The history of Dutch National Ballet
Dive into the rich history of Dutch National Ballet. This timeline provides an overview of the highlights of the company's repertoire and developments since its establishment in 1961. Get entranced by archive footage and stories from over 60 years of Dutch National Ballet.
The 60s
- 112 New productions
- circa 50 World premieres
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Foundation
Dutch National Ballet is founded on 31 August 1961 through a merger of the Nederlands Ballet (led by Sonia Gaskell) and the Amsterdams Ballet (led by Mascha ter Weeme), employing 89 dancers at its inception. Gaskell takes on the position of artistic director and Ter Weeme is responsible for the company’s participation in the productions by De Nederlandse Operastichting.
Thirty-six premieres in the first season
In its first season, the company adds no fewer than 36 works to its repertoire. Most of them are taken over from the Nederlands Ballet, the forerunner of Dutch National Ballet, led by Gaskell.
Resident choreographers
Rudi van Dantzig and Robert Kaesen are both appointed resident choreographers.
Three-cornerstone policy
Gaskell immediately unfolds her ‘three-cornerstone vision’, which actually still forms the basis for Dutch National Ballet’s artistic policy today. In the first season already, the company presents a combination of excerpts from the big classical ballets, highlights of the 20th-century ballet repertoire and new creations.
First performance
The first performance takes place on 16 September in the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam (nu ITA), where the company is housed from then on.
An eye for major talent from abroad
No fewer than five works by George Balanchine are danced in the first season (Dutch National Ballet will soon emerge as the leading custodian of the repertoire of the repertoire of the Russian-American master) and one work by Maurice Béjart.
First tour
Shortly after its foundation, the company travels to Madrid (see photo) for its first tour. In the first season, the company gives a total of 30 performances in Spain and Spanish Morocco, in addition to performances in Germany and France.
Black principal dancers
From the start, Dutch National Ballet has two black principal dancers, Sylvester Campbell and Billy Wilson; a unique situation at the time. Other black principals soon follow, including Benjamin Feliksdal (a member of the company from the start) and Raven Wilkinson.
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Mascha ter Weeme leaves
Following a long period of sick leave, Mascha ter Weeme is laid off and leaves the company. From then on, Sonia Gaskell becomes sole artistic director.
First full-length production
The first full-length production is taken into the repertoire: La Sylphide, based on the original by August Bournonville from 1836, in a version by the Danish Bournonville specialist Harold Lander.
Soviet Russian ballet style
Gaskell (of Russian origin herself) brings the Russian ballet mistress Natalia Orlovskaya to the Netherlands, believing it is important to train dancers in the Soviet Russian ballet style.
Petrushka
Another important addition to the repertoire (taken over from the Nederlands Ballet) is Petrushka, created by Michel Fokine in 1911 for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. It is one of the first successful examples of a narrative ballet in just one act.
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Marianne Hilarides
Principal dancer Marianne Hilarides has to leave the company, following a conflict with Gaskell. Hilarides is regarded as one of the most talented dancers of her generation and referred to as the first prima ballerina of Dutch origin.
Nachteiland
One of the new works in the repertoire is Nachteiland (taken over from the Nederlands Ballet). Rudi van Dantzig makes his debut as a choreographer with this ballet in 1955.
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Olga de Haas
Olga de Haas (1944-1978) is promoted to principal dancer at the age of 19. The promising star and audience favourite goes on to become a legendary Dutch ballerina.
First Swan Lake
In March 1965, Dutch National Ballet’s first complete production of Swan Lake is premiered, in a version by the Russian choreographer Igor Belski.
Severance scheme
Dutch National Ballet is the first Dutch company (and until 1986 the only one) to set up a severance scheme to provide financial assistance to dancers at the end of their dancing career.
The Green Table
Another important acquisition is The Green Table, the gripping ‘anti-war ballet’ by Kurt Jooss (one of the figureheads of German Ausdruckstanz).
Monument for a Dead Boy
On 19 June 1965, the premiere takes place of Rudi van Dantzig’s Monument for a Dead Boy. The ballet about budding homosexuality – a taboo at the time – gains fame for Van Dantzig. The main role is impressively interpreted by guest artist Toer van Schayk, who joins the company a year later as a soloist.
65 / 66
Van Dantzig and Kaesen as artistic directors
Rudi van Dantzig and Robert Kaesen are appointed artistic directors of Dutch National Ballet, alongside Sonia Gaskell.
First Giselle
Dutch National Ballet dances its first Giselle, one of the oldest surviving full-length Romantic ballets (from 1841), which is still danced all over the world today. The production is rehearsed by the Russian teacher Natalia Orlovskaya.
Gaskell’s twentieth anniversary
Gaskell’s 20th anniversary as artistic director (including the forerunners of Dutch National Ballet) is celebrated with a tribute performance, where she is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
New Balanchines
Two special early Balanchine ballets are acquired: Apollon Musagète (1928) and The Prodigal Son (1929), both created for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. This brings the number of Balanchine works in Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire to eight (nowadays the total is 33).
First tour outside Europe
Dutch National Ballet goes over the borders of Europe for the first time, giving 11 performances in Buenos Aires, six in Bogotá, three in Puebla (Mexico) and six in Lima.
Foundation of Dutch Ballet Orchestra
Dutch Ballet Orchestra is founded. Today, the orchestra still provides the musical accompaniment to performances by Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater.
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Conductors
Alongside musical director André Presser (associated with Dutch National Ballet since its foundation), Hans Vonk is appointed assistant conductor, remaining in the position for four years.
Romeo and Juliet
At the insistence of Sonia Gaskell, Rudi van Dantzig produces the first full-length ballet created in the Netherlands: Romeo and Juliet, based on Shakespeare’s famous love tragedy. Although Van Dantzig initially finds the task a difficult one, the ballet is to grow into one of the company’s biggest audience hits of all time.
Premiere scandal
At the end of the season, Gaskell’s preference for experiment reaches a high point according to some, and a low point according to others, with the world premiere of Koert Stuyf’s postmodern work Visibility… By Chance. Dozens of audience members walk out, fruit is thrown at the stage and one audience member even runs on stage and tears up his programme.
67 / 68
Advisory position for Gaskell
At her own request, artistic director Sonia Gaskell takes up an advisory position, but leaves following an internal conflict. From then on, the company’s artistic directors are the resident choreographers Rudi van Dantzig and Robert Kaesen.
The Sleeping Beauty
Dutch National Ballet presents its first production of The Sleeping Beauty, in a very distinctive version by the Polish choreographer Conrad Drzewiecki. Just three well-known fragments of the original choreography by Marius Petipa are retained (rehearsed by Roland Casenave).
Firebird
Other prominent acquisitions in this season are Michel Fokine’s fairy-tale ballet The Firebird, with a starring role for principal dancer Maria Koppers, and Ivesiana and La valse by George Balanchine.
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Rudolf Nureyev
The Russian star dancer Rudolf Nureyev makes his first guest appearances with Dutch National Ballet, in the Grand Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker (with the French étoile Noëlla Pontois), in Giselle (with Olga de Haas) and – at his own express request – in Van Dantzig’s Monument for a Dead Boy. Nureyev’s association with Dutch National Ballet, which was to continue into the late seventies, brought international fame to the company.
Opera productions
This season, Dutch National Ballet dancers take part in a record number of productions by De Nederlandse Operastichting (now Dutch National Opera): Un ballo in maschera, Carmen, Hänsel und Gretel, Julius Caesar, Das Rheingold, Le rossignol and Der Zigeunerbaron.
Honorary titles
Rudi van Dantzig is appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Olga de Haas reaches the finals of the International Ballet Competition in Moscow and receives an honourable mention for her performance.
'Jongeren in beweging'
Under the title 'Jongeren in beweging' (Youth in Movement), the company gives its first series of performances for a young audience, performed by the young dancers of the company, who thus gain stage experience.
69 / 70
Gaskell’s departure
Following her previous departure, an official, large-scale farewell event is held for Sonia Gaskell, whereby 'Mevrouw' – as the dancers called her – is presented with the Silver Medal of the City of Amsterdam.
The Ropes of Time
Rudi van Dantzig creates his first work for Rudolf Nureyev and dancers of the prestigious Royal Ballet in London. Three months after its premiere, the ballet, The Ropes of Time, is also premiered by Dutch National Ballet, as De touwen van de tijd.
Nureyev and Fonteyn and the first tour to London
The British prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn performs for the first time with Dutch National Ballet, as the partner of Rudolf Nureyev in Giselle. And the company appears in London for the first time – with great success – giving seven performances with Nureyev as guest artist.
70 / 71
Kaesen’s departure
Artistic director Robert Kaesen leaves the company, initially on a temporary basis, to choreograph some shows for Bavarian television, but he does not return. He is replaced for a short while by the American teacher and choreographer Benjamin Harkarvy, who had also previously directed Nederlands Dans Theater.e.
Choreographic debut by Toer van Schayk
Urged by Van Dantzig, principal dancer and set and costume designer Toer van Schayk makes his debut as a choreographer with Onvoltooid verleden tijd. “A remarkably sound and pure work (..) clear in line and form, stripped of all superfluity, without becoming cold or sterile”, wrote dance critic Ine Rietstap in NRC Handelsblad.
Arrival of Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar
At Van Dantzig’s invitation, Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar join the company as principals, after dancing for two years with the renowned American Ballet Theatre. Radius had previously danced with the Nederlands Ballet, switching to Nederlands Dans Theater in 1959, where she got to know Ebbelaar. After their return from the US, they go on to become the most famous dance couple ever in the Netherlands.
Paris debut
Dutch National Ballet performs in Paris for the first time, at the international dance festival at Théâtre des Champs Elysées. The first evening, attended mainly by high society, leads to a scandal because of the – in the words of a shocked reporter – practically naked dancers in Van Dantzig’s Epitaaf and the completely naked ‘Apollos’ in his new creation Onderweg.
The 70s
- 89 New Productions
- 58 World Premieres
71 / 72
Van Dantzig sole artistic director
Following the departure of Benjamin Harkarvy, Rudi van Dantzig agrees to become sole artistic director. He holds this position for 20 years, until 1991.
First Van Manens
In October 1971, at the request of Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar, the company dances its first work by Hans van Manen: the duet Vijf schetsen, created for the couple in 1966. It is followed eight months later by Van Manen’s first creation for the company, Twilight, which gains international success for Radius and Ebbelaar – and many generations of principal dancers after them. Van Manen already has more than 35 ballets to his name, mostly made for Nederlands Dans Theater. Even before the creation of his third ballet, Feestgericht, he had already received the State Prize for Choreography.
The first tour of the Soviet Union
As part of a cultural treaty with the Soviet Union concluded in 1971, Dutch National Ballet gives its first performances in Moscow, Leningrad and Riga. The total of 19 performances draw audiences of 42,500 – an unprecedently high figure at the time.
New Sleeping Beauty
Following the 1968 version of The Sleeping Beauty by Conrad Drzewiecki, the company presents a second production of The Sleeping Beauty, rehearsed by ballet master Roland Casenave, who based it on the version created in 1960 by Bronislava Nijinska and Robert Helpmann for the legendary Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas.
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Guest stars from the Bolshoi
Guest artists Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev, star dancers with the famous Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, dance the main roles in a few performances of Giselle. “The Russians excel at bringing the fairy tale to life”, wrote de Volkskrant.
Van Dantzig, Van Manen, Van Schayk
With the new works Hier rust een zomerdag and Ramifications (both by Van Dantzig), Daphnis and Chloé (Van Manen) and The Art of Saying Bye-Bye (Van Schayk, originally created for Scottish Theatre Ballet), the 'Three Van's' – an honorary title they would later be given by the foreign press – make a big mark on the repertoire of Dutch National Ballet.
Choreologist
For the first time, the company appoints a choreologist, Wendy Vincent Smith, who writes down the ballets using Benesh notation, a system developed especially for dance.
Training course for boys
To address the shortage of talented male dancers in the Netherlands, Dutch National Ballet starts its own training course for boys aged 15 to 19, led by ballet master Ivan Kramar. Unfortunately, the course ends after just one season, due to lack of interest.
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Hans van Manen resident choreographer
At the start of this season, Hans van Manen becomes Dutch National Ballet’s second resident choreographer, alongside artistic director Rudi van Dantzig.
Adagio Hammerklavier
The first work Van Manen creates as a resident choreographer, Adagio Hammerklavier, is an absolute hit. On tour to London, the Beethoven ballet is also a triumph for the three couples performing it: Monique Sand and Henny Jurriëns, Sonja Marchiolli and Francis Sinceretti, and Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar.
Death of Gaskell
On 9 July 1974, Sonia Gaskell dies in Paris, where she has lived since leaving Dutch National Ballet. Originally from Russia, Gaskell was crucially important to the development of ballet in the Netherlands after World War II, both in her role as a ballet teacher (of many dancers who later became famous) and in her role as founder and artistic director of Ballet Recital I, Ballet Recital II, Nederlands Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, successively.
Second Swan Lake
The company presents its second production of Swan Lake, this time in a version by the Croatian ballet master Zarko Prebil. Unlike the production by Igor Belski (1965), Prebil’s version reinstates the original unhappy ending: Odette and her beloved Prince Siegfried are drowned in the waves of the lake. The sets and costumes are designed by Toer van Schayk, as is also the case for the later version by Rudi van Dantzig (1988).
74 / 75
Pressing for a new theatre for opera and ballet
In a memo to its subsidisers, Dutch National Ballet urges the speeding up of the construction of a new theatre for opera and ballet. At the time, there are plans for a ‘music theatre’ on the site of the old RAI building at Ferdinand Bolstraat. It would be another 12 years before the opening of The Amsterdam Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet), at Waterlooplein.
La Bayadère Act III
Following a previous version from the 1963/1964 season (by Elena Chikvaidze), Dutch National Ballet presents a second version of Act III of Marius Petipa's La Bayadère, this time rehearsed by Marina Shamsheva of the Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Ballet). The ballet is a personal triumph for principal dancer Maria Aradi, who dances the role of Nikiya at the premiere in February 1975. “Her interpretation has set an unprecedentedly high standard for the Netherlands”, writes the Volkskrant.
Honours
Principal dancers Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar are appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, on a tour to Canada (see below). Hans van Manen is awarded the Circle of Dutch Theatre Critics Prize.
Collective Symphony
On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam, Rudi van Dantzig, Hans van Manen and Toer van Schayk are commissioned by the municipality to create their first – and only – joint work: Collective Symphony, to Stravinsky's Symphony in C. The ballet is very successful, and not just for the way it challenges ballet fans to work out who choreographed which sections. Also for the 700th anniversary, Dutch National Ballet dances David Lichine’s Graduation Ball, for six consecutive evenings at the RAI, in Amsterdam, during the MOKUM-700 event.
Tour to Brazil and Canada
The company goes on a one-month tour to Brazil (19 performances in Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) and Canada (5 performances in Ottawa and Toronto).
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Alexandra Radius enjoys international success with Rudolf Nureyev
Principal dancer Alexandra Radius becomes one of the regular partners of the Russian star dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Their performances in the Netherlands and guest appearances abroad, particularly dancing the pas de deux from Le Corsaire and the third act of La Bayadère, receive high acclaim. With Dutch National Ballet, Van Dantzig creates Blown in a Gentle Wind for Nureyev.
Four Schumann Pieces and Metaforen
Hans van Manen creates his first work for a company abroad: Four Schumann Pieces, made for The Royal Ballet, in London, with star dancer Anthony Dowell in the main role. A few months later, the ballet has its premiere with Dutch National Ballet, with Han Ebbelaar in Dowell’s role. Another important Van Manen acquisition this season is Metaforen, originally created for Nederlands Dans Theater, in 1965. Both works are still regularly performed to great acclaim in the Netherlands and abroad.
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Three Van's
Toer van Schayk is appointed resident choreographer, alongside Rudi van Dantzig and Hans van Manen. In the 1970’s and 80’s, the three Van’s turn out to be an artistic gold mine. Dutch National Ballet creates an international furore with their daring contemporary creations.
New Giselle
The Englishman Peter Wright, director of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet), creates a new production of Giselle for Dutch National Ballet. The production, with set and costume designs by Peter Farmer, goes on to become one of the big classical hits in Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire for 20 years. At the premiere in 1977, the title role is danced by Alexandra Radius with “utter poignancy”, according to Het Parool, and the newspaper deems the performance of her partner Han Ebbelaar “of an equally high standard”.
Debut in New York
In November 1976, the company makes its American debut in the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway, New York, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the United States. In the New York Times, the leading American dance critic Clive Barnes wrote, "Most national companies are very safe and play secure. The Dutch do not. They are perfectly prepared to be outrageous and do not care if they outrage (..) The company is a strong one, and its refreshingly irreverent approach to classic ballet is extraordinarily welcome."
Four Last Songs
Rudi van Dantzig makes a big impression with his new ballet Four Last Songs, set to Richard Strauss’s swan song of the same name. The work is still performed today in the Netherlands and abroad. At the world premiere, the ballet is danced – according to the press ‘with unsurpassable devotion’ – by Monique Sand and Francis Sinceretti, Valerie Valentine and Wade Walthall, Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar, Sonja Marchiolli and Henny Jurriëns, and Clint Farha in the role of the Angel of Death.
In het Voetspoor van de Dans
Dutch National Ballet gives its first education programme: In het Voetspoor van de Dans (In the Footsteps of Dance), compiled by Toer van Schayk, who also presents the programme. Before the interval, there is an overview of the history of dance, presented in words, with slide and film projections and danced excerpts. After the interval, Van Dantzig’s Nachteiland and Ogenblikken and Van Manen’s Kwintet are danced in their entirety by the younger generation of dancers.
Balanchine-programme
Dutch National Ballet presents its first complete programme by the Russian-American master choreographer George Balanchine. It includes Donizetti Variations, The Four Temperaments, Symphony in C and the new addition Le Tombeau de Couperin, the 15th Balanchine ballet in Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire. Later in the season, the company also acquires Capriccio (better known as Rubies), with a starring role for soloist Jeanette Vondersaar.
Johan Mittertreiner’s anniversary
Character dancer Johan Mittertreiner celebrates his 40th anniversary as a performer – an unprecedented event. At his anniversary performance, he appears in the role created for him by Toer van Schayk in his new ballet Jeux.
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Choreographic workshop
Following an earlier incidental initiative, Dutch National Ballet now starts up an annual choreographic workshop, where company dancers get the chance to explore and develop their talents as a choreographer. Eight dancers/choreographers take part in the first edition.
5 Tangos
In the autumn of 1977, Hans van Manen creates the world hit 5 Tangos. The ballet, starring principal dancers Clint Farha and Sonja Marchiolli at the premiere, is still danced by companies all over the world today. Through 5 Tangos, Van Manen also introduces the Netherlands to the music of Astor Piazzolla, king of the tango nuevo.
Adam Gatehouse
After previously working with Dutch National Ballet as a guest conductor, this season Adam Gatehouse is appointed as regular conductor and musical director, a position he will hold until 1988.
Ballets for Nureyev
Following The Ropes of Time and Blown in a Gentle Wind, Rudi van Dantzig creates another ballet for Rudolf Nureyev, About a Dark House. Toer van Schayk also creates a premiere work for the Russian star dancer, Faun. And Nureyev dances the main role in Hans van Manen’s Four Schumann Pieces for the first time.
Acropolis
Besides touring once again to New York and London (both with Nureyev as a guest artist), the company performs for the first time at the Herodes Atticus Theatre in Athens, the famous open-air theatre at the foot of the Acropolis.
The Dream
The Dream, by the British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, who is regarded as one of the most important founders of the traditional English ballet style and technique, is the first of his ballets to be taken into Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire.
78 / 79
Clint Farha promoted to principal
During a tour of the Federal Republic of Germany, the young American dancer Clint Farha replaces an injured Rudolf Nureyev, partnering Alexandra Radius in the pas de deux from Le Corsaire. Farha’s performance is so spectacular that Rudi van Dantzig promotes him to principal straight after the performance, in his dressing room.
Live/Life
One of the biggest crowd-pullers of the seventies is the double bill Live/Life. The six performances in the Carré Theatre draw audiences of over 7200, and when the production is revived in the 1979/1980 season, the total rises to 10,180 – divided over ten performances. The large-scale, politically engaged (and therefore linked to current events) Life, created by Rudi van Dantzig and Toer van Schayk, is never performed again. But over 40 years later, the success of Hans van Manen’s iconic video ballet Live is undiminished.
Death of Olga de Haas
On 1 September 1978, principal dancer and darling of the Dutch ballet audience, Olga de Haas, dies at the age of just 33. Her tragic death, partly due to anorexia nervosa, still stirs the emotions. Following previous publications about her by Rudi van Dantzig and Anna Aalten, the journalist Femke van Weggen wrote a new biography, in 2016, of De Haas, who gave her final, moving performance in 1975, as Juliet in Van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet.
Royal honour for Toer van Schayk
Choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk (who ended his dancing career in 1976) is appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
79 / 80
Rudi van Dantzig’s anniversary
Artistic director Rudi van Dantzig celebrates his 25th anniversary as a choreographer. The anniversary programme presents his debut work, Nachteiland, alongside three of his most famous ballets: Monument for a Dead Boy, Ramifications and Four Last Songs.
A Garden Unkempt
Toer van Schayk creates his second ballet for a foreign company. Following The Art of Saying Bye-Bye in 1973 (originally created for Scottish Theatre Ballet), he now makes a ballet for the Norwegian National Ballet, En gjengrud have (A garden unkempt), which also premieres with Dutch National Ballet in March 1980 as Een verwaarloosde tuin. NRC Handelsblad calls the ballet “a very important acquisition”.
Anniversary of Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar
Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar also celebrate their 20th anniversary as a dance couple. Many guest artists from abroad perform at two anniversary performances, for which Van Dantzig creates the duet Voorbij gegaan. On the occasion, the couple are also presented with the Silver Medal of the City of Amsterdam. Radius and Ebbelaar use the anniversary gifts from their admirers to set up the foundation Stichting Dansersfonds '79, which is still encouraging, honouring and supporting Dutch dancers today.
Works Council
Dutch National Ballet gets an official Works Council, after having had a ‘Ballet Council’ since 1970 (which also included representatives from the management and the board).
80 / 81
Guest artist Peter Martins
Peter Martins, star dancer (and later artistic director) of the famous New York City Ballet, appears as a guest artist on the occasion of the Dutch premiere of his ballet Sonate di Scarlatti. He dances the title role in Balanchine’s Apollon musagète, with Alexandra Radius, Jeanette Vondersaar and Joanne Zimmerman as his three muses.
The Sleeping Beauty
A milestone in Dutch National Ballet’s history is Sir Peter Wright’s Sleeping Beauty, which premieres on 2 July 1981 at the Stadsschouwburg, in Amsterdam. Costing over 600,000 guilders, it is the most expensive production the company has presented to date.
Tour to Hong Kong and Indonesia
Dutch National Ballet goes on its first Asian tour, performing in Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Situation
Of an entirely different order is Dutch National Ballet’s premiere of Hans van Manen’s Situation, originally created for Nederlands Dans Theater in 1970. For this work, the choreographer deliberately opts for irritating sounds – a volley of gunshots, the roar of fighter jets, the whine of mosquitos – “because”, as he said recently, “the whole ballet is about aggression and violence”.
The 80s
- 124 New Productions
- 95 World Premieres
81 / 82
Construction of the Music Theatre starts
On 5 July 1982, the foundation stone is laid for the new City Hall and Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet) at Waterlooplein, Amsterdam, based on a design by the architects Wilhelm Holzbauer (City Hall) and Cees Dam (Music Theatre). The building is still popularly known by its nickname ‘Stopera’; wrongly so, as this name refers to earlier protests against the new building called ‘Stop Opera’.
Anniversary
On the occasion of Dutch National Ballet’s 20th anniversary, the three resident choreographers each create a new work: Onder mijne voeten (Rudi van Dantzig), I Hate You Too, Johnny (Toer van Schayk) and the still regularly performed 'ballet for two' Sarcasmen (Hans van Manen), which was danced in inimitable style at the premiere by principal dancers Rachel Beaujean and Clint Farha.
