What we saw this afternoon, however, was a rehearsal (just wanted to emphasize that!) so it cannot be judged as a performance. But I did want you to know that it's well worth ringing up the box office to see if any tickets are left. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to hearing what others thought of the rehearsal.

In the middle, somewhat elevated
My reaction in one word would have to be...Wow! What a cast! We saw Darcey Bussell, Roberto Bolle, Zenaida Yanowsky, Mara Galeazzi, Johan Kobborg, Jaimie Tapper, Angel Corella, Victoria Hewitt, Samantha Raine (replacing Gillian Revie).

Normally, I would assume that the dancers were saving something for the performance. It was, after all, a rehearsal. But I don't think they could possibly have held anything back today - because I cannot imagine how they could have danced any better. They were - there's only one word for it - sensational. I don't know that I've ever seen so much speed and skill and energy and grace from so many people in one ballet. Plugged into the National Grid, this cast could provide electricity for the whole of Britain.

Darcey Bussell was amazing. So were Roberto Bolle, Zenaida Yanowsky, Angel Corella....Everyone was wonderful, in fact. I could go on. And on. I don't think I've ever heard so many bravos at the end of a rehearsal.

OK, the music's a bit, um, loud. But who cares when you can see dancing of this quality?

In their very different ways, the other ballets in this bill were just as good. Briefly, in Remanso (Roberto Bolle, Jonathan Cope, Edward Watson) all three men did a fabulous job and really impressed me. The same could be said for The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude (Leanne Benjamin, Alina Cojocaru, Miyako Yoshida, Brian Maloney, Edward Watson), which was so beautifully danced that I had trouble deciding which dancer to watch.

Not having seen Por Vos Muero before, I had no idea what was going on, so far as the story or the poems were concerned, but what did that matter when there was so much gorgeous dancing? Liked the music, too. We saw Samantha Raine (replacing Francesca Filpi), Laura Morera, Marianela Nunez, Leire Ortueta, Tamara Rojo, Zenaida Yanowsky, Ricardo Cervera, Jonathan Cope, Johan Kobborg, Brian Maloney, Johannes Stepanek, Thomas Whitehead.

I felt that all these ballets should be seen a couple of times at least, so I'm kicking myself for not having put some cash aside for another ticket. (But it's no good; I'm overspent on ballet as it is.)

One warning, though. Ladies, if a good-looking man causes your blood pressure to rise, then you may be in for some problems. Take your medication before leaving for the Opera House.

Philip you will be happy. The first night cast is the same as the rehearsal.

I really enjoyed the rehearsal but wish they would peform 'Middle' more than once as there is so much to see and I am sure I miss loads!

Thanks, all, for posting these comments. Really looking forward to tomorrow night after reading them - what a cast indeed! As I posted on another thread on Friday, the ROH are doing a '2 for the price of 1' ticket offer for Monday night - they seemed to have tickets left at most prices when I called them on Friday to book mine

On the subject of the study day, I attended my first one on Saturday. For those who haven't been to one before, I really cannot recommend them too highly, if Saturday's is representative of the usual content and standard. I found the section explaining the mime sections of Giselle, together with their historical origins, to be especially interesting, and without having attended, I feel that I would have missed much in watching the ballet without this understanding.

It was also interesting to watch Putrov and Gemma Bond being rehersed in the pas de deux, and Bond, Ortueta and Iohna Loots demonstrating parts of the 'Wilis' scenes, in the more intimate surroundings of the Linbury. I found that the informal atmosphere of the day contributed much to my enjoyment

For those interested, this Saturday (9 March) is a study day for Romeo & Juliet, tickets are £19