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55 years after its premiere, the Stuttgart Ballet revisits John Cranko’s legendary “Romeo and Juliet” – the very choreography which laid the foundations for the “Stuttgart Ballet Miracle”, the company’s meteoric rise to fame. Vividly etched characters, breathtaking pas de deux, dashing sword fights, colorful ensemble scenes, magnificent sets and costumes evoking the sunlit streets of Verona – all this is Cranko’s “Romeo and Juliet”. John Cranko, who led the Stuttgart Ballet from 1961 until his death in 1973, created the choreography of “Romeo and Juliet” especially for his ensemble. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s lush score, Cranko’s ballet is one of the definitive versions of the Shakespearean love tale being performed around the globe today. This production is marked by yet another anniversary: Marcia Haydee, Cranko’s muse and prima ballerina, was the very first, highly acclaimed Juliet. Haydee, who followed Cranko as artistic director of the Stuttgart Ballet, participates in this performance as Julia’s nurse, celebrating her 80th birthday on stage. She is joined by two other stars of the ensemble, Haydee’s former dance partner Egon Madsen as Friar Lawrence and Artistic Director Reid Anderson as Lord Capulet. As danced by the Stuttgart Ballet – one of the world’s leading ballet companies – this performance is “a revelation” (Daily Express).

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REVIEW:

Several choreographers have had a go at it, but this 1961 version, by John Cranko, is by some way the finest of all I have seen. It is not surprising that it remained his signature work and has remained in the repertory of the Stuttgart company, for whom he wrote it, ever since he created it. This is a recent performance, with excellent sound and picture quality. All the dancers act as well as dance, and every one has an individual character. The set and costumes bring Renaissance Verona to life, the orchestral playing is very good and the whole performance is a delight.

– MusicWeb International