It has become a highlight in the social calendar in just a few years with many of those attending experiencing their first ballet under the stars.

Creative director Matt Brady says they are already planning 2014 – but for those who experienced this last year, their thoughts will be very much on what the Covent Garden Dance Company has in store for them.

The evening is broken down into three sections of performance and dining all of which takes place under the giant canopy/ stretch tent.

The dancing takes place between courses and the progamme is designed to appeal to all tastes, from the deeply classical to the wonderfully contemporary.

The aim of the event is to offer something truly world class and unique in truly extraordinary settings.

With this in mind they commission new pieces for each year that premiere at the venues and have very often been the jewel in the crown of the programme.

In 2013, on 19-20 July, the programme features three works by Vitali Safronkine.

The Russian-born choreographer began dancing at the age of seven, and trained with the Zurich Ballet where he became their soloist.

His pieces have premiered all over the world.

He last choreographed ‘La Silhouette’ for the Covent Garden Dance Company in 2009 and ‘Summa’ in 2010.

His works will be performed alongside established works by John Neumeier, as well as new commissions created by Will Tuckett (ex-Royal Ballet) and Jamie Thomson (Ampersand Dance).

This year the special guest stars will be the world-renowned dancers Alexandre Riabko and Italian-born Silvia Azzoni from the Hamburg Ballet Company.

As a guest ballerina Azzoni performs all over the world including New York, Australia, Tokyo and Vienna.

There are six other dancers taking mark including Merritt Moore from the Boston Ballet and Michael Waldrop from the Barcete Ballet.

Matt Brady, Creative director at Covent Garden Dance Company, says: “As company we are very keen to continue to commission new works by exciting young creatives as well as some more established ones.

“It is imperative for us to keep being original and interesting.

“We are bringing world class ballet and dance out of the theatre and into the magnificent locations such as Ston Easton Park.

“Our programmes must do these venues and our audience justice.’

Ston Easton Park, Nr Bath Somerset BA3 4DF

01761 241631/stoneaston.co.uk