Showing posts with label Lauren Cuthbertson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauren Cuthbertson. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2026

London - Swan Lake - Royal Ballet - March / May 2027






















London - Royal Ballet - 2027

Swan Lake  - Odette / Odile

Le Lac des Cygnes 

The countdown has officially begun! Swan Lake is returning to the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, and excitement is already building across the ballet world. With performances scheduled from March 27 to May 31, 2027, we can finally start planning everything—agendas, trips, hotels, flights… even if ticket booking will only open on October 21, 2026. It already feels like a major event in the making, and it’s hard not to feel thrilled.

Even without the announced casts, the anticipation is electric. The Royal Ballet’s roster of principals is simply extraordinary, and any combination promises unforgettable performances. Among the names we may see are Yasmine Naghdi, whose return after maternity leave is especially exciting—her new interpretation of Odette is something I cannot wait to witness. There’s also the possibility of seeing Melissa Hamilton in what could be her official debut as a principal Odette at Covent Garden—an occasion that would be truly special to experience live.

And then there are so many other incredible artists I would love to see: Lauren Cuthbertson, Mayara Magri, Fumi Kaneko, Sarah Lamb, and my personal favourite Anna Rose O'Sullivan. Of course, the legendary Natalia Osipova brings her unmatched intensity, while the incomparable Marianela Nuñez—a true international superstar—may well open the run on gala night. Every possibility feels exciting, and every casting combination could be magical.

The male principals are equally impressive: Matthew Ball, William Bracewell, Reece Clarke, Cesar Corrales, Ryoichi Hirano, Steven McRae, Vadim Muntagirov, Calvin Richardson, Marcelino Sambé, Joseph Sissens —all of them capable of delivering deeply moving performances.

Musically, the production will be in outstanding hands, with the admired Koen Kessels conducting many performances, alongside Martin Georgiev, both leading either the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House or the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.


What makes this run even more thrilling is the unknown. With so many performances, anything could happen: debuts, surprises, and perhaps even the emergence of a brand-new Odette. That sense of possibility is part of the magic. It’s not just about seeing Swan Lake—it’s about discovering new interpretations, new emotions, and new stars.

One thing feels certain: tickets will sell out incredibly fast. This is Swan Lake, the most iconic ballet in the repertoire, performed by one of the greatest companies in the world. The excitement is real, the anticipation is growing, and the countdown has truly begun.

















There are few challenges in the entire ballet repertoire as demanding, as exposing, and as profoundly transformative as the role of Odette and Odile in Swan Lake. It is not simply a question of technique—although the technique required is immense, relentless, and unforgiving. It is not only about stamina—though the physical endurance needed to sustain both roles in a single evening is extraordinary. It is something deeper, rarer: the ability to embody two opposing souls within the same body, often within minutes, and to make both utterly believable.

Odette is purity. She is lyricism, fragility, breath, poetry made visible. Every movement must seem to float, to dissolve into the music, to exist beyond effort. Her arms speak, her eyes speak, her silence speaks. She is tragedy without excess, emotion without exaggeration.

Odile, by contrast, is brilliance. Precision. Attack. Seduction. Control. She dazzles, she commands, she captivates with an almost dangerous confidence. Her technique must be razor-sharp, her turns—those iconic fouettés—must electrify the audience, her presence must dominate the stage from the very first glance in the Act III waltz.

To dance both in one evening is to travel from moonlight to fire, from vulnerability to power, from softness to steel. It demands not only a complete ballerina—but a complete artist.

And at the Royal Ballet, this role lives in the hands of a truly extraordinary generation.

Lauren Cuthbertson brings a deeply poetic, almost spiritual quality to Odette—her interpretation feels like a whispered secret, full of nuance and emotional depth. Her Odile, by contrast, is refined and intelligent, seducing not through force but through subtle, irresistible control.

Melissa Hamilton offers a beautifully sculpted lyricism—her Odette promises sensitivity and introspection, while her Odile carries a sense of unfolding strength, a quiet but compelling authority that can surprise and mesmerize.

Francesca Hayward radiates sincerity and natural grace—her Odette feels youthful, tender, almost luminous in its innocence, while her Odile sparkles with charm, quickness, and an engaging theatrical presence.

Fumi Kaneko is a model of precision and musical clarity—her Odette flows seamlessly with the score, each phrase perfectly shaped, while her Odile dazzles with crystalline technique and impeccable control.

Sarah Lamb embodies classical elegance at its highest level—her Odette is serene, noble, and exquisitely detailed, while her Odile is polished, authoritative, and technically flawless.

When Sarah Lamb steps onto the stage of the Royal Opera House as Odette, the audience sees more than just a world-class ballerina. They are witnessing a living link to the Golden Age of Russian Ballet—a lineage that stretches back nearly 200 years to the Imperial theaters of St. Petersburg.

While Sarah is a definitive star of The Royal Ballet, her artistic DNA is purely Vaganova. She was molded by the legendary Tatiana Legat, a woman who was "ballet royalty." Tatiana was the granddaughter of Nikolai Legat—the very man who taught Anna Pavlova and partnered her on the world’s greatest stages.

To watch Sarah Lamb is to see the secrets of this lineage in motion:

The Purest Line: Following the strict discipline of the Legat family, Sarah’s technique is unpolluted. Her movements adhere to the "pure" Vaganova method, where every port de bras and every épaulement serves a musical and narrative purpose, never sacrificing grace for mere athleticism.

A "Mariinsky" Soul in London: Though she has made London her home, Sarah’s dancing "drinks" from the Mariinsky tradition. Her ability to use her back and shoulders with such fluidity is a direct inheritance from the Russian masters who codified the art form.