State visit to Bonn
On 2 March 1982, Dutch National Ballet performs (as is often the case) during a state visit by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, this time to Bonn. At the last moment, there are changes to the programme. For instance, Hans van Manen’s Sarcasmen is cancelled, which leads to a minor commotion or myth, as the choreographer initially presumes that one scene in the ballet – where the female dancer puts her hand on the male dancer’s crotch – is deemed ‘unsuitable’ by the Royal Family.
Landscape
Toer van Schayk also creates his first full-length ballet: Landscape. After Van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, this is the second full-length work by a Dutch choreographer. In the kaleidoscopic, often surrealist dance spectacle, Van Schayk holds a mirror up to his audience. In a peaceful Dutch river landscape, he shows images of war, oppression, commercial science, and environmental pollution.
Tour Israël
The company goes on its first tour of Israel, with performances in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Ein Gev.
Grosse Fuge
Another important addition to the repertoire is Hans van Manen’s Grosse Fuge, originally created for Nederlands Dans Theater in 1971, when it was immediately proclaimed the “most interesting European ballet of the decade”. Today, Grosse Fuge is still one of the master choreographer’s most often performed works worldwide.
82 / 83
BAM Dance Festival, New York
Dutch National Ballet performs in New York for the third time. At a dance festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), 13 performances are given (to audiences of 15,050) of an all-Dutch programme, with works by resident choreographers Rudi van Dantzig, Hans van Manen and Toer van Schayk.
"By offering a repertory consisting entirely of serious contemporary works, the Dutch have paid tribute to the intelligence of New York dancegoers, and for this they deserve great praise", writes The New York Times.
Production for small theatres in Bellevue
As an exception, Dutch National Ballet produces a programme for small theatres, presented in Theater Bellevue, in Amsterdam. For the programme, artistic director Rudi van Dantzig creates Ik hou gewoon m'n adem in, to music by Boudewijn Tarenskeen and De Gebroeders Flint.
Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Alexandra Radius
Alongside its annual theatre awards, the Dutch Association of Theatres and Concert Halls (VSCD) presents its first dance awards this season. Principal dancer Alexandra Radius receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize for her excellent interpretation of the main role in The Sleeping Beauty.
Nijinska's Les Biches
This season, Dutch National Ballet adds its first ballet to the repertoire by Bronislava Nijinska, the sister of the legendary dancer and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. Nijinska created Les Biches in 1924 for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, when she danced the role of the hostess herself. Les Biches is taught to Dutch National Ballet by her daughter, Irina Nijinska.
George Balanchine dies at the age of 79
George Balanchine, the Russian-American master of 20th-century ballet, dies on 30 April 1983. From the year the company was founded up to the present day, his ingenious ballets have occupied a special place in Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire.
Young Stars of Dance
A new initiative is the programme Young Stars of Dance, with which Dutch National Ballet tours the Netherlands, giving upcoming young soloists the chance to gain experience in the classical and neo-classical repertoire.
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Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Clint Farha
Principal dancer Clint Farha receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize from the VSCD, for his performances in Giselle (as Count Albrecht), Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos and Sarcasmen, Rudi van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs and George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son.
Hans van Manen in Carré and London
A big crowd-puller this season is the Hans van Manen programme performed at Theater Carré, comprising In and Out, Adagio Hammerklavier and four of his five Pianovariaties: Sarcasmen, Trois gnossiennes, Pose and Portrait (the latter work is performed by guest dancer Pauline Daniëls, for whom Van Manen had created this solo a few months earlier).
Partnership with the Nel Roos Academy
In January 1984, a partnership agreement is signed between Dutch National Ballet and the Nel Roos Academy of Ballet (part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts and one of the forerunners of the Dutch National Ballet Academy). From now on, pupils and students of the academy take part in Dutch National Ballet’s performances, and ballet masters and dancers from the company give classes at the academy.
Controversial
Exceptional new additions to the repertoire this season are Rodin, by the Soviet Russian choreographer Leonid Jakobson, inspired by the sculptures of Auguste Rodin (the press calls the ballet “a historical curiosity”), and the minimalist, repetitive Slow, heavy and blue by the American post-modern choreographer Carolyn Carlson.
"Slow, heavy and blue is like one big trip", writes Het Vrije Volk.
Head of the artistic staff
Ballet master Reuven Voremberg is appointed head of the artistic staff. Voremberg, born in Israel, joined the Nederlands Ballet in 1958 and danced with Dutch National Ballet from 1961 to 1972. He then became assistant ballet master and ballet master respectively. Voremberg remains associated with the company until 2000, for the last two years in the position of artistic advisor.
84 / 85
Choreography Prize for Hans van Manen
Hans van Manen is the first recipient of the new Choreography Prize, awarded by the VSCD.
The first 'block programmes'
Up to now Dutch National Ballet has alternated the repertoire per performance, but this is the first season it presents ‘block programmes’, which comprise a series of performances of the same ballet(s).
Romeo and Juliet in Carré
Dutch National Ballet achieves record figures (audiences of 19,915) with a series of performances of Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, specially adapted for performance in the round at Theater Carré. The first night is danced by Alexandra Radius ("a phenomenal interpretation of Juliet") and Henny Jurriëns (“a balanced, mature, serious interpretation”). However, most of the attention this time is directed at the young couple Jane Lord – just recently promoted to soloist – and Barry Watt.
Directie Overleg Dansgezelschappen
Dutch National Ballet is one of the founders of ‘Directie Overleg Dansgezelschappen’ (DOD), a consultative body in which another eight Dutch dance companies are represented besides Dutch National Ballet.
Want wij weten niet wat wij doen
Van Dantzig’s new, controversial ballet Want wij weten niet wat wij doen also draws great attention. The ballet includes a ‘Christ figure’, danced by Clint Farha, and a major role for the current artistic director Ted Brandsen as Adam, the first human. It sketches a bleak yet very impressive picture of how we humans deal with the world and one another.
Friends of Dutch National Ballet
Fans of Dutch National Ballet had already set up their own Friends Association in The Hague, but this season Dutch National Ballet takes the initiative of setting up its own Friends of Dutch National Ballet Foundation. From now on, the foundation publishes its own magazine several times a year and organises numerous activities for new Friends, including meet and greets, open classes and rehearsals, guided tours and trips abroad to visit ballet Meccas.
85 / 86
Last season in the Stadsschouwburg
Dutch National Ballet’s 25th season is its last one in the Stadsschouwburg, in Amsterdam. On 3 April 1986, the company gives its last performance (for the time being) in the theatre, to which everyone who has worked with the company over the past 25 years is invited.
Bacchanten
With the ambitious Bacchanten, artistic director Rudi van Dantzig underlines his preference for experiment. For this production, he invites stage director Gerardjan Rijnders to come and create a large-scale, oppressive and totally unique adaptation of Euripides' famous satirical tragedy, along with composer Boudewijn Tarenskeen and dramaturge Janine Brogt, assisted by choreographer Ted Brandsen.
Moving to the Music Theatre
On 21 April, the company moves, along with De Nederlandse Opera (now Dutch National Opera) to the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet) at Waterlooplein. Both companies then have a few months to prepare for the grand opening of the theatre in September 1986.
7th Symphony
On the occasion of leaving the Stadsschouwburg, Van Dantzig creates the male duet Afzien, for principals Han Ebbelaar and Francis Sinceretti. The latter is ending his dancing career with this performance. For the final Stadsschouwburg programme, Toer van Schayk creates his masterpiece 7th Symphony, which is awarded the VSCD Choreography Prize less than a year later. The ballet still receives standing ovations today.
Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Coleen Davis
In May 1986, principal dancer Coleen Davis receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize at the VSCD congress in Maastricht, which is presented to her by fellow dancer Alexandra Radius.
Twentieth Balanchine
Dutch National Ballet adds its 20th Balanchine ballet to the repertoire: Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. “A duet like a fresh spring breeze; playful, spirited, brilliant and high-speed (..) excellently danced with great bravura by Caroline Iura and Fred Berlips”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
86 / 87
Opening of the Music Theatre
The official opening of the Music Theatre takes place on 23 September 1986, attended by Queen Beatrix, Prince Claus, 13 members of the Cabinet, the full board of the City of Amsterdam and many other invitees. The joint performance by Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera is broadcast live on television by the NOS. In the following weeks, various extra opening performances are given for other groups of invitees.
Zoals Orpheus and Opening
For the joint official opening performance, Toer van Schayk creates Zoals Orpheus, which forms a double bill with Otto Ketting’s Ithaka, presented by De Nederlandse Opera. Two days later, Dutch National Ballet presents its own opening programme, comprising a new work by Hans van Manen, Opening, and revivals of 7th Symphony by Van Schayk and Collective Symphony by Van Dantzig, Van Manen and Van Schayk.
Farewell performance for Han Ebbelaar
On 12 October 1986, principal dancer Han Ebbelaar ends his dancing career with Dutch National Ballet. For the occasion, he dances Hans van Manen’s Twilight – partnering his wife Alexandra Radius – and Toer van Schayk’s 7th Symphony. However, he keeps performing with Radius in the couple’s own dance programmes until May 1988. From the 1987/1989 season, Ebbelaar spends two years as associate artistic director of the company.
Cinderella
In April 1987, the company takes Frederick Ashton’s full-length Cinderella into the repertoire, set to the composition of the same name by Sergei Prokofiev, with sets and costumes by David Walker. The ballet quickly becomes one of Dutch National Ballet’s big audience favourites. At the premiere, the main roles are danced by soloists Jane Lord and Wim Broeckx, who at the time are actually in love in real life, which lends extra magic to their performance. “A delightful ballet classic”, in the view of Het Parool.
First New Year Gala
To close the 25th anniversary celebrations, Dutch National Ballet organises its first New Year Gala on 1 January 1987. The occasion also marks the presentation of the book 25 Years of Dutch National Ballet, compiled by Luuk Utrecht, Caroline Willems and Astrid van Leeuwen.
The photo shows 'living artwork' Fabiola, who is in flamboyant attendance at the first New Year Gala.
Departure of Hans van Manen
After 15 years as resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet, Hans van Manen leaves the company, dissatisfied with the limited scope offered to him at the time in the programming. Before leaving, he presents one more premiere work: Symphonieën der Nederlanden (see repertoire). From 1988 to 2003, Van Manen is resident choreographer with Nederlands Dans Theater, after which he returns to Dutch National Ballet in the same position in 2005.
Amsterdam Cultural Capital of Europe
On 18 May 1987, Dutch National Ballet takes part in the opening event of Amsterdam Cultural Capital of Europe 1987. In Theater Carré, Hans van Manen’s iconic video ballet Live is presented, attended by Queen Beatrix, Prince Claus and the Ministers of Culture from various European countries. At the same time, the audience in the Music Theatre can see the ballet on a large video wall through a digital connection. Afterwards, Van Manen’s ballets Corps and Symphonieën der Nederlanden will be danced in the Music Theatre.
87 / 88
Guest programming at the Music Theatre
The opening of the Music Theatre also sees the foundation of the Guest Programming department, under the inspirational leadership of director Pieter Hofman, bringing ballet, opera and music theatre productions from all over the world to Amsterdam, between 1987 and 2009. The ball is set rolling by the famous Bolshoi Ballet from Moscow, which gives performances of the full-length ballets Raymonda and The Golden Age.
First completely Dutch Swan Lake
The first completely Dutch Swan Lake, with choreography by Rudi van Dantzig and sets and costumes by Toer van Schayk (who also choreographs the Act 3 character dances) premieres on 31 March 1988. Despite initially mixed press reviews, the production soon comes to be regarded as one of the important milestones in Dutch dance history. The headline in De Volkskrant reads, “Van Dantzig’s Swan Lake is the most beautiful to date”.
Inaugural address by Hans van Manen
On 1 November 1987, Hans van Manen gives his inaugural address as endowed professor at the Catholic Univeristy of Nijmegen. For the occasion, Dutch National Ballet performs his ballets Sarcasmen and Twilight.
Shamrock
The American modern choreographer Carolyn Carlson, who works in Paris, creates Shamrock, a full-length work for 34 dancers of Dutch National Ballet, to specially written music by the famous film composer Gabriel Yared. NRC Handelsblad describes the production as having, “a very subtle, clear movement style, an often poetic and almost fragile atmosphere and a marvellous power of expression in surrealist images and situations”.
