Sir Frederick Ashton, Choreographer, Dies

Sir Frederick Ashton, one of the world’s greatest ballet choreographers, died in his sleep, the Royal Opera House said today. He was 83.

Ashton, awarded a knighthood in 1962 for his work, died Thursday night at his country house northeast of London, said Margaret Skeet, a spokeswoman of the Opera House, parent company to the Royal Ballet. No cause of death was given.