Swan Lake in rehearsal

Join The Royal Ballet as they rehearse Swan Lake, which returns to the Royal Opera House on 5 March and will be relayed live to cinemas around the world on 1 April 2020
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Supported by Rolex
and the Paul Hamlyn Education Fund

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[@ccramit]

I'm a former infantryman in the US Army.. A week ago, I randomly saw a ballet video on KZbin. I've been watching ballet videos constantly ever since. Don't even know why. I love the interactions between instructors and dancers. I love that you can see how much the dancers enjoy what they're doing no matter how exhausted they look. Can't believe it took me 35 years of life to finally get into ballet.

[@joyfuldenay]

They are the best athletes in the world. The instructors are gracious in their critiques.

[@tink6225]

@@joyfuldenay true true

[@Barbiegirlmomma]

What do you really can be very soothing and I find it helps ease anxiety because if you focus on the steps then I just it’s so helpful like to watch Bella just mentally help you with or not it’s like a way of giving your mind a break but not losing the same time

[@terryblack2844]

I, too, came across ballet rehearsal videos last week. Now, I watch every night. Problem is I have a hard time turning my iPhone off and going to sleep. Currently Sunday 5:15am in Dallas. I keep saying this is the last video

[@susannevollmer2347]

What a very nice comment, so honnest and kind, I love that.

[@hk6970]

Wayne Sleep is such an amazing coach.Doesn't insult and belittle dancers,cracks jokes,encourages dancers and gives fair criticism.

[@AllieB-11.11]

Yeah he was very good. Also gave them quite a few useful corrections - you could already see how much better they were after only a short time with him. He can still move well himself too. Gosh that dance looks exhausting though - no let up!

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

HK he is wonderful!! You can see how much fun the dancers were having, despite all the hard work. They looked totally relaxed. Wayne is so positive, that’s great!

[@t.w.8174]

HK not really

[@bw3747]

And a big cheer has to go to the pianist, Kate Shipway. Amazing..

[@katiefulton9456]

Bascombe Sunday as always- in equal awe of your virtuosity & patience , dearest Kate! 🎹❤️✨

[@kathymyers7279]

B W oh, ok.

[@nicolebezeau1174]

I know Fumi and Mayara are gonna KILL their debuts thanks to having Zenaida's wonderful coaching. Also excellent rehearsal of the Neapolitan dance

[@TheDivayenta]

Where’s Zenaida from?

[@nicolebezeau1174]

@@TheDivayenta Shes a former Royal Ballet principal. I think she's Spanish

[@user-vj2qq7vj7p]

@@nicolebezeau1174 French

[@nicolebezeau1174]

@@user-vj2qq7vj7p I'm Canadian, but my grandfather is French

[@LilianaCoutoBallet]

@@TheDivayenta she is spanish. Dancers family

[@herrbrucvald6376]

Fumi is just fantastic in this. So vulnerable, the very symbol of mythic womanhood. So moving. One of the very best Odette's I've seen. Most dancers are giving us technique, not the character.

[@gordongesatzki]

Both Zenaida and Wayne are such wonderful encouraging coaches. Although their coaching styles are very different, the way the talk about these characters really helps the dancers to develop their own take on the pieces, while sticking to what they are asked to do in these iconic choreographies.

[@fatmahisham8613]

Yep you are right

[@nuckingfuts1432]

"There's no name for this step, actually" Me (danced jazz in 2nd grade): um excuse me sir that's a grapevine.

[@sugarcookie7386]

Logan B haha same lol it s grapevine 😂 there's a name for it. I used to do gymnastics and they called that a grapevine

[@noblesetsentimentales]

Which one do you mean?

[@triciak1402]

Yes the grapevine

[@triciak1402]

Salva Barberán during the tambourine number

[@angelfaye101]

He said there was no name for it in classical dance and that the choreographer borrowed it from other dance styles.

[@corinamaggi3945]

Looooove the Neopolitan variation! The dancers being coached have so much energy, sleekness, and style! They are so together on all their body angles and positions. Gorgeous!

[@rlatimer10]

Wow! The Tambourine dancers are so beautifully paired. Gorgeous technique and artistry.

