modern and contemporary ballet performances
Bolt, Shostakovich’s forbidden ballet which was never performed after its premiere in 1931, in a new scenic version by Alexei Ratmansky. Shostakovich composed a caustically humourous ballet, blending popular tunes, serious music, circus music, waltzes, marches, tangos. He had imagined…
Gene Kelly‘s pioneering choreography and much-loved style influenced a generation of dance-makers, and we honour his creative legacy with this playful new production. Set to Gershwin’s effortlessly cool Concerto in F, with extracts from Chopin, recorded by the Scottish Ballet…
The German choreographer Sasha Waltz‘s poignant version of the celebrated legend of the “star‑crossed” lovers from Verona captures all the romanticism of Berlioz’s symphonic poem. The monochrome sobriety of the costumes and sets accentuates the dramatic intensity of the work…
Christmas Oratorio I-VI John Neumeier turns Bach’s Christmas Oratorio into an experience that confronts us all with the most basic questions of trust, hope, faith, doubt and self-sacrifice When Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio opens with the words “Rejoice, exult”,…
Juliano Nuñes‘ artistic sensibility and distinctive choreographic voice have earned him international praise from critics and audiences alike, and he has worked extensively with leading ballet companies and choreographers across the globe. He has been a collaborator of Philadelphia Ballet…
He may have whittled things down to four characters and kept it short but Tony Fabre‘s Histoire d’eux, inspired by the Greek myth of Dido and Aeneas has much to admire. It’s a beautifully played out picture of the couple.…
Scene One: Butter Week (Shrovetide) CarnivalScene Two: Petrouchka’s CellScene Three: The Moor’s RoomScene Four: Butter Week Carnival (towards evening) Original authorial version During the Butter Week (Shrovetide) revelry an old Charlatan, of Eastern mien, displays his puppets who have come…
Joseph Sturdy about Sonatra: I was interested to look at the classical technique, to awaken it and enjoy itWhen Joseph Sturdy was asked to choreograph a work for the Royal Swedish Ballet, he accepted the challenge with alacrity. ‘I admired…
In 1742, Johann Sebastian Bach gave his Goldberg Variations the simple title Piano exercise consisting of one aria with various variations – and it is a fascinating compendium of variations, canons and fugues. In 1993, the Swiss choreographer Heinz Spoerli…
