What begins as a domestic drama turns into a bold exploration of freedom, gender and the power of love. Tobias Kratzer’s production combines revolutionary flair with a sharp, contemporary edge, asking the question: when does political inaction turn into complicity? Former Jette Parker Young Artist Jennifer Davis stars as the bold and independent Leonore (‘Fidelio’). Davis is joined by Eric Cutler as Florestan and Dmitry Belosselskiy as Rocco, both making their debuts with The Royal Opera this Season, and Christina Gansch as Marzelline. Alexander Soddy returns to conduct.
Cast
Leonore; Lise Davidsen,
Florestan; Jonathan Stoughton,
Rocco; Georg Zeppenfeld,
Don Pizarro; Simon Neal,
Marzelline; Amanda Forsythe,
Jaquino; Robin Tritschler,
Don Fernando; Egils Silins,
First Prisoner; Filipe Manu,
Second Prisoner; Timothy Dawkins,
Conducted by Antonio Pappano,
Trouble in Tahiti + A Quiet Place, The Royal Opera | Linbury Theatre
Thursday 10 October – Thursday 24 October
Tickets from £11
With catchy tunes and show-stopping numbers, Leonard Bernstein’s musical theatre credentials shine through in Trouble in Tahiti. A Quiet Place picks up the story 30 years later and departs from this style in a radical, daring way. Both operas are deeply personal to Bernstein, and at times are almost autobiographical – but they also represent a savage satire of American post-war society. Music from both operas features in the 2023 film about the composer, Maestro.
The Royal Opera’s Director of Opera Oliver Mears brings Leonard Bernstein’s operas, rarely performed together, to the Royal Opera House for the first time in a new production with a small ensemble arrangement, ideally suited to the Linbury Theatre’s intimate space. Conductor Nicholas Chalmers makes his debut with The Royal Opera in both works, which star Henry Neill and Wallis Giunta – also debuting – in Trouble in Tahiti, and Grant Doyle, Henry Neill and Rowan Pierce in A Quiet Place.
Director Oliver Mears leads a discussion on 17 October delving into the life, work and unforgettable legacy of the legendary Leonard Bernstein.
Performances of Trouble in Tahiti + A Quiet Place will have live audio description on 15 and 22 October. The performance on 15 October will also be BSL interpreted. On 22 October the performance will be relaxed and captioned.
Meet the Jette Parker Artists: Jukebox | Linbury Theatre
Sunday 13 October, 2:30pm and 7:15pm
Hear a selection of operatic arias from the incoming Jette Parker Artists’ homelands, as well as traditional classical repertoire, in the informal afternoon Jukebox and select your favourites to be performed in the formal evening concert. Meet the Jette Parker Artists: Jukebox is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the home-grown and international classical talents of the future.
The Jette Parker Artists Programme provides opportunities for artists of outstanding potential to continue their professional development and advance their careers on an internationally renowned stage. As well as the resident artist programme for conductors, directors and singers, the Programme helps to diversify the opera talent pipeline through courses, commissioning projects and networking events.
Encounters: Four Contemporary Ballets, The Royal Ballet | Main Stage
Tuesday 22 October – Saturday 16 November
Tickets from £4
Explore human emotion through movement with bold contemporary works. Kyle Abraham’s The Weathering and Crystal Pite’s The Statement return to The Royal Ballet, alongside new works from Pam Tanowitz and Royal Ballet Choreographic Residency Joseph Toonga.
Pioneers of Black British Ballet, Black British Ballet Project | Linbury Foyer
On display 30 September – 10 November 2024
FREE
In the Linbury Theatre Foyer, a free-to-attend exhibition curated by The Black British Ballet Project titled Pioneers of Black British Ballet will showcase a visual history of dancers from The Royal Ballet School and pioneering members of The Royal Ballet from the 1970s to now, featuring dancers such as Johaar Mosaval, Shevelle Dynott, Jacob Wye, Rishan Benjamin and Monique Jonas. The exhibition also celebrates The Royal Ballet’s collaboration with Dance Theatre of Harlem on its groundbreaking Chance to Dance programme. An expanded version of the exhibition will go on tour to libraries across the UK until the end of 2025, in partnership with Libraries Connected, Oxygen Arts and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Black Generations, The Royal Ballet | Clore Studio
Saturday 26 October
Tickets from £10
Black Generations features a new family-friendly work choreographed by Liam Francis, showcasing young dancers from the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Chance to Dance: Connect programme for talented ballet dancers from Global Majority heritage, alongside alumni dancers from Chance to Dance, Shevelle Dynott, Monique Jonas and Jacob Wye. Also, as part of Black Generations will be a presentation from the Black British Ballet Project and an exclusive opportunity to see the rehearsal process from a piece featured in Legacy in the Linbury Theatre.
Legacy, The Royal Ballet | Linbury Theatre
Tuesday 29 – Thursday 31 October
Tickets from £5
Royal Ballet Principal Joseph Sissens, in collaboration with Royal Ballet Director Kevin O’Hare, presents Legacy, an evening dedicated to Black and Brown ballet talent and honouring the artistry, brilliance and the profound contributions they have made to the dance world. Following the footsteps of Joseph Toonga who led the Company’s Black History Month celebrations in 2023, Sissens invites Black and Brown dancers and choreographers from around the world in this special event designed to champion and celebrate Black and Brown ballet artists.