Mayerling Tickets

Mayerling in London

Critically acclaimed ballet Mayerling returns to the Royal Opera House - in the heart of Covent Garden - this spring. Sir Kenneth McMillan’s darkly compelling narrative ballet is based on a jaw-dropping true story; set against the grandeur and repression of the Austro‑Hungarian court, Mayerling tells the story of the doomed world of Crown Prince Rudolf and his secret lover. Accompanied by a transcendent score with music by Franz Liszt, this production blends sumptuous period pageantry, shadowed obsession and heartbreaking tragedy. Secure your tickets today. 

What is the ballet Mayerling about?

Set in 19th-century Imperial Austria, Mayerling follows Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, whose turbulent inner life is shaped by political pressures, addiction, and a fraught relationship with his controlling parents. Trapped in a loveless marriage to Princess Stephanie, Rudolf seeks solace in drugs, affairs and radical politics. Stifled by dynastic duty and drawn inexorably to death, Rudolf becomes obsessed with the teenage Baroness Mary Vetsera, and their relationship spirals into a fatal pact, culminating in a shocking event that shakes the very foundations of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

As courtly balls and glittering receptions give way to secret gatherings and drug‑infused delirium, MacMillan’s choreography emphasises psychological nuance as much as classical technique. The result is a ballet that combines sweeping ensemble choreography with intimate, heart‑wrenching duets, inviting viewers to witness not just physical brilliance but the unbearable weight of human longing and loss.

The History of Mayerling

Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling premiered at the Royal Opera House in 1978 and remains one of his most ambitious and emotionally challenging works. MacMillan drew inspiration from the real 1889 Mayerling Incident, and collaborated with Gillian Freeman on the ballet’s scenario. MacMillan and Freeman combined historical research with a dramatic narrative that probes obsession, monarchical duty and human fragility, while conductor and arranger John Lanchbery selected existing songs from the repertoire of composer Fransz Liszt to provide the perfect musical accompaniment.

By setting such a psychologically intense and non‑fairy‑tale story to ballet, MacMillan expanded the possibilities of narrative dance in the 20th century. Mayerling demands extraordinary versatility from its dancers - particularly the male lead, who must navigate some of the most technically and emotionally demanding choreography in the classical repertory. Over the decades, Mayerling has become a staple of The Royal Ballet’s repertoire, celebrated for its storytelling power as much as its technical brilliance. 

The Cast of Mayerling 

Casting varies by performance date, but principal dancers set to appear include:

• Matthew Ball as Crown Prince Rudolf
• Melissa Hamilton as Mary Vetsera
• Mayara Magri as Countess Marie Larisch
• Kristen McNally as Empress Elisabeth
• Meaghan Grace Hinkis as Princess Stephanie
• Mariko Sasaki as Mitzi Caspar
• Luca Acri as Bratfisch

The Creative Team of Mayerling 

Mayerling was choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan (Romeo and Juliet, Manon, The Sleeping Beauty), with a scenario co-created with Gillian Freeman (The Leather Boys, The Confessions of Joe S. Orton).

The score features music by Franz Liszt, including Faust Symphony, Mephisto Waltz No. 1 and Transcendental Etudes, arranged and orchestrated by John Lanchbery (La Fille mal gardée, The Tales of Beatrix Potter). Design is by Nicholas Georgiadis (Isadora, Anastasia), and lighting is by John B. Read (Anastasia, The Sleeping Beauty).

Tickets for Mayerling at the Royal Opera House 

Obsession and despair collide in this breathtaking ballet, combining psychological intensity, historical intrigue and world‑class performances from some of the Royal Ballet’s biggest stars. This huge revival of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s masterful narrative ballet promises unforgettable drama - don't miss out, secure your tickets for Mayerling at the Royal Opera House today.