Showing posts with label Matthew Ball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew Ball. 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, April 15, 2026

London - Mayerling - Melissa Hamilton & Matthew Ball - 30 March 2026

What a joy to see Mayerling return to the Royal Ballet stage in 2026. This masterpiece by Kenneth MacMillan is undoubtedly one of the most powerful, sumptuous, and psychologically breathtaking ballets in the repertoire. Inspired by the true and tragic story of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and Baroness Mary Vetsera, it plunges us into the depths of a destructive passion, a world of desire, madness, political oppression, and fate.

The story is well-known, yet it remains profoundly moving. Prince Rudolf, the tormented heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is stifled by a rigid and hypocritical court. His marriage is unhappy, his political ideals are suppressed, and his inner demons intensify. Mary Vetsera, a young baroness captivated by this mysterious prince, is drawn into a spiral of obsession and absolute passion. Their fate, sealed at the Mayerling hunting lodge, remains one of the most striking dramas in European history. MacMillan transforms this tragedy into an incandescent ballet of rare emotional intensity, set to sumptuous, sensitive music that is by turns lyrical and heart-rending.

This season, the Royal Ballet presents a series of performances that will place London, once again—and perhaps more than ever—at the heart of the international choreographic scene.

Opening Night—March 30, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Matthew Ball, Melissa Hamilton, Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hinkis

The premiere promises to be historic. Melissa Hamilton will portray Mary Vetsera, alongside Matthew Ball as Prince Rudolf. One can already imagine the electric atmosphere in the theater. Hamilton, a Belfast-born principal dancer and winner of the Youth American Grand Prix in New York, is a performer deeply influenced by MacMillan's ballets. She beautifully expressed how these works are almost cathartic: they demand drawing on one's own experience, an inner surrender, to achieve a truthful performance. She speaks of this fascinating juxtaposition between becoming someone else while remaining completely true to one's own emotions—a liberating veil that allows for a rare intensity.

Her Mary Vetsera promises to be enchanting, vibrant, and authentic. Opposite her, Matthew Ball, another exceptional artist, will bring dramatic depth and magnetic intensity to Prince Rudolf. Their rapport, their chemistry, their stage presence promise an explosive evening, undoubtedly the most anticipated of the season. 
Each cast is remarkable. Every artist possesses the technique, dramatic maturity, and sensitivity necessary to tackle the immense challenge that is Mayerling. If you can't attend the opening night, rest assured: the other couples will be just as formidable.

But it must be said—the first performance with Melissa Hamilton and Matthew Ball has something particularly dazzling about it. A promise of magnetism, dramatic tension, beauty, and stage truth. A rare alchemy.

We are truly privileged to attend this run. Mayerling is not just a ballet: it is an intense emotional experience, a psychological thriller, a sumptuous historical epic. London is about to resonate with the rhythm of an unforgettable tragedy.

And what a joy it is to anticipate this with such enthusiasm.

Spring 2026 promises a truly dazzling event in the heart of London. The stage of the Royal Opera House will be transformed into a portal to 19th-century imperial Europe with the return of one of the most intense works in the repertoire: Mayerling, a masterful creation by the great British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan.

But this time, more than ever, audiences will come not only for the choreography or the music. They will also come to immerse themselves in a universe of luxury, splendor, and tragic romance. From the moment the curtain rises, the spectator will be transported far from contemporary London to travel, for a few hours, to the sumptuous world of imperial Vienna: gilded halls, resplendent uniforms, ladies draped in silks and jewels, and the atmosphere of legendary court balls that inevitably evoke the era of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

The sets and costumes of Mayerling are a spectacle in themselves. With an opulence worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, each scene recreates the splendor of the Habsburg court in exquisite detail. The stage seems to open the doors of Vienna's Hofburg Palace, immersing the audience in a world of aristocratic elegance, palace intrigue, and forbidden passions.

The opening night, March 30, promises to be absolutely historic. The leading lady will be principal dancer Melissa Hamilton, who will embody the tragic Baroness Mary Vetsera. Belfast-born Hamilton, one of the Royal Ballet's most refined performers, possesses extraordinary stage presence. Her presence combines elegance, emotional depth, and a dramatic intensity that promises to make her Mary Vetsera an unforgettable figure.


Alongside her will be the powerful and magnetic Matthew Ball, who will take on the tormented role of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Together they will form a stage couple of enormous dramatic force, destined to electrify the theater in an evening that many are already anticipating as one of the season's major events.

