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Date and venueTitleSubmitted by
22-Feb-2013
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Two new works in an inspiring triple bill from The Royal BalletCristina de Lucas
Image credit: Marianela Nunez in Apollo © Johan Persson / ROHLast Friday, The Royal Ballet presented an exciting bill composed of George Balanchine’s iconic Apollo (1928) and two new ballets by acclaimed choreographers Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. The programme was cleverly designed, since Ratmansky and Wheeldon are renowned explorers of the neoclassical style inaugurated by Balanchine. However, the success of the evening was uneven, since not all the pieces proved to be equally effective.
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19-Jan-2013
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
The Royal Ballet's OneginMargaret Willis
Image credit: Courtesy of ROHThe chill outside was certainly a reminder of Siberian weather, but the anticipation of seeing one of the 20th century’s most popular and beloved dramatic ballets (and set in a milder Russia!) soon had the fingers and toes circulating once more. The Royal Opera House was buzzing with expectation and while most of the audience was not disappointed at the end of the evening, this nit-picking writer has seen better performances. Of this, more anon.
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17-Jul-2012
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Titian 2012: A cultural olympiad of new works from the Royal BalletHanna Weibye
Image credit: Marianela Núñez and The Royal Ballet in Diana and Actaeon © Johan Persson, courtesy of ROHMetamorphosis: Titian 2012 invited artists from different disciplines, mainly the visual arts, dance and music, to respond to Titian's three magnifient paintings of the Diana and Actaeon myth. The results are displayed in an exhibition at the National Gallery (alongside Titian's originals), and in an triple bill of new ballets at the Royal Opera House.
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21-May-2012
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
An Exhilarating Jubilee Double Bill from The Royal BalletMargaret Willis
Image credit: Alina Cojocaru in La Sylphide © Johan PerssonThis Royal Ballet programme, staged to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, makes an exhilarating tribute, and shows the company on top form in two very different works. The first offering, to Verdi’s dance sequence in his opera Don Carlos, is an eye-watering collection of virtuoso variations, a plotless barrage of intricate and technical wizardry that sweeps the stage with grace and elegance.
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16-Apr-2012
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Covent Garden becomes a veritable Wonderland for Alice's AdventuresHanna Weibye
Image credit: Laura Morera as the Queen of Hearts © ROH / Johan PerssonThe Royal Ballet's 2011 reimagining of Lewis Carroll's beloved Alice stories was a glorious triumph, as proved by its immediate, slightly reworked revival for the 2012 season. Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and composer Joby Talbot combine contemporary freshness with affectionate nods to the traditions of their respective crafts and together with playwright Nicholas Wright and the Royal Opera House's production team, they have created a gorgeously lush Alice, whose shimmering music, set wizardry and sheer exuberance will no doubt delight audiences for many seasons to come.
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8-Feb-2012
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
A drop of magic for the eyes, ears and soul: The Dream / Song of the EarthMargaret Willis
Image credit: Valentino Zucchetti as Puck and Steven McRae as Oberon in The Dream, © ROH / Johan PerssonThis double bill by The Royal Ballet made for a splendid mix of musical and choreographic magic – Mendelssohn and Ashton, Mahler and MacMillan. The two works – the first light-hearted and narrative, filled with all the trimmings and elegance of the Romantic era; the other serious and profoundly moving, a paean of pure dance unadorned by busy sets and fussy costumes – gave the company plenty of scope to show off their technical abilities to an audience who relished the different sounds and sights.
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20-Sep-2011
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
JewelsMargaret Willis
Image credit: Dancers of the Royal Ballet © Johan PerssonNot so many moons ago, opening night at the Opera House meant dressing up—dinner jackets, long dresses and furs, with of course, the obligatory embellishment of the family jewels. Alas, jeans, shirtsleeves and sneakers are all too often seen these days, so glamour and style must stem from the stage outwards into the auditorium. And that’s the classy way The Royal Ballet opened its 2011/12 season on September 20th, lighting the stage with an abundance of glittery choreographed gems, with dancer, fresh from their summer holidays, in sparkling form.
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28-May-2011
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Royal Ballet Triple BillMargaret Willis
Image credit: Steven McRae as The Chosen One / Rite of Spring, © Johan PerssonThere was no thought of letting the Royal Ballet dancers ease out gently in their last programme of the season. The Triple Bill now on offer demands from each of its exponents a mathematical brain, the precision of a Swiss watchmaker and the stamina of a fell runner.
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