Roots

Entitled Roots, this programme explores those of George Balanchine who, in Theme and Variations, created in 1947 in New York, adopted Tchaikovsky’s music to pay homage to the Russian academic tradition that nurtured him.

Christopher Wheeldon, for his part, draws on the heritage of ancient Greece for his ballet Corybantic Games, making its repertoire debut at the Opera. The title refers as much to the frenzy that characterised the conducting style of Leonard Bernstein – whose music informs the piece – as it does to the Corybantes, the priests of the goddess Cybele with their martial dances.

Finally, Rhapsodies enters the repertoire to George Gershwin’s score. In his piece, Cape Town-born choreographer Mthuthuzeli November evokes both urban energy and his African origins.

Theme & Variations
Choreography: George Balanchine
Dancers: Valentine Colasante, Paul Marque

Rhapsodies
Choreography: Mthuthuzeli November
Dancers: Letizia Galloni, Yvon Demol, Daniel Stokes, Isaac Lopes Gomes, Charlotte Ranson

Corybantic Games
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
Dancers: Bleuenn Battistoni, Thomas Docquir, Silvia Saint-Martin, Pablo Legasa, Hohyun Kang, Inès McIntosh, Jack Gasztowtt, Florent Melac, Roxane Stojanov

The Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom
Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, The Royal Ballet The Winter’s Tale
Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet Like Water for Chocolate
Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet Bernstein Celebration
Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet Ballet to Broadway
Christopher Wheeldon, The Royal Ballet