The story opens with a scene of pure imperial splendor: the grand ballroom of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. There, the marriage of Crown Prince Rudolf and Princess Stephanie of Belgium is being celebrated with great pomp. The court gleams beneath the chandeliers, Hungarian officers wear their uniforms, and the ladies swirl amidst waltzes and intrigues. But beneath this glittering surface, drama is already brewing: Rudolf is openly flirting with Princess Louise, his wife's sister, causing a scandal in the eyes of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

At this same ball appears the young Mary Vetsera, barely a teenager, captivated by the mysterious prince. This encounter will mark the beginning of an irresistible and fatal passion.

The breathtaking music of Franz Liszt, magnificently orchestrated by John Lanchbery, envelops the entire action with a romantic intensity that seems to make every gesture, every glance, every step pulse with emotion.

Although the opening night with Melissa Hamilton and Matthew Ball promises a truly special brilliance, the remaining performances will feature extraordinary casts that reflect the immense artistic richness of The Royal Ballet. Fascinating figures dancers of the Royal Ballet will each bring their own unique vision to these tormented characters.

And therein lies one of the greatest wonders of this series: witnessing how different artists explore the psychology of Prince Rudolf and the young Baroness. Each performer reveals new nuances, new shadows, new passions.

It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable season. A series of evenings in which London will be transformed into imperial Vienna, where the music, dance, sets, and costumes will transport us to the golden age of European princes.

For a few hours, the audience will not simply be in a theater. They will be living inside a story.

A story of beauty, power, passion… and tragedy.

Quel bonheur de voir Mayerling revenir sur la scène du Royal Ballet en 2026. Ce chef-d’œuvre de Kenneth MacMillan est sans doute l’un des ballets les plus puissants, les plus somptueux et les plus psychologiquement vertigineux du répertoire. Inspiré de l’histoire réelle et tragique du prince héritier Rodolphe d’Autriche et de la baronne Mary Vetsera, il nous entraîne dans les abîmes d’une passion destructrice, entre désir, folie, oppression politique et fatalité.

L’histoire est connue, et pourtant elle bouleverse toujours. Le prince Rodolphe, héritier tourmenté de l’Empire austro-hongrois, étouffe dans une cour rigide et hypocrite. Son mariage est malheureux, ses idéaux politiques sont réprimés, ses démons intérieurs s’intensifient. Mary Vetsera, jeune baronne fascinée par ce prince mystérieux, se laisse entraîner dans une spirale d’obsession et de passion absolue. Leur destin scellé au pavillon de chasse de Mayerling demeure l’un des drames les plus saisissants de l’histoire européenne. MacMillan transforme cette tragédie en un ballet incandescent, d’une intensité émotionnelle rare, porté par une musique somptueuse, sensible, tour à tour lyrique et déchirante.

Le Royal Ballet offre cette saison une série de représentations qui placeront Londres, une fois encore — et peut-être plus que jamais — au centre de la scène chorégraphique internationale.

La soirée d’ouverture — 30 mars 2026, 19h

Matthew Ball, Melissa Hamilton, Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hinkis

La première s’annonce historique. Melissa Hamilton incarnera Mary Vetsera, aux côtés de Matthew Ball en prince Rodolphe. On peut déjà imaginer l’électricité dans la salle. Hamilton, danseuse principale née à Belfast et lauréate du Youth American Grand Prix à New York, est une interprète profondément marquée par les ballets de MacMillan. Elle a magnifiquement exprimé combien ces œuvres sont presque cathartiques : elles exigent de puiser dans sa propre expérience, de se livrer intérieurement pour atteindre une vérité scénique. Elle parle de cette juxtaposition fascinante entre devenir quelqu’un d’autre tout en restant totalement sincère avec ses propres émotions — un voile libérateur qui permet une intensité rare.

Sa Mary Vetsera promet d’être ensorcelante, vibrante, authentique. Face à elle, Matthew Ball, autre artiste d’exception, donnera au prince Rodolphe une profondeur dramatique et une intensité magnétique. Leur complicité, leur chimie, leur présence scénique annoncent une soirée explosive, sans doute la plus attendue de la saison.













2 avril 2026, 13h

Calvin Richardson, Sarah Lamb, Anna Rose O'Sullivan, Annette Buvoli, Viola Pantuso

2 avril 2026, 19h

William Bracewell, Fumi Kaneko, Leticia Dias, Lara Turk, Sae Maeda

4 avril 2026, 19h30

Matthew Ball, Melissa Hamilton, Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hinkis

7 avril 2026, 19h30

Vadim Muntagirov, Akane Takada, Isabel Lubach, Nadia Mullova-Barley, Marianna Tsembenhoi

9 avril 2026, 19h30

Matthew Ball, Melissa Hamilton, Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hinkis

11 avril 2026, 19h30

Ryoichi Hirano, Natalia Osipova, Claire Calvert, Christina Arestis, Madison Bailey