[@r0yaljunkie]

zenaida is such a talented dancer and i’m soooo glad she’s teaching and coaching other young dancers!

[@whatkindofnameisella682]

Joseph Sissens and Annarose O'Sullivan are such absolute GEMS!! Those beats in the Neopolitan are not only crazy clean but big - the amount of strength and technique they have while also having so much character and energy is just insane! I cannot wait to see their further promotion through the company :)

[@elizzy8754]

Yes! Joseph has beautiful feet and petite batterie. Amazing energy level and sense of fun from both of them.

[@emiliamaser6541]

How is Fumi not a principal yet? Love her ❤️

[@noblesetsentimentales]

Zenaida Yanowsky, who was always a very intelligent and sensitive artist, turned out to be a wonderful coach as well. I hope she will come back frequently to rehearse the principals.

[@rlatimer10]

Zenaida is such an amazing and knowledgeable teacher, such a pleasure to watch her share with the young dancers.

[@sequillawilliams8809]

I rarely see older dancers actually do any real movement Wayne can still really go I love it!!!

[@RiaOccam]

Watching Zenaida coaching is such a great pleasure! Thank you

[@katiefulton9456]

I love Zenaida ❤️...seeing her coaching is just the most brilliant transition for the wonderful artist & person she is. She truly feels the pieces/relives the steps & emotions with these young & upcoming dancers (as well as the established) it’s so refreshing to see someone in her position wanting the best for her ladies, with no jealousy, only joy via sheer desire to push their abilities while respecting the choreography. I’m very excited for Mayara’s assured glowing career to add to her already established repertoire. Plus one cannot forget that firecracker technique are matched only by that of her enormous stage presence, which is so fun to watch, given her overall petite -on the shorter side height-wise....(me too 🙋🏼‍♀️🩰) + she devours the stage as a Balanchine dancer would but with the most gorgeously English & perfect port de bras throughout, it’s truly a sight that makes roles such as Odile seem all the more challenging, in the most impressive way. Plus her turns & jumps, while amazingly unique & prodigious, (she doesn’t perform a ‘casual’ double/triple quad+ for the sake of being showy.) She maintains neat & perfect lines throughout (atop of EVERYTHING else which comes with the honor of dancing Odette/Odile.) True respect. Much love to you all! 👏❤️🌹

[@gabrielfernandez9870]

35:18 Joseph and Anna Rose Napolitan rehearsal part Love It

[@clairegaylor8788]

THE STAMINA OF THE TAMBOURINE ONES

[@vonsmore5046]

I felt exhausted just watching them. Lol.

[@bew1452]

'The tambourine "ones"?

[@clairegaylor8788]

bew i hadn’t caught the names yet! anna rose o’sullivan and joseph sissens always killin it

[@terryblack2844]

No one ever drinks water. I’m out of breath just watching while I’m in bed!

[@emilygilmore7532]

How could you possibly coach or critique Fumi Kaneko?! She is so flawless... As a choreographer, i'd be like: "That's perfect EVERY time, Fumi!" LOL

[@hmm6088]

Exactly, I would be a bad ballet teacher because I wouldn’t know what to critique 😂 guess it comes with experience

[@erpollock]

Can you believe the coach is a man of 75? Full of energy!

[@letlotlosibanda]

Anna Rose O'Sullivan is so delightful to watch. Edit My newest line: Well, I didn't learn dancing to go slow.

[@MJ-ky4oj]

The tambourine dancers must have an incredible bout of stamina!They make the super hard dance look flawless !

[@barbaralemere5183]

Fumi will be a lovely Odettte. Great insights from Zaneida. Mayara has such a nice vivacity to her dancing that is very pleasing to watch

[@Huaimek861]

I thought all the dancers were beautiful , I have enjoyed this rehearsal so much !!! I remember Wayne Sleep as a young man and a superb dancer , I am thrilled to see him coaching here , wonderful and so funny as well , the dancers must have loved being coached by him , Thank You So Much !!!

[@tsvetelinayankova8146]

I love this new generation ❤️😍 Amazing job! Congrats ❤️

[@MaximSevagin289]

Just an amazing rehearsal, thank you ROH!!!

[@theresag1969]

She's the prettiest and the most graceful swan I've ever seen.

