Lady Macbeth

The kitchen scene with rhythmically rattling pots and pans is an original group scene. It also blends seamlessly with the ominous composition of British film, television and dance composer Peter Salem, known for award-winning music for series such as Call the Midwife.

Koen Kessels, the new conductor of Het Balletorkest, lets the bass of string instruments growl like unleashed ghost appearances and drives a variation of threatening percussion from all the cracks of the orchestra box towards the stage. Moreover, all that vibrates in a harness of electronic audio tracks. Musically you feel and hear an exciting cocktail of lust for power and remorse.

The Salem score is an absolute cracker of brooding energy — drums and blaring brass at times, a troubled and oppressive wall of near silence at others, as when murder is afoot. It is brilliant and well delivered by the Dutch Ballet Orchestra under the baton of Koen Kessels.