25 avril 2026, 13h

Vadim Muntagirov, Akane Takada, Isabel Lubach, Nadia Mullova-Barley, Marianna Tsembenhoi

25 avril 2026, 19h

Ryoichi Hirano, Natalia Osipova, Claire Calvert, Christina Arestis, Madison Bailey

27 avril 2026, 19h30

Calvin Richardson, Sarah Lamb, Anna Rose O'Sullivan, Annette Buvoli, Viola Pantuso

29 avril 2026, 19h30

Marcelino Sambé, Francesca Hayward, Olivia Cowley, Mica Bradbury, Ella Newton Severgnini

4 mai 2026, 19h30

Marcelino Sambé, Francesca Hayward, Olivia Cowley, Mica Bradbury, Ella Newton Severgnini

9 mai 2026, 13h

Calvin Richardson, Sarah Lamb, Anna Rose O'Sullivan, Annette Buvoli, Viola Pantuso

9 mai 2026, 19h

Ryoichi Hirano, Natalia Osipova, Claire Calvert, Christina Arestis, Madison Bailey

11 mai 2026, 19h30

William Bracewell, Fumi Kaneko, Leticia Dias, Lara Turk, Sae Maeda

16 mai 2026, 13h

Vadim Muntagirov, Akane Takada, Isabel Lubach, Nadia Mullova-Barley, Marianna Tsembenhoi

16 mai 2026, 19h

William Bracewell, Fumi Kaneko, Leticia Dias, Lara Turk, Sae Maeda

18 mai 2026, 19h30

Marcelino Sambé, Francesca Hayward, Olivia Cowley, Mica Bradbury, Ella Newton Severgnini


Chaque distribution est remarquable. Chacun de ces artistes possède la technique, la maturité dramatique et la sensibilité nécessaires pour affronter l’immense défi qu’est Mayerling. Si vous ne pouvez assister à la soirée d’ouverture, soyez rassuré : les autres couples seront tout aussi formidables.

Mais il faut bien le dire — la première avec Melissa Hamilton et Matthew Ball a quelque chose de particulièrement étincelant. Une promesse de magnétisme, de tension dramatique, de beauté et de vérité scénique. Une alchimie rare.

Nous sommes véritablement privilégiés d’assister à cette série. Mayerling n’est pas seulement un ballet : c’est une expérience émotionnelle intense, un vertige psychologique, une fresque historique somptueuse. Londres s’apprête à vibrer au rythme d’une tragédie inoubliable.

Et quelle joie d’attendre cela avec autant d’enthousiasme.

This spring, Royal Opera House becomes the stage for one of the most intense and psychologically charged works in the classical repertoire: Mayerling, created by the visionary British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan. Set to the sweeping, turbulent music of Franz Liszt, arranged and orchestrated by John Lanchbery, the ballet plunges us into the dark emotional world surrounding the tragic Mayerling incident — the apparent murder–suicide of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and Baroness Mary Vetsera.

Since its premiere in London on 14 February 1978, danced by The Royal Ballet, Mayerling has remained a towering dramatic challenge for dancers. The role of the Baroness was first brought to life by the unforgettable Lynn Seymour, whose portrayal passed into ballet history as one of searing vulnerability and tragic intensity. Every new generation that steps into these roles carries the weight of that legacy — and this upcoming series promises nothing less than artistic fire.


30 March, 7:00 PM – Opening Night

The premiere on Monday, 30 March at 7:00 PM, will shine with the presence of Principal dancer Melissa Hamilton as Baroness Mary Vetsera. Hamilton brings a luminous lyricism and refined dramatic intelligence to the role; her Baroness is sure to be tender yet fearless, radiating youthful devotion while embracing the character’s fatal destiny with haunting sincerity.

Opposite her, Matthew Ball takes on the formidable role of Crown Prince Rudolf. Ball is known for his commanding stage presence and psychological depth. His Rudolf promises to be magnetic and volatile — a man torn between royal duty and inner torment, portrayed with raw intensity and aristocratic elegance.

This glittering opening cast also includes Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally and Meaghan Grace Hinkis, ensuring an evening of emotional electricity and theatrical grandeur.



2 April – Matinée Performance

In the afternoon performance on 2 April, the exquisite Sarah Lamb dances the Baroness. Currently triumphing as Giselle, Lamb brings a rare combination of silken refinement and emotional transparency. Her Mary Vetsera will surely be poetic and deeply touching — fragile yet resolute, a young woman consumed by love.

Her Rudolf will be Steven McRae, whose explosive virtuosity and dramatic commitment make him an extraordinary interpreter of MacMillan’s tormented prince. McRae’s Rudolf is expected to be fiery and unpredictable, combining technical brilliance with psychological complexity.

