‘I was overwhelmed,’ writes choreographer Richard Alston of the occasion he first heard the music of Britten, ‘not just by its incredible beauty but by the eloquent setting of words.’ It is fitting then that Alston has chosen to set one of Britten’s most powerful works, the late cantata Phaedra, to dance for the first time. His dance company is joined by the Britten Sinfonia and mezzo Allison Cook for three unmissable performances at the Barbican Theatre, London on 6, 7 and 9 November.