Alexandra Radius appointed Officer
On the occasion of her 30th dance anniversary, principal dancer Alexandra Radius is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Bread Dances
Another striking premiere this season is Bread Dances by Édouard Lock, the figurehead of the newest dance sensation in Canada at the time: the distinctive LaLaLa Human Steps. "A sublime ballet (..) The sharpness, precision and capriciousness of the dancing borders on the incredible”, writes Trouw.
Schijnbewegingen
In a special NOS television documentary, Schijnbewegingen (Feints), director Piet Erkelens draws a comparison between dance and football. In the documentary, the Ajax football team is represented by Johan Cruijff and Marco van Basten, and Dutch National Ballet by Rudi van Dantzig and Clint Farha. During the filming period, Cruijff also visits some rehearsals and performances by Dutch National Ballet, whereby he remarks that “dancers work much harder than footballers”.
88 / 89
Henny Jurriëns and Judith James
On 9 April 1989, former principal dancer Henny Jurriëns and former soloist Judith James are killed in a car crash in Canada, where they have lived since 1986. Their three-year-old daughter Isa survives the accident. The news devastates the Dutch dance world. On 4 May 1989, Dutch National Ballet holds a commemorative event for the couple, at the Stadsschouwburg, in Amsterdam.
Groosland
An audience favourite right from the start is Maguy Marin’s Groosland, also known as the ‘fatties ballet’, due to the costumes by Casanova, which make the dancers appear naked and grossly overweight. “A delightful, cleverly constructed work with a candid playfulness seldom seen in dance any more”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Shower of prizes
At the annual VSCD Theatre Gala, former principal dancer Han Ebbelaar receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize. The VSCD Choreography Prize goes to Rudi van Dantzig, in honour of his Swan Lake. At the Dutch National Ballet’s New Year Gala, on 1 January 1989, dancer Coleen Davis receives the first Alexandra Radius Prize from the Friends of Dutch National Ballet Foundation.
Sleeping Beauty in the Music Theatre for the first time
In March 1989, Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty has its first performance in the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet). The choreographer and the designer Philip Prowse adapt their 1981 production for the much larger stage dimensions of the new theatre.
Taiwan and Canada
Dutch National Ballet gives its first performances in Taiwan. Five performances of Sir Peter Wright’s Giselle are given in the capital city Taipei. The company also provides the ‘reciprocal entertainment’ during a state visit to Canada by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, performing Van Manen’s Adagio Hammerklavier and Van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs.
Dutch National Ballet Academy
In 1988, following a merger between the Nel Roos Academy for Ballet and the Scapino Dance Academy, in 1987, the merged Classical Ballet School is rechristened the Dutch National Ballet Academy, with Erna Droog as its first artistic director.
89 / 90
Departure of, and royal honour for Alexandra Radius
On 20 June 1990, principal dancer Alexandra Radius leaves Dutch National Ballet, at the age of nearly 48, which is exceptionally high for a ballet dancer. At her farewell performance, she dances Michel Fokine’s famous solo The Dying Swan, the balcony pas de deux from Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet and Hans van Manen’s De maan in de trapeze (from 1959) and Corps.
Requiem
The most important premiere this season is Toer van Schayk’s Requiem, set to Mozart’s music of the same name. The first run of performances is accompanied by the Nederlands Theaterkoor and four vocal soloists, alongside Dutch Ballet Orchestra.
Straight after the premiere, Anton Koolhaas writes in Vrij Nederland that the work is “a major acquisition for Dutch National Ballet”.
Joanne Zimmerman
Principal dancer Joanne Zimmerman also says farewell to the stage after 18 years with the company. In the latter years of her career, she was an unsurpassed Carabosse in Sir Peter Wright’s Sleeping Beauty, besides her interpretations of major roles in the works of Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk and George Balanchine. In 1991, Dansersfonds '79 honours her achievements by presenting her with its Merit Award.
Second tour to Greece
At the end of the season, Dutch National Ballet performs for the second time at the Herodes Atticus open-air theatre, at the foot of the Acropolis, in Athens. Performances include works by Van Dantzig, Van Manen, Van Schayk and Balanchine.
90 / 91
Wayne Eagling appointed advisor
Ahead of his appointment as artistic director, the Canadian dancer Wayne Eagling is appointed artistic advisor. At the time, Eagling is still with The Royal Ballet in London, at the end of his impressive career as a principal dancer.
William Forsythe's Artifact
On the occasion of the 1991 Holland Festival, Dutch National Ballet presents part 2 of Artifact, the company’s first work by William Forsythe, one of the greatest dance innovators of the 20th century. Two years later, the company adds the complete ballet to its repertoire. Algemeen Dagblad describes the work as “masterly, overwhelming and impalpable”.
Silver wedding of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus
On 11 May 1991, Dutch National Ballet dances Rudi van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs, Hans van Manen’s Corps and Toer van Schayk’s duet The Chimera of LA on the occasion of the silver wedding of Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus. The performance is broadcast live on television by the NOS.
Pyrrhische Dansen IV and Les Noces
In the same edition of the Holland Festival, the company also dances the world premiere of Pyrrhische Dansen IV (the fourth part of a series of works by Van Schayk) and the Dutch premiere of Bronislava Nijinska's masterpiece Les Noces.
Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Alan Land
This season, principal dancer Alan Land receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize from the VSCD, for his interpretations of the leading male roles in Giselle, Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, among others.
Farewell performance for Rudi van Dantzig
On 5 July 1991, Rudi van Dantzig leaves his position as artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. On the occasion, he is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau, and the same title is awarded to managing director Anton Gerritsen, who has been with the company for 25 years. Van Dantzig remains with Dutch National Ballet as resident choreographer until 1994.
Romeo and Juliet in London
Following Van Dantzig’s farewell performance in the Netherlands, Dutch National Ballet gives six performances of his masterpiece Romeo and Juliet at the London Coliseum. The first night is attended by Princess Sarah Windsor-Ferguson, Duchess of York (as she was at the time). The renowned British dance critic John Percival writes in The Times, "Rudi van Dantzig's production of the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet is probably the most clear and logical I have ever seen in its dramatic detail and development."
The 90s
- 151 New productions
- 125 World premieres
91 / 92
Wayne Eagling starts as artistic director
The Canadian dancer and choreographer Wayne Eagling (1950), former principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London, succeeds Rudi van Dantzig as artistic director of Dutch National Ballet at the start of the 1991/1992 season. In the following years, Eagling raises the standard of the company even further, through his emphasis on technical perfection.
Four Sections
After creating several works for the annual choreographic workshop and doing the choreography for Gerardjan Rijnders' Bacchanten, Ted Brandsen (artistic director of Dutch National Ballet since 2003) choreographs his first autonomous work for Dutch National Ballet’s regular programme. His Four Sections, to the music of the same name by Steve Reich, is received with great enthusiasm.
Guest artists
On 1 January 1991, the Canadian star dancers Evelyn Hart and Rex Harrington dance the main roles in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, at Dutch National Ballet’s annual New Year Gala. “Juliet’s emotions were portrayed with a fervour and depth that is rarely seen, and Romeo left no wish unfulfilled as a dance partner and lover”, writes De Telegraaf about their performance.
Touch your coolness to my fevered brow
One of the first new names that Wayne Eagling introduces is Ashley Page. The British choreographer, known in his homeland as 'The Royal Maverick' because of his rebellious works, creates Touch your coolness to my fevered brow. Algemeen Dagblad calls it “a splendid piece”, in which he “transports the viewer to a surrealist fairground filled with secret fantasies”.
For a Lost Soldier
Director Roeland Kerbosch makes a film of Rudi van Dantzig’s award-winning, autobiographical debut novel, For a Lost Soldier, about his memories of the winter of starvation in 1944/1945, which he spent in Friesland.
92 / 93
New management structure and joint education department
After the boards of Dutch National Ballet and De Nederlandse Opera merged in 1991 to form the foundation board of the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet), from October 1992 the management of the theatre now comprises the directors of both companies. Along with the three assistant directors of the Theatre Organisation, Technical Organisation and Guest Programming departments, from now on they form the Music Theatre team of directors. From this season on, the organisation also has a joint Education Department, led by Liesbeth Osse.
Programme in the round
Dutch National Ballet gives its first performance in the round in the Music Theatre. On a stage built in front of the proscenium, the company dances Maguy Marin’s Groosland and Hans van Manen’s Situation, as well as the first work created for the company’s regular programme by dancer/choreographer Krzysztof Pastor: Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, which has a large cast.
Merit Award for Karin Schnabel
In 1992, Dansersfonds '79 honours principal dancer Karin Schnabel with the Merit Award. Schnabel, who joined the group in 1974, made her debut as Juliet in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet at the age of 20 and went on to dance the leading roles in Giselle, Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty, among other ballets. For The Sleeping Beauty, she received personal coaching in London from Sir Peter Wright.
Christmas with Stravinsky
Christmas with Stravinsky is the first large-scale Stravinsky programme presented by Dutch National Ballet in the winter of 1992/1993. The programme includes revivals of three masterpieces from the repertoire of the famous Ballets Russes initiated by impresario Serge Diaghilev: Petrushka (1911) by Michel Fokine, Les Noces (1923) by Bronislava Nijinska and Apollon musagète (1928) by George Balanchine.
Martha Graham
Dutch National Ballet dances Diversion of Angels, its first work by Martha Graham, the ‘mother of American modern dance’. It is the first classically trained company worldwide to dance a Graham work. “Graham’s portrayal of the sublimating power of love was wonderfully cast (..) Eagling’s wish for more Graham classics is fully justified”, writes Trouw.
First ballets by Wayne Eagling
Artistic director Wayne Eagling creates his first work for Dutch National Ballet: Ruins of Time. It is a melancholy ballet, inspired by the death of star dancer Rudolf Nureyev (on 6 January 1993) and by 'all those who died before their time'. Later in the season, Dutch National Ballet gives its first performance of Eagling’s Frankenstein, created in 1985 for The Royal Ballet.
93 / 94
Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Rachel Beaujean
In October 1993, soloist Rachel Beaujean is awarded the Golden Theatre Dance Prize by the VSCD. The jury praises her for her ability to dance a variety of styles equally well and for her strong stage presence, whether she is dancing a solo or in a group, stating, “She once said herself that the key to her dancing was willpower and conviction. To that we can add dedication and devotion.”
Complete Artifact in the repertoire
Following Dutch National Ballet’s presentation of the second part of William Forsythe’s Artifact, in 1991, this season the company takes the complete masterpiece into its repertoire. The world premiere of the piece, by Ballett Frankfurt in 1984, ‘came as a bombshell’. NRC Handelsblad writes about the premiere by Dutch National Ballet, “Re-watching Artifact confirmed Forsythe’s unique position in the choreographic landscape. The richness of variation and the way he strips sections to the bone and crafts them into new shapes remain overwhelming, as does his suggestive and bewildering theatrical mastery.”
Rudi van Dantzig leaves the position of resident choreographer
At the end of the 1993/1994 season, Dutch National Ballet says farewell to Rudi van Dantzig, who had stayed on as resident choreographer after leaving the position of artistic director in 1991. For the occasion, the company dances a tribute programme, comprising his debut work Nachteiland and the world premieres of Van Dantzig’s Pleisterplaats and Toer van Schayk’s De omkeerbaarheid van roest, as well as Collective Symphony by Van Dantzig, Van Manen and Van Schayk.
94 / 95
Lisbon Cultural Capital of Europe
A highlight of this season is Dutch National Ballet’s appearance at the event Lisbon Cultural Capital of Europe, in 1994. William Forsythe’s Artifact gets an enthusiastic reception at three sold-out performances at the Centro Cultural de Bélem.
Two programmes in Carré
In October 1994, Dutch National Ballet presents two programmes in Theater Carré. The first comprises the world premiere of Even the Angels fall… by the rising French-Algerian choreographer Redha Benteifour, in combination with Hans van Manen’s iconic video ballet Live. The second comprises the world premiere of Toer van Schayk’s full-length Amphitheater, in which he “summarises forty years of artistry in dance”, according to Trouw.
