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If you are in need of a Sylvia fix, there is a free streaming of this production today 7.00 pm Vienna time. Available for 24 hours. However you need to register and set up a login and password. Then purchase a free ticket. A little bit fiddly but worth it. https://www.culturall.com/ticket/ists/performance_schedule.mc?view=month&year=2020&type=month_menu&process_mode=normal A big day with Mayerling as well. Might be a bit of a juggling act.

Probably a post for the shortest ballet programme in the world, but since it’s available internationally, and available on i player for 11months in the UK, I thought I’d mention this annual performance for tv by the Staatballett Wien (Vienna State Ballet). I’ve been watching this new year concert with family for decades since young, and am amazed at the quality and thought put into the dancing nowadays. The thoughts don’t always work (especially when the choreographer tries to go avant garde) but this year’s offering is full of classical dancing and charming performances so I wanted to recommend it here. The choreography this year is by Ashley Page, previously artistic director of Scottish Ballet, who has choreographed for them as well as RB, San Francisco Ballet, and other companies. Page may be known for modern and groundbreaking choreography, but he is also a masterful choreographer for grand occasions and galas, able to produce the most elegant pieces of classical dance that show off the beauty of his dancers’ line and virtuosity. The pieces danced are a waltz by Josef Strauss called Pearls of Love, a brisk and witty polka by Eduard Strauss called Up and Away, and the famous Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss Jr. The dancers include their first soloists (ie principals at VSB) Hyo-Jung Kang (a wonderful dramatic ballerina who was a principal of Stuttgart Ballet for 10 years before heading to Vienna), Maria Yakovleva, Ketevan Papava (both previously from the Mariinsky), and Davide Dato (Milan and Vienna trained, and a popular gala invitee and guest artist). The dancing starts in the second half, but the non danced pieces are well worth watching too.

The Wiener Staatsballett are showing a livestream of John Neumeier's Le Pavillon d'Armide and Le Sacre on Monday 13 March. The cost is €14 (£13.03). I've watched livestreams from there before and the quality is very good (depending on your broadband speed I suppose). What I really like is that you may choose what time to view it - within 72 hours of the original livestream. There is a downloadable programme booklet and you can also view subtitles on your iPhone/android. Further infomation here: http://www.staatsoperlive.com/en/live/380/le-pavillon-darmide-le-sacre-2017-03-13/#tab_0 Edited for spelling