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Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel's parents have fallen on hard times. One afternoon, the children decide to cheer themselves up by dancing. Their mother Gertrud is furious to discover them neglecting their work... 

The Unknown Soldier - Mixed Ballet

The Unknown Soldier - Mixed Ballet

The classical and the contemporary meet in this programme of three complementary works. Alastair Marriott's new ballet to a commissioned score from Dario Marianelli marks the centenary of the ending of World War I in October 2018... 

Simon Boccanegra

Simon Boccanegra

The dashing corsair Simon Boccanegra and Maria, daughter of the nobleman Jacopo Fiesco, have fallen in love and had an illegitimate daughter. The child has disappeared from her foster-home... 

La Bayadere

La Bayadere

Nikiya, a temple dancer, is in love with the warrior Solor. The High Brahmin pursues Nikiya, and when she rejects him, he plans to take revenge on Solor. The High Brahmin tells the Princess Gamzatti, Solor's fiancée, about Solor's secret affair with Nikiya... 

Soloman

Soloman

Handel’s glorious oratorio rejoices in the wisdom of Solomon, one of Israel’s greatest kings. In Act I, Solomon celebrates the completion of the Temple of Jerusalem with his High Priest Zadok, and the joys of marriage with his queen... 

Falstaff

Falstaff

Old, large and lecherous, Sir John Falstaff can’t resist the ladies. But they can resist him, and three of them plot to put an end to his advances once and for all.   After being tossed in a laundry basket and tipped into the Thames, Falstaff is feeling distinctly sorry for himself... 

Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni

The impulsive, charismatic Don Giovanni is a serial seducer, accompanied by his long-suffering servant Leporello. But when Don Giovanni commits murder, he unleashes a dark power beyond his control... 

Lessons in Love and Violence

Lessons in Love and Violence

A king is forced to choose between love and political expediency. His decisions allow his country to slide into civil war, and turn his wife and son against him. Lessons in Love and Violence is the latest collaboration between composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp, two of Britain’s most celebrated artists... 

Antonio Pappano Concert

Antonio Pappano Concert

Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts the internationally renowned Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in a concert of orchestral works on the main stage. One of the great ensembles of our day, the Orchestra has never achieved a higher standard than during its long relationship with Pappano, and this is another chance to hear the two together, alongside special guest, the star baritone Christian Gerhaher... 

Obsidian Tear Mixed

Obsidian Tear Mixed

The imaginative world of the ballet is both archaic and futuristic in its exploration of the tribal behaviour of its all-male group. From the ballet’s opening duet, tender and innocent, the dancing becomes darker and more turbulent as the group plays out a dynamic of conflict and challenge, loyalty and rejection... 

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Downtrodden housewife Katerina is seduced by Sergey. They are spotted by Katerina’s father-in-law Boris. Katerina poisons Boris and with Sergey’s help murders her husband Zinovy... 

Macbeth - Royal Opera

Macbeth - Royal Opera

The warrior Macbeth fights on the side of the King of Scotland – but when a coven of witches prophesy that he shall become king himself, a ruthless ambition drives Macbeth and his wife to horrific acts... 

Manon

Manon

Manon’s brother Lescaut is offering her to the highest bidder when she meets Des Grieux and falls in love. They elope to Paris, but when Monsieur G.M. offers Manon a life of luxury as his mistress she can’t resist... 

New Wayne McGregory / The Age of Anxiety / New Christopher Wheeldon

New Wayne McGregory / The Age of Anxiety / New Christopher Wheeldon

The Royal Ballet celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with an all-Bernstein programme from the Company’s three associate choreographers, Wayne McGregor, Liam Scarlett and Christopher Wheeldon... 

From The House Of The Dead

From The House Of The Dead

From the House of the Dead is Janáček’s final work and arguably his most powerful. Completed just before his death and first performed posthumously in 1930, the opera is based on Dostoyevsky’s semi-autobiographical novel describing life in a Siberian gulag... 

The Winter's Tale - Royal Ballet

The Winter's Tale - Royal Ballet

King Leontes, possessed by a mad jealousy, believes his pregnant wife Hermione to be having an affair with his childhood friend King Polixenes. His actions tear their families apart... 

Carmen - Royal Opera

Carmen - Royal Opera

Barrie Kosky directs Bizet’s much-loved opera, with Jakub Hrůša and Christopher Willis conducting two casts led by Anna Goryachova and Gaëlle Arquez in the title role... 

Giselle - Royal Ballet

Giselle - Royal Ballet

The peasant girl Giselle discovers the true identity of her lover Albrecht – and that he is promised to another. Giselle kills herself. Her soul enters the ranks of the Wilis – shades of young women who died before their wedding day... 

Tosca - Royal Opera

Tosca - Royal Opera

Three casts, led by Adrianne Pieczonka, Angela Gheorghiu and Martina Serafin and conducted by Dan Ettinger and Plácido Domingo, star in The Royal Opera’s production of Puccini’s thriller... 

Salome

Salome

Richard Strauss brought an extravagant intensity to his adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play Salomé. The glitter of Herod’s palace, the flicker of torches and the pale light of the moon are all vividly evoked in a sumptuously rich score... 

Rigoletto - Royal Opera

Rigoletto - Royal Opera

Rigoletto, court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s victims for his irreverent laughter. When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect… Rigoletto arranges to have the Duke assassinated... 

Cavalleria/Pagliacci

Cavalleria/Pagliacci

Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (The Players) are today Italian opera’s most famous double act, but they were written independently... 

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

A young girl’s enchanted present leads her on a wonderful Christmas adventure in this beautiful classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. Peter Wright’s nigh-on definitive production for The Royal Ballet ranks as one of the most enduring and enchanting versions of The Nutcracker... 

Sylvia

Sylvia

Frederick Ashton’s delightful full-length classical ballet is a charming feast for the senses, set to Delibes’ marvellous score. Sylvia was Frederick Ashton’s second full-length ballet, created in 1952 as a sparkling showpiece for his muse Margot Fonteyn... 

Illustrated 'Farewell'/The Wind/Untouchable

Illustrated 'Farewell'/The Wind/Untouchable

Twyla Tharp and Arthur Pita create new works for The Royal Ballet, in a programme that includes the first revival of Hofesh Shechter’s 2015 work for the Company. Trailblazer Twyla Tharp is one of the most prolific choreographers of our time... 

Lucia Di Lammermoor

Lucia Di Lammermoor

Lucia’s brother Enrico is horrified to learn she has fallen in love with his sworn enemy Edgardo. He hastily arranges her marriage to his associate Arturo. Edgardo and Lucia privately exchange rings before he leaves to fight in France... 

Les Vepres Siciliennes

Les Vepres Siciliennes

Hélène longs for vengeance on Montfort, who murdered her brother. She enlists the help of her lover, Henri, and the rebel Procida – although Henri will discover that Montfort is his father... 

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland burst onto the stage in 2011 in an explosion of colour, stage magic and inventive, sophisticated choreography. Joby Talbot’s score combines contemporary soundworlds with sweeping melodies that gesture to ballet scores of the 19th century... 

Die Zauberflote

Die Zauberflote

Prince Tamino promises the Queen of the Night that he will rescue her daughter Pamina from the enchanter Sarastro. He begins his quest, accompanied by the bird-catcher Papageno – but all is not as it seems… Tamino and Papageno discover Sarastro is a wise and kind leader... 

La Boheme

La Boheme

When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love. But their happiness is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill. Rodolfo is painfully aware that he cannot afford the medicine and care Mimì needs, and so separates from her... 

La Bayadere - Mariinsky Ballet

La Bayadere - Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet dance Petipa’s great classical ballet of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption. Set in mythical India, Petipa’s lavish melodrama of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption tells the tale of the temple dancer Nikiya’s doomed love for the warrior Solor... 

Contrasts - Mariinsky Ballet

Contrasts - Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet dances a mixed programme of Alonso’s Carmen Suite, McGregor’s Infra and Petipa’s Paquita Grand pas. ‘Contrasts’ offers three mesmerizing and sensational Mariinsky productions... 

Anna Karenina - Mariinsky Ballet

Anna Karenina - Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet presents the highly anticipated revival of Alexei Ratmansky’s acclaimed Tolstoy adaptation. Alexei Ratmansky’s acclaimed staging of Tolstoy’s epic novel Anna Karenina returns after its stunning success six years ago at the Royal Opera House... 

Swan Lake: The Royal Ballet

Swan Lake: The Royal Ballet

Konstantin Sergeyev’s entrancing production of Swan Lake, based on Petipa and Ivanov’s timeless masterpiece, creates a lyrical, mysterious world where Prince Siegfried and the swan-princess Odette affirm their love for each other, conquering the forces of evil... 

Don Quixote - Mariinsky Ballet

Don Quixote - Mariinsky Ballet

The Mariinsky Ballet opens its London season with the company’s sparkling production of Petipa and Gorsky’s exuberant classic, Don Quixote. Set in romantic Spain, the plot unfolds as the love between Kitri and Basilio is challenged by the fruitless attempts of Kitri’s father to engineer a more lucrative match for his unwilling daughter... 

The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice

André Tchaikowsky’s Shakespeare-inspired opera is an important rediscovery in 20th-century opera and receives its London premiere in Welsh National Opera’s production, directed by Keith Warner... 

Otello

Otello

Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the Royal Opera, conducts a new production by Keith Warner of Verdi’s great setting of Shakespeare’s tragedy. This is a Verdi masterpiece and one of the central works of the opera repertory: striking choruses from the start, arresting ensembles and scenes of haunting intimacy... 

