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Darcey Bussell

Sue Lawley's castaway is ballerina Darcey Bussell.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the ballerina Darcey Bussell OBE. At the age of twenty, she became the Royal Ballet's youngest Principal and went on to dance on the international stage in Paris, New York, St Petersburg and Milan. She was spotted by the great choreographer Sir Kenneth Macmillan at the age of 16, and though tall for a ballerina, she had an energy that he found refreshing. In 1989 she made her debut in Covent Garden as Princess Rose in The Prince of the Pagodas, a role created for her. Her classical repertory has included principal roles in Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Her first child was born prematurely as a result of the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia. Her speedy recovery she put down to her strength and fitness, and she returned to dance three months later. She has announced her decision to retire as a Principal of the Royal Ballet next month, though she will continue to dance as a guest artist.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai
Book: A biography of Audrey Hepburn
Luxury: Eye lash curler

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 May 2006 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Sir Digby Jones

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Music Played

  • The Stranglers

    Golden Brown

    • 25 Years of Rock 'N' Roll': 1982.
    • Connoisseur Collection.

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Balcony scene (from Romeo and Juliet)

    Orchestra: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden Conductor: Mark Ermler

    • Romeo and Juliet: The Complete Ballet: Prokofiev.
    • ROH.

  • The Beatles

    Love Me Do

    • The Beatles/1962-1966.
    • Apple.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Requiem in D minor - Lacrymosa

    Orchestra: Academy and Chorus of St Martin in the Fields Conductor: Neville Marriner

    • Mozart: Requiem Mass.
    • Argo.

  • Jules Massenet

    MΓ©ditation (from ThaΓ―s)

    Soloist: Josef Sakonov Orchestra: The London Festival Orchestra

    • In a Monastery Garden: The Immortal Works of KetΓ¨lbey.
    • London.

  • James Blunt

    Wisemen

    • Wisemen.
    • Eastwest.

  • Gabriel FaurΓ©

    Libera me (from Requiem)

    Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Philharmonic Choir: The City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus Conductor: Yuri Torchinsky

    • FaurΓ©: Requiem.
    • Chandos.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Jamiroquai

      Virtual Insanity

      • Virtual Insanity.
      • Sony.

  • Book Choice

    • A biography of Audrey Hepburn

  • Luxury Choice

    • Eye lash curler

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Darcey Bussell

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 May 2006 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 19 May 2006 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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