SWAN LAKE

The season opened with Swan Lake, the most famous of all ballets, in which the love of Prince Siegfried and his Swan Queen, Odette, is imperilled by sinister supernatural forces. Set to Tchaikovsky’s lyrical, passionate score, the magic and drama of this timeless story unfold in a memorable production by renowned choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.

LA BAYADÈRE

Petipa’s masterpiece of passion, betrayal and redemption, culminating in the breathtaking ‘Kingdom of the Shades’, is danced to perfection by the Bolshoi’s incomparable corps de ballet. Dazzling new décor by Nikolai Sharonov and costumes by Nikolai Sviridchikov, illuminate the tragic tale of the temple dancer Nikiya’s doomed love for the warrior Solor.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

The first performances outside Russia of Yuri Grigorovich’s magnificent new revival of Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s incomparable music, sumptuous costumes by Franca Squarciapino and spectacular décor by the celebrated Italian art director, Ezio Frigerio, provide a brilliant visual feast imbuing Perrault’s beloved fairytale with wonder and excitement. 

 

JEWELS
Emeralds   Rubies   Diamonds

The Bolshoi performed the UK premiere of its acclaimed new production of Balanchine’s Jewels, inspired by the brilliance and colour of gemstones. Fauré’s music perfectly complements the romantic elegance of Emeralds, followed by the jazzy, witty Rubies set to Stravinsky’s vibrant score; Diamonds, a glittering evocation of Russian imperialism to Tchaikovsky’s sublime music, ends the ballet in a spectacular tribute to the great Russian ballet tradition.

THE FLAMES OF PARIS

The Bolshoi presented the first UK performances of Alexei Ratmansky’s highly acclaimed new version of Vasily Vainonen’s The Flames of Paris. Set to Boris Asafiev’s powerfully evocative music, the ballet depicts the tumultuous era of the French Revolution, and astounds with one of the most stunning pas de deux in the whole of the ballet repertoire.