Kenneth MacMillan's Manon short rehearsal - World Ballet Day 2014 (The Royal Ballet)

Royal Ballet Principals Marianela Nuñez and Federico Bonelli rehearse the final pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan's Manon. You can see this rehearsal in full in our Manon Digital Programme: www.roh.org.uk/publications/ma...
Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/manon
Marianela Nuñez and Federico Bonelli rehearse the final pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan's ballet Manon, with Alexander Agadzhanov and Kevin O'Hare, accompanied by Kate Shipway.
Kenneth MacMillan began work on Manon shortly after the birth of his only daughter. His source was the 18th-century French novel by Abbé Prévost, already adapted twice for opera by Massenet and Puccini. Renowned dance musician Leighton Lucas and his assistant Hilda Gaunt provided a score made from a patchwork of works by Massenet, including his famous yearning Elégie as the theme for the lovers. The premiere was given on 7 March 1974, the lead roles of Manon and Des Grieux danced by Antoinette Sibley and Anthony Dowell. The ballet quickly became a staple of The Royal Ballet's repertory.
MacMillan found new sympathy with the capricious Manon, bringing his customary psychological insight and the memories of his own impoverished upbringing. He described his heroine as 'not so much afraid of being poor as ashamed of being poor'. Designs by MacMillan's friend Nicholas Georgiadis reflect this, depicting a world of lavish splendour polluted by miserable poverty. MacMillan's spectacular ensemble scenes for the whole Company create vivid, complex portraits of the distinct societies of Paris and New Orleans. But it is Manon and Des Grieux's impassioned pas de deux - recalling the intensity of MacMillan's earlier work, Romeo and Juliet - that drive this tragic story, and make Manon one of MacMillan's most heartbreaking dramas.

[@philzmusic8098]

Let's hear it for the pianist, who brings this score so wonderfully to life.

[@just_peachy7344]

Agreed! Any idea where I can find the score?

[@MossyBallerina]

The lift/jump at 1:52 takes my breath away every single time, it's just... wow. Such amazing dancers and such beautiful choreography.

[@k_a_y_l_e_e]

lol first time i saw that i got a little nervous (read: *a lot* nervous haha). this piece takes an immense amount of trust and faith.

[@bluebell8557]

my god my heart stopped for a second. So so so beautiful.

[@Crewelperleology]

Kenneth MacMillan's Manon is a luxuriously moving piece, and beautifully danced in this rehearsal. These two dancers are both lythe, yet strong and athletic enough to execute everything with seeming ease. What a pleasure to witness.

[@akongrachman4159]

Marianela doesn't have crazy whack off extensions, crazy banana feet, the most "perfect physique" (though we have to admit, her muscled are PHENOMENAL), but she has BODY AND MUSCLE AWARENESS. She has CONTROL and STAMINA. And don't get me started on her mindblowing artistry and stage presence. Her performances are so real, she makes me cry everytime. Ashton would love her, no doubt. She is so versatile, and she has an open mind. She is so persistant and hardworking. She takes her coach's amazing corrections and transforms them into another level with her dancing. I wish l could afford to travel to London to see her. Brava, Marianela!

[@kipklop975]

What a beautiful pas de deux--breathtaking.

[@barbaralemere5183]

Ii'm so glad they are showing actual rehearsal footage because you can learn so much from the coaching and notes.

[@bbaloo058]

this just made me so emotional

[@marianarocha7562]

Marianela is the best,. No doubts.

[@ten7192]

Marianela is such a legend🖤

[@Concetta20]

I’ve never seen a lift then toss and spin before. Wow.

[@solarfanwings7330]

3:07. WOW Edit: it’s all wow. Even the moments that don’t look as ‘impressive’ still require an incredible amount of skill and technique!

[@leahneessuzanne8376]

3:25 oh my gosh yesss

[@elizardo3612]

so emotional and beautifull bravo marianela and federico !!

[@gemmaxxisobel443]

I want to be like her, she is amazing😻😻

[@pameladowe5330]

I married an ex-professional ballet dancer, Federico is an outstanding and generous partner, I have seen ballet partners face-off with dislike for each other, and it spoils the magic in an instant!

[@Kerry-me9tn]

I have already learnt Ballet for 8 years, I always want to dance like her, that's breathe-taking!

[@Emmareads15]

Just how stunning is this? It's just breathtakingly beautiful.

[@barbaralemere5183]

I just love Marianela's dancing. I could watch her all day.

[@susanblackmith3747]

Marianela is absolutely wonderful.

[@lisar9425]

Okay, it’s true: I watch this one a lot. A lot. It’s their musicality-even in rehearsal-that gets me. I don’t know the technical terms, but they inhabit the music so truthfully-so thoroughly-that it seems like the music emanates from their movement and their connection.

[@mirkomelandri5575]

Marianela: a beautiful ballerina, but first, a fantastic artist!! 😍😍

[@shaikhaalmeer2364]

what she's wearing is gorgeous

[@bluebell8557]

id buy the production with these two. I pray they filmed the ballet

[@marthajane6617]

Love George Lambs hair. These two dance beautifully together, Bonelli is a beautiful man.

[@agnespecsi925]

Please, PLEASE, Royal Opera House, release Manon on DVD with this cast! 🙏

[@yadeimisaguilera66]

Precioso, excelente técnica. Ahí está el trabajo de dos grandes de la danza.

[@LondonSnaps1]

Absolutely amazing.