[@micheledeanda4854]

Fumi is so beautiful. Such a wonderful dancer.

[@lynerjy]

YAY ZENAIDA! boy missed seeing her. Though I'm sad she's no longer on the stage, I'm glad she's passing these incredible lessons of interpretation on to subsequent generations so ballet continues to move the soul as she did.

[@paulfreeman4900]

Beautiful. I used to work as a rehearsal pianist and believe me, these young ladies may look frail, but they are very strong. Being a ballerina is VERY difficult.

[@barbara.nepomuceno]

Please, ROH. We want more of this 😍😍

[@a.phillips6892]

Loved seeing this, how exciting! Zenaida as a coach for both Fumi and Mayara was an excellent choice!! She has such exacting corrections that will make both their performances so much richer💕 Plus Wayne coaching the dancers for the waltz was so enlightening, it’s a difficult pas to perform. Bravo!!!💯💯💯💕💕🤗🤗🤗

[@allisonm2579]

They are all so beautiful to watch.

[@tiffcat1100]

Absolutely loved the tambourine dance & couple ❤

[@Elisheva009]

Joseph Sissens did an amazing job of taking all those corrections on board, wow!

[@darlaharryman8149]

Brilliant! Love the coaching! My dancers are enjoying this look into character development and intensity of movement. Thank you so very much for sharing your process and passion with us!

[@mariusledwig6468]

Dear Zenaida, You got legs for days - Still a queen! The trained eye gets pleased by feeling the effect of your coaching approach. Ballet needs more of this. All the best. Marius & Hendrik from Germany

[@jdryak]

So perfectly WONDEFUL!

[@mlpangelina]

Zenaida is just amazing! Magnificent ballerina and coach

[@TheDivayenta]

Is Zenaida the Nordic coach? She looks six feet tall.

[@yvonnestrong3856]

@@TheDivayenta She's half Spanish and half Russian and about 5' 9'', the tallest female principal dancer the company has ever had.

[@manawanuitini7676]

Wow so BEAUTIFUL to peer into a training session.... absolutely a privilege and an honor to see, to listen and to experience (feel) the engaging/connection between the coach and dancers ... digital audience bliss 👍🏽🏹⚔ ROH Thank you so much xo ... dang I am not even a dancer and I can see the individual ballerinas dance expression is 100% on point (following the beautiful coach advice) nga mihi xo

[@brigittegilmore5756]

Thank you for pisting Fumi is exquisite 💜 from philly

[@jennygibbons1258]

This is an intriguing look into the language of dance mime meaning that brought the joy and brilliance of the piece to life. Thank you for filling this gap in my knowledge. 🙏🏽👍🏾

[@suzy6947]

Zenaida was a beautiful ballerina, one of the very best, and it's wonderful to see her pass on her knowledge to the younger generation. The least said about irritating Wayne Sleep, the better.

[@terpsiv8305]

Their port de bras are crazy beautiful. I have no words

[@user-we2zi6hg9f]

Le piú belle coreografie, costumi ed Etoile e corpo di ballo del mondo!!!! Sei davvero Reale ! "Opera House"!

[@ElizabethGlasby]

I don't even do ballet it's just so enjoyable to watch.

[@Sunset.482]

Zenaida's sound effects are amazing XD

[@pumpkinspice8011]

The tambourine dancers were absolutely fantastic 😍 I wish they could have just danced continously. I thought he interrupted way too much and wanted to steal the show 🤣😅 But their energy together and facial expressions is what reels me in 🩰

[@samantharuiz1147]

“Thank you, fantastic, MAGNIFICENT, quiet excellent!!....” *you need more practice with 7283281 things*

[@wengen2007]

Mayara is magical to watch. She will become the greatest 'Odette' audiences have ever seen.

[@erpollock]

It's irresistible after viewing a number of SAB videos, to compare Balanchine's esthetic with the Royal Ballet's. The Royal Ballet is softer, more flowing, more romantic. I know and understand what Balanchine was doing, but there is something so beautiful in the traditional Ashton esthetic. Balanchine is sharp, fast, American. The Royal Ballet follows a European tradition.

