The Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet
source
Name	The Royal Ballet
Founded	1931 (as Vic-Wells Ballet)
Founder	Ninette de Valois
Venue	Royal Opera House
Location	Covent Garden, London
Associated school	Royal Ballet School

The Royal Ballet is a leading British ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Founded in 1931, the company developed a repertory that synthesizes classical ballet, neoclassical technique, and contemporary choreography, drawing on a lineage that includes European institutions such as the Imperial Ballet, Ballets Russes, and Paris Opera Ballet. Over decades the company has been shaped by artists associated with institutions like Sadler's Wells Theatre, Royal Academy of Dance, and the Royal Ballet School.

History

The company's origins trace to founder Ninette de Valois and early collaborators at Sadler's Wells Theatre and Royal Opera House. Influences included choreographers from the Ballets Russes such as Sergei Diaghilev and principal dancers who trained at the Imperial Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet School. Early artistic partnerships involved Frederick Ashton, Constant Lambert, and conductors connected to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. During World War II the company relocated between venues including Wythenshawe, and later consolidated at Covent Garden after the war, paralleling developments at institutions like the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet. Postwar leadership and guest artists included exchanges with the Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and choreographic collaborations with figures from the Royal Shakespeare Company and Sadler's Wells Theatre Royal.

Repertoire and Productions

The repertory spans full-length classics, contemporary one-act ballets, and commissions tied to cultural events such as the Coronation of Elizabeth II and national commemorations. Signature full-length works built into the canon include ballets staged by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, alongside revivals of works by Marius Petipa, Leoš Janáček-inspired productions, and adaptations influenced by Igor Stravinsky and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Collaborations with composers and designers from institutions like the Royal Opera House and Royal College of Music have yielded productions involving creatives associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, and English National Opera. Contemporary commissions have engaged choreographers connected to William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor, Christopher Wheeldon, and companies such as Morphoses and New York City Ballet in guest relationships.

Company and Artistic Leadership

Artistic direction has passed through figures linked to institutions including the Royal Ballet School, Royal Opera House, and international companies such as the Kirov Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Notable directors and associates have included Ninette de Valois, Frederick Ashton, and Kenneth MacMillan, with later artistic leadership drawing on experience at the Paris Opera Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and Ballet Rambert. Music leadership has intersected with conductors from the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and guest maestros from the Metropolitan Opera. Administrative and executive staff have fostered touring partnerships with venues like Lincoln Center and festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival and Salzburg Festival.

Dancers and Training

The corps, soloists, and principal dancers have been drawn from training pipelines including the Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, and international conservatoires such as the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and Prix de Lausanne scholarship recipients. Alumni and company principals have pursued careers with companies like American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, English National Ballet, and Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Guest artists have been recruited from the Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, La Scala Theatre Ballet, and New York City Ballet. The company’s technical and repertoire coaching has involved répétiteurs affiliated with the Ashton Archive and institutions preserving the works of Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, and Béjart Ballet Lausanne.

Venues and Touring

Resident at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the company maintains touring relationships with international venues and festivals such as Lincoln Center, Mikhailovsky Theatre, Teatro alla Scala, Sydney Opera House, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Domestic touring has included seasons at Sadler's Wells Theatre, regional partnerships with theaters like Bristol Hippodrome and Manchester Central, and collaborations with the BBC Proms and national arts councils. Touring repertory often reflects co-productions with houses such as La Scala, Metropolitan Opera, and cultural ministries behind major international festivals.

Education, Outreach, and Community Programs

The organization’s education activities connect with the Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, and community programs funded through arts councils and cultural trusts such as the Arts Council England. Outreach initiatives include linking with schools and youth companies like Youth America Grand Prix and programs modeled on vocational training at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and scholarship schemes including the Prix de Lausanne. Partnerships extend to cultural charities, gallery collaborations with institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, and joint projects with broadcasters such as the BBC to broaden access to ballet through televised performances and digital archives.

Category:Ballet companies Category:Performing arts in London