The Transfiguration: Much like Pavlova, Sarah possesses that rare, ethereal quality—a fragile beauty underpinned by a core of steel. She doesn't just mimic a swan; she undergoes the same poetic metamorphosis that made Pavlova an immortal icon.

Sarah Lamb is not just a modern performer; she is a guardian of tradition. She is the "21st Century Pavlova," carrying the torch of a vanishing era into the future. When she dances Swan Lake, she isn't just performing a role—she is breathing life into a history that belongs to the ages.

Anna Pavlova 

Mayara Magri brings emotional intensity and radiance—her Odette is deeply felt, full of vulnerability and warmth, while her Odile shines with vibrant energy and fearless brilliance.

Yasmine Naghdi combines lyrical refinement with quiet strength—her Odette is delicate yet grounded, rich in musical sensitivity, while her Odile is confident, expansive, and commanding.

Marianela Nuñez stands as one of the great ballerinas of our time—her Odette is generous, radiant, and emotionally open, while her Odile is majestic, thrilling, and utterly sovereign, commanding every corner of the stage.

Natalia Osipova is a force of nature—her Odette burns with raw, almost unbearable emotion, fragile and explosive at once, while her Odile is electrifying, unpredictable, and dangerously captivating.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan enchants with her musicality and sincerity—her Odette is tender and heartfelt, while her Odile reveals a playful yet precise brilliance that draws the audience in.

Akane Takada offers a vision of ethereal purity—her Odette is light as air, exquisitely controlled and poetic, while her Odile is sharp, luminous, and technically immaculate.

This role—this extraordinary  identity—has fascinated audiences across the world for generations. It is a test, a rite of passage, a summit that only the greatest ballerinas can reach. And always, in the background, there remains the echo of Margot Fonteyn, whose Odette became one of the most iconic in history, not only in England but worldwide—a standard of artistry that continues to inspire.

Now, it is the turn of a new generation.

These ballerinas of the Royal Ballet carry the legacy forward—not by imitating the past, but by redefining it. Each one brings her individuality, her truth, her artistry to the role. Each one transforms Odette and Odile into something personal, something alive.

Because in the end, that is the true magic of Swan Lake:
not that it remains the same—
but that it is reborn, again and again,
through the artists who dare to become it.


















The anticipation surrounding Swan Lake at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden has already reached an almost unbearable level of excitement—and yet, the most thrilling part is that so much remains unknown. The dates are set, the stage is waiting, the orchestra will soon tune, but the casts… the casts remain a mystery. And that mystery is exactly what makes this moment so magical.

Because when you look at the extraordinary roster of principals, the imagination simply takes flight.

Nothing is official yet—this must be said, again and again. No casts have been announced. No pairings confirmed. No debuts guaranteed. And yet… how can we not dream?

What if one evening we see Yasmine Naghdi returning to the stage after her maternity leave, bringing a renewed, deeper, perhaps even more fragile and poetic Odette? Who might stand beside her? Could it be the noble elegance of Vadim Muntagirov, with his pure classical line? Or perhaps the dramatic intensity of Matthew Ball, creating a darker, more psychological Prince Siegfried? Or even the refined artistry of William Bracewell, offering something quietly profound and deeply musical?

And then—imagine another evening entirely. Natalia Osipova takes the stage. Instantly, the atmosphere changes. Her Odette is not just danced—it is lived, burned through, almost dangerous in its emotional intensity. Who could match that energy? Reece Clarke with his commanding presence? Cesar Corrales bringing fire and virtuosity? Or perhaps Steven McRae, electrifying the stage with speed and brilliance?

And what about Marianela Nuñez, the radiant superstar who seems born to open great ballet runs? One can easily imagine her leading a gala night, her Odette luminous, her Odile dazzling. Alongside her, could we see Ryoichi Hirano in a partnership of elegance and refinement? Or Marcelino Sambé, bringing charm, musicality, and emotional warmth? Or even Joseph Sissens, creating a fresh and compelling dynamic?

And then there are the dream casts that feel like poetry waiting to happen.

Imagine Lauren Cuthbertson—so lyrical, so deeply expressive—paired with William Bracewell. A performance of quiet beauty, full of nuance and storytelling. Or Fumi Kaneko, with her exquisite precision and musical sensitivity, perhaps dancing with Vadim Muntagirov in a vision of classical perfection.

What if Mayara Magri brings her emotional richness to Odette, paired with Matthew Ball for something intense and deeply human? Or Sarah Lamb, whose refinement and control could create a hauntingly beautiful interpretation—perhaps alongside Reece Clarke in a grand, sweeping partnership?

And then, of course, there is Anna Rose O'Sullivan—a personal favourite for so many. Her artistry, her musicality, her emotional sincerity… imagining her Odette already feels special. Who would be her Prince? Cesar Corrales for brilliance? Marcelino Sambé for warmth? Joseph Sissens for freshness and discovery?

And then—another layer of excitement—what about Melissa Hamilton? The possibility of her official debut as Odette at Covent Garden as a principal feels like one of those moments that audiences remember forever. A debut always carries electricity. A sense of risk. Of revelation. Who might partner her on such an occasion? A trusted partner like Ryoichi Hirano? Or a contrasting energy like Steven McRae?

And beyond all of this… there is always the unexpected.

In a run with so many performances, it is entirely possible—perhaps even likely—that new interpretations will emerge. A dancer who has never performed Odette before might step into the role. A debut could appear quietly, unexpectedly, and become one of the most talked-about performances of the entire series. That is the magic of a long run: it creates space for discovery.

Every evening could feel completely different.

One night: pure classical refinement.
Another: raw emotional intensity.
Another: youthful freshness and surprise.
Another: legendary star power.

Two Swans 

Odette & Odile

And in the pit, the musical dimension adds yet another layer of richness. Under the baton of Koen Kessels, one might expect a deep, flowing musical narrative, full of colour and breath. With Martin Georgiev, perhaps a different energy, a different pacing, a new perspective on Tchaikovsky’s score. Even the same cast could feel transformed depending on the conductor.

This is why the excitement feels so immense. It’s not just one Swan Lake. It’s dozens of possible Swan Lakes, each unique, each unrepeatable.

And yes—tickets are not yet on sale. Yes—the casting remains unknown. Yes—we are still waiting.

But the dreaming has already begun.

Imagining combinations. Planning trips. Hoping for specific dates. Wondering who will dance when. Accepting that, in the end, any cast will be extraordinary—because every single one of these artists is exceptional.

This is the beauty of it: there is no wrong choice. Only different kinds of magic.

And when booking finally opens, the rush will be inevitable. Because everyone knows: this will be one of those ballet events that defines a season. Perhaps even more than that.

The stage is set.
The names are there.
The possibilities are endless.

And somewhere, in one of those performances, something unforgettable is waiting to happen.

Quel vertige d’émotion de penser à Swan Lake… Pour moi, ce n’est pas seulement un ballet, c’est une histoire personnelle, un fil invisible qui traverse toute une vie de spectateur.

Je me souviens encore de la toute première fois. C’était à Bavarian State Opera, à Munich. L’année 1997. Mon tout premier Lac des cygnes. Je ne me rappelle plus qui était Odette ce soir-là—c’est étrange comme la mémoire fonctionne—mais je me rappelle parfaitement l’émotion. Cette sensation presque irréelle de découvrir un monde nouveau, un monde de musique, de grâce, de tragédie et de beauté absolue. C’est là que tout a commencé.

Quelques années plus tard, en 2001, un moment encore plus marquant. À Barcelone, avec le San Francisco Ballet. Et cette fois, je n’oublierai jamais. Lucia Lacarra. Son Odette… d’une finesse, d’une pureté, d’une délicatesse inouïe. Peut-être la plus exquise que j’aie jamais vue. Et ce n’était pas une seule fois, mais deux. Depuis une loge au premier étage, juste à côté de la scène—une proximité presque irréelle. Chaque détail, chaque regard, chaque mouvement… c’était un rêve. Un moment suspendu dans le temps.

Et comme un écho à ce souvenir, des années plus tard, en 2024, dans ce même théâtre, dans cette même loge… une autre soirée inoubliable. Fumi Kaneko et Vadim Muntagirov, invités avec le Ballet de Rome. Une soirée triomphale. Une alchimie parfaite. Une Odette lumineuse, un prince d’une noblesse absolue. Ces moments restent gravés, comme des repères dans une vie de passion.

Et aujourd’hui, imaginer leur possible présence à Londres, dans cette nouvelle série au Royal Opera House… c’est déjà une émotion immense. Les voir à nouveau ensemble ? Ou bien dans des distributions différentes ? Peu importe, au fond. L’essentiel, c’est de les voir. De les ressentir. De vivre encore une fois cette magie.

Mais Swan Lake, c’est aussi toutes ces Odette que l’on n’a pas vues en direct, mais que l’on a découvertes grâce aux images, aux archives, aux vidéos qui défient le temps. Maya Plisetskaya, Alicia Alonso, Margot Fonteyn… des figures mythiques. Elles ne sont plus là, mais leur art demeure. Intact. Immortel. Elles continuent d’inspirer, d’émouvoir, de définir ce qu’est Odette.

Et puis, il y a les étoiles d’aujourd’hui. Celles qui font vivre ce rôle sur les scènes du monde entier—à Paris, à Londres, à Moscou, à Saint-Pétersbourg, à New York. Récemment encore, le monde du ballet a été bouleversé par les adieux de Gillian Murphy à l’American Ballet Theatre. Une soirée historique. Une des plus grandes Odette de l’histoire de la compagnie. Un moment chargé d’émotion, qui rappelle à quel point ce rôle marque une carrière… et une vie.

Et maintenant, nous regardons vers l’avenir. Vers cette nouvelle série à Londres. Vers les Odette du Royal Ballet.

Comment ne pas rêver devant une telle constellation de talents ?

Yasmine Naghdi, dont le retour est attendu avec tant d’impatience—quelle sera sa nouvelle Odette, transformée par le temps et l’expérience ?

Akane Takada, Odette divine, Odile unique.

Francesca Hayward , éblouissante ballerina et captivante.

Marianela Nuñez, la grande étoile internationale, rayonnante, magistrale.
Natalia Osipova, volcanique, imprévisible, bouleversante.
Lauren Cuthbertson, d’une sensibilité infinie.
Fumi Kaneko, d’une précision et d’une musicalité exquises.
Sarah Lamb, incarnation de l’élégance classique.
Mayara Magri, intense et lumineuse.  

Melissa Hamilton, peut-être à l’aube d’un moment clé avec un grand début.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan, si musicale, si sincère, si touchante.

Et autour d’elles, leurs partenaires—princes, complices, miroirs de leurs émotions : Matthew Ball, William Bracewell, Reece Clarke, Cesar Corrales, Steven McRae, Marcelino Sambé, Joseph Sissens, Ryoichi Hirano, Calvin Richardson

Et pourtant—rien n’est encore décidé.

C’est cela qui rend tout encore plus fascinant. Chaque soir sera différent. Chaque Odette sera unique. Chaque rencontre entre danseurs créera une nouvelle émotion, une nouvelle histoire. On peut imaginer mille combinaisons, mille possibilités… mais la réalité nous surprendra toujours.