Ted Brandsen’s Blue Field
The world premiere of Ted Brandsen’s new creation Blue Field takes place on 23 February 1995 in Amsterdam. In May 1995, Dutch National Ballet performs it in San Francisco at the United We Dance Festival, organised by San Francisco Ballet to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.
Jan Fabre
The most controversial premiere this season is Jan Fabre’s full-length Quando la terra si rimette in movimento, to music by the Polish composer Eugeniusz Knapik. Opinions about this creation are very divided, ranging from "Fabre creates a furore with this dance work – you could call it an exercise – but it remains powerfully beautiful” to “The main conclusion is that Fabre is not a choreographer (..) At a slow, monotonous tempo, the dancers hop and slide over the stage in changing formations”.
Golden Theatre Dance Prize for Jeanette Vondersaar
The VSCD awards the Golden Theatre Dance Prize 1994 to principal dancer Jeanette Vondersaar. “She has remarkable technique and enormous energy. Her inner drive and sensual, temperamental presence make her a powerful female soloist”, states the jury. This season, Vondersaar also receives the Alexandra Radius Prize from the Friends of Dutch National Ballet.
Stars exchange Kirov Ballet for Dutch National Ballet
This season, the Dutch National Ballet’s principal dancer ranks are swelled by the addition of two former stars of the famous Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Ballet), Larissa Lezhnina and Alexander Gouliaev. On a tour to Amsterdam in 1992, the dancers were spotted at a rehearsal by artistic director Wayne Eagling, who offered them a contract on the spot.
95 / 96
Boris de Leeuw promoted to principal
At the start of the 1995/1996 season, the 23-year-old Boris de Leeuw is promoted to principal dancer, as the first Dutch male dancer to join that rank since Henny Jurriëns. He is also the youngest Dutch principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet since its foundation in 1961. Only Olga de Haas was younger (aged 19) when she was promoted to principal in 1964. In January 1996, De Leeuw is presented with the Alexandra Radius Prize, after already receiving the Incentive Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79 in 1993.
Awards for Marieke Simons and Rachel Beaujean
The 25-year-old Marieke Simons, coryphée with Dutch National Ballet, receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize from the VSCD. The jury calls her “an extremely versatile dancer, who practises her profession with technical perfection and great vitality”. This season, soloist Rachel Beaujean receives the Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79.
The first non-Western dance in the Music Theatre
From this season on, the Music Theatre’s Guest Programming department, led by Pieter Hofman, also brings many non-Western productions to the Netherlands. The ball is set rolling in April 1996 by the Indonesian Ensemble of the Kraton Surakarta.
96 / 97
Rachel Beaujean ends her dancing career
Soloist Rachel Beaujean gives her last performance on 19 June 1997. Twenty years after joining Dutch National Ballet, she swaps the stage for a position as ballet mistress (she is now associate artistic director of the company). As one of Hans van Manen’s most important muses for many years, her farewell performance is Sarcasmen, Van Manen’s iconic ‘ballet for two’, which she has danced with Clint Farha on numerous occasions, in the Netherlands and abroad.
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
The world premiere of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a completely Dutch interpretation of the ballet by artistic director Wayne Eagling and resident choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk, takes place on 13 December 1996.
A new Van Manen again at last
For the first time since Hans van Manen’s departure in 1987, Dutch National Ballet once again presents a new work by the Netherlands’ most celebrated choreographer: Three Pieces for HET. The ballet is received with great enthusiasm, with high praise for dancers Sofiane Sylve and Gaël Lambiotte – who were then still grand sujet and coryphée, respectively.
Rolling Stones
For the fourth time, Dutch National Ballet dances a piece set to music by The Rolling Stones. Following Visibility… By Chance by Koert Stuyf (1967), and Spoef (1968) and You can't always get what you want (1970) by Robert Kaesen, this season the company adds Rooster to its repertoire; a work by the British choreographer Christopher Bruce. “Dutch National Ballet is going down the macho route (..) Rooster is an uncomplicated, purely entertaining piece”, writes de Volkskrant.
New Grahams
After last season’s performances by the American Martha Graham Dance Company, as part of the Guest Programming, this season Dutch National Ballet adds another two works to its repertoire by the ‘high priestess of modern dance’: Embattled Garden and Lamentation. In 1999, they are followed by Acts of Light and Errand into the Maze.
97 / 98
Prizes for Valerie Valentine and Caroline Sayo Iura
The American principal dancers Valerie Valentine and Caroline Sayo Iura both receive awards. Valentine, who has danced with Dutch National Ballet since 1973, receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize from the VSCD for her whole oeuvre. Iura, who joined the company in 1978, receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79. The jury calls her “a small ballerina who can fill the whole space with her presence”.
Programmes dedicated to Balanchine, Van Manen and Van Schayk
This season, besides a programme of three works by George Balanchine (Apollon Musagète, Serenade and Concerto Barocco), Dutch National Ballet gives its first full Hans van Manen programme for a long while, comprising his hit ballets Metaforen, 5 Tangos and Trois gnossiennes, and his most recent creation for the company Three Pieces for HET.
Dancer Alexander Money-Kyrle dies following a fall during a stage rehearsal
On 18 March 1998, during a stage rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet, the British dancer Alexander Money-Kyrle has a terrible fall. Two days later, he dies from his injuries. A memorial service for him, attended by his family, is given later at the Moses and Aaron Church.
98 / 99
Success for Van Manen in Edinburgh
In August 1998, the famous Edinburgh Festival pays tribute to master choreographer Hans van Manen with an extensive retrospective. Dutch National Ballet presents two programmes dedicated to his work, and Nederlands Dans Theater is also a guest, presenting the world premiere of Manen’s Zero Hour. At the festival, Van Manen is presented with the Archangel, the Edinburgh Festival Critics' Award, in honour of his whole oeuvre.
All-female
To open the season, in September 1998, Dutch National Ballet presents a programme of works by three female American choreographers. New to the repertoire are three creations by Doris Humphrey, all made around 1930, and Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room from 1986. The programme is completed by Carolyn Carlson’s Slow, heavy and blue (in Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire since 1984).
Clint Farha says farewell
After dancing with Dutch National Ballet for 26 years, principal dancer Clint Farha puts an end to his dancing career. All the national newspapers underline his great importance to the company, particularly in the works by resident choreographers Rudi van Dantzig, Hans van Manen and Toer van Schayk.
Magic Flute
In February 1999, Wayne Eagling and Toer van Schayk present their second joint full-length production: Magic Flute, based on Mozart’s famous opera Die Zauberflöte. Whereas their production of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was an overwhelming success, most critics were thoroughly disappointed by Magic Flute.
Merit Award for Wim Broeckx
This season, Dansersfonds '79 presents its annual Merit Award to principal dancer Wim Broeckx, who joined Dutch National Ballet in 1982. The jury praises his “technical ability, mature artistic interpretation of many roles, infectious dance passion and evident concern for his colleagues”.
Debut work by David Dawson
Following previous works for the choreographic workshop, the British dancer David Dawson creates his first ballet for Dutch National Ballet’s regular programme: Psychic Whack, to music by Thom Willems. “A dynamic, dazzling and abstract dance piece (..) a succession of snappy (pointe work) combinations, with continuous strong accents and legs shooting up around the ears”, writes Algemeen Dagblad.
99 / 00
Artifact in Edinburgh and Brazil
For the second year in a row, Dutch National Ballet is a guest at the Edinburgh Festival, this time performing William Forsythe’s Artifact. "(..) it's a journey we willingly, and often wonderingly, undergo and its pleasure is compounded by Dutch National Ballet who perform with an entranced intelligence that makes the work seem very much their own", writes The Guardian. Later in the season, the company also performs Artifact in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In the latter city, special children’s performances are given, whereby the children are first taught some of the movements performed in the ballet by the ‘mud woman’.
Stravinsky Festival
In February and March 2000, Dutch National Ballet presents a Stravinsky Festival of two programmes, comprising Apollon musagète, Symphony in Three Movements and Violin Concerto by George Balanchine, Les Noces by Bronislava Nijinska and the world premieres of Wayne Eagling’s Sacre du Printemps and Krzysztof Pastor’s Do not go gentle....
Farewell performance for Coleen Davis
On 9 May 2000, principal dancer Coleen Davis leaves Dutch National Ballet, after dancing with the company for over 23 years. She gives her farewell performance in Theater Carré, where she dances the ballet that launched her career 21 years earlier: Live by Hans van Manen. At the time, De Volkskrant wrote, “The performance by the youthful Coleen Davis (19) saw the birth of a star who creates an experience of rare, poignant beauty.” One week before her farewell performance, Davis receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79.
Van Manen in Carré again
Once again, Dutch National Ballet joins forces with Theater Carré. In May 2000, they present a Hans van Manen programme in the round at Carré, comprising Live, Trois gnossiennes, Dutch National Ballet’s premiere of Black Cake and the world premiere of Bach Pieces. About the latter work, Trouw writes, “Together, the four dancers create a sublime, sensual harmony (..) In this harmony, they savour the fruits ripened by Van Manen over 45 seasons, with breathtaking virtuosity.”
A Million Kisses to my Skin
In June 2000, Dutch National Ballet presents a Bach programme. Besides the second part of Artifact, it comprises the world premieres of Krzysztof Pastor’s In Light and Shadow and David Dawson’s A Million Kisses to my Skin. Dawson’s creation – which coincides with his departure from the company as a dancer – results in his international breakthrough. The ballet is still danced by companies all over the world today, including Semperoper Ballett, Wiener Staatsballett, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Singapore Dance Theater and - in 2022 - Tokyo Ballet.
Dance combination
In April and May 2000, Dutch National Ballet collaborates with Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel and dance company LeineRoebana on the first edition of the Dance Combination, an initiative to introduce new audiences to Dutch dance through a wide variety of performances. The programme is presented in 25 theatres (mostly small ones) in the Netherlands.
Access All Areas
The season closes with Access All Areas, for which Dutch National Ballet collaborates with Slagwerk Den Haag. The audience are led to the stage over a gangway that is raised, where choreography by Redha Benteifour and Ashley Page is performed at various places on stage and behind it. The reviews of the production are quite critical. For instance, Trouw writes, “In 85 absolutely dreadful minutes, Dutch National Ballet rivals Holiday on Ice or the MGM Hollywood studios.”
00 / 01
Erasmus Prize for Hans van Manen
On 3 November 2000, choreographer Hans van Manen is presented with the prestigious Erasmus Prize, by Prince Bernhard. By awarding him the prize, the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation is also honouring Dutch dance as a whole. The foundation calls Van Manen “an influential and inspiring artist, who is of inestimable value to the world of dance and to dance in the world”. At the presentation ceremony at the Royal Palace on Dam Square, Van Manen expresses strong criticism of the government’s address, in which he thinks dance comes off badly.
New version of La Sylphide
Following Harold Lander’s version in the 1962/1963 season, Dutch National Ballet presents August Bournonville’s La Sylphide for the second time. It is one of the earliest surviving ballets, dating from 1832. This time, the company presents a version by Bournonville expert Dinna Bjørn, who also comes to rehearse the ballet. Toer van Schayk designs the new sets and costumes.
Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Hans van Manen’s Live
In May 2001, Dutch National Ballet gives six performances at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. Divided over two programmes, the company dances works by George Balanchine, Krzysztof Pastor and various ballets by Hans van Manen, whereby Live is the closing ballet in each programme. A few months later, Live is nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award.
Kurt Weill
Dancer/resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor creates his first full-length ballet, Kurt Weill, set to a collage of compositions by the German composer. De Volkskrant writes, "Pastor and Weill provide a whole evening of dance pleasure (..) Dance, images, music and singing combine seamlessly in this Gesamtkunstwerk." In 2002, the production is nominated in three categories for a Prix Benois de la Danse, also known as the ‘Oscar of Dance’.
State visit to Russia
On 6 June 2001, Dutch National Ballet provides the ‘reciprocal entertainment’ during a state visit by Queen Beatrix to Russia. Performing in the presence of President Putin at the Maly Theatre in Moscow, the company dances the second part of William Forsythe’s Artifact, Hans van Manen’s Adagio Hammerklavier and the fourth part of George Balanchine’s Brahms Schönberg Quartet.
