Photograph by Bill Cooper

The Royal Opera House recently announced its productions that that will be streamed during January and beyond, offering audiences across the globe a huge range of ballet and dance to view.

From Friday 31 December 2021, audiences have been able to stream The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty – a story set to Tchaikovsky’s score, performed by Principals Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov. Long considered a repertoire staple, the ballet was first presented at Covent Garden in 1946 after the post-war reopening of the Royal Opera House – starring Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann in the lead roles – and was restaged 60 years later by the then Director, Monica Mason, and Christopher Newton.

Towards the end of the month, audiences will be able to enjoy Christopher Wheeldon’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s late romance The Winter’s Tale, showcasing designs and music by the team who brought audiences Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Bob Crowley and Joby Talbot. The ballet, widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its distinctive and emotionally powerful version of the play into dance, is performed by recently retired Principal Edward Watson, current Principals Lauren Cuthbertson, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae and Federico Bonelli, and former Principal Zenaida Yanowsky. It will be available from Friday 28 January.

Finally, Marguerite and Armand – a ballet specially created in 1963 for Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn by The Royal Ballet’s founding choreographer Frederick Ashton – will be available online from Friday 4 February. Drawing from the same inspiration as Verdi’s La traviata and set to music by Franz Liszt, the production portrays the love between its two title characters, danced by former Principal Zenaida Yanowsky and renowned guest artist Roberto Bolle.

All productions will be available to watch for 30 days.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Stream: until Sunday 30 January

THE WINTER’S TALE
Stream: Friday 28 January, 18:00 GMT until Sunday 27 February

MARGUERITE AND ARMAND
Stream: Friday 4 February, 18:00 GMT until Sunday 6 March