Work: Esmeralda, La

A mix of world class performances and interesting new choreography is a bit of a magnet for ballet-goers.

In these tough economic times, it is a rare thing for ballet companies to consider staging a new full-length dramatic production. But Staatsballett Berlin has been brave enough to take the plunge, and on April 9th premiered La Esmeralda, an old-fashioned Russian masterpiece, and proved that their decision had been a good one.