Royal Ballet director awarded honorary title
The Birmingham Royal Ballet has changed the honorary title of Sir Peter Wright to founding director laureate of the company from director laureate.
The recognition comes 45 years after Sir Peter Wright was appointed as the director of Sadler 's Wells Royal Ballet.
The new title recognises his role in moving Sadler 's Wells Royal Ballet, (the touring company of The Royal Ballet), from London to Birmingham in 1990, and changing the company 's name.
To celebrate this recognition, the Birmingham Royal Ballet will perform three of his most important ballets that he created in the 2022/2023 season.
Sir Peter 's body of work continues to be performed by companies all over the world and he is undisputedly one of the most eminent names in ballet.
This autumn Birmingham Royal Ballet will stage his Copp�lia at Birmingham Hippodrome followed by the £1 million refurbished production of his Nutcracker during this Christmas and Swan Lake in spring 2023.
Sir Peter Wright said: “I am delighted to be honoured in this way. Birmingham Royal Ballet remains very close to my heart. I can 't wait to see the refurbished version of my Nutcracker in all its original glory during this Christmas.
“I made the show as a gift to the city when we moved to Birmingham. In 2020, the Company had plans to mark the 30th anniversary of Birmingham Royal Ballet 's bold move to the West Midlands, so this moment feels like a delayed celebration of that to me.
“And what better way to mark the occasion than by reviving three of my productions, two of which will tour and all three staged in our home city! I have so many wonderful memories of this company and remain devoted to it. ”
Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta said: “It is an honour and a privilege to recognise Sir Peter in this way and to celebrate his life 's work by performing three of his ballets this season.
“He was one of the great artistic directors, building on the heritage of Dame Ninette de Valois, but also always looking to the future success of Birmingham Royal Ballet. He has been a constant inspiration to everyone he has worked with during his tenure and ever since."