Et peut-être—oui, peut-être—verrons-nous aussi naître une nouvelle Odette. Une danseuse qui, pour la première fois, abordera ce rôle mythique et marquera les esprits. Car avec autant de représentations, tout devient possible.

C’est cela, la magie de Swan Lake. Ce n’est jamais le même ballet. C’est une œuvre vivante, en perpétuelle transformation, portée par des artistes qui y laissent une part d’eux-mêmes.

Aujourd’hui, l’excitation est immense. Voyager à Londres n’est plus seulement une idée—c’est déjà un projet, une évidence, presque une nécessité pour tous les passionnés, venus non seulement du Royaume-Uni, mais du monde entier.

Nous ne savons pas encore qui dansera quoi.
Nous ne savons pas quels soirs seront les plus attendus.
Nous ne savons pas quelles émotions nous attendent.

Mais une chose est certaine :

Ces soirées seront inoubliables.

L’attesa per Swan Lake a Londra è qualcosa che va oltre l’entusiasmo: è un sogno che prende forma, giorno dopo giorno, alimentato dall’immaginazione. Perché sì, pensiamo sempre alle Odette—figure eteree, tragiche, sublimi—ma il Principe Siegfried… quanto è essenziale! Senza di lui, senza quella presenza capace di sostenere, riflettere e amplificare la magia di Odette, il balletto non sarebbe lo stesso. È nell’incontro tra loro che nasce l’incanto.

E allora la mente comincia a volare.

Immagino Lauren Cuthbertson con William Bracewell… una coppia di rara poesia, tutta fatta di sfumature, di silenzi, di respiri condivisi. Oppure Lauren con Matthew Ball, per un’intensità più drammatica, più teatrale. E se fosse con Vadim Muntagirov? Allora sì, pura linea classica, una perfezione quasi irreale.

E poi penso a Marianela Nuñez… radiosa, assoluta. Con chi? Con Vadim, certo, una partnership già leggendaria. Ma anche con Marcelino Sambé, per un’energia diversa, più luminosa, più viva. O ancora con Reece Clarke, per un Siegfried nobile e imponente. E se fosse con Cesar Corrales? Virtuosismo, fuoco, slancio!

E la mente continua…

Yasmine Naghdi, al suo ritorno—quanto sarà emozionante! Con Matthew Ball potrebbe creare una storia intensa, quasi cinematografica. Con William Bracewell, invece, qualcosa di più intimo, raccolto. E con Ryoichi Hirano? Eleganza pura, classicismo raffinato.

E poi Natalia Osipova… ogni sua apparizione è un evento. Con Steven McRae potrebbe incendiare il palcoscenico. Con Reece Clarke, creare contrasti affascinanti. O con Matthew Ball, spingersi verso territori emotivi estremi.

E non posso non immaginare Fumi Kaneko con Vadim Muntagirov… una coppia che sembra nata per questo balletto. Ma anche Fumi con Marcelino Sambé, per una lettura più luminosa, o con Joseph Sissens, per qualcosa di fresco, nuovo, sorprendente.

E ancora…

Mayara Magri con Matthew Ball, per una combinazione intensa e passionale. Oppure con Cesar Corrales, piena di energia e slancio.
Sarah Lamb con Ryoichi Hirano, per una perfezione classica quasi senza tempo.
Melissa Hamilton… e se fosse il suo grande momento? Con Steven McRae? O con William Bracewell? O magari con Marcelino Sambé?

E poi lei… Anna Rose O'Sullivan. Così musicale, così sincera. La immagino con Joseph Sissens, per una coppia giovane, vibrante. O con Cesar Corrales, per un contrasto affascinante. O con Matthew Ball, per una narrazione intensa.

E mentre penso a tutto questo… mi rendo conto che potrei continuare all’infinito.

Perché ogni combinazione è possibile.
Ogni coppia racconta una storia diversa.
Ogni serata sarà unica.

E non dimentichiamo altri straordinari artisti come Calvin Richardson e Akane Takada, che potrebbero inserirsi in queste costellazioni di talento, creando nuove alchimie, nuove emozioni.

È questo il vero fascino di una lunga serie di Swan Lake: la varietà infinita. Non esiste una sola versione, ma tante quante sono le coppie che salgono sul palcoscenico.

E allora sogno.
Sogno combinazioni, debutti, ritorni.
Sogno serate diverse, emozioni nuove.
Sogno Odette e Siegfried che si incontrano, si perdono, si ritrovano…

La mia immaginazione vola, come un cigno.

E presto—molto presto—quel sogno diventerà realtà.

Il existe peu de défis dans tout le répertoire du ballet aussi exigeants, aussi révélateurs et aussi profondément transformateurs que le double rôle d’Odette et d’Odile dans Le Lac des cygnes. Ce n’est pas seulement une question de technique—bien que la technique exigée soit immense, implacable, presque surhumaine. Ce n’est pas seulement une question d’endurance—même si la résistance physique nécessaire pour porter ces deux rôles au cours d’une même soirée est extraordinaire. C’est quelque chose de plus rare encore : la capacité d’habiter deux âmes opposées dans un seul corps, parfois en l’espace de quelques minutes, et de rendre chacune totalement crédible.

Odette est pureté. Elle est lyrisme, fragilité, souffle, poésie incarnée. Chaque mouvement doit sembler flotter, se dissoudre dans la musique, exister au-delà de l’effort. Ses bras parlent, son regard parle, son silence parle. Elle est tragédie sans excès, émotion sans démonstration.