First schools’ matinee in the Music Theatre
At the initiative of artistic director Wayne Eagling, the first schools’ matinee is given in the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet) on 9 October 2000. The performance is an abridged version of The Sleeping Beauty, presented by Yvon Jaspers. It is still an experiment (attended by around 500 schoolchildren), but from now primary school pupils in Amsterdam and the rest of North Holland are regularly treated to specially adapted versions of the great ballet classics. For instance, on 14 September 2001, a performance of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella is given to 1000 children, presented by Kasper van Kooten.
Reuven Voremberg retires
This season Reuven Voremberg retires, after working with Dutch National Ballet for over 40 years – first as a dancer, then as a ballet master and finally as head of the artistic staff. The Balanchine programme presented by the company in September 2000 is dedicated to him, and on the opening night Voremberg is appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Dansersfonds prizes for Jane Lord and Krzysztof Pastor
On 1 November 2000, principal dancer Jane Lord receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79. The presentation is made shortly after her farewell performance, in which she performs the role of the Lilac Fairy in Sir Peter Wright’s Sleeping Beauty. Krzysztof Pastor receives the Choreography Prize (awarded only once by the fund).
The 00s
- 152 New productions
- 114 World premieres
01 / 02
Fortieth anniversary
On 31 August 2001, Dutch National Ballet celebrates its fortieth anniversary with a festive gala in the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet), attended by Queen Beatrix. Especially for the occasion, Hans van Manen creates a work for dancers Sofiane Sylve and Viacheslav Samodurov, Andante Festivo, a “glittering duet filled with bickering undertones”.
Two new Forsythes in the repertoire
One day after its premiere of The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Dutch National Ballet also adds Forsythe’s Approximate Sonata to the repertoire. Forsythe created both pieces in 1996 for Ballett Frankfurt, of which he was director. "This ballet is no game of measured steps, but rather an eruption of physical power play and courage, from which sparks fly”, writes Trouw about the first work.
Ted Brandsen appointed associate artistic director and resident choreographer
After four years as director of West Australian Ballet, in Perth, Ted Brandsen returns to Dutch National Ballet. From 1981 to 1991, Brandsen was a dancer with the company, where he also choreographed his first ballets. On 1 January 2002, he is appointed associate artistic director and resident choreographer.
John Cranko's Onegin
For the first time, Dutch National Ballet dances John Cranko's famous ballet epic Onegin (created in 1965 for Stuttgarter Ballett), based on the novel of the same name in verse form by Alexander Pushkin. "Onegin has much to delight the eye and move the romantic heart (..) Nathalie Caris was a modest, very credible Tatiana, and she was truly excellent in the big final duet, where she gave a tremendous interpretation of the rending passion of a woman who has to keep her emotions under control”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Cinderella on tour
At the beginning of 2002, Dutch National Ballet dances three performances of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella in Dijon, France. It is the first time in almost ten years that the company has presented a full-length production outside the Netherlands. The success of the performances leads to various invitations from other French cities.
The first work by Jerome Robbins
This season, Dutch National Ballet adds The Cage to its repertoire; the company’s first work by the American choreographer Jerome Robbins (known for West Side Story and his creations for New York City Ballet).
Performance at the Arena on the eve of the royal wedding
On the eve of the wedding of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta – which takes place on 2 February 2002 – Dutch National Ballet dances a duet from Maguy Marin’s Groosland, at the Arena, in Amsterdam. It forms part of a television programme broadcast live on the occasion of the wedding.
Andriessen programme
In February 2002, Dutch National Ballet devotes a programme to the composer Louis Andriessen. Hans van Manen’s Symphonieën der Nederlanden is accompanied by two premiere works: Tao by Krzysztof Pastor and Slag by the celebrated contemporary choreographer Krisztina de Châtel, who is making her debut with the company.
Awards for Francis Sinceretti and Sonja Marchiolli
Francis Sinceretti, who was a principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet from 1971 to 1986, receives the Golden Theatre Dance Prize from the VSCD. Ballet mistress and former principal dancer Sonja Marchiolli receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79.
02 / 03
Ted Brandsen succeeds Wayne Eagling
On 1 July 2003, Ted Brandsen (1954) succeeds Wayne Eagling as artistic director, following his appointment as associate artistic director in January 2002. In the years that follow, Brandsen innovates the repertoire of full-length ballets, introduces prominent new choreographers and ensures a greater distribution of performances throughout the Netherlands.
New Amsterdam
For the programme New Amsterdam, in 2002, David Dawson and Ted Brandsen created The Grey Area and Light Journey, respectively. Dawson’s piece – his third creation for the company – is nominated for the British Critics’ Circle National Dance Award.
Krzysztof Pastor appointed resident choreographer
At the beginning of 2003, Krzysztof Pastor (1956) is appointed resident choreographer, a position he will hold until 2017. Pastor was a dancer with Dutch National Ballet from 1985 to 1995, and he created his first works in the company’s choreographic workshops.
Carmen
On 12 February 2003, Ted Brandsen’s hit production Carmen has its Dutch premiere. Brandsen created the ballet in 1999 for West Australian Ballet. The production received the Australian Dance Award and was shown on Australian television.
Dance Against Violence
On 12 January 2003, Dutch National Ballet performs in the Wiener Staatsoper during Dance Against Violence, an Austrian-Dutch programme on the occasion of the Dutch chairmanship of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) in 2003. The performance of Rudi van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs and Hans van Manen’s Sarcasmen is attended by a large number of ministers and ambassadors.
Jerome Robbins' The Concert
Following The Cage (2001), Dutch National Ballet also takes Jerome Robbins' comic ballet The Concert from 1956 into its repertoire. “Dance and humour: it remains a difficult combination (..) it has to be your thing, as was apparent at the opening night (..) many of the audience regularly burst into laughter, while others didn’t think much of it”, writes Algemeen Dagblad.
Dance Salad puts Van Manen in the spotlight
In 2003, Dance Salad, a prominent festival in the American city of Houston, puts choreographer Hans van Manen in the spotlight. Dutch National Ballet dances several of his works at the festival, including Live.
03 / 04
Rachel Beaujean appointed head of the artistic staff
In the 2003/2004 season, one of the first deeds of the new artistic director Ted Brandsen is to appoint ballet mistress Rachel Beaujean head of the artistic staff (Beaujean has been associate artistic director of Dutch National Ballet since 2017).
100 Years of Balanchine
In March and April 2004, Dutch National Ballet celebrates the centenary of the birth of George Balanchine (1983†), the Russian-American grand master of 20th-century ballet. Besides Theme and Variations and Agon, the company presents the Dutch premiere of the 27th Balanchine ballet it has acquired: Who Cares?, to music by George Gershwin.
Awards for Rudi van Dantzig, Sofiane Sylve and Henk van Dijk
The Dutch Association of Theatres and Concert Halls (VSCD) honours Rudi van Dantzig with the Oeuvre Prize for his important contribution to the performing arts in the Netherlands. Dancer Sofiane Sylve, who has a partial contract with New York City Ballet this season and is still dancing partly in Amsterdam – receives the ‘Gouden Zwaan’ award, mainly for her excellent interpretations of the Balanchine repertoire. And video master Henk van Dijk receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79.
100 Years of Ashton
The centenary of the birth of the British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton (1988†) is also celebrated. His ballet The Dream is performed in a touring programme that is presented in eight Dutch towns.
Home-grown
To give a new impulse to Dutch National Ballet’s own identity, the programme for the season also includes a great many world premieres of home-grown works, including Ted Brandsen’s Pulcinella, David Dawson’s 00:00 (nominated for the ‘Zwaan’ for ‘Most impressive dance production’) and the double bill Body/Voice, with contributions from Brandsen and resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor.
New Moves
From this season on, artistic director Ted Brandsen – himself a ‘product’ of earlier choreographic workshops in the company – organises an annual edition of New Moves, in which dancers from the company (and occasionally from outside it) get the opportunity to discover and develop their talents as a choreographer. The first edition in November 2003 presents no fewer than 12 new creations in the Opera Studio of the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet).
04 / 05
Bolshoi Theatre Moscow and awards for Van Manen
In October 2004, at the invitation of the Grand Pas Festival, Dutch National Ballet gives two performances at the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre, in Moscow. The performances comprise works by the four resident choreographers: Van Manen, Brandsen, Dawson and Pastor. At the first performance, Hans van Manen is presented with the Grand Pas Award. Six months later, also at the Bolshoi Theatre, he receives the Benois de la Danse Life Time Achievement Award.
Russian Fairy Tales
In December 2004, Dutch National Ballet presents the programme Russian Fairy Tales, a tribute to impresario and Ballets Russes leader Serge Diaghilev on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of his death. Fokine’s masterpieces Les Sylphides and Petrushka are accompanied by the world premiere of Ted Brandsen’s Firebird.
Hans van Manen and David Dawson appointed resident choreographers
At the beginning of 2005, Hans van Manen returns to Dutch National Ballet as a resident choreographer, after leaving in 1987 and joining Nederlands Dans Theater from 1988 to 2003. The British choreographer David Dawson is also appointed resident choreographer. The company’s resident choreographers are now Van Manen, Dawson, Krzysztof Pastor and artistic director Ted Brandsen.
Don Giovanni
In February 2005, the premiere takes place of the second full-length production by resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor: Don Giovanni, set to an instrumental arrangement of Mozart’s famous opera, by Rob Zuidam. “Pastor’s choreography is lively and energetic (..) His duets are brimming with passion, with sweet pleasure, with impetuous bravura and with desperate desire”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Tour to Canada
In May 2005, at the invitation of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Dutch National Ballet performs at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The programme comprises Ted Brandsen’s Carmen, Hans van Manen’s Four Schumann Pieces and In Light and Shadow by Krzysztof Pastor. Wayne Eagling’s Duet is added to the programme, due to the imminent departure of principal dancer Nathalie Caris, who was born in Ottawa and has danced with Dutch National Ballet since 1981.
Master Moves
In the programme Master Moves, the return of Hans van Manen as resident choreographer is celebrated with the world premiere of Frank Bridge Variations. "Van Manen immediately comes up with a direct hit (..) The choreographer succeeds in forging the nine variations by Benjamin Britten into a masterly unity of diversity”, writes De Telegraaf about the new work.
Pas de deux for Beatrix
At an open-air concert on Dam Square on the occasion of the 25th jubilee of Queen Beatrix, Dutch National Ballet dances Koninginnen, a pas deux created especially for the occasion by Hans van Manen, performed by principal dancers Igone de Jongh and Gaël Lambiotte.
Continuum
In the programme Ballet Now, in June 2005, Dutch National Ballet dances its first work by Christopher Wheeldon, who is the first official resident choreographer with New York City Ballet at the time. Continuum, as the ballet is called, lays the foundations for a long-term collaboration between Wheeldon and Dutch National Ballet.
Awards for Marisa Lopez
Soloist Marisa Lopez receives the Special Prize from Stichting Dansersfonds '79. In the following season, the American dancer is also awarded the Alexandra Radius Prize.
05 / 06
Edinburgh Festival
Dutch National Ballet performs for the third time at the famous Edinburgh Festival. At the request of the festival committee, the programme comprises George Balanchine’s La Valse, David Dawson’s The Grey Area and Jerome Robbins' The Concert. "The arrival of Dutch National Ballet at the Edinburgh Festival brought international quality to the programme (..) The adorable former Kirov ballerina Larissa Lezhnina and the Frenchwoman Sofiane Sylve head their stylish troupes, and lit up the night with their charisma and beauty", writes The Daily Telegraph.
Six delightful minutes
In the double programme Lines 1 and 2, Dutch National Ballet adds Hans van Manen’s Solo, created in 1997 for Nederlands Dans Theater, to the repertoire. Seldom was so much praise heaped on such a short piece (over six minutes). “Solo sparkles, crackles and swings (..) Dance can be so delightful”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Swan Lake Bijlmermeer – education project
November 2005 sees the start of an extensive education project, entitled Swan Lake Bijlmermeer; an initiative of Dutch National Ballet, the Education Department of the Music Theatre, urban dance group Don't Hit Mama, Matchpoint Cultuureducatie Zuidoost and 5eKwartier. A hundred and fifty pupils from three secondary schools in the Zuidoost district of Amsterdam take part in dance workshops, go on a guided tour of the Music Theatre and attend the dress rehearsal of Swan Lake. In 2006, this is followed by a performance of the same name, Swan Lake Bijlmermeer, a co-production by Dutch National Ballet and Don't Hit Mama (see repertoire).
