Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Marius Petipa

Stunning debut performances from Jake Roxander and Skylar Brandt in Don Quixote for ABT, made it a night to remember.

The fiery return of Don Quixote as ABT continues their summer season has proved to be a vehicle of excellence for multiple casts, many of whom were making role debuts.

There is nothing quite comparable to an Odette/Odile debut (unless you’re a basketball fanatic, that is!) in Swan Lake. Well worth watching, and noting, SunMi Park’s progression through ABT.

National Ballet of Japan’s revival of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake showed the company in good form, especially among the unified corps de ballet Swans. 

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote for Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to Sadler's Wells with polished but low-key interpretations across the board.

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

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

Roman Mejia and a raft of soloist debuts galvanized Peter Martins' Sleeping Beauty. An elegant production with some incidental messiness and the structural liability of a princess' dependence on a kiss.

The Dutch National Ballet helped shake off those winter blues with a mixed programme that highlighted ballet’s love affair with Latin rhythms and movement.

NYCB has a winning triple bill with its Balanchine + Ratmansky program. Excellent dancing and contrasting works sends the audience home in buoyant mood.

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence’s winning formula for his Ballet Nights series has brought in new and old works, concert and dance, and continues to push the boundaries into 2026.

Valentino Zucchetti's Nutcracker for New English Ballet Theatre's may be economical on numbers but the cast make up for it in commitment.

Ballet Teatro Colón's production of The Nutcracker by Silvia Bazilis is a delight from start to finish, clearly aimed at engaging families.

Returning for its first anniversary, Arielle Smith and Aaron S Watkin’s Nutcracker for English National Ballet remains a feast for hungry eyes, despite its flaws. 

For one night only, audiences in Frankfurt were treated to some world class ballet on the expansive stage of the Jahrhunderthalle.

The Royal Ballet opened the Christmas season with a superlative performance of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker.

Thirty years after its original production, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake makes its return to the stage championed by an impressive ensemble of dance artists from Bourne’s own company New Adventures.

ABT offer some outstanding performances in a classical quadruple bill but there was a lack of confidence and uniformity within the corps de ballet. 

Swan Lake opens the season for Kansas City Ballet in a splendid looking production and with very pleasing interpretations.

Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote for K-Ballet Tokyo is a production that promises the audience much enjoyment, with thrilling lead dancers and excellent storytelling. 

A slightly under par opening night at New York City Ballet but nevertheless, some strong individual performances.

With Tchaikovsky’s music, glittering visual spectacle and wonderful dancers, The Australian Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty is a thrilling night at the ballet.

ABT's Giselle was the kind of glamorous, old-school ABT night of yore. You sensed the entire company leveled up for the occasion. One hopes that Smirnova will return in the future.

Hungarian National Ballet's La Bayadère revitalizes tradition with a new reconstruction of its forgotten final act. 

ABT's Swan Lake suffered due an obvious lack of rapport between its lead dancers but there was still some fine dancing on offer.

American Ballet Theatre Studio Company showcase the talents of its youthful dancers in a diverse and demanding programme at the Linbury.

Two masterworks by Jerome Robbins, Brandenburg and A Suite of Dances, are joined by Wheeldon's steamy After the Rain and Ratmansky's Paquita challenge.

Brno National Theatre Ballet give an authentic Don Quixote indelibly forged in Madrid, offering tremendous dancing in two separate casts.

National Ballet of Japan has revived their production of Giselle, ahead of their tour to the Royal Opera House in London, replicating the triumphant success it had in 2022.

Kansas City Ballet's first love affair with Don Quixote is a striking and well-danced success.

In the first revival of National Ballet of Canada's 2022 Swan Lake, a strong corps de ballet and star turn by Genevieve Penn Nabity almost overcome a muddled visual concept. 

Peter Martins' Swan Lake continues to divide ballet fans. Can Sara Mearns unite them, 19 years after her astonishing debut as Odette-Odile? 

Ballet of the National Theatre Brno, with guest artists, gave outstanding performances of this update of a great 19th century ballet.

Premiered with Norwegian National Ballet in 2009, this Don Quixote is packed with high energy classical and character roles and is colourful and extravagant.

A welcome revival of Javier Torres' condensed version of The Sleeping Beauty with Finnish National Ballet provides challenges for the entire company.

English National Ballet give a meticulous account of Mary Skeaping's glorious Giselle.

The Royal Albert Hall turns out to be a wonderful venue for Birmingham Royal Ballet's transporting Nutcracker.

The best performances of Balanchine’s Nutcracker are always the SAB children. Year after year, they capture not just the steps but the emotions behind Nutcracker.

Brimming with festive season joy, the Australian Ballet gives an exuberant performance of a Peter Wright classic: The Nutcracker. 

In the third revival since 2014, Peter Darrell's 1973 Nutcracker still has all the right ingredients to send the audience home feeling joyous.

Artistic Director, Susan Jaffe, reviving the Kingdom of the Shades for ABT’s Fall Season was both a testament to her trust in her company, and also a test.

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. 

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence's Ballet Nights series is growing rapidly in appeal, just one year after its launch. With ever more ambitious projects afoot and a packed Cadogan Hall, it's worth seeing.

The State Ballet of Georgia's first visit to London has proved competent but lacking vitality. However there is plenty of talent – it just needs realising.

An innovative angle on a familiar ballet, Benjamin Pech's production brings some novel ideas to fore.

It’s the white acts which are the highlight of this Swan Lake by the Sofia Opera and Ballet, made all the more magical by the setting at Pancharevo Lake.

The Royal Ballet School students shine at their annual matinée at the Royal Opera House showing exceptional talent and versatility.