Odile, au contraire, est éclat. Précision. Attaque. Séduction. Contrôle. Elle fascine, elle domine, elle captive avec une assurance presque dangereuse. Sa technique doit être acérée, ses tours—ces fouettés tant attendus—doivent électriser la salle, sa présence doit s’imposer dès le premier regard du grand acte III.

Danser les deux dans une même représentation, c’est traverser un monde entier : passer de la lumière lunaire au feu, de la vulnérabilité à la puissance, de la douceur à l’acier. Cela exige non seulement une grande ballerine—mais une artiste totale.

Et au Royal Ballet, ce rôle vit aujourd’hui à travers une génération absolument remarquable.

Lauren Cuthbertson apporte à Odette une poésie intime, presque spirituelle ; son interprétation semble murmurée, pleine de nuances et de profondeur. Son Odile, elle, séduit par une intelligence raffinée, une maîtrise subtile, presque hypnotique.

Melissa Hamilton offre un lyrisme sculpté avec délicatesse ; son Odette promet sensibilité et introspection, tandis que son Odile révèle une force en devenir, une autorité discrète mais saisissante.

Francesca Hayward rayonne de sincérité et de grâce naturelle ; son Odette est lumineuse, tendre, presque innocente, tandis que son Odile brille par son charme, sa vivacité et son sens théâtral.

Fumi Kaneko incarne la précision et la clarté musicale ; son Odette coule avec la partition, chaque phrase étant ciselée avec perfection, tandis que son Odile éblouit par une technique cristalline.

Sarah Lamb est l’élégance classique incarnée ; son Odette est noble, sereine, d’une beauté épurée, et son Odile impose un style impeccable, maîtrisé jusque dans les moindres détails.

Mayara Magri apporte intensité et lumière ; son Odette est vibrante d’émotion, sincère et touchante, tandis que son Odile rayonne d’énergie et d’audace.

Yasmine Naghdi allie finesse lyrique et force intérieure ; son Odette est délicate, musicale, profondément habitée, tandis que son Odile s’impose avec assurance et ampleur.

Marianela Nuñez est une grande étoile de notre temps ; son Odette est généreuse, lumineuse, profondément humaine, tandis que son Odile est magistrale, souveraine, électrisante.

Natalia Osipova est une force de la nature ; son Odette brûle d’une intensité bouleversante, fragile et explosive à la fois, tandis que son Odile est fulgurante, imprévisible, fascinante.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan charme par sa musicalité et sa sincérité ; son Odette est délicate et émouvante, tandis que son Odile révèle une brillance vive et captivante.

Akane Takada offre une vision d’une pureté éthérée ; son Odette est aérienne, parfaitement maîtrisée, d’une poésie rare, tandis que son Odile est lumineuse, incisive, techniquement irréprochable.

Ce double rôle—cette dualité fascinante—a captivé les publics du monde entier depuis des générations. C’est une épreuve, un sommet, un passage obligé pour les plus grandes. Et toujours, en filigrane, demeure l’ombre lumineuse de Margot Fonteyn, dont l’Odette reste l’une des plus mythiques de l’histoire, non seulement en Angleterre mais dans le monde entier.

Aujourd’hui, une nouvelle génération prend le relais.

Ces ballerines du Royal Ballet ne reproduisent pas le passé : elles le réinventent. Chacune apporte sa vérité, sa sensibilité, son art. Chacune fait renaître Odette et Odile sous une forme nouvelle, vivante, vibrante.

Car au fond, c’est cela, la véritable magie du Lac des cygnes :
non pas rester immuable,
mais renaître, encore et encore,
à travers celles qui osent l’incarner.

En todo el repertorio del ballet, pocos desafíos son tan exigentes, reveladores y profundamente transformadores como el doble papel de Odette y Odile en El lago de los cisnes. No se trata solo de técnica, aunque la técnica requerida es inmensa, implacable, casi sobrehumana. Tampoco se trata solo de resistencia, aunque la fortaleza física necesaria para interpretar ambos papeles en una sola noche es extraordinaria. Se trata de algo aún más excepcional: la capacidad de habitar dos almas opuestas en un solo cuerpo, a veces en cuestión de minutos, y de hacer que cada una resulte totalmente creíble.

Odette es pureza. Es lirismo, fragilidad, aliento, poesía encarnada. Cada movimiento debe parecer flotar, disolverse en la música, existir más allá del esfuerzo. Sus brazos hablan, su mirada habla, su silencio habla. Es tragedia sin excesos, emoción sin ostentación.

Odile, en cambio, es brillantez. Precisión. Ataque. Seducción. Control. Fascina, domina, cautiva con una confianza casi peligrosa. Su técnica debe ser impecable, sus giros —esos fouettés tan esperados— deben electrizar al público, su presencia debe captar la atención desde el primer vistazo del grandioso Acto III.

Odette & Odile

Two Swans

Bailar ambos papeles en la misma función es recorrer un mundo entero: pasar de la luz de la luna al fuego, de la vulnerabilidad al poder, de la dulzura al acero. Esto exige no solo una gran bailarina, sino una artista completa.

Y en el Royal Ballet, este papel perdura hoy a través de una generación absolutamente extraordinaria. Lauren Cuthbertson aporta una poesía íntima, casi espiritual, a Odette; su interpretación parece susurrada, llena de matices y profundidad. Su Odile, por otro lado, seduce con una inteligencia refinada, una maestría sutil, casi hipnótica. Melissa Hamilton ofrece un lirismo delicadamente esculpido; su Odette promete sensibilidad e introspección, mientras que su Odile revela una fuerza en ciernes, una autoridad discreta pero impactante. Francesca Hayward irradia sinceridad y gracia natural; Su Odette es luminosa, tierna, casi inocente, mientras que su Odile brilla con encanto, vivacidad y estilo teatral.

