April 2019
The Firebird, A Month in the Country and Symphony in C: a triple bill of contrasting 20th-century works, performed by The Royal Ballet Tuesday 4 June – Friday 14 June 2019 | roh.org.uk | #ROHfirebirdmixed
Itziar Mendizabal and Bennet Gartside in The Firebird. ©ROH/Tristram Kenton, 2012.
A Month in the Country features debuts from across the Company, including from Principals Lauren Cuthbertson and Marianela Nuñez as Natalia.
Mikhail Fokine’s classic ballet The Firebird is revived, featuring costume and set designs by Natalia Goncharova, created for the Ballet Russes in 1926.
Revival of Symphony in C features debuts from Principals Francesca Hayward and Matthew Ball.
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This June, The Royal Ballet presents a triple bill of classical works from three prolific 20th- century choreographers. Frederick Ashton’s A Month in the Country, set to music by Fryderyk Chopin, is based on Turgenev’s play of the same name. One of the last works created by Ashton for The Royal Ballet, the piece focuses on the relationships between Natalia Petrovna, Beliaev, a tutor, and Vera, Natalia’s ward. This revival features debuts from Royal Ballet Principals Marianela Nuñez and Lauren Cuthbertson as Natalia and Vadim Muntagirov as Beliaev.
Choreographed by Mikhail Fokine and accompanied by Igor Stravinsky’s seminal score, The Firebird is revived as part of this mixed programme. Principal dancer Yasmine Naghdi makes her debut in the title role. Designed by prolific avant-garde artist Natalia Gonacharova, the production incorporates the sets and costumes that she created for the Ballets Russes’ production of 1926, and was first performed by The Royal Ballet (then the Sadler’s Wells Ballet) in 1954.
Completing this mixed programme is George Balanchine’s Symphony in C, created in 1947 for the Paris Opera Ballet, and first performed by The Royal Ballet in 1991. Incorporating Balanchine’s signature neoclassical choreography, the piece presents contrasting pas des deux and solo segments, as well as a spectacular grand finale, featuring an ensemble of 52 dancers on stage. This revival features debuts from Principals Francesca Hayward and Matthew Ball.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY Choreography Frederick Ashton Music Fryderyk Chopin Musical arrangement John Lanchbery Designer Julia Trevelyan Oman Original lighting designer William Bundy Lighting designer John Charlton
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CASTING Natalia Petrovna, Beliaev 4 June, 13 June Marianela Nuñez, William Bracewell 5 June, Natalia Osipova, David Hallberg 7 June (mat) 12 June, 14 June Lauren Cuthbertson, Vadim Muntagirov
THE FIREBIRD Choreography Mikhail Fokine Music Igor Stravinsky Designer Natalia Goncharova Lighting designer John B.Read
CASTING The Firebird, Ivan Tsarevich, Tsarevna, Kostchei 4 June, 12 June Yasmine Naghdi, Edward Watson, Christina Arestis, Gary Avis 5 June, 14 June Itziar Mendizabal, Nehemiah Kish, Claire Calvert, Christopher Saunders 7 June (mat), Tierney Heap, Ryoichi Hirano, Helen Crawford, Alastair 13 June Marriott
SYMPHONY IN C Choreography George Balanchine Music Georges Bizet Designer Anthony Dowell Lighting designer John B. Read
CASTING 4 June Natalia Osipova, Sarah Lamb, Akane Takada, Francesca Hayward, Steven McRae, Reece Clarke, Alexander Campbell, James Hay 5 June Lauren Cuthbertson, Marianela Nuñez, Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Vadim Muntagirov, Ryoichi Hirano, Alexander Campbell, Valentino Zucchetti
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7 June (mat) Fumi Kaneko, Marianela Nuñez, Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball, Ryoichi Hirano, Marcelino Sambé, Valentino Zucchetti 12 June Fumi Kaneko, Sarah Lamb, Yuhui Choe, Francesca Hayward, Matthew Ball, Reece Clarke, Marcelino Sambé, James Hay 13 June Lauren Cuthbertson, Sarah Lamb, Yuhui Choe, Francesca Hayward, Vadim Muntagirov, Reece Clarke, Marcelino Sambé, James Hay 14 June Fumi Kaneko, Marianela Nuñez, Akane Takada, Yasmine Naghdi, Matthew Ball, Ryoichi Hirano, Alexander Campbell, Valentino Zucchetti
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Emmanuel Plasson
Generous philanthropic support from Aud Jebsen, Sir Lloyd and Lady Dorfman, Julia and Hans Rausing, The Taylor Family Foundation and John and Susan Burns
A Month in the Country Generous philanthropic support from Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson and the Fonteyn Circle
1. For further information or interview requests please contact Sarah Farrell. 2. For press ticket requests please contact Hannah Last. 3. Images are available to download here.
About the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House’s aim is for many more people to enjoy and engage in exceptional ballet and opera. As The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, we bring together the world’s most extraordinary ballet and opera artists in more than 500 performances every year: live events that thrill, move and excite, and that transport people to other worlds though music, dance and theatre.
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About The Royal Ballet Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, The Royal Ballet unites tradition and innovation in world-class performances, and is a driving force in the development of ballet as an art form. Based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, it brings together today’s most dynamic and versatile dancers with a world-class orchestra and leading choreographers, composers, conductors, directors and creative teams to share awe-inspiring theatrical experiences with diverse audiences worldwide.
The Company’s extensive repertory embraces 19th-century classics, the singular legacy of works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan and the compelling new canon of work including pieces by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and Artist in Residence Liam Scarlett.
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