Lady with the Lamp: Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda returns for brief UK tour

Francesco Gabriele Frola (John de Bryan), Fernanda Oliveira (Raymonda) and Erik Woolhouse (Abdur)

English National Ballet dancers in Tamara Rojo's Raymonda

Fernanda Oliveira (Raymonda)

Precious Adams (Sister Clemence)

English National Ballet in Tamara Rojo's Raymonda

By Mark Pullinger, 04 December 2022

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“much of Petipa’s choreography is retained, a chance for ENB’s dancers to flex their muscles”

Reviewed at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 3 December 2022

Raymonda (Marius Petipa, Tamara Rojo)

English National Ballet

Alexander Ingram, Conductor

Antony McDonald, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Mark Henderson, Lighting Designer

English National Ballet Philharmonic

Lucinda Coxon, Dramaturgy

Alexander Gunnarsson, Video

Fernanda Oliveira, Dancer

Francesco Gabriele Frola, Dancer

Erik Woolhouse, Dancer

Precious Adams, Dancer

Katja Khaniukova, Dancer

Daniel McCormick, Dancer

Emily Suzuki, Dancer

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

Naomi Mori, 25th April

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.

*****

Acosta's Don Quixote for BRB: polished but not quite enough panache

Jonathan Gray, 23rd April

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

***11

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

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.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

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.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

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.

****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

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.