Five of the best Royal Opera House productions to watch at home in the coming month

1 THE CELLIST

The Royal Ballet, streaming from May 29

The momentous life and career of the cellist Jacqueline du Pré is the inspiration for this striking new work. Cathy Marston has previously been an associate artist of the Royal Opera House and director of Bern Ballett, and is much in demand internationally. This is her first work for The Royal Ballet Main Stage.

2 IL TRITTICO

The Royal Opera, 2012, streaming from June 5

Puccini’s Il trittico, a collection of three one-act operas is conducted by Antonio Pappano alongside an acclaimed cast including Eva-Maria Westbroek and Ermonela Jaho. In Il tabarro, Giorgetta seeks relief from her misery at the death of her baby by having an affair - how will her husband Michele react? In Suor Angelica, the nun Angelica is visited by a relative who brings unwelcome news. And in Gianni Schicchi, a Florentine family enlist the cunning Schicchi to help them rewrite a will, little knowing that Schicchi has his own plans.

The Royal Opera production of Gianni Schicchi, part of Puccini’s Il trittico (photo: Bill Cooper)The Royal Opera production of Gianni Schicchi, part of Puccini’s Il trittico (photo: Bill Cooper)
The Royal Opera production of Gianni Schicchi, part of Puccini’s Il trittico (photo: Bill Cooper)

3 LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE

The Royal Ballet, 2005, streaming from June 12

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Frederick Ashton’s final full-length ballet, La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter) is one of his most joyous creations, inspired by his love for the Suffolk countryside. It is based on a 1789 French ballet originally created by Jean Dauberval. John Lanchbery created the music for Ashton’s ballet from Ferdinand Hérold’s 1828 score. La Fille mal gardée was a resounding success on its premiere in 1960 and has remained a firm favourite in The Royal Ballet’s repertory.

4 THE MAGIC FLUTE

The Royal Opera, 2012, streaming from June 19

Prince Tamino promises the Queen of the Night that he will rescue her daughter Pamina from the enchanter Sarastro. He begins his quest, accompanied by the bird-catcher Papageno – but all is not as it seems Julia Jones conducts The Royal Opera’s spellbinding production of Mozart’s much-loved opera with a wonderful cast including Roderick Williams as Papageno.

5 RUSALKA

The Royal Opera, 2012, audio only, available from June 18

A dark adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Jossi Wieler and Sergio Morabito’s modern take on a traditional tale loaded with symbolism. Grand and atmospheric, Dvorák’s score features sumptuous melodies as well as the titular character’s famous Song to the Moon.

Where to listen: BBC Sounds

Related topics: