Marianela Nuñez (Odette/Odile); Thiago Soares (Prince Siegfried); Alina Cojocaru (Princess Aurora); Federico Bonelli (Prince Florimund); Miyako Yoshida (The Sugar Plum Fairy); Steven McRae (The Prince); Natalia Osipova (Giselle); Carlos Acosta (Count Albrecht); Lauren Cuthbertson (Juliet); Federico Bonelli (Romeo); Natalia Osipova (Lise); Edward Watson (Leontes)
Over a decade of dance is represented here with no fewer than 22 ballets in this magnificent 15-disc collection of stunning performances by The Royal Ballet, including spectacular stagings of well-known narrative ballets, era-defining abstract works and show-stopping shorter ballets.
19th-century masterpieces, heritage works by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, and contemporary classics by The Royal Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon are here performed by Royal Ballet dancers past and present.
A special edition book contains new articles about The Royal Ballet, its repertory and its choreographers, as well as full synopses for all the narrative ballets, richly illustrated with striking photographs of the productions.
Orchestra(s):
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Artist(s):
Marianela Nuñez; Thiago Soares; Alina Cojocaru; Federico Bonelli; Miyako Yoshida; Steven McRae; Natalia Osipova; Carlos Acosta; Lauren Cuthbertson; Federico Bonelli; Natalia Osipova; Edward Watson; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
"Anthony Dowell’s production...offers the ultimate classical experience, with the sights and sounds of a proud 19th century tradition running at full throttle. Fancy a romantic tragedy in a tutu? Then this is the ballet for you...The production as a whole is beautifully formed and dramatically convincing...And praise, too, for the corps, who made us feel the sorrow and anger of the swans’ collective misfortune." (The Times - Swan Lake)
"[Darcey Bussell] dances with perfect precision in the pizzicato divertissement and is ravishingly radiant in the pas de deux powerfully partnered by Roberto Bolle who also displays some soaring elevation as the shepherd Aminta. Mara Galeazzi has developed into an accomplished performer and shines as Diana with Martin Harvey providing a superb and mischievous Eros. It is gorgeous - do not miss it." (The Stage - Sylvia)
"In 2006, the company revived its classic Sleeping Beauty, featuring pretty Oliver Messel designs and a spruce choreography combining the romantic Petipa original with Ashton's hallmark narrative. Nuñez is charm personified as the Lilac Fairy, and has there ever been a more enchanting Aurora than Cojocaru?" (BBC Music Magazine - Sleeping Beauty ★★★★)
"…while Mara Galeazzi as Mary Vetsera nearly stole the show with her natural conviction, exuberance and authoritative technique, the evening belonged to Watson as Rudolf, one of the most challenging male roles ever created." (The Sunday Express - Mayerling)
"One of the very best seasonal treats for children and adults alike, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a handsome, magical, thoroughly traditional rendering of ETA Hoffmann’s immortal if deeply strange story." (The Sunday Express - Nutcracker)
"Overall, this is one of the best productions of a classical ballet that the ROH has ever staged or filmed." (Musicweb International - Bayadère)
"What a treat this is - such an imaginative treatment of a favourite story. There are extraordinary, eccentric sets and special effects; colourful, larger-than-life, argumentative characters and extraordinary costumes. Lauren Cuthbertson, as Alice, is excellent, her every movement suggesting the actions and emotions of this curious, spirited pre-adolescent... Christopher Wheeldon’s choreography is very imaginative and fitting for every character." (Musicweb International - Alice)
"... a jovial and entertaining showcase for classical dancing at its most demanding and exuberant. One of the pleasures of this ballet is to be tickled by Minkus's infectiously melodious score... Marianela Nuñez and Acosta delivered sparky, engaging performances." (The Times - Don Quixote)
"Natalia Osipova’s Giselle is the most radical I’ve ever seen. Not because she takes any liberties with this Romantic classic – she dances with pure line, superb technique and feeling for the ballet’s style – but because her dramatic intelligence brings it to such fresh, burning life. The Royal Ballet looks energised by its new star, with a strong company performance around her. Acosta partners her with devoted care, and responds to her dazzling dancing with renewed sharpness and attack of his own. Led by Valentino Zucchetti and Yuhui Choe, the peasant pas de six has an airy precision." (The Independent - Giselle ★★★★★)
"The ensuing competition between their solo variations is thrilling, not simply because of McRae’s soaringly athletic jump and Osipova’s skimming footwork, but because they dance all the little steps with such fierce, articulated detail. When the two dancers meet and melt into their central pas de deux, the lyricism of their suspended lifts, the lavish meshing of their bodies is all the more transcendent for having been hard won." (The Guardian - Rhapsody ★★★★)