Photographs of the first performance of Orpheus

Printed piano reduction music score for Orpheus by Igor Stravinsky, published by Boosey and Hawkes, copyright 1948, printed in England. Piano reduction by Leopold Spinner. The accompanying brown paper bag has the name, address, telephone and telegram details for Boosey and Hawkes (Retail) Limited printed on one side with Mr MacMillan via Iris Law Thursday A.M. or P.M? handwritten on the reverse. With sellotape

Kenneth MacMillan created the one-act ballet Orpheus for The Royal Ballet which premiered on 11 Jun *1982 at the Royal Opera House, London. The material comprises

1. One handwritten note from Norman Morrice on Royal Opera House headed notepaper to Kenneth MacMillan sending every good wish for Orpheus, 11 Jun 1982
2. One handwritten postcard from Peter Schaufuss to Kenneth MacMillan with thanks,11 Jun 1982
3. Four telegrams, three wishing Kenneth MacMillan good luck for the first night, one congratulating him on the brilliant achievement, undated and 12 Jun 1982
4. Photocopy of one interdepartmental communication from Iris Law, Artistic Administrator of The Royal Ballet, confirming rehearsal schedule, 10 Feb 1982
5. One carbon copy of a letter from Iris Law to Dimitri Papoutsis confirming Peter Schaufuss's availability for rehearsals, 11 Feb 1982
6. One printed page giving the Argument for Orpheus, English Text by Robert A. Hague, undated

Clement Crisp was a dance historian, author and critic, as well as Librarian and Archivist at the Royal Academy of Dance for many years. He was a good friend and supporter of the work of Kenneth MacMillan. The material in this file includes some writings on Kenneth MacMillan by Clement Crisp, but mostly comprises postcards, notes and letters that are humorous, often at the expense of people they both know, and could be considered offensive. The material comprises

1. Handmade card signed by Peter (Hollamby) and Clement (Crisp), undated. Peter Hollamby was Clement Crisp's life partner.
2. Carbon copy of two typed pages of a mock biography of Kenneth MacMillan, undated
3. Five postcards, one typed and two handwritten notes, including invitations and humorous comments about dancers and ballets seen, 1969-1992 and undated
4. Photocopy of an article from The Stage, surrounded by humorous comments by Clement Crisp in red ink, undated
5. Typed letter on The Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles headed notepaper, gossipy letter, August 18, no year
6. Typed letter praising the work of Kenneth MacMillan, having seen Requiem, Song of the Earth and My Brother, My Sisters in quick succession, 7.5.1978
7. Carbon copy of four typed pages of biography of Kenneth MacMillan by Clement Crisp, describing his work from Danses Concertantes in 1955 to Images of Love in 1964, with corrections in blue biro, undated
8. 10 typed pages, Kenneth MacMillan and His Ballets by Clement Crisp, the first seven giving a brief biography and a review of his ballets up to Romeo and Juliet, three final pages on Romeo and Juliet, with corrections in black biro, copyright Clement Crisp, undated
9. Carbon copy of three typed pages, Orpheus: Programme Note for Covent Garden by Clement Crisp, with handwritten corrections in blue biro, with typed note to Kenneth MacMillan 'For your comments', undated but Orpheus had its first performance in 1982
10. Carbon copy of three typed pages, MacMillan's Orpheus by Clement Crisp, taken from an interview with Kenneth MacMillan, with corrections in blue ink, with typed note to Kenneth MacMillan 'for your approval', 15.4.1982
11. One page typed letter enclosing a ballet scenario (not included) by Walter Gruber for I Promessi Sposi, undated but 1979 from the contents of the letter
12. Page from The Illustrated London News, 18.5.1912, with an illustration of forcible feeding of women suffragist prisoner, with additions by Clement Crisp in blue biro
13. Page from a press cutting album with photos of dancers, with additional captions by Clement Crisp in blue biro, undated
14. One photocopy of a mock x-ray, dated 1.7.1974