[@fificaroline1141]

I remember when Mayara won Prix de Lausanne

[@marilivenditti5339]

Maravilhosa Mayara Magri ! Odila perfeita em técnica e interpretação

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

Nagyszerű karakter tánc.Továbbiakban sok sok-sok sikert kívánok a Tisztelt balettmüvészeknek és balettmesternek. ❤CSODÁLATOS. Tisztelettel, György Tibrea.

[@geertjestarreveld3125]

It is all so difficult, so I think you are all doing very well, no mather what people say who have not be part of these kind of performances

[@susannevollmer2347]

Fumi and Mayara both great and a super coach! Very interesting! Every move becomes clearer!

[@catherinemorrin9782]

Can't be there so will see at cinema on 1st April 😃👏👏💕

[@Callalilly45]

can't get enough of the Neapolitan dance!

[@erpollock]

Wonderful pianist! Such nuance.

[@BooFlo62]

the 3 future principals all in one stream!

[@BooFlo62]

CALLED IT Congratulations ladies!

[@eurekamreum5458]

@@BooFlo62 You nailed it! Such talented ladies

[@JorgeLuiz-fz1yb]

I LOVE BALLET DANCE AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL.

[@everykneeshallbow5719]

I like that so much! {What Zaphod says below.} Yes, some people just think we've got poles stuck up our...! I am very happy to say my father is a man who work on big machines like earthmoving equipment but Loves and loved going to watch ballets!! And we go as a family together with my brother and mother. I will never forget them!!! And he has seen as many of my performances as he can. I don't know if he would've liked the balllet if I did not do it though. And a Huge Thankyou from my heart to my Dad for paying for my tuition!!!! Thanks so much my beautiful Dad! Also, we are never fully happy with our performances! We know that we are good, But Constantly trying to improve what role we do. So the coaching is a part that we absolutely love! { and when young up to 16yrs, it is very good to watch these amazing Teachers and dancers because we can learn even more about the character and other incredible things! and that sentence, "Just one more time!" I am glad its not because its worth All the effort and times!!!!

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

Igazi balettmester. Kiváló utasitásokat ad.Gratulálok a Tisztelt zongora kisérö.Tisztelettel és köszönettel, György Tibrea müvésznönek.

[@nyxaria8557]

I hope you also do a #OurHouseToYourHouse on this. I would reallly love to see it :D

[@lwoods1940]

Wayne Sleep = legend.

[@user-fk5gg3ul8v]

Инкрэдбл!Зина Яновская нереально красиво передаёт душевность этого балета. Сэнкс!

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

❤Gyönyörű. Fantasztikus elöadás. Gratulálok!

[@gonefishing167]

What a comment from the infantry man - and others. If you don’t mind - a suggestion. The Priz de Lausanne has just finished. Watch that. Those young dancers are amazing and the coaches so good. I think Marienella Nunez came from the Priz decLauanne. Carlos Accosta as well I think. I ordered Giselle from the royal ballet. Osipova and Accosta. Superb. I love rehearsals as well. So soothing. Thank you for this, 🙏🙏🙏👵👵🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🩰🩰🩰

[@erpollock]

You can see Kevin O'Hare loves what he does.

[@philzmusic8098]

Joseph Sissens radiates such joy!

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

Fantasztikus.Elegancia és tudás.Igazi elöadómüvészet. Gratulálok!

[@dottiedavis355]

I love that there’s room for majestic Zenaida and dainty Fumi in classical ballet!

[@Prettytacky]

anna rose o'sullivan is soooo precious

[@erpollock]

Wayne Sleep was a great dancer of a previous generation. Seems he is most famous for dancing with Princess Diana! (Diana loved to dance.)

[@joaoemv88]

Adoro as músicas do thaycovisk

[@brianalejandroful]

The cut at 22:00 why did you guys cut when she fell? It was such a raw natural part of the rehearsals. We see them as this amazing perfection scale dancers and that just reminds us that they are also human and they fall yet they stand back up again doing it ten times better... Can you please answer me this @royaloperahouse ? 🥺

[@alyasl.3350]

What, how did she fall? I cant see that.

[@meganmercer2733]

@@alyasl.3350 I can't either. Maybe they mean how she was just stepping out of the soutenu? Or maybe they wrote the timestamp wrong...?