[@rominag1049]

This is the best! One of my dream roles

[@ibuprofenPill]

I love these videos, they really show what rehearsal is like. The one thing it doesn't show is the fact they rehearse this movement several times a day for two or three weeks straight just to get it right. AND, this is only one movement! If they're principals, they also have solos and supporting roles for other dancers. Not sure how long these two have been working together, but when two dancers often do they can develop the funniest relationship. When you get to know the other person's smallest idiosyncrasies it can be hilarious to watch them rehearse. When I was dancing I had blood, snot, sweat and even farts in my face by the ballerinas. Can't tell you how many times I threatened to drop her if she farted on me during a lift. On the other hand when you're in a pas de deux, the job necessarily involves constantly putting your hands all over her. Inevitably, you'll totally cop an unintentional feel, especially when working with someone new. It happens to the best dancers and it's so embarrassing. Oh how I miss my youth in the dance company. Now I'm just an old fart!

[@marthajane6617]

I am snorting with laughter, i often wondered about things like that, not only for the women but the men also, thank you for the truth of the matter. I feel sorry for the men because some of those girls are heavy, Bonelli is not as big as Bolle but he seems to have it in control although it has got to be more of a workout for him. Have a great day.(:)

[@ibuprofenPill]

Well thanks for the reply. Several times I remember being so horribly embarrassed at putting my hand somewhere it wasn't supposed to be, and then realizing the ballerina hardly noticed or cared. I guess they also know it comes with the territory. Still though, it was always an awkward moment.

[@Mimi_alm07]

one time I was doing the coffee pas de deux in the nutcracker. I was on stage dancing with my partner and after the performance he told me I leaked. that was embarrassing lol

[@herstruly6037]

Absolutely stunning.

[@MyriamMagdala]

love, love, love, magnificient !!!

[@karinajansson8431]

Thanks for sharing...!

[@daphnethurlow5388]

Sir Kenneth was a genius.

[@poeticadosmuseus]

OH MY GOD!!!! Impressive! Beautiful!!!!

[@SmittenKitten.]

Their musicality... And, omg, his arms...

[@francoisemillet3192]

Marianela ma Manon préférée !

[@shaikhaalmeer2364]

Oh my god amazing

[@samantharose4952]

Simple wonderful!

[@ymichelle3263]

Marianela Nuñez is beautiful .

[@bluebell8557]

....is she dying here? like in this scene?....it looks likes she's dying slowly...

[@EmVeeBeen]

Sadly yes, in the story they were running away and Manon collapsed from exhaustion I think.

[@khamilamora09]

@@EmVeeBeen honestly, same.

[@s02229]

She dies near the end of this particular duet. Des Grieux (the guy) only realises she’s dead at the very end. Then, the curtains close and the ballet is over

[@SmittenKitten.]

Yes, she is. :( The story is incredibly sad and tragic...

[@valentinagonzalez4359]

Exquisito😍

[@avesaventinus28]

I remember watching here on YT this pdd but it was danced by Sylvie Guillem and Jonathan Cope and I cried by the end. It was just raw and painful to watch.

[@lisar9425]

Even faffing she’s riveting. And he’s such a good partner-you can feel the trust between their bodies.

[@adelaidegems]

My dream role too.

[@alessandrosmartins]

Wow!!

[@tutusandbows]

Will the cinema livestream of this ballet ever be on DVD?? One of my favorite ballets and such an incredible cast with Marianela and Federico

[@romanii1368]

Wow!

[@elizabethmarie6813]

That's so pretty!!! Does anyone have any tips for getting my leg higher when I hold it up?

[@islandhorsetaker]

Work on strength as well as flexibility. Not only leg strength, but also core, you should be holding the leg with your core. I find working on slow developpés have helped me greatly because the control it takes to lift the leg really slowly and hold it there and lower slowly have definitely helped me to strengthen.

[@ravenrider3992]

Elizabeth Marie I have the same problem, I can't hold it for so long it just goes down

[@hanniacastaneda1758]

someone else cried? no? just me?

[@viewerabundzu6887]

wow

[@katechapple217]

Who was playing the piano for this? The music is amazing.

[@RoyalOperaHouse]

Hi Kate. Many thanks for your comment. Kate Shipway is accompanying the rehearsal. You can read more about her here www.roh.org.uk/people/kate-shipway

[@katechapple217]

Thank you ROH!

[@user-uy8gj6xm5w]

federico bonelli!! So cool!

[@Heehexd]

😍😍😍

[@adrianatinoco6489]

How can I find the music? Please.

[@jennyluvballet]

Why did they cut their rehearsal off lol. They clearly weren't finished

[@user-vo3wl4mm3z]

これか！カモン！チェルシー

[@Think1961]

boring rehersals and dance drops

[@anaperalta1968]

What do You know, Troll?

[@Think1961]

I suppose you've misunderstood.Rehersals are only drops, they are too many on tube.Who is Troll?

[@Think1961]

Only a few good complete ballets I meant.

[@Think1961]

you could have avoided anyway, miss

[@anaperalta1968]

@@Think1961 troll

[@redshoesgirl]

boring compared to guillam and cope. no passion, SO stiff.

[@58Barroco]

La interpretación de Sylvie Guillem/Jonathan Cope del 2005, fijó una barra sumamente alta para cualquier pareja, pero en particular la actuación de Sylvie Guillem quedará en la historia como el ¡perfecto Manon!