13TH AUGUST 2018

DANGEROUS DESIRES: KENNETH MACMILLAN’S

 40th anniversary performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s signature created in 1978  Royal Ballet Principal Ryoichi Hirano to make his debut as Crown Prince

Kenneth MacMillan’s darkly dramatic masterpiece, Mayerling, opens ’s 2018/19 Season.

Featuring one of the most technically demanding male roles in classical ballet, Mayerling is based on the true story of the deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and his teenage mistress Mary Vetsera which shocked the world in 1889.

Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, says: “Regarded as one of Kenneth MacMillan’s finest works, Mayerling has been an integral part of The Royal Ballet’s repertory since its premiere in 1978. Its dark, brooding story is as resonant now as when created 40 years ago.”

Royal Ballet Principal Ryoichi Hirano will make his debut in the role of Crown Prince Rudolf while newly-promoted First Soloists Fumi Kaneko and Mayara Magri will dance the role of Mitzi Caspar for the first time. Other debuts include

For all Royal Opera House press releases visit www.roh.org.uk/press First Soloist Tierney Heap and First Artist Nathalie Harrison as Empress Elisabeth and First Soloist Marcelino Sambé as Bratfisch.

Former Royal Ballet Principal Leanne Benjamin, who danced the role of Mary Vetsera for many years with the Company, will return to the Royal Opera House to coach the lead female roles.

Designs by MacMillan’s long-time collaborator Nicholas Georgiadis bring the opulence of the Austro-Hungarian court to life while the sweeping score is an arrangement of Franz Liszt’s music by John Lanchbery.

The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling will be shown in UK cinemas on 15 October 2018 with an encore screening on 21 October 2018. Mayerling will also be broadcast in cinemas around the world. Further details on dates and venues available here.

Generous philanthropic support from the Gerald Ronson Family Foundation, John and Susan Burns and The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.

This production contains scenes of an adult nature, which may not be suitable for children under 12 years of age. Audience discretion is therefore advised.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

MAYERLING

Monday 8 – Tuesday 20 October 2018 Royal Opera House, London, WC2E 9DD Tickets £4 - £110 roh.org.uk

ROH Live Cinema Relay – Monday 15 October at 7.15pm

PERFORMANCE DATES

8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 27, 30 October at 7.30pm

13 October at 1.30pm

13, 20 October at 7pm

The performance lasts about three hours, including two intervals.

Page 2 of 8 Click here for production images. Please credit as captioned.

CASTING

8, 13 (eve), 19 (eve) October Crown Prince Rudolf Edward Watson Natalia Osipova Countess Marie Larisch Sarah Lamb Empress Elisabeth Kristen McNally Princess Stephanie Francesca Hayward Mitzi Caspar Marianela Nuñez Bratfisch Alexander Campbell Emperor Franz Josef Christopher Saunders Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton

10, 15 (Live Cinema Relay), 27 October Crown Prince Rudolf Steven McRae Baroness Mary Vetsera Sarah Lamb Countess Marie Larisch Laura Morera Empress Elisabeth Kristen McNally Princess Stephanie Meaghan Grace Hinkis Mitzi Caspar Mayara Magri* Bratfisch James Hay Emperor Franz Josef Gary Avis Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton Nehemiah Kish

12, 17, 22 October Crown Prince Rudolf Thiago Soares Baroness Mary Vetsera Lauren Cuthbertson Countess Marie Larisch Itziar Mendizabal Empress Elisabeth Tierney Heap* Princess Stephanie Yuhui Choe Mitzi Caspar Claire Calvert Bratfisch Marcelino Sambé Emperor Franz Josef Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton Bennet Gartside

13 (mat), 20 October Crown Prince Rudolf Ryoichi Hirano* Baroness Mary Vetsera Melissa Hamilton Countess Marie Larisch Olivia Cowley Empress Elisabeth Nathalie Harrison* Princess Stephanie Elizabeth Harrod Mitzi Caspar Fumi Kaneko* Bratfisch Paul Kay Emperor Franz Josef Christopher Saunders Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton Gary Avis

25, 30 October Crown Prince Rudolf Federico Bonelli Baroness Mary Vetsera Laura Morera

Page 3 of 8 Countess Marie Larisch Hikaru Kokbayashi Empress Elisabeth Tierney Heap Princess Stephanie Emma Maguire Mitzi Caspar Beatriz Stix-Brunell Bratfisch Tristan Dyer Emperor Franz Josef Thomas Whitehead Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton Bennet Gartside

*Role debut

Choreography Kenneth MacMillan Music Franz Liszt Arrangement and orchestration John Lanchbery Designer Nicholas Georgiadis Scenario Gillian Freeman Lighting designer John B. Read Conductor Koen Kessels (8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 October) Paul Murphy (22, 25, 27, 30 October)

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (10, 12, 13, 15, 25, 27, 30 October)

Royal Ballet Sinfonia (8, 17, 19, 20, 22 October)

Image credits from left to right: Mayerling. Edward Watson as Prince Rudolf and Sarah Lamb as Countess Marie Larisch. © ROH, 2017. Photographed by Alice Pennefather. Mayerling. Steven McRae as Prince Rudolf. © ROH, 2017. Photographed by Alice Pennefather.

