The Royal Ballet, Within the Golden Hour Bill Preview

Dance works from three of today’s leading choreographers are brought together in a triple bill that showcases the contemporary face of The Royal Ballet.

The exciting mixed programme will feature a world premiere from Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and the revival of recent ballets by Christopher Wheeldon and Crystal Pite.

The acclaimed Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Cherkaoui is Artistic Director of Royal Ballet of Flanders, Artistic Director of his own company, Eastman, and Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells.

Renowned for his eclectic style, Cherkaoui draws on his training in ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz and flamenco to imbue his choreography with its very own, unique character. We are in no doubt that he will bring fresh stylistic fusions to the Royal Opera House stage with his latest, as yet unnamed, composition.

Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour – devised for San Francisco Ballet in 2008 and first performed by The Royal Ballet in 2016 – demonstrates his flair for creating geometry in groups.

This abstract ballet is structured around three distinctive pas de deux and features seven couples costumed in hues that echo the warm light indicative of the ‘golden hour’ before the sun sets.

Dancing to an original score composed by Ezio Bosso and incorporating music by Vivaldi, these fourteen dancers produce intricate patterns to reflect the pure beauty of movement.

Completing the programme is the first revival of Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite’s Flight Pattern.

This moving exploration of the refugee crisis was Pite’s first work for The Royal Ballet, and when it premiered in 2017 was also the Company’s first new main-stage work by a woman in 18 years.

Having already delivered a series of first-rate pieces, Pite did the same again with this poignant and passionate large-scale ensemble work.

Accompanied by music from Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, 36 dancers move in impersonal unison until an anguished pas de deux focuses attention on the emotions of individuals.

An evening of reflection awaits

Live Cinema Relay Thursday 16 May