A drop of magic for the eyes, ears and soul: The Dream / Song of the Earth

By Margaret Willis, 10 February 2012

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Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 8 February 2012

The Dream (Sir Frederick Ashton)

Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth)

The Royal Ballet

Barry Wordsworth, Conductor

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Steven McRae, Dancer

Roberta Marquez, Dancer

Michael Stojko, Dancer

Bennet Gartside, Dancer

Melissa Hamilton, Dancer

Ryoichi Hirano, Dancer

Laura McCulloch, Dancer

Thomas Whitehead, Dancer

Leanne Benjamin, Dancer

Valeri Hristov, Dancer

Edward Watson, Dancer

Katharine Goeldner, Mezzo-soprano

Tom Randle, Tenor

ABT presents the classics with slightly uneven results

Ivy Lin, 25th October

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

***11

National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

Naomi Mori, 18th October

The National Ballet of Japan gave an excellent rendition of Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, in spite of many new faces and role debuts.

****1

Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée: the most joyous of ballets

Amanda Jennings, 18th October

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, get thee to the Royal Opera House and see La Fille mal gardée, a gem of a ballet. There’s a long roster of impressive casts to choose from.

****1

The Royal Ballet School: a triumphant display of excellence throughout

Jonathan Gray, 12th July

It was a wonderful, heartening afternoon – it’s no wonder nearly all the 2025 graduates have gained contracts with several major ballet companies.

*****

ABT: Ashton's Sylvia showcases the entire company

Ivy Lin, 10th July

The audience walked out of the theater feeling airborne and filled with the kind of joy you only feel after a truly special performance. Sylvia is an absolute treasure.

*****

Ballet Central at the Linbury: keen to prove its versatility

Deborah Weiss, 17th June

Ballet Central provides an extremely varied programme of new and old, classical and contemporary dance, with plenty of aplomb.

***11

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Margaret Willis

Margaret studied ballet in Moscow for five years and later was a member of London City Ballet. A reviewer since 1978 for many newspapers and magazines including Dancing Times and Dance Magazine, Margaret is a specialist on Russian Ballet, and has written books on Russian Ballet and Carlos Acosta.