Jan McNulty Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE WINTER SEASON 2012/13 BALLET & DANCE THE ROYAL BALLET REPERTORY The Firebird / In the Night / Raymonda Act III Onegin La Valse / Méditation from Thaïs / Voices of Spring / Monotones I and II / Marguerite and Armand Apollo / New Wheeldon / New Ratmansky ROH2 Wind in the Willows/LIMF Ballet Black/The Metamorphosis THE FIREBIRD / IN THE NIGHT / RAYMONDA ACT III Mikhail Fokine / Jerome Robbins / Rudolf Nureyev after Marius Petipa Conductor: Barry Wordsworth 22 December at 12.30pm / 29 December at 1.30pm / 29 December at 7pm / 4, 9, 11 January at 7.30pm Generous philanthropic support from The Fonteyn Circle In the Night: Generous philanthropic support from Mrs Charles Wrightsman This enchanting Christmas-time mixed programme presents three one-act ballets by contrasting choreographers. This year marks the centenary of The Firebird’s first performances at Covent Garden by Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes. Shifting from classical ballet technique, Mikhail Fokine’s groundbreaking choreography for The Firebird displays elements derived from the style of folk-dance. Coupled with Stravinsky’s colourful, first ever ballet score which similarly incorporates folk song characteristics, and Natalia Goncharova’s 1926 Ballets Russes designs, The Firebird is a bold and exotic opening to the evening. Jerome Robbin’s In The Night is a passionate contemporary exploration of the varying shades of love. Originally created for New York City Ballet in 1970, this one act ballet sees three pas de deux convey degrees of tenderness, restraint, and emotional reconciliation, to Chopin’s exquisite Nocturnes. Last performed on the main stage at Covent Garden in 2003, Rudolf Nureyev’s staging of Raymonda Act III is adapted from Marius Petipa’s original full length ballet for the Mariinsky Theatre. Dazzling snow white costumes, and opulent sets designed by Barry Kay lend a festive feel to the final work in this Christmas triple bill. THE FIREBIRD: Choreography Mikhail Fokine Music Igor Stravinsky Designs Natalia Gontcharova Lighting design John B. Read Original staging Sergey Grigoriev and Lubov Tchernicheva Staging Christopher Carr IN THE NIGHT: Choreography Jerome Robbins Music Fryderyk Chopin Costume designs Anthony Dowell Lighting design tbc Staging Christine Redpath Solo Piano Robert Clark RAYMONDA ACT III: Choreography Rudolf Nureyev after Marius Petipa Music Alexander Glazunov Designs Barry Kay Lighting design John B. Read Staging Christopher Carr CASTING THE FIREBIRD: 22 / 29 mat December Cuthbertson*, Gartside*, Bhavnani*, Avis 29 December / 9 January Galeazzi, Watson, Arestis, Marriott 4 / 11 January Marquez, Soares, Crawford, Saunders IN THE NIGHT: 22 / 29 mat December / 4 January Lamb*, Nuñez*, Cojocaru*, Bonelli*, Pennefather*, Kobborg* 29 December / 9 / 11 January Cuthbertson*, Yanowsky*, Marquez*, Campbell*, Kish*, Acosta* RAYMONDA ACT III: 22 December / 4 January Yanowsky, Kish*, Arestis, Hirano* 29 mat December / 9 January Cojocaru, McRae*, Crawford*, Cervera* 29 December / 11 January Nuñez*, Pennefather*, McNally*, Whitehead* * Role debut INSIGHTs: tHE FIREBIRD / IN THE NIGHT / RAYMONDA ACT III 4 December at 7.30pm CLORE STUDIO UPSTAIRS Tickets £17 / £7students Explore this exciting mixed programme with Royal Ballet dancers and coaches. ONEGIN John Cranko Conductor: Dominic Grier 19 January, 2 February at 7pm / 22, 23, 25, 30†, 31 January, 1, 5, 7, 8 February at 7.30pm / 26 January at 12.30pm / 2 February at 2pm † For the performance on 30 January, the Amphitheatre is available only to members of the Student Standby scheme. Generously supported by The Friends of Covent Garden John Cranko’s Onegin, based on the verse-novel by Alexander Pushkin is an emotional tale of infatuation and tragedy and was choreographed by him for Stuttgart Ballet in 1965. This dramatic three-act ballet tells of a young Tatiana’s unrequited love for Eugene Onegin who, too late, tragically realises his true feelings for her. With intense duets, including the infamous ‘letter scene’ pas de deux, Onegin’s central roles demand technical finesse and dramatic sensibility. This Season Onegin features important debuts from Royal Ballet Principal dancers Marianela Nuñez, Sarah Lamb, and Nehemiah Kish and First Soloist Valeri Hristov. Set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious climactic score as arranged by Kurt Heinz Stolze, this full length ballet boasts glorious set designs by Jürgen Rose which perfectly capture the opulent settings of upper class nineteenth century Russia. Choreography John Cranko Music Kurt-Heinz Stolze after Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky Designs Jürgen Rose after original 1969 designs for Stuttgart Ballet Lighting design Steen Bjarke Staging Reid Anderson and Jane Bourne CASTING 19 / 23 / 30 January / 2 mat February Cojocaru, Kobborg, Takada, McRae, Gartside 22 / 25 / 31 January / 5 February Morera, Bonelli, Choe, Zucchetti*, Avis 26 January / 1 / 7 February Nuñez*, Soares, Hinkis*, Trzensimiech*, Whitehead 2 / 8 February Lamb*, Hristov*, Naghdi*, Kish*, Hirano * Role debut La Valse / Méditation from Thaïs / Voices of Spring / Monotones i and ii / Marguerite and Armand Frederick Ashton Conductor: Emmanuel Plasson 12, 13, 15†, 21†, 23 February at 7.30pm † Please note, there will be cameras filming in the auditorium. Generous philanthropic support from Lady Ashcroft, Marina Hobson MBE and Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson In February, The Royal Ballet marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Frederick Ashton, the Company’s Founder Choreographer, with a diverse mixed bill of his works. Created in 1958, La Valse is set to the rich, swooping melodies of Ravel. André Levasseur’s designs of golden chandeliers, delicate ball gowns and dashing tailcoats evoke the lavish but mysterious atmosphere of a ghostly ballroom as the stage fills with swirling figures. Following La Valse, The Royal Ballet performs two contrasting pas de deux. The first, Méditation from Thaïs is an ethereal, romantic duet, danced to the strains of Jules Massenet’s Méditation religieuse from the opera Thaïs. It features bold, exotic costumes designed by former Director of The Royal Ballet Anthony Dowell. Voices of Spring is a joyous pièce d’occasion employing fast paced virtuoso technique to Strauss’s spirited waltz and was originally created by Ashton in 1977 for the Royal Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus. Monotones I and II are arguably Ashton’s most modernist and abstract creations. To the gentle sounds of Erik Satie’s Trois Gnossiennes and Trois Gymnopédies, these otherworldly pas de trois move through slow, serene and utterly captivating choreography which mirrors the harmonic and rhythmic shifts of the music. The programme concludes with Marguerite and Armand, a passionate one act ballet best known for the romantic chemistry between the two Principal dancers, was originally created by Ashton for Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. This Season The Royal Ballet welcomes back Tamara Rojo for her farewell performances at Covent Garden, partnered by Guest Artist Sergei Polunin, both of whom danced the leading roles to sensational acclaim in the 2011/12 Season. LA VALSE: Music Maurice Ravel Designs André Levasseur Lighting design John B. Read Staging Christopher Carr MÉDIATION FROM THAÏS: Music Jules Massenet Costume designs Anthony Dowell Lighting design John B. Read VOICES OF SPRING: Music Johann Strauss II Costume designs Julia Trevelyan Oman Lighting design John B. Read MONOTONES I AND II: Music Erik Satie Designs Frederick Ashton Lighting design John B. Read ]Staging Lynn Wallis MARGUERITE AND ARMAND: Music Franz Liszt Designs Cecil Beaton Lighting design John B. Read Staging Grant Coyle Solo piano Robert Clark CASTING LA VALSE: 12 / 15 / 21 February Kobayashi, Raine, Crawford, Hirano, Gartside, Maloney* 13 / 23 February Bhavnani*, McNally, McCulloch*, Hristov*, Kura*, Whitehead MÉDITATION FROM THAÏS: 12 / 21 February Benjamin, Hristov* 13 / 23 February Lamb, Pennefather 15 February Galeazzi, Soares VOICES OF SPRING: 12 / 21 February Cojocaru, McRae 13 / 23 February Morera, Campbell* 15 February Choe*, Zucchetti* MONOTONES I 12 / 15 / 21 February Trzensimiech*, Maguire*, Takada* 13 / 23 February Dyer*, Naghdi*,Pajdak* MONOTONES II 12 / 15 / 21 February Nuñez*, Bonelli*, Watson* 13 / 23 February Arestis*, Hirano*, Kish* MARGUERITE AND ARMAND 12 / 15 / 21 February Rojo, Polunin 13 / 23 February Yanowsky, Bonelli * Role debut INSIGHTs: la valse mixed programme 21 January at 7.30pm CLORE STUDIO UPSTAIRS Tickets £17 / £7students Discover the breadth and inspiration of Frederick Ashton’s choreography. APOLLO / NEW WHEELDON / NEW RATMANSKY George Balanchine / Christopher Wheeldon / Alexei Ratmansky Conductor: tbc 22 February, 7, 14 March at 7.30pm / 23 February at 12.30pm / 9 March at 12pm New Ratmansky: Generous philanthropic support from Celia Blakey and Richard and Delia Baker New Wheeldon: Generous philanthropic support from Celia Blakey and The New Ballet Works Syndicate In February, The Royal Ballet will present an enticing triple bill of a classic George Balanchine ballet, and two new works by world renowned choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, and Alexei Ratmansky. Seats to this triple bill have a top price of just £63, making it an unmissable event for ardent fans and ballet newcomers alike. Apollo is Balanchine’s earliest surviving ballet, and launched his international career when it was first performed in 1928. This masterpiece offers an outstanding lead male role in the form of Apollo, Greek god of music, light and knowledge, and reinterprets classical choreography in harmony with Stravinsky’s neoclassic score. Two exciting world premieres complete this triple bill, the first by The Royal Ballet’s Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon. Award winning Wheeldon has an impressive history of original and varied works, including the fantastic full length Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland which is also performed by the Company in March for the third successive Season. His new work for this Season promises to showcase