Choreographer

Romeo e Giulietta

Circus Maximus

John Cranko's masterpiece based on Alexander Pushkin's classic tale of romantic tragedy tells the story of the love between the shy Tatiana and the dandy Onegin.

Onegin

Semperoper Dresden

A young country girl, Tatiana, is introduced to a worldly aristocrat by her sister’s fiancé. Onegin instantly becomes Tatiana’s heart’s desire, though, in his eyes, she remains naive and uninteresting. Thus begins the tale that leads to a tragic duel, a royal marriage, and personal redemption. Based on the verse-novel Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, John Cranko’s majestic and astounding ballet allows the strength and agency of our romantic heroine to shine through.

EPSG:4326

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Shakespeare’s Verona comes to life in bustling street scenes, fierce duels and the tenderness of Romeo and Juliet’s forbidden love as The National Ballet of Canada presents John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet for the 75th anniversary, honouring an iconic production instrumental to the company’s artistic growth. Created for Stuttgart Ballet in 1962 and first performed by the National Ballet in 1964, Romeo and Juliet is a timeless showcase for the artist development, dramatic depth and musicality of Cranko’s legacy, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s celebrated score.

Romeo and Juliet

Canadian Opera Company

Cranko’s Onegin, to be staged at the National Theatre, requires from the dancers expressive acting, brilliant technique and profound sense for conveying the characters’ emotions and feelings. Alexander Pushkin’s novel in verse Eugene Onegin, a classic of Russian literature, enjoys worldwide fame and popularity. It depicts the story of hapless love between Onegin, a St Petersburg dandy, and Tatyana, the bashful daughter of a landowner. Cranko created his version for the Stuttgarter Ballett, who premiered it in 1965, with Márcia Haydée and Ray Barra in the lead roles. Pushkin’s heroes first appeared on stage owing to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who based his 1878 opera Eugene Onegin on the novel. Cranko, however, set his ballet to a compilation of other Tchaikovsky pieces, arranged by Kurt-Heinz Stolze.

Choreographer

John Cranko

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 31 - Nov 8, 2026

Romeo and Juliet · The National Ballet of Canada

Nov 14, 2026 - Jun 19, 2027

Onegin · Národní divadlo

Past events

24 - 25 Jul, 2026

Romeo e Giulietta · Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Jun 27 - Jul 12, 2026

Onegin · Semperoper Dresden

About

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