', with envelope, undated but Mayerling was first performed in 1978
5. Handwritten note, good luck wishes, undated
6. Thanking Kenneth and Deborah for their kind wishes, from 'old 'octo' Fred'
7. Handwritten letter, with thanks for the plant and for party and 'for coming to cheer me on the last lap', with envelope, undated
8. Two good luck telegrams, one sent to the Coliseum Theatre, London with 'could be 2 June 1978' written by Jann Parry in biro on back of mount
9. One envelope handwritten by Frederick Ashton, addressed to Sir Kenneth MacMillan K.B.E 29 Jul 1985
10. One Houston Ballet envelope addressed to Sir Frederick Ashton, postmarked 12 Dec 1977

1. One printed copy of the piano reduction music score for Le Roi des gourmets (Divertimento Coreografico) by Gioacchino Rossini, arranged and orchestrated by Cesare Brero. Published and copyright by G. Ricordi and co., Italy, 1957
2. One carbon copy of a form from G. Ricordi & Co., Milan, Italy, confirming despatch of Le Roi de Gourmets to the Teatro Opera di Roma, for Mr. Ashton 'di Chelsea - Londra', 23.7.1963
3. Typed letter from G.C. Brero in Rome, possibly to Frederick Ashton, hoping to have the pleasure of welcoming him soon to Rome, where he will also see Mademoiselle De Nobili and be able to work with her. Signed Cesare Brero, 16.3.1964

This file contains correspondence from members of The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera House management and technical teams relating to the staging of his works by The Royal Ballet. It includes letters from David Webster, John Tooley, Ninette de Valois, Frederick Ashton, John Field, John Copley and Adrian Grater. There are two contracts from the Royal Opera House for Kenneth MacMillan to create a work and to mount Concerto for The Royal Ballet, Ninette de Valois talks about working in Turkey and on seeing the film of Romeo and Juliet, Frederick Ashton sends congratulations on Concerto, thanks for performing Scenes de Ballet in Berlin, casting for Song of the Earth. There is a strongly worded letter from Kenneth MacMillan to Ninette de Valois complaining about 'the disastrous performances of my ballets in Edinburgh', tendering his resignation and enclosing press cuttings, 24 Aug 1960