They are joined by Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Annette Buvoli and Viola Pantuso in what promises to be a beautifully balanced cast.



2 April – Evening Performance

That same evening, another exceptional pairing takes the stage. Fumi Kaneko dances Mary Vetsera with her trademark delicacy and crystalline purity. Kaneko’s artistry is both sensitive and deeply musical; her Baroness is likely to glow with innocence while revealing subtle emotional strength.

Opposite her, William Bracewell embodies Rudolf with sculpted precision and introspective power. Bracewell brings a noble line and simmering intensity to the role, portraying the prince’s descent into obsession with gripping authenticity.

Leticia Dias, Lara Turk and Sae Maeda complete this compelling ensemble.


7 April

On 7 April, audiences will witness a particularly thrilling cast. Akane Takada takes on the Baroness with her ethereal grace and refined dramatic nuance. Takada’s dancing is radiant and exquisitely detailed; her interpretation promises to blend tenderness with quiet determination.

Her Rudolf will be the magnificent Vadim Muntagirov, whose princely bearing and expansive technique make him ideally suited to the role. Muntagirov brings sweeping romanticism and emotional depth, crafting a Rudolf both tormented and heartbreakingly human.

They are joined by Isabel Lubach, Nadia Mullova-Barley and Marianna Tsembenhoi — rising stars whose recent debuts have drawn increasing acclaim.


11 April

One of the most anticipated evenings arrives on 11 April with the extraordinary Natalia Osipova as Mary Vetsera. Osipova is a force of nature — fearless, incandescent and emotionally unguarded. Her Baroness will undoubtedly blaze with passion, vulnerability and dangerous intensity, making this performance unforgettable.

Her Rudolf, Ryoichi Hirano, brings dramatic authority and psychological subtlety to the role. Hirano’s portrayal is often layered and introspective, revealing the prince’s inner turmoil with controlled power and haunting presence.

They are supported by Claire Calvert, Christina Arestis and Madison Bailey.


29 April

Closing this remarkable series on 29 April, Francesca Hayward steps into the role of the Baroness. Hayward’s dancing is luminous, poetic and deeply expressive. She brings a cinematic naturalism to the stage — every gesture alive with feeling. Her Mary Vetsera is likely to be both radiant and heartbreakingly sincere.

Dancing Rudolf is Marcelino Sambé, whose vibrant charisma and emotional immediacy electrify every performance. Sambé’s interpretation promises intensity and dramatic fire, revealing the prince’s restless spirit with compelling urgency.

Olivia Cowley, Mica Bradbury and Ella Newton Severgnini complete this sensational cast.


With the magnificent orchestra of the Royal Opera House bringing Liszt’s sweeping score to life, these London evenings promise an overwhelming fusion of music, drama and dance. Mayerling is not merely a ballet — it is theatre at its most passionate and cinematic, where extraordinary artists transform history into living emotion.

These performances are set to be nights of explosive passion, refined artistry and unforgettable storytelling — a true celebration of The Royal Ballet at its most powerful.

La primavera de 2026 promete un acontecimiento verdaderamente deslumbrante en el corazón de Londres. El escenario del Royal Opera House se transformará en un portal hacia la Europa imperial del siglo XIX con el regreso de una de las obras más intensas del repertorio: Mayerling, creación magistral del gran coreógrafo británico Kenneth MacMillan.

Pero esta vez, más que nunca, el público no solo acudirá por la coreografía o por la música. Acudirá también para sumergirse en un universo de lujo, esplendor y romanticismo trágico. Desde que se alce el telón, el espectador será transportado lejos de la Londres contemporánea para viajar, durante unas horas, al fastuoso mundo de la Viena imperial: salones dorados, uniformes resplandecientes, damas envueltas en sedas y joyas, y la atmósfera de los legendarios bailes de la corte que evocan inevitablemente la era de Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Los decorados y el vestuario de Mayerling son en sí mismos un espectáculo. Con una opulencia digna de una superproducción cinematográfica de Hollywood, cada escena recrea con un detalle exquisito el esplendor de la corte de los Habsburgo. El escenario parece abrir las puertas del Hofburg de Viena, sumergiendo al público en un mundo de elegancia aristocrática, intrigas palaciegas y pasiones prohibidas.

La noche del estreno, el 30 de marzo, promete ser absolutamente histórica. La gran protagonista será la bailarina principal Melissa Hamilton, quien encarnará a la trágica baronesa Mary Vetsera. Hamilton, nacida en Belfast y una de las intérpretes más refinadas del Royal Ballet, posee una sensibilidad escénica extraordinaria. Su presencia combina elegancia, profundidad emocional y una intensidad dramática que promete hacer de su Mary Vetsera una figura inolvidable.

