A Dream of Butterflies and Roses (originally A Dream of Roses and Butterflies) began its existence as a divertissement, ‘Roses and Butterflies’ in the musical comedy The Bachelor Bells in Philadelphia and New York in 1910 and was then performed as a divertissement on tour in the USA. This number, ‘an eye-toxicant of the highest power’ was arranged by Adeline Genée to music by Charles Gounod, Debussy and Moszkowski. Eight coryphees dressed to represent rose petals were grouped in a circle to suggest a flower in bud. They knelt on one knee and slowly lent back as if opening. From their midst rose Genée, dressed as a butterfly. Genée clearly created an effective role for herself with pirouettes, déboulés and smooth pas de bourrée which gave the impression of gliding across the surface of the stage. She was partnered by Fedor Sherer-Bekefi, who had just graduated from the Imperial Ballet school in St. Petersburg.

As a fantasy in two scenes, A Dream of Roses and Butterflies was first presented at the London Coliseum from 12 June 1911 for eight weeks, twice daily, by a small company established by Genée and was noted for its ‘feast of dancing’. The Era newspaper (24/03/1915 p.12) described a later revival as ‘a very temple of delight, with ballerinas dressed as moss roses paying homage to the Queen of the hour. The solos of the incomparable Danish prima donna were of the daintiest, elegant rather than sensuous, idyllic rather than dramatic. In every movement she argued the possession of the fairy temperament. Nothing was wanting to make her return a triumphant success.’

The photograph is signed and dedicated to Leighton Lucas who was the son of a rehearsal pianist for the Ballets Russes. Lucas became a dancer in order to meet famous composers and conductors and learn how to compose for the ballet. He is possibly best remembered for arranging the music for Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Manon.