Royal Ballet

Mayerling

In Cinemas 29, 30 Oct & 2 Nov 2022
Conductor
Koen Kessels
Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Cast
Ryoichi Hirano (Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary), Natalia Osipova (Baroness Mary Vetsera), Laura Morera (Countess Marie Larisch), Itziar Mendizabal (Empress Elisabeth), Francesca Hayward (Princess Stephanie), Marianela Nuñez (Mitzi Caspar), Luca Acri (Bratfisch), Christopher Saunders (Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary), Gary Avis (Colonel 'Bay' Middleton)
Music
Franz Liszt
Choreography
Kenneth MacMillan
Designs
Nicholas Georgiadis
Duration
3h23 including 2 intervals
Captured live from Covent Garden, London, 5 Oct 2022
Official Event Listing
  • An astounding, engrossing achievement - a modern classic that does not wane. MacMillan’s piece is a gift for the Royal Ballet’s dancers, who take turns in performances of gripping, in-the-moment power. Imaginative, inventive and truly astonishing.
    Sarah Crompton, THE OBSERVER
    Utterly absorbing and convincing. A darkly gripping masterpiece of storytelling.
    Jenny Gilbert, THE ARTS DESK
    Exceptional. Powerfully played and danced by a stellar cast - six principals in the line-up. Fine performances at every level.
    Louise Levene, THE FINANCIAL TIMES
    A star-studded, near-perfect performance, with a raft of principals taking on secondary roles with brilliance. Ryoichi Hirano is mesmerising.
    Teresa Guerreiro. CULTURE WHISPER

Ballet in three acts (1978)

Dangerous desires, family secrets and political intrigues – a true story told through ballet.

Inspired by dark and gripping real life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf (Ryoichi Hirano) leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera (Natalia Osipova). 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 Royal Ballet at its dramatic finest across potent ensemble scenes and some of the most daring and emotionally demanding pas de deux in the ballet repertory.

ROH Guidance: Suitable for ages 14+. This production contains depictions of drug use, sexual violence and suicide. There are gunshots in each act.

 

Royal Ballet

Based at the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet, led by Director Kevin O'Hare, is Britain’s largest ballet company.  The Company has a wide-ranging repertory showcasing the great classical ballets, heritage works from Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan, as well as new works by the foremost choreographers of today. 

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