Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Yuji Sawada

While National Ballet of Japan’s latest triple bill presents many challenges, one hopes these valuable masterpieces will be revived, enabling the company to develop its virtuosity and artistry.

National Ballet of Japan opened their 2024/25 season with Eagling’s The Sleeping Beauty. Haruka Sassa's Aurora, guesting from Staatsballett Berlin, and prima ballerina, Yui Yonezawa, debuting as the Lilac Fairy, were highly impressive. 

National Ballet of Japan have revived Peter Darrell’s Tales of Hoffmann and whilst this may not be a masterpiece, served to show how much the company is evolving, with excellent lead dancers.

National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling is a family favourite, with lead dancers Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka giving a flawless performance as the leads. 

A much beloved production with magical charm, National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella, choreographed by Fredrick Ashton, is successfully performed to a full house audience, thanks to coaching by Miyako Yoshida who performed the role in her days at The Royal Ballet. 

Asami Maki's Raymonda returns to stage after 12 years, and the result was glorious, with excellent interpretation by Yui Yonezawa, Yudai Fukuoka and Masahiro Nakaya.

In the National Ballet of Japan's Sleeping Beauty, the fulfilment and joy of being able to dance was apparent in the whole company and the result was glorious. 

The National Ballet of Japan mounted a new production of Peter Darrell’s The Tales of Hoffmann based on the Offenbach's opera. Although no masterpiece, it was an enjoyable evening and the quality of dancing by the four primas, the fascinating new sets and the costumes did entertain the audience a lot.