Ashton initially approached Sir William Walton to compose the score for Ondine. They had worked together before on a ballet called The Quest for the Sadler's Wells company in 1943,Kennedy, pp. 121–123 and agreed to collaborate again for the 1955–56 season; they decided on Macbeth as their subject. Fonteyn, however, was firmly opposed to playing Lady Macbeth, and was not enthused by Ashton's next suggestion, Miranda in a ballet of The Tempest. By the time Ashton had lighted on Ondine as an alternative, Walton was immersed in work on a concerto. He suggested that his friend Henze be approached. Accordingly, the music was commissioned from Henze, who titled the score Undine.Kennedy, p. 196
