First Soloists of the Royal Ballet | 2023

[@blackmantle541]

Yuhui has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Her Odile in the Korean ballet video is perfection

[@jeezumcrow8655]

James Hay has deserved a spot as Principal for a few years now in my opinion. He’s so technically precise with grace and really becomes the character in his roles. I’m hopeful that he’ll get there someday.

[@BalletReels]

he is so talented and versatile and has such stage presence! i would love to see him become a principal, and if not, definitely a principal character artist later on

[@misss3480]

They're all wonderful, but I really love Valentino - he always dances with such character. This has really made me want to see 'The Dream'. Thank you.

[@BalletReels]

he's exceptional! he might be my favorite mercutio as well

[@RaffaellaRenzi-hj1qh]

They are all beautiful

[@daphnethurlow5388]

Melissa is a beautiful dancer in every aspect in...my humble opinion.She'll be promoted sooner or later hopefully

[@SarahHope883]

Yuhui and Valentino should have been made principles years ago. I hope this happens before they retire

[@Gamzatti.]

Yuhui❤❤❤

[@Erin-el1gi]

I will never ever understand why Yuhui was never promoted to principal. I obviously don’t know the details, but it’s definitely been frustrating watching others pass her by through the years, not to take away from any of the other dancers. She’s absolutely a principal in my eyes. It’s disappointing 😕

[@oliverdownunder9397]

I suspect she is unpopular or it is company politics.

[@leoswift6938]

I feel the same about this

[@zhicongdaykin5289]

@@oliverdownunder9397 money! Japanese dancers backed by their country finacially. Yuhui was born in korea.

[@ハンコックバビー]

There are two Japanese principals. I wonder if the company considers the balance of ethnicities? Just saying.

[@TheDersertAir]

Couldn't agree more. And Valentino.

[@bellabarter5850]

Love your videos thank you

[@thevanillaflourette]

In my eyes, Melissa Hamilton is near perfect. As others have said, the Royal Ballet is a treasure chest of some of the greatest ballet dancers out there. Why some are promoted quickly and some have to wait forever is a mystery. Melissa’s lines are just insane. Her performances in Apollo, Caravaggio, Concerto, Prelude … I mean the list goes on. She is a goddess. The RB is not using her to her full potential.

[@sherrilcooper9756]

⁰6

[@AmbarD.P.D.]

I also believe that. Among my possible retirements are Lauren and Sarah Lamb (hopefully not) maybe when someone else retires, they promote Melissa. Now Alexander is gone, there will be room for someone else.

[@susannevollmer2347]

Yuhui Choe now a leading soloist? She should be a principal since years!🤨

[@wendypennell9432]

Her shoes are a little old what’s up with that?

[@rowbom]

The two male dancers in The Dream are phenomenal.

[@BalletReels]

indeed! valentino zucchetti & steven mcrae :)

[@marionbayley1351]

Please now do a video of the Principal CHARACTER dancers who have wonderful artistry too.

[@BalletReels]

great idea!

[@sedekiman824]

Love Clare Calvert!

[@BalletReels]

can't wait until she returns to the stage!

[@vivienne4934]

As do I. She has a serene elegance to her work. She never over dances, she is always subtle. Such a pleasure to watch.

[@znamoperu]

It would be useful to hear others share their point of view (or insight) on whay the principal status has not happened for some of these dancers (Yuhui, Claire e.g.). My only thinking is that it might be their dramatic ability, since the technique has always been there..?

[@beatrizguedes6836]

Since some dancers have said they always have a meeting with Kevin O'Hare at the end of each season so they can discuss their plans and hopes for the upcoming season, I think some dancers just don't want the pressure of principal status and make that clear during said meetings. This is my guess for Yuhui at least. For the last ten years or more, everytime they announce promotions, there's always comments asking why she hasn't been promoted to principal yet. They know the demand to make her a principal is there, the only reason I can think of is that she doesn't want the title herself. Either that or they don't see her as a super technical powerhouse, which has been the case with the most recently promoted principal dancers at the ROH. She has solid technique, but not that "wow she can do anything" technique like Yasmine Naghdi and Mayara Magri, or even Fumi Kaneko. I would love to see her getting promoted, she's been one of my favorite dancers for so long, but unfortunately I think that ship has sailed.

[@znamoperu]

Thank you!

[@znamoperu]

@@beatrizguedes6836 but for some of them (e.g. Zucchetti) it might be a decision from the management rather than the dancers...

[@beatrizguedes6836]

@@znamoperu yes, definitely. Unfortunately, they have limited principal spots and many talented dancers. I noticed they increased the number of principal dancers in the last few years to accommodate more dancers, but, unfortunately, they can't promote everyone :/

[@gonefishing167]

Thank you, loved the classical bits 🩰🩰🩰🩰🩰🙏👵🇦🇺

[@thaisgregorio2734]

I think it is about time Melissa Hamilton is promoted to principal. She is amazing and has had great consistent performances (including some principal roles) in the past few years

[@daphnethurlow5388]

Definitely

[@Traditionalsetup]

Salam alaikum 🙏 MashAllah great 👍👍👍 my dear friend 🙏❤️🙏🤲 from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@susanmuir286]

Joseph Sissens

[@icarrus4u]

Where can I find Month in the Country? Great videos!

[@BalletReels]

you can find it on ROH Streaming!

[@bellabarter5850]

Where did you get the video of Yasmin and mayara doing sleeping beauty in your previous video??

[@BalletReels]

hi - the video of yasmine was from Giselle (available on ROH streaming). Mayara was a clip I found online (but I think it’s been taken down). Hope that helps!

[@josinepouwels497]

I am not imoressed by claire calvert: it looked if she was not fully in control. Not precise and certainly not a moment of sparkle. Insecure grins on her face😢

[@LizAtkinson-eh9cy]

No😊

[@fabiesque]

I am so sorry to formulate it that brusquely: those girls in the 90s would have made it only to the corps the ballet. They got nothing special. Visualize in your mind the Royal Ballet in the 90s. See before your eyes the bodies and faces (and technique!!!) of Guillem, Bussell, Durante, Hatley, Bull. And then watch these girls. You're up for a rude awakening.

[@BalletReels]

The only thing I agree with you on is that you formulated this very brusquely and actually quite rudely! We are all entitled to our opinions, but it’s my opinion that the talent of the Royal Ballet in 2023 is exceptionally layered and full of the greatest dancers in the world.

[@fabiesque]

God...another hupersensitive Gen Y or Z...with no clue about semantics. I have been "rude" just because I don't have the same opinion as you...

[@BalletReels]

@@fabiesque physician heal thyself! ;)

[@Roheryn100]

@@fabiesque God…another thick-skinned boomer who imagines being offensively dismissive is the same as being “honest”.