New York City Ballet: Eclectic NYCB
Three ballets, very different in style and mood: Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum, Alexei Ratmansky’s Solitude, George Balanchine’s Bourrée Fantasque
George Balanchine
English National Ballet: Rhythm Riot
English National Ballet are back on form with Rhythm Riot, a cracking triple bill comprising no less than two world premieres
Staatsballett Berlin: Symphony in C, Fearful Symmetries
The formal beauty, purity and technical virtuosity of Balanchine, and the constant state of flux and harmonious chaos of Christian Spuck’s new creation
Balanchine and Morau, Preljocaj and Xie Xin: Hamburg Ballet’s Fast Forward
From George Balanchine’s Serenade to Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean, via Marcos Morau’s Totentanz and Angelin Preljiocaj’s Annonciation.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: 20th-Century Masterpieces
Closing the evening, Balanchine’s uplifting Theme and Variations looked in fine shape… a celebration of Russian classicism
Next Generation Festival: The Royal Ballet School and School of American Ballet
An evening of thirteen short works and excerpts, moving between heritage repertoire, 20th-century classics, contemporary choreography and creations
Ballet Nights in Richmond
The choreographic mix, emerging dancers alongside dancing stars, is what makes Ballet Nights a unique experience… the dancing was an absolute joy
Ballet Icons 20th Anniversary Gala
Somewhat more classical than previous years, the standard of dancing was sans pareil. Just what the doctor ordered.
The Royal Ballet: Perspectives (Balanchine, Marston, Peck)
“A triple-bill that’s classy and classic… Perspectives really is a cracking evening. Maybe too much of a good thing is sometimes not a bad thing at all.”
English National Ballet in R:Evolution
David Dawson’s Four Last Songs: sleek, extremely physical and emotional… Poetry in motion, it is utterly, utterly gorgeous.
New York City Ballet: Donizetti Variations, Ballade, Swan Lake
A pleasing, if unexciting evening. While nicely danced, it would be fair to say that none of the three ballets are out of Balanchine’s top drawer.