The Royal Swedish Ballet 2023 season begins where the 2022 one left off – with Tamara Rojo’s version of Cinderella.
The Royal Swedish Opera’s 250 Jubilee year includes other classical full-length ballets such as a twist on Romeo and Juliet by Mats Ek, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, Le Corsaire, choreographed by Paris Opera Ballet’s new Artistic Director José Carlos Martinez, and closes out with the much-awaited return of The Nutcracker.
Stockholm audiences will also enjoy a contemporary program of works by Alexander Ekman, Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir, and Ohad Naharin, plus new works by Royal Swedish Ballet dancers created for their colleagues.
Royal Swedish Ballet 2023 Season Trailer
Royal Swedish Ballet 2023 Season Schedule
Cinderella | December 2 – January 24, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- Cinderella by Tamara Rojo
“Cinderella is washed up alone in the port of Stockholm. She is immediately brought to an orphanage where she ends up at the bottom of the pecking order. The Cook, the Cleaner and the friendly Janitor become her friends. When all the children from the orphanage are invited to the prince’s birthday ball at the palace, Cinderella is prevented from joining them as her dance style is too bold and explosive. But then her friends come to her aid – Cinderella must go! Will she get there in time? And will she be reunited with her long lost family?”
This reinterpretation of Cinderella has been created exclusively for the Royal Swedish Ballet by Tamara Rojo.
Mixed Repertory | February 10-14, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- CACTI by Alexander Ekman
- Riptide by Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir
- Minus 16 by Ohad Naharin
“‘CACTI is about the way we look at art and our need to analyse and understand art. In my mind there is no right way to go about it, it’s up to each and every one to interpret and experience art any way they like,” says Alexander Ekman.
“Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir created Riptide exclusively for the Royal Swedish Ballet. By including ritual and folkloric elements in a narrative that takes place in a parallel universe, Hjálmarsdóttir addresses an ancient, timeless and always relevant theme – vulnerability. The visual concept is by the artist and designer Martin Bergström. The music is by El Perro del Mar and Jacob Haage.”
“With a raw blend of traditional Jewish folk songs, mambo and techno, Ohad Naharin – aka Mr Gaga – and the Royal Swedish Ballet offer a memorable finale to the evening’s triple bill. Naharin has a global following of many hundred dancers worldwide, and his Minus 16 is bursting with energy, sway and release.”
Young Choreographers | March 16-18, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- World Premieres by William Dugan, Daniel Goldsmith, Elisa Fossati, Felicia Andersson, Jérémie Neveu, Joao Felipe Santana & Camille Chanial
“In Young Choreographers members of the Royal Swedish Ballet are offered the opportunity to create new material, explore ideas and delve deeper into the choreographic process. Meet our dancers as they guide their colleagues through different styles and forms of expression. Discover the exciting sense of being the first to meet the choreographers of tomorrow.”
Juliet & Romeo | March 31 – April 28, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- Juliet & Romeo by Mats Ek
“She and he. They love each other. Why does everybody say their love is wrong? A romantic story in a brutal setting. Power struggle and a fight between generations. Love, hate and jealousy. Who can win?”
In 2013, Mats Ek created Juliet & Romeo exclusively for the Royal Swedish Ballet.
Manon | May 26 – June 14 & September 1-28, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- Manon by Sir Kenneth MacMillan
“Manon Lescaut’s only assets are her youth and her beauty. She and the student Des Grieux fall in love and elope. Their relationship endures poverty, unpleasant rich men appear, and a vulnerable person’s morality is tested. It is a destructive drama, abounding in lies, followed by deceit and murder. But the love of the ill-fated couple only grows stronger, and Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s beautiful choreography never ceases to move the spectator.”
Le Corsaire | October 27 – November 18, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- Le Corsaire by José Martinez, after Marius Petipa
“Love, vulnerability, longing for freedom, and fighting for justice. Le Corsaire is an epic whole-evening ballet in the classic tradition with magnificent ensemble pieces and romantic encounters between Conrad the pirate and his beloved Medora. This masterpiece is often presented in the form of short extracts. The Royal Swedish Opera now takes on the full version for the first time. It is a feast for the senses!”
The Nutcracker | December 1-30, 2023
Royal Swedish Opera
- The Nutcracker by Pär Isberg
“After a long break, the Christmas adventure is back at the Royal Swedish Opera. Orphans Petter and Lotta are living with Aunt Green, Aunt Brown and Aunt Lavender, with whom they will celebrate their first Christmas. The children do not want to go to bed in the evening and ask if they can sleep under the Christmas tree. Christmas night turns out to be a magic night. “
Featured Photo for the Royal Swedish Ballet 2023 Season of Madeline Woo in Tamara Rojo’s Cinderella. Photo Kungliga Operan/Carl Thorborg.
