Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2019, London Coliseum

Each spring, legends of the dance world descend on London to celebrate the legacy of the renowned Russian ballet school.

This year's Russian Ballet Icon Gala, which takes place at the London Coliseum, is as star-studded as ever: it showcases Bolshoi principal dancers Maria Alexandrova, Vladislav Lantratov and Artem Ovcharenko; Mariinsky stars Alina Somovra and Konstantin Zverev; and Royal Ballet company members Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae, Yasmine Naghdi and Marcelino Sambé—among many others.

Polina Semionova and Jason Reilly in Onegin. Photo: Marc Haegeman

The programme includes pieces from much-loved classics like Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, as well as showcasing some of the most exciting contemporary choreographies. The performances will be accompanied by the English National Ballet Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Valery Ovsyanikov, who has conducted the gala since 2006.

Audiences can look forward to appearances from Jeffrey Cirio, who joined the English National Ballet as a lead principal from the American Ballet Theatre last summer; the award-winning Maria Kochetkova, who is currently with the Vienna State Ballet; and Lucía Lacarra, who has been a principal with the Bayerisches Staatsballett for 17 years.

For the full list of ballet dancers participating in the Gala, click here.

This preview was written in partnership with Russian Ballet Icons Gala