George Balanchine's masterpieces Serenade, The Four Temperaments and Symphony in C performed in one evening
The Opera The old stage05/09 - 18/09 2024 2024
George Balanchine is one of the greatest and most innovative choreographers ever to have lived. The trio of ballets featured in the performance "Giant Steps" demonstrates precisely why this is the case. Serenade is Balanchine's tribute to women in dance. This midnight-blue masterpiece is considered the first neo-classical, abstract ballet, yet it subtly conveys sentiments of longing and melancholy. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky's beautiful music, Serenade affirms Balanchine's famous adage that in his ballets one should be able to 'see the music and hear the dance'. The Four Temperaments is structured in four movements characterising the four temperaments of Antiquity: melancholic, sanguine, phlegmatic and choleric – representing earth, air, water and fire, respectively. It signifies the beginning of Balanchine's celebrated series of black-and-white ballets, where classical ballet vocabulary merges with a more angular and athletic style. Symphony in C stands as one of the most magnificent works of the 20th century. It showcases an unparalleled display of pure classical dance, while magically transporting the audience to a ball at the court of Louis XIV at Versailles. Symmetry, balance and harmony are the core elements, with each movement performed by a lead couple, soloists and corps de ballet, all culminating in the exuberant finale.
Cinderella
The Opera Big Stage 27/01 - 10/03 2024
Love at first sight - who doesn't dream of that?
A love so strong that no one and nothing can destroy it. This is what Cinderella and the prince experience when they meet at the ball at the castle. The fairy tale of Cinderella is known and loved by every child, and in Gregory Dean's ballet version, the romance has been turned up all the way. To Prokofiev's beautiful music, the story of the poor girl with the good heart is told, who despite great obstacles on her way, thank God, can finally find that justice and love come to those who deserve it. Based on Charles Perrault's 1697 tale, this version of Cinderella has everything a true fairy tale should contain: joys and sorrows, the triumph of good over evil, and the lovers who have to go through so much before all may end happily. And to that the immortal gallery of characters: a particularly evil stepmother and two unusually intriguing stepsisters, but fortunately also a magical godmother, a crowd of gentle fairies and an extremely charming prince. Gregory Dean is a solo dancer at the Royal Ballet and has, among other things, choreographed the all-night ballets Blixen and Gotta Dance!. His Cinderella is a classic story for both children and adults about how love, hope and an open mind can defeat even the blackest darkness.
Scotch Symphony and La Sylphide
OLD SCENE 02/09 - 21/09 2023
Enjoy a balletic duo when George Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony and August Bournonville’s La Sylphide take the stage
All eyes are on the Scottish Highlands when George Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony is performed for the first time in tandem with its original source of inspiration, August Bournonville’s ultra-romantic ballet, La Sylphide. Balanchine spent a couple of his youthful years in Copenhagen, and here he was fascinated by Bournonville’s choreography – the mime, the effortless grace and the quick steps. This is evident in his ballet Scotch Symphony that has never previously been performed in Denmark, and which is inspired by the sweeping Scottish hillscapes and by the ceremony of Scottish military tattoos complete with bagpipes and flying kilts. In Bournonville’s Scottish tragedy, La Sylphide, James falls asleep in his armchair the night before his wedding, only to be suddenly awakened by the most seductive winged creature. Can you forsake your bride-to-be, purely because you have suddenly fallen in love with an otherworldly being? Indeed, James does, because when the alluring Sylph gently breathes on him, he simply cannot resist. Although La Sylphide is almost 200 years old, it still shines with a freshness that fascinates us today. The story of James, the ethereal Sylph and the wicked witch is an ageless fable about unfulfilled passions where a promise to elude the bore
NAPOLI
OLD SCENE 26/05 - 04/06 2023
Join the Royal Ballet for a street party in Naples and August Bournonville's beloved ballet.
Teresina loves Gennaro, and Gennaro loves Teresina, so everything should be fine. But their love must first pass the big test before they can celebrate their wedding in idyllic Naples. There is party and colour, sparkling temperament and flirtation in the air in the southern Italian city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Here we meet the young, enamored couple Teresina and Gennaro, who are dramatically sent round trip from the colorful folk life in the streets of the fishing town to the fascinating and alluring blue grotto. But together they manage to defeat even the worst obstacles and temptations so that they can live happily ever after. In their version of the ballet, Nikolaj Hübbe and Sorella Englund have chosen to write further and move the action forward to 1950s Italy. Federico Fellini's film, which contains so much both humor and darkness, has been the inspiration here. Ironically, it was an affront to majesty that caused Naples to come into being. In 1841, August Bournonville had spoken directly to the majesty from the stage, and this was not done with impunity. So he had to leave Denmark in shame, and in true golden age fashion he headed for Italy. Here he created Napoli , which is still today one of the Danes' favorite ballets. Recommended from 12 years.
Gotta Dance!
THE OPERA BIG STAGE 19th of April, 2023
Swan Lake
THE OPERA BIG STAGE 28/01 - 10/03 2023
Etudes
Giselle: Caroline Baldwin - Albrecht: Jonathan Chmelensky