Fumi Kaneko encarna la precisión y la claridad musical; su Odette fluye con la partitura, cada frase cincelada a la perfección, mientras que su Odile deslumbra con una técnica cristalina.

Sarah Lamb es la elegancia clásica personificada; su Odette es noble, serena y exquisitamente bella, y su Odile domina un estilo impecable, perfeccionado hasta el más mínimo detalle.

Mayara Magri aporta intensidad y luz; su Odette rebosa emoción, sinceridad y emotividad, mientras que su Odile irradia energía y audacia.

Yasmine Naghdi combina la delicadeza lírica con la fuerza interior; su Odette es delicada, musical y profundamente expresiva, mientras que su Odile capta la atención con seguridad y amplitud. Marianela Nuñez es una gran estrella de nuestro tiempo. Su Odette es generosa, luminosa y profundamente humana, mientras que su Odile es magistral, imponente y electrizante.

Natalia Osipova es una fuerza de la naturaleza; su Odette arde con una intensidad impresionante, frágil pero explosiva, mientras que su Odile es deslumbrante, impredecible y cautivadora.

Anna Rose O'Sullivan encanta con su musicalidad y sinceridad; su Odette es delicada y conmovedora, mientras que su Odile revela un brillo vívido y cautivador.

Akane Takada ofrece una visión de pureza etérea; su Odette es etérea, perfectamente controlada y posee una poesía singular, mientras que su Odile es luminosa, incisiva y técnicamente impecable.

Este doble papel —esta fascinante dualidad— ha cautivado al público de todo el mundo durante generaciones. Es una prueba, una cumbre, un paso necesario para los más grandes cantantes. Y siempre, sutilmente presente, permanece la luminosa sombra de Margot Fonteyn, cuya Odette sigue siendo una de las más legendarias de la historia, no solo en Inglaterra sino en todo el mundo.

Hoy, una nueva generación toma el relevo.

Estas bailarinas del Royal Ballet no reproducen el pasado: lo reinventan. Cada una aporta su propia verdad, su propia sensibilidad, su propio arte. Cada una devuelve la vida a Odette y Odile en una forma nueva, vibrante y llena de vida.

Porque, en definitiva, esta es la verdadera magia de El lago de los cisnes:

no permanecer inmutable,sino renacer, una y otra vez,a través de quienes se atreven a encarnarlo.


Wednesday, January 24, 2024

London - Manon 17 jan –8 mar 2024

 Le fabuleux ballet "Manon" revient sur la scène du Royal Ballet de Londres. Comme toujours, c'est un succès absolu au box-office, pour certaines représentations il n'y a plus de billets. Les grandes stars internationales de la compagnie dansent logiquement dans cette série et la star Natalia Osipova sera également choisie pour tenir le rôle principal lors de la diffusion du ballet dans les cinémas du monde entier. Le 3 février, elle se charge de danser avec Reece Clarke, avec qui elle a déjà dansé à plusieurs reprises. Le même jour mais à 19 heures, l'autre grande star de la compagnie, Yasmine Naghdi, se produira aux côtés de William Bracewell. Le 9 est un jour fabuleux car Marianela Núnez dansera aux côtés de Roberto Bolle, la grande star internationale de la danse italienne. Ce sera un spectacle mémorable. Je pense qu'il n'y a plus de billets. La star exquise Lauren Cuthbertson dansera aux côtés de Matthew Ball le jour de la Saint-Valentin, le 14 février. Francesca Hayward et Marcelino Sambé formeront un autre grand couple dans cette série. Roberto Bolle danse à nouveau le 17 mais il n'y a plus de billets non plus. Fumi Kaneko et Vadim Muntagirov danseront également dans cette série. Sarah Lamb avec Ryoichi Hirano, qui dansent habituellement ensemble, le feront le 26 février et le lendemain, Fumi et Vadim répéteront. Déjà en mars nous aurons Sarah et Ryoichi, Francesca Hayward, encore Alexander Campbell qui sera le couple qui clôturera cette série Manon. Le 5 mars à 19h30, Melissa Hamilton montera sur scène aux côtés de Calvin Ricardson. Melissa Hamilton est l'une de mes danseuses préférées non seulement au Royal Ballet mais dans le monde entier, j'attends donc avec impatience son interprétation de cette héroïne française. Comme toujours, c'est un plaisir d'assister à n'importe quelle distribution de cette fabuleuse et sans aucun doute l'une des meilleures compagnies de ballet au monde.

The fabulous ballet "Manon" returns to the stage of the Royal Ballet in London. As always, it is an absolute box office success, for some performances there are no more tickets left. The company's great international stars logically dance in this series and the star Natalia Osipova will also be chosen to play the main role when the ballet is broadcast in cinemas around the world. On February 3rd she is in charge of dancing with Reece Clarke, with whom she has already danced on many occasions. That same day but at 7 in the afternoon she will be joined by the company's other big star, Yasmine Naghdi alongside William Bracewell. The 9th is a fabulous day because Marianela Núnez will dance alongside Roberto Bolle, the great international Italian dance star. It will be a memorable performance. I think there are no more tickets left. Exquisite star Lauren Cuthbertson will dance alongside Matthew Ball on Valentine's Day, February 14. Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé will form another great couple in this series. Roberto Bolle dances again on the 17th but there are no tickets left either. Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov will also dance in this series. Sarah Lamb with Ryoichi Hirano, who usually dance together, will do so on February 26 and the next day Fumi and Vadim will repeat. Already in March we will have Sarah and Ryoichi, Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell again who will be the couple that will close this Manon series. On March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Melissa Hamilton will appear on stage with Calvin Ricardson. Melissa Hamilton is one of my favorite dancers not only in the Royal Ballet but in the entire world, so I am looking forward to her interpretation of this French heroine. As always, a pleasure to attend any cast of this fabulous and undoubtedly one of the best ballet companies in the world.

