Ritual Dances

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Ritual Dances. 4 dances for ch. and orch. in Tippett's opera The Midsummer Marriage which are often played separately as a concert work. Three occur in Act 2: The Earth in Autumn (The Hound chases the Hare); The Waters in Winter (The Otter pursues the Fish); The Air in Spring (The Hawk swoops on the Bird). In Act 3 occurs the 4th dance Fire in Summer (celebration of carnal love). Comp. 1947–52. F.p. Basle 1953, Liverpool 1954 (before f.p. of opera).