programme autumn 2013 – spring 2014 from the royal opera house ...

Spartacus Live – approx 3hrs 15mins20th October 2013, 4pmWith the Bolshoi Principals, Soloists andCorps de BalletCaptured by the Roman army, Spartacusand Phrygia are condemned to slavery. Afterbecoming a gladiator, Spartacus foments alegendary rebellion.This grandiose epic is one Khachaturian’smost famous works, and has beenconsidered one of the greatest ballets in the Bolshoi repertoire since the1960s. A production with spectacular choreography and scenery, YuriGrigorovich’s version remains the most critically acclaimed.Le Corsaire Recorded - shown as live - approx 3hrs17th November 2013, 4pmIn the marketplace of Adrianople, the beautiful Medora is sold to Pasha bya slave dealer. But a pirate, hidden among the crowd with his companions,decides to ravish her.Inspired by Lord Byron’s poem, Marius Petipa’s version of the ballet waspart of the Bolshoi’s repertoire until the beginning of the 20th century. In2007 Alexei Ratmansky and Yuri Burlaka presented a new choreographicversion, which stands out as the most sumptuous of all. Thrilling suspenseis at the core of this lavish exotic fable, an amazing production completewith pirates, kidnapping, a shipwreck, and a record 120 dancers on stage.Sleeping Beauty Recorded - shown as live - approx 2hrs 35mins22nd December 2013, 4pmCursed at birth by the evil fairy Carabosse, Princess Aurora descends into adeep slumber on the day of her 16th birthday. Only the kiss of a prince willawaken her.Based on Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty has beenhugely successful since its premiere in 1890. Marius Petipa’s masterpieceis one of the most popular and accomplished choreographic works in theclassical repertoire. The new version by Yuri Grigorovich will captivate fairytalelovers and the whole family during the Christmas season.Jewels Live – approx 2hrs 30mins19th January 2014, 3pmInspired by the famous jewellers of New York’s Fifth Avenue, this triptych isa tribute to women, and to the cities of Paris, New York and St Petersburg.Choreographed in 1967 in New York City, this ballet, with its jewel-likecostumes, celebrates the three cities and three dance schools that forgedthe elegance, aesthetic and style of choreographer George Balanchine.Emeralds was conceived as a poetic tribute to the French romantic schooland Rubies to the American tradition of Broadway musicals, while Diamondshonours the virtuosity of classical Russian dancers.Lost Illusions Live – approx 3hrs2nd February 2014, 3pmLucien, a young provincial and buddingcomposer, sets out to conquer the Parisianscene in search of glory.His success soon blinds him, and he betrayshis friends and his love.Lost Illusions is a new ballet, created inMoscow in 2011 by Alexei Ratmansky withdramaturgical advice by French actor,writer and director Guillaume Gallienne.This stylised adaptation of Honoré deBalzac’s novel features thwarted love,ambition and disillusionment, with19th century Paris as its backdrop.The Golden Age Live – approx 2hrs 30mins30th March 2014, 4pmWith the Bolshoi Principals, Soloists and Corps de Ballet.In 1923, in a seaside town in the south of the Soviet Union, where trade andthe mafia are flourishing, Boris falls in love with Rita – a cabaret dancer atThe Golden Age, and the girlfriend of the local gangster.The Golden Age is a refreshing satire created for the Bolshoi by YuriGrigorovich. Audiences will be fascinated by this original and delightfulballet with its jazz and cabaret musical parodies, frantic pace, passionateintrigue and variety of dance styles (classical, neo-classical, free, grotesque,folk and acrobatic). In the midst of this magical whirlwind, Boris and Rita’slove is drenched in poetic lyricism.Le CorsaireFULLY AIR CONDITIONEDAll productionsare presented in stunninghigh definition andDolby Digital sound.