Il favoloso balletto "Manon" torna sul palco del Royal Ballet di Londra. Come sempre è un successo assoluto al botteghino, per alcune rappresentazioni non ci sono più biglietti. Le grandi star internazionali della compagnia ballano logicamente in questa serie e anche la star Natalia Osipova sarà scelta per interpretare il ruolo principale quando il balletto verrà trasmesso nei cinema di tutto il mondo. Il 3 febbraio dovrà ballare con Reece Clarke, con il quale ha già ballato in numerose occasioni. Lo stesso giorno, ma alle 19, si esibirà l'altra grande star della compagnia, Yasmine Naghdi, insieme a William Bracewell. Il 9 sarà una giornata favolosa perché Marianela Núnez ballerà al fianco di Roberto Bolle, la grande star della danza italiana internazionale. Sarà uno spettacolo memorabile, credo che non ci siano più biglietti. La squisita star Lauren Cuthbertson ballerà insieme a Matthew Ball il giorno di San Valentino, il 14 febbraio. Francesca Hayward e Marcelino Sambé formeranno un'altra grande coppia di questa serie. Roberto Bolle balla ancora il 17 ma anche i biglietti sono esauriti. In questa serie balleranno anche Fumi Kaneko e Vadim Muntagirov. Sarah Lamb con Ryoichi Hirano, che di solito ballano insieme, lo faranno il 26 febbraio e il giorno successivo Fumi e Vadim si ripeteranno. Già a marzo avremo Sarah e Ryoichi, Francesca Hayward, ancora Alexander Campbell che sarà la coppia che chiuderà questa serie di Manon. Il 5 marzo alle 19:30 Melissa Hamilton salirà sul palco con Calvin Ricardson. Melissa Hamilton è una delle mie ballerine preferite non solo del Royal Ballet ma del mondo intero, quindi non vedo l'ora di vedere la sua interpretazione di questa eroina francese. Come sempre, è un piacere assistere al cast di questa favolosa e senza dubbio una delle migliori compagnie di balletto al mondo.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

London - The Nutcracker 6 dec 2023 – 13 jan 2024

Le ballet le plus célèbre de la saison, pas celle-ci, mais de toutes les saisons du ballet royal, est le célèbre Casse-Noisette. Ce ballet est proposé chaque Noël et toujours avec salle comble au point que les billets sont vendus pour absolument toutes les représentations et que beaucoup sont programmées avec un casting très varié. Pour les amateurs du ballet, c'est une excellente occasion de voir les célèbres étoiles du ballet royal danser dans les beaux rôles de LA FÉE SUCRE et du prince, deux rôles très vertueux et difficiles, mais aussi élégants et majestueux. Les stars mondiales les plus importantes ont interprété ce rôle à un moment donné de leur carrière et cette année nous aurons l'occasion de voir la danseuse Meaghan Grace Hinkis, première soliste, ouvrant cette grande série de performances. La danseuse a eu beaucoup de succès cette année en dansant Kitri et, comme prévu, elle connaîtra un autre grand succès le 6 décembre prochain lors de la première du ballet. Valentino Zucchetti sera son prince dans cette représentation. La danseuse étoile de la compagnie Fumi Kaneko qui a remporté tant de succès sur la scène de Covent Garden, il faut se rappeler qu'elle a été choisie pour jouer la belle au bois dormant dans le ballet diffusé, une dernière fois et j'ai personnellement eu la chance de la voir en direct en 2019 lorsqu'elle n'en était pas encore principal dancer, et elle reçut un très bon accueil aux côtés de le magnifique Reece Clarke. William Bracewell sera le prince aux côtés de Fumi Kaneko. Ils danseront le même jour le 6 mais lors du spectacle du soir.

Le 7 décembre est un grand jour pour le monde de l'opéra, car s'ouvre la saison de la Scala de Milan, un événement mondial qui captera ce soir l'attention de tout le monde artistique, mais ce même 7 décembre, il y aura aussi un événement important et c'est que la danseuse étoile du Royal Ballet Anne Rose O'Sullivan dansera le rôle de Sugar Plum Fairy aux côtés du fabuleux et extraordinaire danseur étoile Marcelino Sambé. De plus, cette performance sera filmée. Ils seront chargés cette année de toucher des milliers de personnes à travers le monde à travers ce tournage. D'autres couples fabuleux qui incarneront la fée et le prince dans des représentations successives seront cette année Yuhui Choe, Benjamin Ella / Mariko Sasaki, Joseph Sissens, / Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae, Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball. Les 20 et 23 décembre, la célèbre vedette de la compagnie, Lauren Cuthbertson, donnera un spectacle qui sera mémorable pour le public qui aura la chance d'avoir un billet pour voir cette danseuse exquise, en compagnie du magnifique danseur William Bracewell. Le 21 Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke seront chargés d'être le couple principal. Le 1er janvier 2024, la personne chargée d'offrir la première représentation de l'année sera la danseuse soliste  Annette Buvoli qui sera la fée aux côtés du prince Nicol Edmonds. Akane Takada, Ryoichi Hirano, Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov danseront les représentations de l'année 2024, Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke danseront la dernière représentation de cette longue série le 13 janvier exactement.