A su lado estará el poderoso y magnético Matthew Ball, quien asumirá el atormentado papel de Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Juntos formarán una pareja escénica de enorme fuerza dramática, destinada a electrizar el teatro en una velada que muchos ya anticipan como uno de los grandes acontecimientos de la temporada.

La historia comienza con una escena de puro esplendor imperial: el gran salón de baile del Hofburg de Viena. Allí se celebra con pompa el matrimonio entre el príncipe heredero Rodolfo y la princesa Estefanía de Bélgica. La corte resplandece bajo los candelabros, los oficiales húngaros lucen sus uniformes, y las damas giran entre valses y conspiraciones. Pero bajo esa superficie brillante late ya el drama: Rodolfo coquetea abiertamente con la princesa Luisa, hermana de su esposa, provocando el escándalo ante el emperador Franz Joseph I of Austria y la emperatriz Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

En ese mismo baile aparece la joven Mary Vetsera, apenas una adolescente fascinada por el misterioso príncipe. Ese encuentro marcará el comienzo de una pasión irresistible y fatal.

La música arrebatadora de Franz Liszt, magníficamente orquestada por John Lanchbery, envuelve toda la acción con una intensidad romántica que parece hacer latir cada gesto, cada mirada, cada paso.

Aunque la primera noche con Melissa Hamilton y Matthew Ball promete un brillo muy especial, el resto de las funciones contará con repartos extraordinarios que reflejan la inmensa riqueza artística del The Royal Ballet. Figuras tan fascinantes como Natalia Osipova, Steven McRae, Vadim Muntagirov, Fumi Kaneko, Sarah Lamb o Francesca Hayward aportarán cada uno su propia visión de estos personajes atormentados.

Y ahí reside también una de las mayores maravillas de esta serie: ver cómo diferentes artistas exploran la psicología del príncipe Rodolfo y de la joven baronesa. Cada intérprete revela nuevos matices, nuevas sombras, nuevas pasiones.

Será, sin duda, una temporada inolvidable. Una serie de noches en las que Londres se transformará en la Viena imperial, donde la música, la danza, los decorados y el vestuario nos transportarán a la edad dorada de los príncipes de Europa.

Durante unas horas, el público no estará simplemente en un teatro. Estará viviendo dentro de una historia.
Una historia de belleza, poder, pasión… y tragedia.

Весна 2026 года обещает поистине ослепительное событие в самом сердце Лондона. Сцена Королевской оперы превратится в портал в имперскую Европу XIX века с возвращением одного из самых впечатляющих произведений репертуара: «Майерлинг», шедевра великого британского хореографа Кеннета Макмиллана.

Но на этот раз, как никогда прежде, зрители придут не только ради хореографии или музыки. Они также придут, чтобы погрузиться во вселенную роскоши, великолепия и трагической романтики. С момента поднятия занавеса зритель перенесется далеко от современного Лондона, на несколько часов в роскошный мир имперской Вены: позолоченные залы, блистательные мундиры, дамы в шелках и драгоценностях, атмосфера легендарных придворных балов, неизбежно напоминающая эпоху императрицы Елизаветы Австрийской.

Декорации и костюмы «Майерлинга» сами по себе являются зрелищем. С роскошью, достойной голливудского блокбастера, каждая сцена воссоздает великолепие двора Габсбургов в мельчайших деталях. Сцена словно открывает двери венского дворца Хофбург, погружая зрителей в мир аристократической элегантности, дворцовых интриг и запретных страстей.

Премьера, 30 марта, обещает стать поистине исторической. Главную роль исполнит ведущая танцовщица Мелисса Гамильтон, которая воплотит трагическую баронессу Марию Ветсеру. Уроженка Белфаста Гамильтон, одна из самых утонченных исполнительниц Королевского балета, обладает необыкновенным сценическим обаянием. Ее харизма сочетает в себе элегантность, эмоциональную глубину и драматическую интенсивность, что обещает сделать ее Марию Ветсеру незабываемой фигурой.

Рядом с ней выступит сильный и магнетический Мэтью Болл, который исполнит мучительную роль наследного принца Рудольфа Австрийского. Вместе они образуют сценическую пару огромной драматической силы, которой суждено взорвать театр вечером, который многие уже предвкушают как одно из главных событий сезона.

История начинается со сцены, демонстрирующей чистое имперское великолепие: грандиозный бальный зал дворца Хофбург в Вене. Там с большой помпой отмечается свадьба наследного принца Рудольфа и принцессы Стефании Бельгийской. Двор сияет под люстрами, венгерские офицеры в мундирах, а дамы кружатся в вальсах и интригах. Но под этой сверкающей поверхностью уже назревает драма: Рудольф открыто флиртует с принцессой Луизой, сестрой своей жены, вызывая скандал в глазах императора Франца Иосифа I Австрийского и императрицы Елизаветы Австрийской.