Turandot

Turandot

Christine Goerke and Lise Lindstrom take the title role in Andrei Serban’s striking staging of Puccini’s final opera. Princess Turandot has sworn that no man shall marry her unless he can correctly answer three riddles... 

Mitridate, re di Ponto

Mitridate, re di Ponto

Farnace and Sifare, sons of the mighty warrior Mitridate, both love their father’s fiancée Aspasia. While Sifare is determined to remain loyal to his father, Farnace vows never to yield... 

The Dream Mixed

The Dream Mixed

A programme of three great works by Frederick Ashton closes The Royal Ballet’s Season. Shakespeare’s story and Mendelssohn’s delightful music provide the basis for his much-loved interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream... 

L'elisir d'amore

L'elisir d'amore

Village boy Nemorino is besotted with the wealthy Adina. She rejects his declarations of love – but fortunately the quack Doctor Dulcamara is on hand with a ‘love potion’ to help him win her heart... 

The Vertiginous Thrill Mixed

The Vertiginous Thrill Mixed

A stunning contemporary programme from The Royal Ballet presents four contrasting choreographic personalities. American William Forsythe is widely acknowledged as one of the most distinctive and imaginative of modern dance-makers... 

Don Carlo

Don Carlo

Elizabeth of Valois is promised in marriage to Don Carlos of Spain, as part of a peace treaty between the two kingdoms. They meet and fall in love – but no sooner have they declared their love than news comes that the terms of the treaty have changed: Elizabeth is to marry Carlos’s father Philip instead... 

Mayerling

Mayerling

Rudolf, the emotionally unstable Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, is forced to marry Princess Stephanie against his will. His former lover Marie Larisch procures him a young new mistress, Mary Vetsera – who shares his obsession with death... 

The Exterminating Angel

The Exterminating Angel

Guests are invited to an exclusive dinner after a night at the opera. Towards the end of the evening they find they are unable to leave. The door is open – but no one can get out, and no one can get in... 

Jewels

Jewels

Jewels uses three gem stones as starting points to explore an array of musical and dance styles, each intimately connected to Balanchine’s own life and career. George Balanchine’s glittering ballet Jewels was inspired by the beauty of the gem stones he saw in the New York store of jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels... 

Mixed Ballet: The Human Seasons, After the Rain and New Crystal Pite

Mixed Ballet: The Human Seasons, After the Rain and New Crystal Pite

The Royal Ballet celebrates contemporary ballet with a programme that includes a world premiere from Crystal Pite and works by Christopher Wheeldon and David Dawson. Eight Principals and a corps of five embody the progress of the human seasons... 

Adriana Lecouvreur

Adriana Lecouvreur

Angela Gheorghiu and Hrachuhi Bassenz star in the first revival of David McVicar’s sumptuous production of Cilea’s tragic opera. The actress Adriana Lecouvreur is adored by many – including stage manager Michonnet – but she loves Maurizio, Count of Saxony... 

Woolf Works

Woolf Works

The first revival of Wayne McGregor’s critically acclaimed ballet triptych to music by Max Richter, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and starring Alessandra Ferri and Mara Galeazzi... 

La Traviata

La Traviata

Joyce El-Khoury, Ekaterina Bakanova and Corinne Winters lead three excellent casts in Richard Eyre’s much-loved production of Verdi’s most famous opera. Alfredo and the courtesan Violetta fall passionately in love... 

Written on Skin

Written on Skin

A powerful Protector commissions a young artist to create an illuminated book to celebrate his power. The book, and its artist, sparks the rebellion of the Protector’s submissive wife Agnès... 

The Nutcracker - Royal Opera House

The Nutcracker - Royal Opera House

The Nutcracker is classical ballet at its most approachable and visually entrancing – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it! A young girl’s enchanted present leads her to wonderful adventures and a journey through the Land of Snow to the glittering Kingdom of Sweets... 

Der Rosenkavalier

Der Rosenkavalier

Andris Nelsons conducts two starry casts including Renée Fleming, Alice Coote and Rachel Willis-Sørensen in Robert Carsen’s new production of Richard Strauss’s charming operatic comedy... 

Il Trovatore

Il Trovatore

The first revival of David Bösch’s new production for The Royal Opera, with two casts including Maria Agresta, Lianna Haroutounian, Anita Rachvelishvili and Dmitri Hvorostovsky... 

Manon Lescaut

Manon Lescaut

Antonio Pappano conducts Sondra Radvanovsky and Aleksandrs Antonenko in the first revival of Jonathan Kent’s thought-provoking production of Puccini’s first operatic triumph... 

The Royal Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

The Royal Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Cinema screening of live performance. The pinnacle of classical ballet: a perfect marriage to Petipa's choreography and Tchaikovsky's music and a glorious challenge for every dancer on stage... 

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