[@annesabinenzumbuloambetima1554]

@@meganmercer2733 during the live Mayara fell on the ground at a certain point. But they definetly edited the video

[@mortifera123]

ROH can edit and show what they want. It's a blessing to have even a small glimpse into the ballet staging process. If they felt it was unbecoming for the dancer or didn't reflect well on the company, they are within their rights to choose not to broadcast any segment of footage. Nobody is entitled to see that replayed.

[@erpollock]

The "teacher" is the great Zenaida Yanowsky, who played the Queen of Hearts in the original Alice in Wonderland with the Royal Ballet. She is a magnificent actress and she is fabulous as ballet mistress to Odette and Odile. Notice the details she adds to the characterization of Odile. The word she needs is "hauteur" - that is Odile, hauteur.

[@anetje]

Bardzo mi się podobało👍🙂

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

GYÖNYÖRŰ. GRATULÁLOK!

[@grazivasconcelosm]

😍❤️

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

40.30 Anna lands so softly, and her pointe shoes hardly make any noise!! How is that possible!

[@eurekamreum5458]

Mayara is going to be a beautiful Odile!

[@latanyapalmer7252]

Awesome.

[@janiakowska]

FANTASTIC NAPOLITAN VARIATION !!

[@matildesicerone1020]

Ojalá un día pueda cumplir mi sueño de estudiar en el royal ballet y tener clases con la maravillosa Zenaida

[@moniquelegarda1842]

One of my biggest regrets is never having seen Zenaida dance live.

[@eurekamreum5458]

SAME!

[@Moo-fb2kb]

weird but i wish you could mike up their shoes or have a mic closer to the ground or something so you can hear their shoes hit the ground. Someone said on another video that the point of ballet is not to hear the feet because its supposed to be an illusion of waify fairy lightness etc, but the sound of their feet hitting the ground in these rehearsal footage videos is my favourite thing in the world, but you can't hear it in this video :(

[@iriskoelewijn1609]

It's because the dancers are trained properly and learned how to use their feet when coming down of pointe. They are suuuuper strong. They nailed it when there isn't any sound coming off from their feet :)

[@eg5660]

Depends on the pointe shoes too, like how they're made or how broken in they are. Some are naturally quiet, some are naturally loud.

[@Moo-fb2kb]

@@iriskoelewijn1609 It's literally impossible not to maks a sound when you jump and land on solid floors, no matter how magical the shoes are. You can't hear it here because the mic is too far away & the music too loud, but you can hear it in other videos. It's not because they're so well trained that they magically can defy gravity & make no noise when they jump off and land on hard ground

[@Moo-fb2kb]

@@eg5660 You're right, but all still make some noise. I saw a professional production at the sydney opera house about 7 ish years ago, some modern ballet, and they stopped the music for a segment & all you can hear is thwir shoes on the stage. It's impossible not to make noise landing on hard floors, it's literally gravity defying, soft shoes or not.

[@katiefulton9456]

The Royal Ballet are strong believers in both proper training and proper shoe-break in so that the sound of the pointe shoes are as undetectable as possible. It’s truly professional. It’s only when one witnesses a sub-par company that overlooks such things that it becomes just how obvious the sound truly takes away from the overall performance. Plus it does indeed add to the magic (and these otherworldly skillful ladies) 👏❤️😊

[@MJ-ky4oj]

How old are the two ballerinas who will play Odette and Odile?They both dance so beautifully!

[@PanDeSal.28]

Zenaida ❤❤❤

[@mablekay8145]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💓💓💓💓

[@DolceVita]

Crazy floorpointe

[@StarGold-lu7mi]

Napoli💖💖💖💖💖👏👏👏👏👏

[@leticiastefani5064]

What is the name of the song that Fumi dances? Does anybody knows it? They are stunning! I really enjoy watching them rehearsing, specially Mayara Magri...

[@joshcrittendon9416]

The song Fumi dances can be found in the beginning of act 2, a quick search of “Entrance of Odette” should help ❤️

[@fatmahisham8613]

I can’t believe Zeniada retired

[@withlove_jr]

Will it still be in theatres now or no?

[@erpollock]

I forgot her name, the teacher, but she was wonderful as the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland.

[@An_Gold]

Who is the first ballerina? I like her dance of Odette.