Best Ballet

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Best 1 Swan Lake
Swan Lake

Swan Lake, composed by Tchaikovsky and choreographed primarily by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, is arguably the most famous ballet globally. It tells the tragic story of Prince Siegfried's pursuit of...

9.9 Brilliant
2 The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is the most popular ballet in the world, serving as a gateway for millions of people into the art form. Its enchanting story of Clara and her magical journey through the Land of Sweets...

9.6 Brilliant
3 The Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty

Often called the 'encyclopedia of classical ballet,' The Sleeping Beauty is a grand, opulent production that showcases the full spectrum of the Imperial Russian style. With Tchaikovsky's magnificent s...

9.4 Excellent
4 Coppélia
Coppélia
Free Plan Available

Coppélia is a delightful, lighthearted comedy that stands out in the classical repertoire for its humor and charm. The story of Dr. Coppélius and his life-sized mechanical doll is both funny and surpr...

9.1 Excellent
5 Giselle
Giselle
From Varies by company and venue

Giselle is the quintessential Romantic ballet, celebrated for its profound emotional depth and ethereal beauty. The story follows a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart and joins the Wilis, spirits...

9.1 Excellent
6 La Fille mal gardée
La Fille mal gardée

La Fille mal gardée is one of the oldest and most charming ballets in the repertoire. Frederick Ashton's version is a masterpiece of pastoral comedy, filled with wit, warmth, and inventive choreograph...

8.7 Very Good
7 Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire

Le Corsaire is a swashbuckling adventure ballet that prioritizes spectacle and bravura dancing over deep narrative. Based on Lord Byron's poem, it follows the exploits of a pirate and his love for a b...

8.6 Very Good
8 Jewels
Jewels

George Balanchine's Jewels is a landmark of neoclassical ballet, consisting of three distinct acts: Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds. Each act is set to a different composer (Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tcha...

8.6 Very Good
9 La Bayadère
La Bayadère

La Bayadère is a grand, exotic epic that features some of the most challenging and beautiful choreography in the classical canon. The 'Kingdom of the Shades' scene is legendary, requiring 32 dancers t...

8.6 Very Good
10 After Rain
After Rain

After Rain, choreographed by Rain Xu, is a contemporary ballet known for its poignant storytelling and minimalist aesthetic. The ballet explores themes of loss, resilience, and hope, using water image...

8.3 Very Good
11 Apollo
Apollo

Apollo, choreographed by George Balanchine with music by Igor Stravinsky, is a cornerstone of neoclassical ballet. Premiered in 1928, it depicts the Greek god Apollo creating the Muses. Its innovative...

8.3 Very Good
12 Don Quixote
Don Quixote

Don Quixote is a vibrant, high-energy ballet that prioritizes technical virtuosity and comedic timing. Based on Cervantes' novel, the ballet focuses on the romance of Kitri and Basilio. It is famous f...

8.3 Very Good
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13 Serenade
Serenade

Serenade, choreographed by George Balanchine with music by Igor Stravinsky, is a lyrical and evocative ballet known for its use of a large ensemble. The ballets abstract narrative and flowing movement...

8.2 Very Good
14 Rubies
Rubies

Rubies, part of George Balanchines Jewels, is a neoclassical ballet set to Igor Stravinskys Capriccio. Its known for its vibrant red costumes and its exploration of abstract themes. The choreography i...

8.2 Very Good
15 Raymonda
Raymonda

Raymonda is a grand, late-19th-century classical ballet that is celebrated for its magnificent score by Alexander Glazunov and its challenging, intricate choreography. It is a quintessential Petipa wo...

8.1 Very Good
16 The Rite of Spring
The Rite of Spring

Vaslav Nijinskys The Rite of Spring, with music by Igor Stravinsky, caused a riot at its 1913 premiere due to its dissonant music and unconventional choreography. It portrays a pagan ritual culminatin...

8.0 Very Good
17 Swan Songs
Swan Songs

Swan Songs, choreographed by Alexander Ekman, is a contemporary ballet that deconstructs the traditional Swan Lake narrative. The ballet uses minimalist staging and unconventional costumes to create a...

7.7 Good
18 Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet

Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet is a masterpiece of 20th-century narrative ballet. It captures the intensity of Shakespeare's play through a complex, dissonant, and deeply moving score. Choreographers li...

7.7 Good
19 The Miraculous Mandarin
The Miraculous Mandarin

The Miraculous Mandarin, choreographed by László Moholy-Nagy and Francis de Mier to Bela Bartoks score, is an expressionist ballet known for its shocking and unconventional imagery. Premiered in 1926,...

7.6 Good
20 Apollo's Mirror
Apollo's Mirror

Apollos Mirror, choreographed by George Balanchine, is a neoclassical ballet that serves as a reflection of Balanchines own choreographic style. Premiered in 1983, its a complex and challenging work t...

7.5 Good
21 Manon
Manon

Kenneth MacMillan's Manon is a gritty, passionate, and deeply tragic ballet that explores the corruption of innocence. Set to music by Massenet, it follows the rise and fall of Manon Lescaut, a woman...

7.4 Good
22 Onegin
Onegin

John Cranko's Onegin is widely considered the greatest narrative ballet of the 20th century. Based on Pushkin's novel in verse, it tells the story of the cynical Eugene Onegin and the naive Tatiana. T...

7.2 Good
23 A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ballet Australia's production of A Midsummer Nights Dream, set to Felix Mendelssohns iconic score, is a vibrant and enchanting adaptation of Shakespeares comedy. The choreography beautifully captures...

7.0 Good
24 The Firebird
The Firebird

Michel Fokines The Firebird, with music by Igor Stravinsky, is a cornerstone of the Russian ballet repertoire. Premiered in 1910, it tells the story of Prince Ivans quest to capture the magical Firebi...

6.8 Fair
25 The Seasons
The Seasons

George Balanchines The Seasons, set to Igor Stravinskys ballet score, is a charming and accessible work that celebrates the changing seasons. The ballet incorporates character dances representing each...

6.3 Fair
26 Maria Kochetkova
Maria Kochetkova

Maria Kochetkova is a world-renowned ballet dancer known for her exceptional artistry, grace, and technical precision. She has performed with prestigious ballet companies such as the San Francisco Bal...

1.4 Poor
27 Steven McRae
Steven McRae

Steven McRae is a world-renowned ballet dancer known for his exceptional technique, versatility, and captivating stage presence. With a career spanning both classical and contemporary ballet, he has m...

1.3 Poor
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