Emma Maguire

The Nutcracker (Royal Opera House)

Marianela Núñez, Marcelino Sambé

Clara is given an enchanted Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As midnight strikes, she creeps downstairs to find a magical adventure awaiting her and her Nutcracker. Recorded on stage 3 December 2018—15 January 2019 as part of the Autumn 2018/19 season.

The Nutcracker

Lauren Cuthbertson, Federico Bonelli

The young Clara creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favourite present – a Nutcracker. But the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara travel through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy treats them to a wonderful display of dances. Back home, Clara thinks she must have been dreaming – but doesn’t she recognize Drosselmeyer’s nephew?

Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

Emma Maguire, Alexander Campbell

A young girl's enchanted present leads her on a wonderful adventure in this classic ballet recorded at the Royal Opera House in London.

The ROH Live: Jewels

Ross MacGibbon

Beatriz Stix-Brunell, Valeri Hristov

Now celebrating its 50th year, George Balanchine’s sparkling ballet still shines with all the brilliance of the gemstones that inspired it.

The ROH Live: The Dream / Symphonic Variations / Marguerite and Armand

Akane Takada, Steven McRae

The Dream: Frederick Ashton’s delightful interpretation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a classic of The Royal Ballet’s repertory. Symphonic Variations: Ashton was inspired to create a ballet on the four seasons – but as he began to choreograph he refined and purified until the ballet shook off its original meaning, emerging as an abstract celebration of movement and physicality. Marguerite and Armand: Marguerite, a Parisian courtesan, lies on her deathbed. She recalls her tragic love affair with Armand in a series of feverish flashbacks.