his unique and exhilarating choreographic style. Alexei Ratmansky, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet, and current artist in residence at American Ballet Theater, is another of the most celebrated names in contemporary ballet. The Royal Ballet is delighted to have commissioned what will be Ratmansky’s first ever work for a British company which will offer audiences the chance to experience his trademark inventiveness and versatility in his approach to choreography. APOLLO: Choreography George Balanchine Music Igor Stravinsky Lighting design John B. Read Staging Patricia Neary NEW WHEELDON: Choreography Christopher Wheeldon Music tbc Designs Jean-Marc Puissant NEW RATMANSKY: Choreography Alexei Ratmansky Music tbc Designs tbc CASTING APOLLO 22 February / 9 March Acosta, Nuñez* 23 February / 7 March Bonelli, Cuthbertson* 14 March Pennefather*, Lamb* * Role debut ROH2 WIND IN THE WILLOWS 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Dec at 7pm 27, 28 Dec, 2, 3, 4 Jan at 2pm and 7pm 15, 22, 29, 30, 31 Dec, 5 Jan at 12.30pm and 5pm To celebrate the 10th anniversary season, ROH2 will revive its first – and ever popular – Christmas production. Choreographed and directed by Will Tuckett, Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale is magically brought to life through dance and a wonderful score by Martin Ward that draws inspiration from the music of Edwardian composer George Butterworth. The escapades of the reckless Toad and his long-suffering friends Ratty, Mole and the wise Badger are wittily brought to life by a cast of some of the best dance-actors around. Perfect family entertainment. 2013 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL Harlekin Derevo: 16, 17*, 18 January 2013 at 7.45pm 19 January 2013 at 6pm The Old King Les Ballet C de la B: 21, 22*, 23 January 2013 at 7.45pm Smashed Gandini Juggling: 24, 25* January 2013 at 7.45pm 26 January 2013 at 6pm * performance followed by post-show discussion Europe's leading annual season of contemporary visual theatre returns to the Linbury Studio Theatre with three groundbreaking shows: Les Ballets C de la B’s visceral hit from the 2012 Avignon Festival, Russia’s multi award-winning physical theatre ensemble, Derevo, and another chance to see last year’s festival hit – Gandini Juggling’s Pina Bausch-inspired, Smashed. BALLET BLACK 27, 28 February, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 March 2013 at 8pm Associate Company of the Royal Opera House, the award-winning Ballet Black, returns to the Linbury Studio Theatre for its eighth season with a showcase of work danced by some of the most exciting classically trained dancers of black and Asian descent around. Fans can expect more enticing dance with new works choreographed by Javier De Frutos, Robert Binet, Ludovic Ondiviela and Christopher Marney. THE METAMORPHOSIS 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 March at 7.45pm 23 March at 2pm and 7.45pm A revival of the critically acclaimed dance theatre work by Arthur Pita, based on the Kafka novella. Pita has translated into dance the emotional and physical changes experienced by salesman Gregor Samsa, danced by Olivier award-winning Royal Ballet principal dancer Edward Watson, when he inexplicably finds himself transformed into an insect, casting new light on the hapless young man’s plight and the consequent reactions of his family. This is accompanied by Frank Moon’s dramatic score, which he performs live, playing a number of instruments solo alongside his pre-recorded soundscape, and Simon Daw’s stark design in traverse and Guy Hoare’s atmospheric lighting. Theoriginal performances of The Metamorphosis in September 2011 have attracted a number of honours: winner of the 2012 Southbank Sky Arts Award for Dance; Edward Watson won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his portrayal of Gregor Samsa; and ROH2 was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for The Metamorphosis. Edward Watson performs the role of Gregor Samsa, alongside other members of the original cast who portray his family and others whose lives are touched by his strange transformation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Lensky is not a role debut for Nehemiah Kish. He danced it when he was with the National Ballet of Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Lensky is not a role debut for Nehemiah Kish. He danced it when he was with the National Ballet of Canada. Being an insular lot 'role debut' means role debut with the Royal Ballet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 oh I SEEEE! Being an insular lot 'role debut' means role debut with the Royal Ballet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Lensky is not a role debut for Nehemiah Kish. He danced it when he was with the National Ballet of Canada. I can't quite imagine him as Lensky, somehow. Oh well, we shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 I'm slightly disturbed that they've changed the name of the Thaïs pas de deux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 I always thought it was called that (officially)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangorballetboy Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I always thought it was called that (officially)! Have done my research now! During my lifetime it was called Thaïs pas de deux but when originally staged in the 1971 gala it was called Meditation from Thaïs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 On its last outing with the Royal Ballet it was called Thaïs pas de deux but David Vaughan's book refers to it as the Méditation from Thaïs so I suppose that must be right too. The RB performance database gives it both names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxDaveM Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I can't quite imagine him as Lensky, somehow. Oh well, we shall see. He'll be Onegin surely (Valeri Hristov as Lensky) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 He'll be Onegin surely (Valeri Hristov as Lensky) I keep wondering if the names are in the wrong order, but am taking it that Valeri Hristov is dancing Onegin, hope so anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 He'll be Onegin surely (Valeri Hristov as Lensky) Well, as I said, Nehemiah did dance Lensky before, so he already has the Stuttgart Cranko seal of approval for that role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 (edited) How is Trzensimiech pronounced? Edited October 21, 2012 by toursenlair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 That's a very good question. I believe it start 'Ch'. Any Polish speakers here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I know the end bit is a soft "ch" as in Scottish "loch", I just can't remember how it starts (and I really ought to by now, because I've heard him pronounce it twice!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina G. Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 On ROH website: Lamb/Naghdi/Hristov/Kish cast: Hristov as Eugene Onegin and Kish as Lensky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Arrowsmith Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I keep wondering if the names are in the wrong order, but am taking it that Valeri Hristov is dancing Onegin, hope so anyway! Hristov is dancing Onegin - I had the opportunity to ask him recently. Prior to that he is doing Albrecht in his native Bulgaria (and during the summer was Jean de Brienne in Raymonda in Cape Town. "There's a duel and I win!" he told me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 How is Trzensimiech pronounced? According to a Polish friend: Chen see myech (myech is one syllable like "nyet", last consonant as in loch or Bach). Not sure yet which syllable gets stressed if any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Bravo! Now all one has to do is remember that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Williams Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 '...>Chen see myech<...' Thank you, toursenlair, and to John for his information on the vital 'ch' sound. Incidentally, I don't think I would recognise this dancer and so went looking for the brief biogs and photos (of RB dancers) that used to be available online but now can't find them. Can anyone point them out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 '...>Chen see myech<...' Except I thought he pronounced the middle syllable starting with a "sh" the other day ... Incidentally, I don't think I would recognise this dancer and so went looking for the brief biogs and photos (of RB dancers) that used to be available online but now can't find them. Can anyone point them out? He's not difficult to spot, Ann: I think he's probably the only blond male dancer in the company! Very chiselled cheekbones, reasonably tall ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mijosh Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Brian Maloney is also blond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Incidentally, I don't think I would recognise this dancer and so went looking for the brief biogs and photos (of RB dancers) that used to be available online but now can't find them. Can anyone point them out? The RB website still hasn't reinstated dancer bios and photos - very poor show. Lots of photos of Dawid T via Google. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Brian Maloney is also blond. Mmm, but not *as* blond . Actually, it was probably during one of his absences from the stage that I registered David T as the "only" blond, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBBB Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 According to a Polish friend: Chen see myech (myech is one syllable like "nyet", last consonant as in loch or Bach). Not sure yet which syllable gets stressed if any. I've been told (jokingly) that it's like saying "Ten Aerosmith" really quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toursenlair Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I actually got to talk to my Polish friend yesterday as opposed to emailing, and the final word is: tchen SHEE myech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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