The Raven is a 15-minute classical ballet d’action based on the famous Edgar Allan Poe poem. It is the story of a man haunted by the memory of a woman he loved, whose melancholy is interrupted and challenged by an unexpected visitor.

In setting this work, I was influenced by Michael Fokin’s Le Specter De la Rose, John Cranko’s Eugene Onegin, Roland Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et la Mort, and – for style – Tim Burton’s film Sleepy Hollow.

At a studio performance in New York City in October, 2006, the leading roles were danced by three outstanding dancers. They did more than just dance my ballet, they brought it to life – my thanks to them for making the Raven fly. -- DF

THE CAST
Charles Askegard, New York City Ballet Principal Dancer..........The Narrator
Joaquin De Luz, New York City Ballet Principal Dancer.............The Raven
Veronika Part, American Ballet Theatre Soloist.......................Lenore

To read more about The Raven, click on the links below:
Inspiration and Influences
Setting and Music
My First Reading of The Raven
Choreographing The Raven
Dancer’s Bios:  Veronika Part / Charles Askegard / Joaquin De Luz
Photo Preview: I  II  III  Video sample Credits  Thanks  
The Poem  Nevermore!