Romeo and Juliet

This is a true classic of ballet, and it is always danced best by a company that follows the classical tradition rigorously – which is what you traditionally get from Russian companies, of course. This production is not from the Moscow State Ballet, despite what the publicity claims; it is however from the Russian State Ballet Mari El, a company based in Mari El republic; established in the early 2000s, the company is known for its commitment to classical ballet technique and has gained a reputation for the quality and accessibility of its performances; so this one should be on the button. Music by Sergei Prokofiev, classic choreography by Konstantin Ivanov – a former Bolshoi soloist who is the State Ballet Mari El’s creative and administrative director.