Mixed Bill - Apollo / New Wheeldon / New Ratmansky

Apollo -Part of a mixed programme. George Balanchine's interpretation of the myth of Apollo is one of the landmark ballets of the 20th century.

George Balanchine was just 24 when he created his ballet about the youthful Greek god Apollo. It was a landmark in his career, in which he moved from the modernism of earlier works to re-embrace and reinterpret classical choreography. The ballet also marked the start of a long, collaborative relationship with Igor Stravinsky, who produced a score of neoclassical vitality. Apollo had its premiere in 1928 and its success launched Balanchine onto the international stage.

The ballet opens with the birth of Apollo against a luminous blue background, evoking the Aegean Sea. Three muses, wearing brilliant white costumes, dance solo variations before Apollo dances a pas de deux with Terpsichore, the muse of dance. Balanchine's choreography is perfectly in tune with Stravinsky's music, which moves between dynamic playfulness and moments of solemnity.

New Wheeldon - Part of a mixed programme. Renowned choreographer Christopher Wheeldon presents a new work, created for The Royal Ballet.

Following the runaway success of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which arrived on the Royal Opera House stage in 2011, Christopher Wheeldon brings a newly commissioned work to Covent Garden. It is an eagerly awaited world premiere and promises to showcase Wheeldon's unique and exhilarating style of choreography.

New Ratmansky - Part of a mixed programme. Alexei Ratmansky presents his first work for a British company in this keenly awaited world premiere.

Alexei Ratmansky is one of the most celebrated names in contemporary ballet. During his time as director of the Bolshoi Ballet, he revitalized the company's repertory with new choreography for ballet scores by Shostakovich and Prokofiev and re-stagings of historic works. Since joining American Ballet Theatre as artist in residence in 2009, he has created critically acclaimed versions of classic Russian ballets The Nutcracker and The Firebird. His first work for The Royal Ballet offers British audiences the opportunity to experience the work of this thrilling Russian choreographer.