Ballet

Romeo and Juliet

David Dawson

It is one of the greatest love stories in the canon of Western literature: the passion and dreadful fate of young Romeo and his Juliet, who cannot be together because of deep-seated hatred and ancient quarrels, only to be united in death. William Shakespeare’s tragic tale has been reinterpreted countless times for the theatre, opera and dance stage as well the big screen, often updated to reflect current events and modern perspectives.

The version of the famous ballet music by Sergei Prokofiev that we know today was created for Leonid Lavrovsky’s choreography for the Kirov Ballet, which premiered in St. Petersburg in 1940. »Romeo and Juliet« was first performed in Dresden in 1955. With »Romeo and Juliet«, the British Associate Choreographer of the Semperoper Ballett, David Dawson, presented his fourth full-length ballet in 2022. In Dawson’s vision, this is a world of jarring contrasts oscillating between order and chaos, between tenderness and strength–where the power of dance illuminates the tragedy and beauty of the story.

Ballet in three acts

World premiere

Premiere
5. November 2022,

No further performances in the current season.

Please note: Some biographies reflect the information available at the time of the respective premiere date and are not necessarily updated on an ongoing basis.

Premiere cast

Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation

Explore

Stücktrailer

Romeo and Juliet

It is one of the greatest love stories in the canon of Western literature: the passion and dreadful fate of young Romeo and his Juliet, who cannot be together because of deep-seated hatred and ancient quarrels, only to be united in death. William Shakespeare’s tragic tale has been reinterpreted countless times for the theatre, opera and dance stage as well the big screen, often updated to reflect current events and modern perspectives. The version of the famous ballet music by Sergei Prokofiev that we know today was created for Leonid Lavarovsky’s choreography for the Kirov Ballet, which premiered in St. Petersburg in 1940. Romeo and Juliet was first performed in Dresden in 1955. In 2022, the British associate choreographer of the Semperoper Ballett, David Dawson, will now present his fourth full-length ballet with Romeo and Juliet. In Dawson’s vision, this is a world of jarring contrasts oscillating between order and chaos, between tenderness and strength–where the power of dance illuminates the tragedy and beauty of the story. 
Making-of

Making-of »Romeo and Juliet« (3)

If we’re talking about Shakespeare, then it’s all incredibly musical, states Benjamin Pope, musical director of David Dawson’s new production of Romeo and Juliet with the Semperoper Ballett. Shakespeare’s tragedy and Prokofiev’s ballet music convey deep passions and multi-faceted emotions – and unite them in David Dawson’s new choreography.
Making-of

Making-of »Romeo and Juliet« (2)

In 17 days the curtain will rise on the world premiere of David Dawson’s newest ballet Romeo and Juliet at the Semperoper Dresden. Our second ›behind the scenes‹ film gives insights into the stage and costume design of this production. Jérôme Kaplan reveals his ideas and vision for this special evening of dance. It’s always an adventure, he concludes – we are looking forward to share this world premiere with you on 5 November!
Making-of

Making-of »Romeo and Juliet« (1)

A new creation of Romeo and Juliet created for the Semperoper Ballett by the internationally renowned British choreographer David Dawson will have its premiere on 5 November. Together with the emotionally captivating and sensitively composed music of Sergei Prokofiev, Dawson re-tells Shakespeare’s historic masterpiece through the use his aesthetic focus and unique physical language of emotional expression.
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