Jewels, The Royal Opera House

Jewels, the stunning abstract ballet by the father of American choreography George Balanchine, opens at the Royal Opera House this December, in time to furnish your festive season with a bit of sparkle.

So the story goes, Balanchine was so inspired by gemstones in the window-display at Van Cleef & Arpels Fifth Avenue Boutique, New York, that he set to work almost immediately on piece to encapsulate their beauty. The fruit of his labours,Jewels, premiered at his New York City Ballet company in 1967.

The Royal Ballet’s new production stays close to the original, consisting of three self-contained movements which evoke distinct periods in Balanchine’s own biography, as well as the history of ballet itself. Taking us from France to Russia via America,the performance begins with Emeralds,a classical piece set to music of Gabriel Faur é, followed by the spirited and sexy Rubies, which plays out against Igor Stravinsky’s louche jazz. The show’s crowning glory, Diamonds, is an exquisitely elegant, grandiose piece which captures the splendour of Imperial Russia to as core by Tchaikovsky.

The jewels in the titles of the dances don’t have any thematic significance, as Balanchine himself has notably pointed out. But they’re the inspiration for the show’s aesthetic, and there’s a huge amount to be said for designer Barbara Karinsa’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous costumes. Her luxurious silk and satin creations, each encrusted with glass stones, pick up the stage lights beautifully. 

This production is set to bring a little light to dreary winter nights this December, in the comfort of one of the most luxurious venues in London – so book now while you can. While you’re there, pop up to the Paul Hamlyn Hall Champagne Bar in either of the piece’s two intervals to sample a Ruby Rhubarb – the cocktail invented by ROH mixologists in honour of the production.