Dutch School
In the spring of 2006, on the occasion of its 45th anniversary, Dutch National Ballet presents another double programme: Dutch School 1 and 2. It includes a selection of works by current and former resident choreographers Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk, Hans van Manen, Ted Brandsen, David Dawson and Krzysztof Pastor, with world premieres of Van Manen’s Six Piano Pieces and Dawson’s The Gentle Chapters.
Merit Awards for Nathalie Caris and Mea Venema
Nathalie Caris, who ended her dancing career in the summer of 2005 after 24 years with Dutch National Ballet, receives the Merit Award from Dansersfonds '79. A Merit Award is also presented to Mea Venema, former soloist with Dutch National Ballet and regular répétiteur of Hans van Manen’s works.
Swan Lake Bijlmermeer – the performance
In May and June 2006, there are ten performances of Swan Lake Bijlmermeer, in which urban dancers from Don't Hit Mama join dancers from Dutch National Ballet in shedding new light on the ‘ballet of ballets’. The production is directed by Nita Liem, artistic director of Don't Hit Mama. Antonie Broek creates the soundtrack, which combines Tchaikovsky’s music with ‘modern urban mystic’.
His Master's Choice
The 2005/2006 season is closed with His Master's Choice, presenting four works chosen by Hans van Manen. Alongside Balanchine’s Kammermusik No. 2, the programme includes a world premiere by Ted Brandsen, Stealing Time, and the Dutch premieres of Jerome Robbins’ A Suite of Dances and Martin Schläpfer’s Streichquartett.
06 / 07
Tour to London
In November 2006, Dutch National Ballet performs at Sadler's Wells Theatre, in London, presenting Van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs, Van Manen’s Frank Bridge Variations, Forsythe’s The Second Detail and the new Suite for Two by Krzysztof Pastor, which is accompanied especially for the occasion by the renowned Dutch violinist Quiriene Viersen. "A company of grace and power", is the overall judgement of The Independent. The Times writes about Four Last Songs, "This is as close to pure feeling as you can get in dance", and according to The Stage, Van Manen is "probably the best choreographer in Europe today".
Jewels
For the first time, Dutch National Ballet dances George Balanchine’s complete triptych Jewels. Two of the crown jewels, Rubies and Diamonds, are already in the repertoire, and this time the third section, Emeralds, is added. The reviews are unanimous in their praise: "Electrifying" (Dance International), "The dancers glitter like the jewels they wear" (Algemeen Dagblad) and "Balanchine’s Jewels is brimming with joie de vivre" (Haarlems Dagblad).
From Moscow to New York
On the occasion of the 60th birthday of the Russian ex-dancer and ballet master Boris Akimov, Dutch National Ballet dances Hans van Manen’s Solo at the New Bolshoi Theatre, in Moscow. At the Fall for Dance Festival, in New York, the company performs Before After, the first work created for Dutch National Ballet, in 2002, by the Flemish-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
La Bayadère
In February 2007, Dutch National Ballet expands its repertoire with its first integral production of Marius Petipa's masterpiece La Bayadère, in the version by the famous Russian ex-ballerina Natalia Makarova, who comes to Amsterdam herself to give the dancers intensive coaching. “Enchanting (..) Nearly three hours of amusement and top-level pure dance”, writes De Telegraaf.
Erasmus Gala
At the Erasmus Gala, in Den Bosch, principal dancers Marisa Lopez and Félipe Diaz perform Dreaming about you, a duet created especially for the occasion by Hans van Manen. The Gala is attended by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima.
First work by Merce Cunningham
In the programme Point of View, Dutch National Ballet presents four premiere works: Kammerballett by Hans van Manen (created for Nederlands Dans Theater), world premieres by Ted Brandsen (Hallelujah Junction) and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (Since) and – for the first time – a work by Merce Cunningham, Duets.
David Dawson goes to Dresden
David Dawson leaves his position as resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet to take up the same position with SemperOper Ballett, in Dresden. However, in the years that follow he returns regularly to create new works for Dutch National Ballet.
Forsythe, Morris and Fonte
The Holland Festival programme also has three important premieres. Besides the world premiere by Nicolo Fonte (in) verse form, Dutch National Ballet acquires Steptext by William Forsythe and Sandpaper Ballet by Mark Morris, who – like Fonte – is making his debut with the company.
Nominations
The Dance Critics’ Circle, in the United Kingdom, nominates Dutch National Ballet for the prestigious Critics' Circle National Dance Award, in the category 'Best Foreign Dance Company'. Principal dancers Igone de Jongh and Alexander Zhembrovskyy are nominated for the Prix Benois de la Danse (the ‘Oscar of dance’) for their interpretation of Hans van Manen’s Six Piano Pieces.
07 / 08
Van Manen appointed Commander
At the premiere of the Hans van Manen Festival, Van Manen is appointed Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion “for services of a very exceptional nature”. The appropriate decorations are hung and pinned on him by Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam. Van Manen had already been appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau fifteen years earlier, in 1992.
Hans van Manen Festival
To celebrate the 75th birthday of Hans van Manen (1932), Dutch National Ballet organises a large-scale Hans van Manen Festival. In the space of just under three weeks, no fewer than 21 works by the master choreographer are performed, not just by Dutch National Ballet, but also by San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgarter Ballett, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Balletmainz, Nederlands Dans Theater, Introdans and the Dutch National Ballet Academy. There are also guest performances by Uliana Lopatkina, Ivan Kozlov and Sofiane Sylve. The opening night is attended by Queen Beatrix and Princess Máxima.
Changing the guard
At the end of the previous season, 20 dancers left the company – a much bigger number than usual. They included three prominent principal dancers: Boris de Leeuw, Altin Kaftira and Anna Seidl. Alongside the appointment of new principal dancers Anna Tsygankova and Jozef Varga, this leads to an influx of many young dancers this season, who add refreshing elan and new energy to the company’s ranks.
Coppelia
The big new full-length production of this season is Ted Brandsen’s Coppelia. The ballet, based on a libretto by Janine Brogt, is a contemporary adaptation of the narrative classical ballet of the same name, set to the original music by Léo Delibes. Artist and illustrator Sieb Posthuma (2014†) designs the sets and the concept for the costumes, which are then designed by François-Noël Cherpin.
Sonja Marchiolli’s anniversary
Ballet mistress and former principal dancer Sonja Marchiolli celebrates her 40th anniversary with Dutch National Ballet. On the opening night of Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet, which is dedicated to her, she is appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Alexei Ratmansky
Dutch National Ballet takes Russian Seasons into the repertoire; its first work by Alexei Ratmansky, who is then about to leave as artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, in Moscow, and is generally regarded as one of the most talented choreographers of his generation. Trouw writes, "Alexei Ratmansky's Russian Seasons showcases a female power cast. Besides Anna Tsygankova, the other principals Larissa Lezhnina, Marisa Lopez and Igone de Jongh also feel completely at home in Ratmansky’s exciting dialogue between Russian folk and the classical idiom (..) Ratmansky’s language is emotional, sincere and flowing, with no hint of affectation whatsoever.”
Awards for Michele Jimenez, Monique Sand and Nicolas Rapaïc
Grand sujet Michele Jimenez receives the ‘Zwaan’ award for 'Most impressive dance achievement’ for her interpretation of the title role in Ted Brandsen’s Carmen. "Her dedication, strong technique and passionate interpretation raises the role of Carmen to greater heights’, says the VSCD jury.
Holland Festival
For the Holland Festival 2008, Dutch National Ballet presents In Space, a programme on the theme of ‘space’, with contributions from Hans van Manen, Ted Brandsen, Krzysztof Pastor, Juanjo Arqués, Daniela Cardim, Peter Leung, Nicolas Rapaïc and Michael Schumacher. The ‘anchor’ in the production is Van Manen’s renowned Situation, created in 1970, which is performed in its entirety. Noordhollands Dagblad writes, “An adventurous journey through space. That is also apparent at the end (..) in a dazzling finale.”
Hans van Manen’s Live in Concertgebouw
The Robeco Summer Concerts, in 2008, open with the programme Music Meets Dance, in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The main item on the programme is Hans van Manen’s iconic video ballet Live, performed on this occasion by Igone de Jongh, Nicolas Rapaïc (who is ending his dancing career with this performance) and cameraman Henk van Dijk. “Once again, we see how alive Live is”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
08 / 09
Shanghai Festival
At the opening gala of the prestigious China Shanghai International Arts Festival, which takes place on 17 and 18 October 2008, principal dancer Igone de Jongh and soloist Moises Artin Cintas dance Hans van Manen’s Trois gnossiennes. The success of their performance paves the way to later performances by the full company in China.
Tribute to Rudi van Dantzig
In September 2008, to celebrate the 75th birthday of former artistic director Rudi van Dantzig, Dutch National Ballet presents the programme Around Rudi, comprising three of his successful works (Ginastera, Voorbij gegaan and Monument for a dead boy) and Toer van Schayk’s 7th Symphony.
Opening of the Hermitage
The opening of the Hermitage, in Amsterdam, takes place on 19 June 2009. Dutch National Ballet adds lustre to the opening ceremony with Waterfront, a new pas de deux created especially for the occasion by Hans van Manen. It is performed by principal dancers Larissa Lezhnina and Alexander Zhembrovskyy, and accompanied by first pianist Olga Khoziainova.
New Giselle
In February 2009, following the first production by Sir Peter Wright from 1977, Dutch National Ballet presents a completely new version of the Romantic ballet Giselle. The production is directed, with additional choreography, by the head of the artistic staff Rachel Beaujean (who was a wonderful Myrtha during her dancing career) and former star dancer Ricardo Bustamante, who often danced the leading male role in the ballet. The sets and costumes are designed by Toer van Schayk.
Dedicated to Marianne Hilarides
In November 2008, Dutch National Ballet dedicates the premiere performance of the touring programme Ballet4all to former principal dancer Marianne Hilarides, on the occasion of her 75th birthday. Hilarides, who is regarded as the ‘first ballerina of Dutch origin’, attends the performance, as do many of her former colleagues.
Ballets Russes centenary
Precisely 100 years after the first performance by Les Ballets Russes, Dutch National Ballet presents a tribute to Serge Diaghilev’s legendary company. Alongside Michel Fokine’s Les Sylphides and George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, the programme comprises the Dutch premiere of Jerome Robbins' The Afternoon of a Faun and the world premiere of Krzysztof Pastor’s Sheherazade. "Pastor presents Sheherazade not just as a story. More important are the emotions that can be evoked by Sheherazade. And those emotions are beautifully expressed”, writes Noordhollands Dagblad, which calls Pastor’s premiere ballet “the crowning glory of the evening”.
Special Prize for lighting designer Jan Hofstra
Dansersfonds '79 honours Jan Hofstra with its Special Prize. Hofstra was associated with Dutch National Ballet from 1964 to 1996, first as a stagehand and later as a lighting designer. After 1996, he still often designed the lighting for ballets by Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk and particularly Hans van Manen.
09 / 10
Krzysztof Pastor appointed artistic director of Polish National Ballet
Alongside his position as resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet, Krzysztof Pastor (1956) is appointed artistic director of Polish National Ballet, in his homeland, in March 2009. In 2011, he also becomes artistic director of ballet at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Don Quixote by Alexei Ratmansky
For the first time, Dutch National Ballet dances an integral version of Marius Petipa’s famous classic Don Quixote, in version created especially for the company by Alexei Ratmansky. The production receives accolades in the Netherlands and abroad, and is also presented in China in November 2010.
Tour to Hong Kong
In March 2010, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Dutch National Ballet performs to full houses at both the Grand Theatre and the Sha Tin Town Hall, in Hong Kong. The programme comprises Hans van Manen’s Adagio Hammerklavier, Concertante, Sarcasmen, Trois gnossiennes and Live.
