Classic works from Covent Garden to be shown on screen

Three more productions are heading from Covent Garden to homes around the country as part of the Royal Opera House’s streaming series.

Kenneth MacMillan’s dramatic Romeo and Juliet celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and is currently available to watch on Facebook and YouTube. Performed more than 400 times by The Royal Ballet, it has become a classic of the company’s repertory. Sergey Prokofiev’s iconic score and Nicholas Georgiadis’ magnificent designs bring the passionate Shakespearean tragedy to life. The 2019 recording stars Yasmine Naghdi as Juliet, Matthew Ball as Romeo, Valentino Zucchetti as Mercutio, Benjamin Ella as Benvolio, Gary Avis as Tybalt and Nicol Edmonds as Paris. Pavel Sorokin conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

David McVicar’s production of Gounod’s Faust tells the story of the aged philosopher Faust who makes a bargain with the devil Méphistophélès: in return for youth and the love of Marguerite, Faust will surrender his soul to the devil. The 2019 recording stars Michael Fabiano as Faust, Erwin Schrott as Méphistophélès and Irina Lungu as Marguerite. The Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House are conducted by Dan Ettinger. Faust will stream for two weeks from 7pm on July 17 at on Facebook and YouTube.

The Royal Ballet’s landmark production of the classic fairy tale The Sleeping Beauty brings to life the world of princesses, fairy godmothers and magic spells. The company reopened the Royal Opera House in 1946 with The Sleeping Beauty and in 2006 Monica Mason and Christopher Newton restored the original staging. With choreography by Marius Petipa, additional choreography by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon and a masterful score by Tchaikovsky, the 2020 recording stars Fumi Kaneko as Princess Aurora, Federico Bonelli as Prince Florimund, Kristen McNally as Carabosse and Gina Storm-Jensen as the Lilac Fairy. Simon Hewett conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

The Sleeping Beauty will be available on Facebook and YouTube from 7pm on July 24.

Royal Opera House: The Reopening is also currently available on BBC iPlayer. Anita Rani, Katie Derham and Antonio Pappano introduce highlights from the three Live from Covent Garden concerts. The 90-minute programme includes the world premiere of Wayne McGregor’s Morgen performed by Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales, Vadim Muntagirov’s performance of Frederick Ashton’s Dance of the Blessed Spirits, the central pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto performed by Fumi Kaneko and Reece Clarke and a pas de deux from Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour performed by Mayara Magri and Matthew Ball. Also featured are performances of classic opera arias and songs by Gerald Finley, Louise Alder, Toby Spence and more.

Find the Royal Opera House’s channels on YouTibe and Facebook for more information about the shows.