KENNETH MACMILLAN

Kenneth MacMillan (1929-92) was one of the leading choreographers of his generation. His close association with The Royal Ballet began when he joined Sadler’s Wells School (now The ) aged 15. He was Director of the Company 1970-77 and Principal Choreographer 1977-92. His are distinguished by their psychological insight and expressive use of classical language. These qualities are demonstrated in his many works for the Company, which include Romeo and Juliet, Gloria, Manon, Mayerling and Requiem.

Page 4 of 8 LEANNE BENJAMIN

Australian dancer Leanne Benjamin is a former Principal of The Royal Ballet. She joined The Royal Ballet School at the age of 16 and graduated into Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (later ) in 1983. In 1992 she joined The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist and was promoted to Principal at the end of her first Season. Benjamin retired at the end of the 2012/13 Season, after 20 years as a Principal with The Royal Ballet. In 2005 she received an OBE in recognition of her services to dance.

RYOICHI HIRANO

Japanese dancer Ryoichi Hirano is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He joined the Company as a apprentice in 2001 and became an Artist in 2002, promoted to First Artist in 2007, Soloist in 2008, First Soloist in 2012 and Principal in 2016. His repertory with The Royal Ballet includes Albrecht (), Prince Florimund (The Sleeping Beauty), Prince Siegfried (), Lescaut (Manon), Leontes and Polixenes (The Winter’s Tale), Espada and Gamache (), Tybalt and Paris (Romeo and Juliet), Prince Gremin (Onegin), Jean de Brienne (Raymonda Act III), Colonel ‘Bay’ Middleton and lead Hungarian Officer (Mayerling), Prince (The Prince of the Pagodas, ), Rasputin and Officer (Anastasia), Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Robert Wood (Sweet Violets), Black Knight (Checkmate), Dr Samuel-Jean Pozzi (Strapless), Soldier (Different Drummer), Human (‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café), Fate (Acosta’s Carmen), Creature (Frankenstein). Hirano’s role creations for the Company include in Wayne McGregor’s Infra and Obsidian Tear and ’s Corybantic Games. Awards include the 2001 Prix de Lausanne Gold Medal.

STEVEN McRAE

Australian dancer Steven McRae is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He joined The Royal Ballet School on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship in 2003, graduating into Company in 2004. He was promoted to First Artist in 2005, Soloist in 2006, First Soloist in 2008 and Principal in 2009. His roles with The Royal Ballet include all the classical repertory and leading roles in works by choreographers including , David Bintley, William Forsythe, Kenneth MacMillan, Alastair Marriott, Wayne McGregor, and Christopher Wheeldon. His role creations include Magician/Mad Hatter (Alice’s Adventures in ), Jack (Sweet Violets), Sandman (Hansel and Gretel), Florizel (The Winter’s Tale), Emble (The Age of Anxiety), Creature (Frankenstein) and roles in Three Songs – Two Voices, Children of Adam, , Acis and Galatea (Royal Opera), 24 Preludes, The Human Seasons, Tetractys, Connectome, Woolf Works, Multiverse and The Illustrated ‘Farewell’. McRae has performed as a guest artist with companies including American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Australian Ballet, Tokyo Ballet and at numerous international galas. His awards include the 2002 Adeline Genée Gold Medal, the 2003 Prix de Lausanne, the 2006 Emerging Male Artist (Classical) and the 2011 Best Male Dancer awards at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards. In 2014 he was named Young Australian Achiever in the UK by the Australia Day Foundation.

Page 5 of 8 TIERNEY HEAP

English dancer Tierney Heap is a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet. Aged 11 she won a scholarship to study at Elmhurst School for Dance and aged 15 joined The Royal Ballet Upper School. Heap graduated into the Company in 2012, promoted to First Artist in 2016 and to Soloist later that year. She was promoted to First Soloist in 2018. Her repertory with the Company includes Carmen, Lilac Fairy, Florestan’s Sister and Fairy of the Enchanted Garden (The Sleeping Beauty), Mother/Queen of Hearts (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Paulina (The Winter’s Tale), Myrtha (Giselle) and roles in The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, ‘Rubies’ (), DGV: Danse à grande vitesse, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Mayerling, La Bayadère, After the Rain, Multiverse and Carbon Life. She has created roles in Untouchable and Woolf Works. In 2018 she created a role in Christopher Wheeldon’s Corybantic Games and also in Liam Scarlett's Swan Lake as Spanish Woman. Awards while at the The Royal Ballet School include bronze medal at the 2010 Genée International Ballet Competition.

FUMI KANEKO Japanese dancer Fumi Kaneko is a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet. She trained at the Jinushi Kaoru Ballet School, Osaka, winning a gold medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition, 2008, and silver medals at the Moscow International Ballet Competition, 2009, and the USA International Ballet Competition, 2010. That year she joined the Jinushi Kaoru Ballet Company, where her roles included Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker) and Kitri (Don Quixote). Kaneko joined The Royal Ballet during the 2010/11 Season and was promoted to First Artist in 2012, Soloist in 2013 and First Soloist in 2018. Her repertory with Company includes Kitri, Kitri’s Friend and Queen of the Dryads (Don Quixote), Sugar Plum Fairy and Fairy of the Woodland Glade (The Sleeping Beauty), Gypsy Girl (The Two Pigeons), Myrth and Moyna (Giselle), Hermione (The Winter’s Tale) and Prince Siegfried’s Sister (Liam Scarlett’s Swan Lake). and roles in Viscera, The Four Temperaments, Swan Lake, Sweet Violets, Limen, Infra, ‘Diana and Actaeon’ (Metamorphosis: Titian 2012) and Woolf Works. MAYARA MAGRI

Brazilian dancer Mayara Magri is a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet. She trained at Petite Danse School, Rio di Janeiro and The Royal Ballet School before graduating into the Company in 2012. She was promoted to First Artist in 2015, Soloist in 2016 and First Soloist in 2018. Magri’s repertory with the Company includes Gypsy Girl (The Two Pigeons), Florestan’s Sister, Fairy of the Enchanted Garden and Fairy of the Woodland Glade (The Sleeping Beauty), Tatiana (Anastasia), Mercedes (Don Quixote), Rose Fairy and Vivandière (The Nutcracker), Handmaiden (), pas de trois (Swan Lake), Entertainer (The Invitation) and in The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, ‘Rubies’ (Jewels), Woolf Works, Within the Golden Hour, Monotones I, Symphonic Variations, After the Rain and Carbon Life. She has created a role in Multiverse and in Christopher Wheeldon’s Corybantic Games. Magri’s awards include the Senior Age Division of the Youth America Grand Prix and the Prix de Lausanne Scholarship and Audience Prize in 2011.

Page 6 of 8 MARCELINO SAMBÉ

Portuguese dancer Marcelino Sambé is a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet. He trained at the National Conservatory of Lisbon before joining The Royal Ballet Upper School. He graduated into the Company during the 2012/13 Season, promoted to First Artist in 2014, Soloist in 2015 and First Soloist in 2017. Performances at the School included in John Neumeier’s Yondering and Alastair Marriott’s Simple Symphony. His repertory with the Company includes Colas (La Fille mal gardée), Oberon (), Hans-Peter/Nutcracker (The Nutcracker), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Brother Clown (The Winter’s Tale), Beggar Chief (Manon), Officer (Anastasia), Bluebird and Florestan (The Sleeping Beauty), Benno (Swan Lake), lead couple pas de six (Giselle), Footman/Frog (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) and Gypsy Boy (The Two Pigeons). He has created roles in ’s Flight Pattern, Kim Brandstrup’s Ceremony of Innocence, Marriott’s Connectome, Hofesh Shechter’s Untouchable and Wayne McGregor’s Woolf Works. Sambé is a keen choreographer and was selected as one of the UK’s emerging choreographers by Youth Dance England in 2012. His M’ cã cré sabi won second prize at the 2011 Ursula Morton Choreographic Awards and was performed in the School’s annual matinee that year. Works include Preparations for the Last TV Fake and The Chosen Victim for The Royal Ballet’s Draft Works. Sambé’s dance awards include a silver medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition in 2008, first prize at the Youth American Grand Prix in 2009, a gold medal and special award at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2010 and the Dance Europe Award for Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2017.

THE ROYAL BALLET

Based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, The Royal Ballet is Great Britain’s most prestigious ballet company and one of the great classical ballet companies of the world. Led by Director Kevin O’Hare, the Company has a wide-ranging repertory that showcases the great 19th-century classics alongside heritage works including those of tis two great 20th-century choreographers Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. In addition, The Royal Ballet performs new works by Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, Royal Ballet Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and Royal Ballet Artist in Residence Liam Scarlett, three of the foremost international choreographers of today. The Royal Opera House is committed to enabling as many people as possible to experience and enjoy world class ballet. Each Season more than 690,000 people attend performances at the Opera House; 27,000 people participate in education and community events ranging from Monday Moves for blind and partially sighted people to Chance to Dance for talented children from a variety of backgrounds. Many hundreds of thousands across the UK and overseas tune in to BBC radio and television broadcasts; more than 19,000 attend our free outdoor BP Summer Big Screens – live relays from the Royal Opera House; and a further 240,000 have been able to watch our productions in cinemas worldwide. In addition World Ballet Day, the annual live stream behind the scenes of the world’s leading ballet companies, has been seen by more than a million people. International touring plays an important role in the Company’s core activities and this year the Company toured to Teatro Real in Madrid with Liam Scarlett’s Swan

Page 7 of 8 Lake. International tours also include extensive learning engagement and outreach with dance and community groups to encourage dance and promote ballet to new audiences.

PRESS OFFICE CONTACTS Ashley Woodfield Head of Ballet Press Tel: 020 7212 9165 Mob: 07984 513676 [email protected]

Sarah Farrell Ballet Press and Communications Officer Tel: 020 7212 9241 [email protected]

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