The National Ballet of Japan comes to Covent Garden, making its Royal Opera House debut.
In what promises to be the most important dance event of London’s cultural calendar next summer, the National Ballet of Japan will make its European debut at the Royal Opera House on 24–27 July 2025.
The national ballet company of Japan, one of the world’s great powerhouse ballet nations, will become the first Asian dance company to perform on the main stage of the Royal Opera House in more than 15 years.
The National Ballet of Japan will give five performances of its acclaimed production of Giselle by the company’s artistic director Miyako Yoshida, who was the first Japanese ballerina ever to be made a Principal dancer in the history of the Birmingham Royal Ballet (1988–1995) and The Royal Ballet (1995–2010). She was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to dance in 2007.
The National Ballet of Japan will perform the beloved 19th century classic Giselle in a production by Miyako Yoshida – with staging and additional choreography by British choreographer and former Royal Ballet Principal Character Artist Alastair Marriott. Award-winning British designer Dick Bird has created a spectacular set inspired by the ‘Hill of Crosses’ in Lithuania as the backdrop for the evergreen tale of love, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption.
First performed in Paris in 1841, Giselle is the ultimate romantic ballet, with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot and music by Adolphe Adam. The peasant girl Giselle discovers the true aristocratic identity of her lover Albrecht – and that he is betrothed to another. In despair at the revelation, Giselle dies of heartbreak. Her spirit enters the realm of the Wilis – ghosts of women who died before their wedding day. All men that come across their path are compelled to dance themselves to death. As Albrecht verges on meeting with the same fate, Giselle intervenes with her love from beyond the grave, saving Albrecht and releasing her own soul from the Wilis.
Founded in 1997, the National Ballet of Japan is the resident dance company of the New National Theatre in Shinjuku Tokyo and the only state-funded ballet company in Japan.
National Ballet of Japan – 2025 London Season
Giselle
- Thursday 24 July 7:30PM
- Friday 25 July 7:30PM
- Saturday 26 July 2:00PM
- Saturday 26 July 7:30PM
- Sunday 27 July 2PM
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London, WC2E 9DD
Further Information: Royal Ballet and Opera