wed 25/12/2024

Manon, Royal Ballet | reviews, news & interviews

Manon, Royal Ballet

Manon, Royal Ballet

Alina Cojocaru delivers, quite simply, a transcendent performance

Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg in 'Manon'Photos © Bill Cooper/ Royal Opera House

If an excess of enthusiasm troubles you, look away now. Because this is less a review, more a love letter. Alina Cojocaru has been astonishing audiences for more than a dozen years. Regular ballet-goers attend her performances expecting to be thrilled. I went expecting to be thrilled. What I didn’t expect was to have a ballet I have been watching for 30-odd years suddenly seem new.

If an excess of enthusiasm troubles you, look away now. Because this is less a review, more a love letter. Alina Cojocaru has been astonishing audiences for more than a dozen years. Regular ballet-goers attend her performances expecting to be thrilled. I went expecting to be thrilled. What I didn’t expect was to have a ballet I have been watching for 30-odd years suddenly seem new.

Neither of them are afraid to be still, to do less, and then do even less

Share this article

Comments

I had the honor and privilege of seeing Alina Cojocaru in Manon in Washington, D.C. in 2009 and it was the single most unforgettable performance I have ever attended. (And I have attended thousands of performances in my lifetime!) Since then, I plan my vacations in the UK and USA, just to see her perform. She is by far one of the world's greatest ballerinas and the depth and complexity of her interpretation of Manon can never be matched by anyone else. She and Johann Koberg literally take my breath away, every time I see them perfom. And the audience is held absolutely spellbound. Thank you for writing such a gorgeous revie/"love letter". It is such a testament to Alina's grace, beauty, and unsurpassed radiance.

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters