Dates

10-27 Jun 2023

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

1:50, incl. 1 interval

Tickets

From €15

Forsythe Festival

Ode to an international master choreographer

If there is one choreographer who has influenced and steered the development of contemporary dance, it has to be William Forsythe. He completely overturned the traditional logic and dynamic of ballet. Dutch National Ballet is extremely proud to present its first complete programme of three of his masterpieces: The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Pas/Parts 2018 and the Dutch premiere of the internationally acclaimed Blake Works I.

Photo: Marta Syrko

Ode to an international master choreographer

Blake Works l was the first work in which Forsythe – after seventeen years of choreographic experimentation – returned to classical ballet technique. This proved to be the foundation of his success in the eighties and nineties. At the world premiere in Paris, in 2016, the audience went wild. In technically challenging, yet swinging solos, duets and group formations, the piece portrays seven poetic songs from James Blake’s album The Colour in Anything.

 

Abstract art

In 1999, right before diving into his experimental phase, Forsythe created another masterpiece for the Paris Opéra Ballet: Pas/Parts, which Dutch National Ballet is now presenting in an adapted version from 2018. The piece is a prime example of how dance innovator Forsythe took classical ballet steps and transformed, cut and regrouped them to form contemporary abstract art. Like a dizzying avalanche, ingenious solos, duets, trios and group sections follow one another at amazing speed.

 

Tribute and parody

The third work, as suggested by its title The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, is a tribute to the precision and speed of classical ballet, while simultaneously being a parody of it as well. To Schubert’s Symphony no. 9, the dancers perform a whirlwind of pirouettes and tricky allegro work, but they do it at such speed that the original steps are barely visible any more.

Credits

The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude
Choreography  William Forsythe
Music  Franz Schubert

Pas/Parts 2018
Choreography  William Forsythe
Music  Thom Willems

Blake Works l (Dutch premiere)
Choreography  William Forsythe
Music  James Blake

Musical accompaniment  Dutch National Ballet Orchestra conducted by Matthew Rowe

Part of Holland Festival

Change in box office opening hours

Please note our box office opening hours have changed as of 1 March 2023.

Choreographer

Ticket prices

Check out the ticket prices per price category via the link below.

Ticket prices

We offer discounts for specific groups in order to make our performances accessible to everyone. Check this page to see if you are eligible for a discount.

Price
category
Standard CJP | City Pass | 
Youth up to 16
Premium € 55,00 € 50,00
1st € 48,00 € 45,00
2nd € 38,00 € 35,00
3rd € 28,00 € 25,00
4th € 20,00 € 18,00
5th € 15,00 € 15,00

Dutch National Opera & Ballet works with a system of dynamic pricing: during the booking period the ticket prices may increase, depending on demand. Prices exclude € 2,00 booking fee per ticket.

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Five reasons to look forward to Forsythe

Pas Parts | Foto: Hans Gerritsen
Pas/Parts 2018 | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
Pas Parts | Foto: Hans Gerritsen
Pas/Parts 2018 | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
Pas Parts | Foto: Hans Gerritsen
Pas/Parts 2018 | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
Pas Parts | Foto: Hans Gerritsen
Pas Parts | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
Het Balletorkest

Dutch National Ballet Orchestra

Dutch Ballet Orchestra’s mission is ‘to inspire movement in dance’. Since its inception in 1965, the orchestra has been the proud musical partner of Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. In every performance, the orchestra searches for inspiring synergy between music and dance, in order to give the audience a magical experience.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Led by principal conductor Matthew Rowe, Dutch Ballet Orchestra is the leading orchestra for dance in the Netherlands. The orchestra accompanies performances ranging from traditional ballet to modern dance, alongside and is active in music education and talent development.

Besides performances with Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long tradition of innovative – and award-winning – family performances. For instance, Creatures (in collaboration with ISH) received the international Young Audiences Music Award, and the production Hansel and Gretel (in collaboration with Orkater) won various Musical Awards. In these productions, the musicians play from memory, without a conductor and in costumes, so that they form an integral part of the performance. And finally, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long-term partnership with the Dutch National Ballet Academy. They are therefore involved in the music curriculum for pupils and students, facilitate student visits to orchestra rehearsals and provide music for the academy’s end-of-year performance, where possible. 

hetballetorkest.nl/en

28 May

To Thom Willems' popping, whistling, gibbering composition, the dancers rush through twenty movements in varying formations, all equally beguiling by the inventiveness with which the choreographer adapts the classical arsenal of steps to contemporary use - NRC Handelsblad about Pas/Parts 2018

28 May

Forsythe makes what seems perfectly logical illogical, and gives you a new logic in return. The aesthetic appeal of this is great.

- Pas/Parts 2018

28 May

The result is a dance marathon [Pas/Parts 2018] of solos, duets and trios, laden with poses that are repeatedly moulded into dizzying constellations of high kicks and athletic hip swings.

Introduction

Almost every performance at Dutch National Opera & Ballet is preceded by an introduction, with background information that can deepen your theatre visit. The introductions are in Dutch and admission is free by showing a valid ticket.

Introduction Forsythe by: Lin van Ellinckhuijsen
Time: 45 minutes before the start of each performance
Location: 2nd balcony

 

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