На этом же балу появляется юная Мария Ветсера, едва достигшая подросткового возраста, очарованная таинственным принцем. Эта встреча положит начало непреодолимой и роковой страсти.

Захватывающая дух музыка Франца Листа, великолепно оркестрованная Джоном Ланчбери, окутывает всё действие романтической интенсивностью, которая, кажется, наполняет эмоциями каждый жест, каждый взгляд, каждый шаг.

Хотя премьерный вечер с Мелиссой Гамильтон и Мэтью Боллом обещает поистине особенное великолепие, в оставшихся спектаклях примут участие выдающиеся составы артистов, отражающие огромное художественное богатство Королевского балета. Такие очаровательные фигуры, как Наталья Осипова, Стивен Макрей, Вадим Мунтагиров, Фуми Канеко, Сара Лэмб и Франческа Хейворд, каждый привнесет своё уникальное видение в образы этих измученных персонажей.

И в этом заключается одно из величайших чудес этого сезона: наблюдение за тем, как разные артисты исследуют психологию принца Рудольфа и молодой баронессы. Каждый исполнитель раскрывает новые нюансы, новые тени, новые страсти.

Несомненно, это будет незабываемый сезон. Серия вечеров, в течение которых Лондон преобразится в имперскую Вену, где музыка, танцы, декорации и костюмы перенесут нас в золотой век европейских принцев.

На несколько часов зрители окажутся не просто в театре. Они погрузятся в историю.

Историю красоты, силы, страсти… и трагедии. ✨

Le très attendu retour de Mayerling sur la scène du Royal Opera House suscite déjà une immense émotion parmi les passionnés de danse. Ce chef-d’œuvre dramatique de Kenneth MacMillan, inspiré de l’énigmatique Mayerling Incident, revient dans toute sa puissance théâtrale et chorégraphique, promettant une série de représentations profondément marquantes.

Pour cette reprise exceptionnelle, l’ouverture de la série sera portée par la présence lumineuse de la danseuse divine Melissa Hamilton, l’une de mes favorites au monde. Née à Belfast, cette artiste d’une sensibilité rare a été consacrée comme l’une des étoiles majeures de la compagnie. Son élégance aristocratique, la pureté de ses lignes et son intelligence dramatique font d’elle une interprète idéale pour l’univers sombre et psychologiquement complexe de Mayerling. Sa danse possède cette qualité rare : elle ne se contente pas d’être belle, elle raconte, elle respire, elle vit chaque nuance émotionnelle.

À ses côtés apparaîtra le fabuleux Matthew Ball, danseur d’une élégance remarquable et d’une présence scénique magnétique. Sa technique brillante, alliée à une musicalité raffinée et à une intensité dramatique impressionnante, promet une incarnation bouleversante du prince Rodolphe. Sur scène, Ball possède cette capacité singulière d’habiter le personnage jusque dans le moindre geste, créant une tension dramatique palpable. Sa silhouette noble et son interprétation profondément humaine rendent chacune de ses apparitions inoubliables.

Avec ces deux artistes iconiques, la soirée s’annonce comme un moment exceptionnel, non seulement pour London, mais pour le monde du ballet tout entier. Lorsque deux interprètes de cette stature se rencontrent dans un ballet aussi intense, l’expérience devient presque cinématographique : le spectateur est littéralement absorbé par le drame.

Mais la richesse de cette reprise ne s’arrête pas là. De nombreux autres artistes extraordinaires prendront part à la production, chacun apportant sa personnalité artistique et son talent unique.

Parmi eux, le spectaculaire Vadim Muntagirov, modèle d’élégance classique et de précision absolue, dont la danse allie noblesse, fluidité et une pureté académique presque idéale. Sa maîtrise technique exceptionnelle lui permet d’exprimer avec finesse les tourments psychologiques du personnage.

À ses côtés, la délicate et poétique Akane Takada, dont la musicalité cristalline et la sensibilité expressive apportent une profondeur émotionnelle remarquable à chacun de ses rôles.

L’intensité dramatique de Natalia Osipova promet également des moments d’une puissance électrisante. Artiste d’une énergie volcanique et d’une vérité émotionnelle saisissante, Osipova transforme chaque apparition en événement théâtral.

Le public pourra aussi admirer la finesse et la délicatesse de Francesca Hayward, interprète subtile dont la sensibilité artistique et la grâce lumineuse touchent profondément le spectateur.

