The name Bolshoi never fails to conjure up visions of spectacular ballets in the minds of balletomanes around the world. During a history spanning more than 225 years, the Bolshoi Ballet's vast, continually expanding repertoire has been linked to a roster of celebrated choreographers and dazzling dancers who, from generation to generation, have remained custodians  of their great heritage.

SPARTACUS

The Bolshoi Ballet opens this eagerly awaited season
with the spectacular staging of Spartacus by Yuri Grigorovich. This monumental ballet, set to Khachaturian's exciting music, first took London by storm in 1969 and displays the Bolshoi Ballet at its most powerful.

The epic portrayal of the uprising against ancient Rome
of the gladiators and slaves, led by Spartacus, is now
an established classic of Russian contemporary ballet,
epitomising the Bolshoi's unique style.

COPPÉLIA

"Just as Giselle is ballet's great tragedy, so Coppélia is its great comedy"

Thus wrote George Balanchine of this joyous and witty ballet, premiered in 1870. Delibes' sparkling score highlights the
humour and brightness of the tale of the beautiful mechanical
doll which threatens the happiness of the two young lovers.
The Bolshoi Ballet's revival by Sergei Vikharev of Petipa and Cecchetti's superb choreography delights and enchants.

SERENADE / GISELLE

Two great ballets display the elegance and beauty of the
Bolshoi dancers.

Serenade is a magical fusion of Balanchine's choreographic
genius with Tchaikovsky's poetry and drama.

Giselle, the story of the betrayed peasant girl whose love transcends even death, has captivated audiences for over
160 years. Yuri Grigorovich's acclaimed version embodies
all the lyricism and purity of the Romantic style as well as
its charm and pathos.

PETRUSHKA / RUSSIAN SEASONS / PAQUITA

An evening of brilliant Russian choreographers.

Inspired by Sergei Diaghilev, Petrushka is the tale of the
comi-tragic puppet with the human soul. Fokine's choreography, Benois' designs and Stravinsky's strikingly original music combine to create this work of genius.

Russian Seasons - the Bolshoi brings Ratmansky's dazzling
and spirited celebration of Russian folk dance.

Yuri Burlaka's revival of the famous Grand Pas from Petipa's masterpiece, Paquita, presents the Bolshoi's greatest ballerinas
in a glittering display of spectacular virtuosity.

LE CORSAIRE

The Bolshoi Ballet's magnificent staging of Marius Petipa's
Le Corsaire, with new choreography by the outstanding Russian choreographers Alexei Ratmansky and Yuri Burlaka, has proved an extraordinary international success.

Set on the banks of the Ionian Sea against a climate of political unrest between the Greeks and the Turks, this exotic ballet contains all the ingredients of a traditional Russian spectacular - love, intrigue, deception, a splendid shipwreck, a harem and a kidnap. A perfect vehicle for the Bolshoi dancers' exuberant energy.

DON QUIXOTE

The excitement and wit of Cervantes' masterpiece are perfectly conveyed in Alexei Fadeyechev's stunning production of
Don Quixote. In astounding displays of virtuoso dancing, the
plot unfolds as the love between Kitri and Basil is challenged
by the fruitless attempts of Kitri's father to engineer his unwilling daughter into a more lucrative match. Drama, comedy and love combine in Petipa's enchanting classic, originally created for the Bolshoi in 1869.