Mayerling
Adult drama meets sublime choreography in Kenneth MacMillan’s masterpiece. A story of passion and madness based on historical fact.
Photos
When to see it
Booking for 30 May 2013 - 15 June 2013 opens
- Booking opened 15 January 2013 for General Public.
- Booking opened 4 December 2012 for Friends of Covent Garden.
- Booking opened 23 November 2012 for Supporting Friends.
- Booking opened 21 November 2012 for Premium 1 Friends.
- Booking opened 20 November 2012 for Premium 2 Friends.
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Acosta
- Benjamin
- Morera
- Hinkis
- Yanowsky
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- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Soares
- Hamilton
- Nuñez
- Choe
- Chapman
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Watson
- Galeazzi
- Lamb
- Hayward
- Arestis
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- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Kobborg
- Cojocaru
- Kobayashi
- Maguire
- McNally
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Acosta
- Benjamin
- Morera
- Hinkis
- Yanowsky
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- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Pennefather
- Hamilton
- Mendizabal
- Harrod
- Bhavnani
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Soares
- Hamilton
- Nuñez
- Choe
- Chapman
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Watson
- Galeazzi
- Lamb
- Hayward
- Arestis
- Yates
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Acosta
- Benjamin
- Morera
- Hinkis
- Yanowsky
Introduction
Rudolf, the emotionally unstable Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, is forced to marry Princess Stephanie of Belgium against his will. He is drawn into a downward spiral of political intrigue, violence and, ultimately, suicide.
News and features
Mayerling: Fact and fiction
A look at the shocking real-life events that inspired MacMillan's ballet.
Who's who in Mayerling: our family tree guide
Identify the characters and unravel their complex relationships.
Edward Watson and Mara Galeazzi team up to launch Pointe Shoes Appeal
Dancers offer an insight into a vital aspect of their performance.
Your reaction: Mayerling
Audience tweets from the opening night of Kenneth MacMillan's dark ballet.
Mayerling's music: Atmospheric, dark and decadent
David Nice on the sound world of Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling, arranged from the music of Liszt.
Cast change: Bennet Gartside to dance Prince Rudolf in Mayerling on 25 and 30 April
First Soloist to replace Johan Kobborg.
Background
Kenneth MacMillan turned to the double suicide of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and his teenage mistress for this 1978 work. The music of Franz Liszt, arranged by John Lanchbery, provides a sweeping soundscape to match the high emotion of the drama, while the designs of Nicholas Georgiadis bring to life the privileged and oppressive society of the Austro-Hungarian court.
MacMillan’s choreography balances the large-scale – the pomp of a royal wedding and the splendour of a ballroom – with intimate scenes and a willingness to push the boundaries of classical ballet. The role of Rudolf, the violent and troubled Crown Prince of Vienna, is one of the most demanding ever created for a male dancer. His psychological and emotional decline is charted in a series of shockingly charged pas de deux with the women in his life: his mother, his unhappy bride and his young mistress, the neurotic Mary Vetsera.
BP Big Screens 2013
See Mayerling - Thursday 13 June, 7.30pm
Thanks to
Generous philanthropic support from
Celia Blakey, Lady Ashcroft, John and Susan Burns and Gail and Gerald Ronson through the Gerald Ronson Foundation
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 3 hours | Including two intervals. Act One will last for about 41 minutes followed by a 20 minute interval. Act Two will last for about 52 minutes followed by a 20 minute interval. Act Three will last for about 38 minutes.
Credits
| Choreography | Kenneth MacMillan |
| Music | Franz Liszt |
| arranged and orchestrated by | John Lanchbery |
| Designs | Nicholas Georgiadis |
| Scenario | Gillian Freeman |
| Lighting design | John B Read |
| Staging | Grant Coyle |
| Staging | Monica Mason |
Related links
- www.youtube.com Watch: Mayerling Masterclass
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: Mayerling
- www.rohcollections.org.uk Costume collection – Mayerling