Le brillant Marcelino Sambé, danseur au charisme irrésistible et à la virtuosité étincelante, apportera sa musicalité naturelle et sa présence scénique captivante.

La précision élégante de William Bracewell, l’une des figures les plus raffinées de la nouvelle génération, promet également une lecture très nuancée du rôle principal.

La splendide Fumi Kaneko, admirée pour la pureté de sa technique et son raffinement artistique, incarne cette fusion parfaite entre virtuosité classique et émotion sincère.

Parmi les autres artistes remarquables de la distribution figurent également Ryoichi Hirano, danseur puissant et théâtral, Sarah Lamb, incarnation d’une élégance intemporelle, ainsi que la brillante Anna Rose O'Sullivan, dont la musicalité et la précision rayonnent sur scène.

La distribution se complète avec de magnifiques interprètes tels que Mayara Magri, Kristen McNally, Meaghan Grace Hinkis, Leticia Dias, Lara Turk, Sae Maeda, Claire Calvert, Christina Arestis, Olivia Cowley, Mica Bradbury, Ella Newton Severgnini, Annette Buvoli, Viola Pantuso, Isabel Lubach et Nadia Mullova-Barley.

Tous ces artistes partagent une qualité essentielle : leur capacité à être non seulement des danseurs d’exception, mais de véritables acteurs sur scène. Et c’est précisément ce qui rend Mayerling si unique. Ce ballet est l’un des défis dramatiques les plus exigeants du répertoire. Les pas ne sont jamais de simples démonstrations techniques : ils deviennent le langage d’une tragédie humaine.

Dans cette œuvre fascinante, la danse se transforme en théâtre pur. Les corps racontent la psychologie des personnages, leurs obsessions, leurs désirs et leurs tragédies. Chaque pas de deux est chargé de tension émotionnelle, chaque regard, chaque geste contribue à tisser une atmosphère presque hypnotique.

Ainsi, cette nouvelle série de représentations promet d’être bien plus qu’un spectacle : une véritable immersion dans l’un des ballets les plus profonds et captivants jamais créés, un drame chorégraphique qui enveloppe le spectateur et le transporte au cœur d’un monde de passion, de mystère et d’intensité artistique absolue. Une soirée qui, sans aucun doute, restera gravée dans la mémoire de tous les amoureux de la danse. 

Some ballets arrive not simply as performances, but as true events in the life of a company. Mayerling, Kenneth MacMillan’s psychologically gripping masterpiece, is one of those rare works. Dark, complex and emotionally devastating, it demands extraordinary dramatic depth and technical power from every artist who steps into its world.

Premiere 30th march 2026

This season, the Royal Ballet presents an entire month that feels like a constellation of stars. Each cast brings together remarkable artists, each with their own voice, their own dramatic color, their own way of illuminating MacMillan’s intense choreography. It makes choosing just one performance almost impossible — and perhaps that is part of the joy. Every evening promises something unique.

Among these exceptional performances, the cast on 30 March 2026 promises to be particularly unforgettable.

Matthew Ball takes on the formidable role of Crown Prince Rudolf, one of the most demanding roles in the male repertoire. The part requires not only physical stamina but also deep psychological complexity, and Ball has repeatedly shown the rare ability to combine powerful technique with nuanced dramatic insight. Rudolf is a character who lives on the edge of emotional collapse, and when interpreted with intelligence and intensity, the role becomes utterly mesmerizing.

Opposite him, Melissa Hamilton dances Baroness Mary Vetsera. Hamilton is an artist of striking musicality and emotional presence, and seeing her alongside Ball in this volatile, magnetic partnership promises a moment of true theatrical electricity. Together they form one of those stage pairings that audiences remember long after the curtain falls — a meeting of two compelling dance personalities at the height of their artistry.

The evening is further enriched by the formidable Mayara Magri as Countess Marie Larisch. Magri, with her radiant technique and a stage warmth, beautifully echoes the legacy of Roberta Marquez—who, for me, remains the definitive Aurora of the Royal Ballet.
I recall vividly the season of March 2004, when I had the privilege of seeing four different world-class 'superstar' interpretations of The Sleeping Beauty. Thursday Marianela Núñez, Saturday , Cojocaru , remplaced Bussell, evening Rojo. and Sunday, the first time I saw Roberta Márquez. While each was exceptional, it was Roberta who captured my heart with her unique luminosity. Seeing Mayara Magri today brings back that same magnetic presence; she has the theatrical instincts to make every moment count in the complex role of Marie Larisch—a character who is manipulative, perceptive, and deeply entangled in the tragic fate unfolding around Rudolf."

The cast surrounding them is equally distinguished.
Kristen McNally appears as Empress Elisabeth, bringing gravitas and emotional subtlety to this complex maternal figure.
Meaghan Grace Hinkis dances Princess Stephanie, Rudolf’s ill-fated wife, a role that demands sensitivity and quiet dramatic strength.
Mariko M. Sasaki appears as Mitzi Caspar, one of the ballet’s most intriguing personalities, while Luca Acri brings vitality to the role of Bratfisch.
The elegant Catherine Carby completes the dramatic tapestry as Katherine Schratt.

Musically, the evening will be conducted by Martin Georgiev, leading the magnificent Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, with concert master Magnus Johnston, ensuring that the sweeping and dramatic score supports every emotional turn of MacMillan’s choreography.

When a ballet of this scale is paired with artists of this calibre, the result is more than a performance — it becomes an experience. And with so many extraordinary casts throughout the run, the truth is simple: every night of Mayerling offers something worth seeing.

Choosing only one date may be difficult… but what a wonderful problem to have.

The Principal Couples of Mayerling – Royal Ballet 2026

Matthew Ball & Melissa Hamilton

(30 March, 4 and 9 April)

This pairing promises one of the most visceral interpretations of the ballet. Matthew Ball is widely admired for his powerful acting instincts — his Rudolf often feels almost cinematic in its psychological intensity. He has the rare ability to inhabit a character so completely that the audience experiences the drama as if unfolding in real time.

Alongside him, Melissa Hamilton brings a striking physicality and extraordinary flexibility that makes MacMillan’s daring choreography appear almost perilous. Her Mary Vetsera can feel fearless, obsessive, and utterly consumed by passion.

Together they create a partnership that feels raw, dangerous, and emotionally exposed — a portrayal that highlights the destructive energy at the heart of the story.


Vadim Muntagirov & Akane Takada

(7 and 25 April, 16 May)

If some casts emphasize the ferocity of the drama, this partnership represents refinement and classical purity. Vadim Muntagirov, one of the most elegant male dancers of his generation, brings a remarkable sense of line, musicality, and aristocratic poise to Rudolf. His interpretation often leans toward melancholy and inner turmoil rather than outward aggression.

Akane Takada, with her crystalline technique and delicate lyricism, complements this interpretation beautifully. Her Mary Vetsera can appear almost ethereal at first glance, which makes the unfolding tragedy all the more poignant.

Together they offer a reading of Mayerling that feels almost imperial in tone — graceful, aristocratic, and quietly heartbreaking.


Ryoichi Hirano & Natalia Osipova

(11 and 25 April, 9 May)

This is the cast for those who crave pure dramatic electricity. Natalia Osipova is legendary for the fearless way she throws herself into a role, dancing as though the emotional stakes were life and death. Her Mary Vetsera becomes a whirlwind of obsession and reckless devotion.

Opposite her, Ryoichi Hirano provides a commanding and deeply grounded Rudolf. His presence on stage has an intensity that balances Osipova’s explosive energy, creating a partnership that feels almost volcanic.

When these two artists meet on stage, the result is rarely subtle — but it is always unforgettable.


Marcelino Sambé & Francesca Hayward

(29 April, 4 and 18 May)

This pairing brings a different energy to the ballet: youth, spontaneity, and vibrant chemistry. Marcelino Sambé is one of the most charismatic dancers in the company, known for his athletic brilliance and expressive warmth.

Francesca Hayward, with her luminous stage presence and musical sensitivity, brings a delicate emotional clarity to Mary Vetsera. The two dancers share a natural rapport that translates into an unusually fluid and organic partnership.

Their interpretation often feels faster, lighter, and more impulsive — as if we were witnessing two young people swept up in a destiny they cannot escape.


William Bracewell & Fumi Kaneko

(2 April, 11 and 16 May)

This pairing is distinguished by its lyricism and psychological detail. William Bracewell is a deeply thoughtful interpreter whose dancing combines technical clarity with remarkable dramatic nuance. His Rudolf often reveals the fragile mind behind the prince’s destructive behaviour.

Fumi Kaneko, admired for her immaculate technique and exquisite musicality, brings elegance and precision to every moment on stage. Her Mary Vetsera can appear both radiant and hauntingly vulnerable.

Together they offer an interpretation that is introspective and beautifully sculpted, revealing the emotional layers beneath the ballet’s turbulent surface.


In a ballet as complex as Mayerling, there is no single definitive interpretation. Each cast reveals a different emotional landscape: raw intensity, aristocratic tragedy, explosive drama, youthful passion, or lyrical introspection.

Perhaps the greatest luxury of this Royal Ballet run is precisely this: the opportunity to experience the same masterpiece through the artistry of so many extraordinary dancers.

And if choosing only one performance feels impossible… that may simply mean the ballet lover’s instinct is correct.





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