Royal Opera House: Must See Moments This Autumn

Opera

Aida, The Royal Opera
25 September – 12 October

Robert Carsen’s new production situates Verdi’s large-scale political drama within a contemporary world, framing its power struggles and toxic jealousies in the apparatus of a modern, totalitarian state. Antonio Pappano conducts Verdi’s glorious, monumental score.

Last Days, The Royal Opera
7 – 11 October

Adapted from Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film based on the final days of Kurt Cobain, this new opera plunges into the torment that created a modern myth. Music by ROH/Guildhall School Composer-in-Residence Oliver Leith, libretto by Matt Copson, directed by Matt Copson and Anna Morrissey – French actor Agathe Rouselle makes her West End debut.

The Rape of Lucretia, The Royal Opera
13 – 22 November

Benjamin Britten’s shattering chamber opera explores some of the darkest drives in the human psyche – and what happens when power and war give them free rein. In this contemporary new staging, Oliver Mears directs, while Corinna Niemeyer conducts a cast drawn from the Jette Parker Artists Programme and the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme.

Alcina, The Royal Opera
8 – 26 November

Wild fantasies and dark desires come to life in Richard Jones’s intoxicating new staging of Handel’s fantastical opera. The magnificent Lisette Oropesa returns to Covent Garden in the title role, joining a stunning international cast.

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Ballet

Mayerling, The Royal Ballet
5 October – 30 November

Inspired by dark and gripping real life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera. The oppressive glamour of the Austro-Hungarian court in the 1880s sets the scene for a suspenseful drama of psychological and political intrigue as Rudolf fixates on his mortality.

Kenneth MacMillan’s 1978 ballet remains a masterpiece of storytelling and this revival marks 30 years since the choreographer’s death. Expect to see the Company at its dramatic finest across potent ensemble scenes and some of the most daring and emotionally demanding pas de deux in the ballet repertory.

Say It Loud / Black Sun, Ballet Black
19 – 23 October – Linbury Theatre

Ballet Black brings two new works to the Royal Opera House in celebration of their 20th anniversary. Acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre) presents Black Sun, set to an original score by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asanté. It is followed by Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Black, Cassa Pancho’s, Say It Loud – an autobiographical work that charts the story of the pioneering company and its journey to becoming one of the British ballet industry’s best-known names.

New Crystal Pite, The Royal Ballet
18 October – 3 November

‘One of the most talented and intriguing choreographers working today’ (New York Times), Crystal Pite returns to the Royal Opera House, transforming her critically acclaimed ballet Flight Pattern into a full-length world premiere. Created in 2017, the Olivier-Award-winning work was her first for the Company, set to the first movement of Górecki’s ‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’. This Season, Pite engages with the full symphony, her distinctive movement style responding powerfully to one of the biggest humanitarian problems in our world today: the refugee crisis.

Three Short Ballets, Northern Ballet
1 – 3 November

Northern Ballet sets the Linbury stage alight with this trio of new short ballets. A London premiere, this fascinating mixed programme will showcase the company’s flair for cutting-edge dance. Expect to see emerging choreographic talent push the limits of what contemporary ballet can be – Dickson Mbi brings his idiom of storytelling to a programme that also features English National Ballet’s Associate Choreographer Stina Quagebeur and Olivier Award-winner Mthuthuzeli November.

A Diamond Celebration, The Royal Ballet
16 – 19 November

The Royal Ballet’s dazzling Principals lead an evening not to be missed, their sparkling talents a perfect fit for a diamond anniversary. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden, this programme recognises the amazing support of all ROH Friends past and present.

The showcase will demonstrate the breadth and diversity of The Royal Ballet’s repertory in classical, contemporary and heritage works. It will also include world premieres by Pam Tanowitz, Royal Ballet Emerging Choreographer Joseph Toonga and First Soloist Valentino Zucchetti plus the Company’s first performance of For Four by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon and a performance of George Balanchine’s Diamonds.

Lost Dog – New Work
1 – 31 December, Linbury Theatre

The company that charmed audiences with their award-winning Juliet & Romeo in 2019 returns to the Royal Opera House. Melding dance, comedy and theatre, Lost Dog’s Artistic Director Ben Duke is known for his witty and inventive reinterpretations of the classics. This season they re-tell the Greek myth of Medea and her relationship with Jason – he’s much shorter than you’d expect, and she didn’t murder her children – as an alternative festive show about how love and forgiveness are not always the answer.