Pietra De Mello-Pittman MBE
Co Founder & Creative Producer 

In 2008, Pietra was introduced to the work of Leonor Fini by an aquaintance with a longstanding dream of producing a ballet film about his favourite surrealist artist. 

 

A woman wearing a glove with a scorpion's tail just poking out is just a glimpse into the dark and fascinating world that Leonor Fini's surreal paintings show us. Leonor herself is often depicted as a sphinx or lioness and women with wild hair featured often.  

 

The exploration of sexuality and the interplay between the dominant female and passive male were all part of her exploration between the sexes and so also inspired the creation the ballet  which Pietra choreographed called Nolens Volens. 

 

Inspired by the Aida prelude, Ella Spira composed the score called 'Dream' which was performed by the Orsinio Ensemble and recorded at Abbey Road.