Peter and the Wolf Blu-ray (The Royal Ballet School)Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev's musical fairy tale, has been delighting children since 1936. Nearly 60 years later, in 1995, the young choreographer Matthew Hart created a witty choreographed version for The Royal Ballet School with designs by Ian Spurling. Described as 'an utterly delightful ballet and a perfect showcase for the younger students,' by the Royal Ballet's Director, Monica Mason, it was staged again and recorded for this DVD in 2010. See

not least thanks to high-definition camera work and Sue Judd's inspired direction for television

a young seamstress

iconic score combine to create the quintessential Christmas ballet – an opulent fantasy for the senses for audiences of all ages

Running time: 226 minutes (137 | 89 mins)

Von Rothbart: Bennet Gartside

Director: Annabel Arden

Il trovatore - Di quella pira: José Cura

Die Zauberflöte (2003)

Orchestration: Dudley Simpson

and dramatic impulse of Puccini’s Tosca is not learned but instinctively felt and you have a recipe for the kind of evening that gives the Royal Opera its truly international status

Orchestra of the Royal Opera HouseConductor: David BriskinMusic: Joby TalbotChoreography: Christopher WheeldonDesigns: Bob Crowley

humorous – this programme gives a wonderfully varied introduction not just to MacMillan’s work but to the beauty and dramatic power of ballet itself