The most famous ballet of the season, not this one, but of all the royal ballet seasons, is the well-known Nutcracker. This ballet is offered every Christmas and always with a full house to the point that tickets are sold out for absolutely all the performances and that many are scheduled with a very varied casting. For ballet lovers it is a great opportunity to see the famous royal ballet stars live in the beautiful roles of THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY and the prince, two very virtuous and difficult roles, as well as elegant and majestic. The most important world stars have danced this role at some point in their careers and this year we will have the opportunity to see the dancer Meaghan Grace Hinkis opening this great series of performances. The dancer has had great success this year dancing Kitri, and as expected she will have another great success this coming December 6 at the premiere of the ballet. Valentino Zucchetti will be her prince in that performance. The principal dancer of the Fumi Kaneko company who has achieved so much success on the Covent Garden scene, we must remember that she was chosen to play the sleeping beauty in the ballet broadcast, and I personally was lucky enough to see it live in 2019 when she was not yet the main star of the company, and she received a great reception alongside the magnificent Reece Clarke. William Bracewell will be the prince alongside Fumi Kaneko. They will dance on the same day the 6th but at the evening performance.

December 7 is a great day for the world of opera, as the La Scala season in Milan opens, a global event that will capture the attention of the entire artistic world that night, but on that same December 7, There will also be an important event and that is that the Royal Ballet's star  Anne Rose O'Sullivan will dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy alongside the fabulous and extraordinary star dancer Marcelino Sambé. Furthermore, this performance will be filmed. They will be in charge this year of reaching thousands of people around the world through this filming. Other fabulous couples who will play the fairy and the prince in successive performances will be this year Yuhui Choe, Benjamin Ella / Mariko Sasaki, Joseph Sissens, / Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae, Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball. On December 20 and 23, the company's famous star, Lauren Cuthbertson, will give a performance that will be memorable for attendees lucky enough to get a ticket to see this exquisite dancer, along with the magnificent dancer William Bracewell. On the 21st Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke will be in charge of being the leading couple. On January 1, 2024, the person in charge of offering the first performance of the year will be the soloist dancer Annette Buvoli who will be the fairy alongside Prince Nicol Edmonds. Akane Takada, Ryoichi Hirano, Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov will dance the performances from the year 2024, Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke will dance the last performance of this long series exactly on January 13.

Il balletto più famoso della stagione, non questa, ma di tutte le stagioni del royal ballet, è il famoso Schiaccianoci. Questo balletto viene proposto ogni Natale e sempre con il tutto esaurito, al punto che i biglietti sono esauriti assolutamente per tutte le rappresentazioni e che molte sono previste con un casting molto vario. Per gli amanti del balletto è una grande opportunità per vedere dal vivo le famose star del balletto reale nei bellissimi ruoli della Sugar Pum Fairy e the prince, due ruoli molto virtuosi e difficili, oltre che eleganti e maestosi. Le più importanti star mondiali hanno ballato questo ruolo ad un certo punto della loro carriera e quest'anno avremo l'opportunità di vedere la ballerina Meaghan Grace Hinkis la PRIMA SOLISTA DEL ROYAL BALLET aprendo questa grande serie di spettacoli. La ballerina ha avuto un grande successo quest'anno ballando Kitri, e come previsto avrà un altro grande successo il prossimo 6 dicembre alla prima del balletto. Valentino Zucchetti sarà il suo principe in quella rappresentazione. Prima ballerina della compagnia Fumi Kaneko che tanto successo ha ottenuto sulla scena del Covent Garden, ricordiamo che è stata scelta per interpretare la Bella Addormentata nella trasmissione del balletto, e personalmente ho avuto la fortuna di vederla dal vivo nel 2019 quando non era ancora il personaggio principale e ricevette una grande accoglienza insieme al magnifico Reece Clarke. William Bracewell sarà il principe insieme a Fumi Kaneko. Si ballerà lo stesso giorno, il 6, ma allo spettacolo serale.

Il 7 dicembre è un grande giorno per il mondo della lirica, perché si apre la stagione della Scala di Milano, un evento mondiale che questa sera catturerà l'attenzione dell'intero mondo artistico, ma lo stesso 7 dicembre ci sarà anche un evento importante e cioè che la ballerina stella del Royal Ballet Anne Rose O'Sullivan ballerà il ruolo di Sugar Fairy  insieme al favoloso e straordinario ballerino star Marcelino Sambé. Inoltre, questa performance verrà filmata. Quest'anno avranno il compito di raggiungere migliaia di persone in tutto il mondo attraverso queste riprese. Altre coppie favolose che interpreteranno la fata e il principe nelle recite successive saranno quest'anno Yuhui Choe, Benjamin Ella / Mariko Sasaki, Joseph Sissens, / Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae, Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball. Il 20 e 23 dicembre, la famosa star della compagnia, Lauren Cuthbertson, darà uno spettacolo che sarà memorabile per i partecipanti che avranno la fortuna di ottenere un biglietto per vedere questa squisita ballerina, insieme al magnifico ballerino William Bracewell. Il 21 Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke sarà la coppia protagonista. Il 1° gennaio 2024, la persona incaricata di offrire la prima esibizione dell'anno sarà la ballerina solista Annette Buvoli che sarà la fata insieme al principe Nicol Edmonds. Akane Takada, Ryoichi Hirano, Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov danzeranno le performance dell'anno 2024, Mayara Magri, Reece Clarke danzeranno l'ultima performance di questa lunga serie esattamente il 13 gennaio.



PARIS | Opéra Bastille - La Bayadère - Rudolf Nureyev - From June 17th to July 14th, 2026

Paris - Opéra Bastille - Opening Night -  17 Jun 2026  There are evenings when the theater ceases to be a mere stage and becomes a sanctuary...