A tribute to Balanchine: superb programming, sublime dancing

Cesar Corrales and artists of The Royal Ballet in Prodigal Son

Natalia Osipova and Cesar Corrales in Prodigal Son

Artists of The Royal Ballet in Symphony in C

Mayara Magri and artists of The Royal Ballet in Serenade

Lauren Cuthbertson and Melissa Hamilton in Serenade

By Deborah Weiss, 30 March 2025

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“quicksilver lightness and speed, exquisite footwork and sharp pirouettes”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 28 March 2025

Serenade (George Balanchine)

The Prodigal Son (George Balanchine)

Symphony in C (Le Palais de Cristal) (George Balanchine)

The Royal Ballet

Barbara Karinska, Costume Designer

John B. Read, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Anthony Dowell, Costume Designer

Cesar Corrales, Dancer

Natalia Osipova, Dancer

Marianela Núñez, Dancer

Reece Clarke, Dancer

Leticia Dias, Dancer

Joseph Sissens, Dancer

Lauren Cuthbertson, Dancer

Melissa Hamilton, Dancer

Mayara Magri, Dancer

Ryoichi Hirano, Dancer

William Bracewell, Dancer

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Ivy Lin, 25th April

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

Ballet for cowboys and soldiers at Kansas City Ballet

Hilary Stroh, 20th March

Kansas City Ballet celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary with three American ballets. Balanchine's Stars and Stripes, de Mille's Rodeo and a new work by Caili Quan, A Home Away.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

A spectacular triple bill lifts ABT’s spring season in New York

Leigh Donlan, 13th March

A finely curated triple bill from American Ballet Theatre included works from Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky.

****1

Understatement and spectacle at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 26th February

Jerome Robbins' Dances at a Gathering and George Balanchine's Diamonds make a study in contrasts. With lots of debuts in the former and seasoned leads in the latter.

*****

Fast Forward: Hamburg Ballet’s mixed bill proves a mixed success

Vikki Jane Vile, 22nd February

All that glistens... the world premiere of Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean is the highlight of a mixed bill programme spanning 90 years of choreography.

***11

More reviews...

Deborah Weiss

Deb joined Bachtrack in 2022 and commissions reviews and writing on ballet and dance. She was Royal Ballet School-trained and is a former principal dancer for companies including London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and Bayerisches Staatsballett. She has been writing for more than 30 years – publications have included Dancing Times, DanceTabs, Dance for You and Dance Europe. She also interviews for Voices of British Ballet, an oral archive of people who have worked in the industry in the UK. In addition to her writing, since 2016 she has been facilitating programmes that support victims of domestic abuse. Deb is passionate about her rescue dog, Bruce, and daughters (not in that order), swims a mile at least five days a week and is an avid reader.

The Royal Ballet’s tribute to Balanchine: superb programming, sublime dancing