Nijinski - God of the Dance
This season, resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor also makes a new full-length production: Nijinsky - God of the Dance, inspired by the life, work and prolonged mental illness of the legendary dancer and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. Principal dancer Cédric Ygnace is nominated for the Prix Benois de la Danse for his interpretation of the title role. "As Nijinsky, Ygnace delivers a breathtaking tour de force, by transforming from a naive youngster from a family beset by madness to a society darling and sweetheart of Serge Diaghilev", writes Trouw.
Gaskell exhibition
From 11 September 2009 to 31 January 2010, an exhibition is held in the Jewish Museum about the life and work of Sonia Gaskell, the first artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. For the occasion of the exhibition, Jellie Dekker directs the documentary Mevrouw, which is broadcast on television by the NTR.
In the footsteps of Balanchine, Van Manen and Forsythe
Much attention is paid this season to the influence of the choreographic genius George Balanchine on choreographers like Hans van Manen and William Forsythe, and the influence these two masters had in turn on the new generation of dance makers.
‘Zwaan’ for Cédric Ygnace and Dance Award for Rachel Oomens
The VSCD awards the ‘Zwaan’ for 'Most impressive dance achievement' to principal dancer Cédric Ygnace, for his interpretation of the title role in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son. Coryphée Rachel Oomens receives the one-off Dance Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79.
10 / 11
Don Quixote to China and on TV
In November 2010, nearly all the dancers of Dutch National Ballet travel to China for five performances at the National Centre of Performing Arts, in Beijing. Besides a programme of works by Hans van Manen, Benjamin Millepied and Krzysztof Pastor, there are also performances of Alexei Ratmansky’s new production of Don Quixote. The performances draw audiences of over 6,500 people, and there are rave reviews in the Chinese press. On Boxing Day 2010, Ratmansky’s Don Quixote is shown on the television channel Nederland 2. The broadcast by the NTR is watched by over 140,000 viewers.
John Neumeier’s Sylvia
The new full-length production this season is John Neumeier’s Sylvia, a contemporary adaptation of the ballet of the same name by Louis Mérante, from 1876, which Neumeier created in 1997 for the Ballet de l'Opéra national de Paris. The wonderful abstract sets are designed by the Greek artist Yannis Kokkos. The press reception ranges from reticent to critical. “"Neumeier’s movement idiom looks dated (..) He is at his strongest in the duets, where everything falls into place for a moment”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Van Manen in London again
In May 2011, following a tour of the Netherlands with the programme Hans van Manen - Master of Dance, Dutch National Ballet presents the same programme (Adagio Hammerklavier, Solo, Grosse Fuge and Concertante) at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. "In a world crying out for even below-mediocre ballet choreographers, the Dutch old master Hans van Manen is an extraordinarily well-kept secret (..) He is one of the very best, as a long-overdue exhibition of his ballets at Sadler’s Wells this week shows (..) we need to see much more of him here", writes TheArtsDesk.
Strong Voices: Millepied and Van Manen
The Frenchman Benjamin Millepied, known for his choreography for the Hollywood film Black Swan, makes his debut with Dutch National Ballet in the programme Strong Voices with the world premiere of One thing leads to another, to new music especially composed for the occasion by Nico Muhly.
Dansersfonds awards for Larissa Lezhnina, and John ten Kulve and Ted Willemsen
Stichting Dansersfonds '79 honours principal dancer Larissa Lezhnina with its Merit Award. This season, the fund awards a Special Prize to the physiotherapists John ten Kulve and Ted Willemsen, who both work at Fysiotherapie Keizersgracht and have been intensively involved for many years with providing medical support to the dancers of Dutch National Ballet.
Ratmansky's On the Dnieper
Following the huge success of Alexei Ratmansky's Don Quixote, this season Dutch National Ballet presents his On the Dnieper, which he created in 2009 for American Ballet Theatre. Ratmansky based his ballet on the original libretto by Sergei Prokofiev and Serge Lifar from 1932, thus bringing to life one of the lost works from Diaghilev’s legendary Ballets Russes.
First Amsterdam International Summer School
In the summer of 2011, the first edition takes place of the Amsterdam International Summer School, which is organised annually from now on. The Dutch National Ballet Academy and Dutch National Ballet collaborate intensively on this summer school for talented young dancers from all over the world. The dance students receive classes and workshops in the studios of Dutch National Ballet, given by teachers from the Dutch National Ballet Academy and ballet masters/mistresses and star dancers with Dutch National Ballet.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
For the Holland Festival 2011, the celebrated Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (who shortly beforehand had received two Laurence Olivier Awards) makes his Dutch National Ballet debut with Labyrinth. "The organic flow of images and atmospheres is beautifully danced, irrevocably sweeping you along”, writes de Volkskrant.
The Little Big Chest
This season, Dutch National Ballet presents its first production created especially for children aged 4 and up: The Little Big Chest, by dancer and choreographer Ernst Meisner. Three dancers from the company take the young audience on a playful, exciting and humorous journey to a wondrous world.
The 10s
- 196 New Productions
- 136 World Premieres
11 / 12
Fiftieth anniversary
Dutch National Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary. The anniversary season opens with a special gala on 13 September 2011, attended by Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima. The gala is shown live in ten Pathé cinemas and on Cultura TV.
Death of Rudi van Dantzig
On 19 January 2012, former artistic director Rudi van Dantzig dies at the age of 78, following a period of illness. As a ballet leader, he succeeded in forging Dutch National Ballet into an entity and placing it on the international map. As a choreographer, too, he put an important mark on the company’s identity with his interpretations of the full-length ballets Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, as well as with dozens of his contemporary and often socially critical ballets.
Present/s
One of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations is the double programme Present/s in February 2012, which premieres nine new works by leading choreographers: Juanjo Arqués, Ted Brandsen, David Dawson, Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, Hans van Manen, Krzysztof Pastor, Alexei Ratmansky, Ton Simons and Christopher Wheeldon. Keso Dekker designs the sets for all nine ballets and the costumes for some of them. "Startänzer, Ausnahme-Choreographen. Ballett auf der Höhe unser Zeit", writes Frankfurter Allgemeine, and the opinion of Moskovskie Novosti is, "An example to be followed. Maybe our theater managers (..) should be sent for training to Holland to learn how to do Jubilees."
Present/s is dedicated to Rudi van Dantzig.
Hans van Manen 80
On 4 July 2012, Hans van Manen’s 80th birthday (on 11 July) is celebrated with a gala performance. The programme comprises a large number of his works, including the new Variations for Two Couples, which was premiered in the programme Present/2. "In Variations for Two Couples, he gives a variation on his pet favourite – the duet. Two couples – the self-surpassing Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding, and Igone de Jongh and Jozef Varga – show the different nuances of a relationship, as per usual: soft and lyrical, yet also energetic and virtuoso. And of course always challenging and sensual, with no sentimental fuss”, writes de Volkskrant.
Lowlands
At the start of the 2011/2012 anniversary season, Dutch National Ballet appears for the first time at the pop festival Lowlands. The programme comprises sections from Swan Lake, Hans van Manen’s Solo and the male solo from his 5 Tangos, a duet from Forsythe’s In the middle, somewhat elevated, Juanjo Arqués' Minos and an excerpt from Labyrinth by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Prior to the performance, the head of the artistic staff Rachel Beaujean teaches over 4000 festival-goers a short excerpt from Swan Lake.
The Dutch National Canta Ballet
At the Gashouder, in Amsterdam, one week before the Hans van Manen gala, the premiere takes place of The Dutch National Canta Ballet, an initiative by Karin Spaink and Maartje Nevejan, with choreography by Ernst Meisner. Over fifty Cantas (small vehicles intended for people with a disability) and their drivers get together on the dance floor with dancers from Dutch National Ballet and Nova College Haarlem in this special production.
Awards for Toer van Schayk
In May 2012, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the international Prix Benois de la Danse. In 2012, he also receives the Silver Medal from the City of Amsterdam.
‘Zwaan’ award for Jurgita Dronina
Principal dancer Jurgita Dronina receives the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance achievement’ from the VSCD, for her interpretation of the role of Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. Principal dancers Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding also receive nominations for the award, for their interpretations of the main roles in Alexei Ratmansky's Don Quixote.
Yes, we can dance
On the occasion of Dutch National Ballet’s 50th anniversary, a big participation project is organised: Yes, we can dance. Taking Hans van Manen’s Symphonieën der Nederlanden as the starting point, dancers from amateur dance groups working in various dance styles create their own performance. Dancer/choreographer Ernst Meisner provides the artistic concept for the finale evening, on which ISH Dance Collective also collaborates.
Launch of JUMP and residencies
In March 2012, Dutch National Ballet launches a fan club for youngsters, called JUMP. This month, the company also organises a number of ‘residencies’ in various towns in Limburg and Brabant, with Q&A sessions, workshops and presentations for young people, alongside the regular performances. This is to promote interest in Dutch National Ballet and in dance in general, in the southern provinces.
12 / 13
Appointment of Els van der Plas and merger
On 1 August 2012, Els van der Plas takes up the position of general director of the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet). The company says farewell to director Truze Lodder after 25 years, who is appointed Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her important services, as well as receiving the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal from the City of Amsterdam.
On 1 January 2013, De Nederlandse Opera, Dutch National Ballet and the Music Theatre take the final step towards becoming a leading national institution for opera and ballet, through a merger. The new organisation is led by general director Van der Plas, director of ballet Ted Brandsen and director of opera Pierre Audi.
Christopher Wheeldon’s award-winning Cinderella
For many years, the successful production of Cinderella by Sir Frederick Ashton (1987) has been on Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire. Now, on 13 December 2012, it presents the world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella, in co-production with San Francisco Ballet. Wheeldon, one of the most successful choreographers of his generation, gives depth to the characters in the Cinderella fairy tale.
Matthew Rowe
On 1 January 2013, the British conductor Matthew Rowe is appointed musical director of Dutch National Ballet and principal conductor of Dutch Ballet Orchestra. He is the first person to hold this dual position, and therefore plays an important role in the musical and artistic cooperation between ballet company and orchestra.
Shen Wei and David Dawson in Holland Festival
For the Holland Festival 2013, Dutch National Ballet presents a completely new double bill, comprising the world premieres of Sacre du Printemps by the Chinese choreographer Shen Wei – who is making his debut with the company – and Overture by David Dawson.”
Oscars of dance for Wheeldon and Van Manen
This season, both Christopher Wheeldon and Hans van Manen receive a Prix Benois de la Danse, known as the ‘Oscar of dance’: Wheeldon for his new production of Cinderella (see repertoire) and Van Manen for his ballet Variations for Two Couples.
Awards for Matthew Golding and Marijn Rademaker
Principal dancer Matthew Golding wins the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance achievement’ in 2012, for his role in Short Time Together by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. And Stichting Dansersfonds '79 awards the Special Prize to Marijn Rademaker, who made his debut with Dutch National Ballet in 2011 as a guest artist.
1001 Nights + performance for the Food Bank
In October 2012, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Nieuw-West district of Amsterdam, Dutch National Ballet collaborates on 1001 Nights. The programme is an encounter between dancers from the company and a variety of dance groups from Amsterdam Nieuw-West, including Turkish dance, Bollywood and hiphop. In December 2012, Dutch National Ballet gives a private performance of Cinderella for the clients and volunteers of the Amsterdam Food Bank.
Performance for the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander
During the royal water pageant around the IJ, in Amsterdam, on the occasion of the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander, principal dancers Igone de Jongh and Casey Herd perform Hans van Manen’s duet Trois gnossiennes.
13 / 14
Junior Company
In August 2013, the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company is founded, resulting from an intensive collaboration between Dutch National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Academy. The Junior Company coaches young, talented Dutch and international dancers between the ages of 18 and 21, offering them the opportunity to gain extensive stage experience on their own theatre tours, as well as in Dutch National Ballet’s big, full-length productions.
The body of Dutch National Ballet
In September 2013, the renowned duo Emio Greco and Pieter C. Scholten – who together run the dance platform ICK Amsterdam – make their debut with Dutch National Ballet, presenting The body of Dutch National Ballet.
National Ballet Academy appoints Ted Brandsen and Hans van Manen
To promote and even closer partnership between Dutch National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Academy, at the start of this season Ted Brandsen is appointed artistic advisor to the academy, which is affiliated to Amsterdam University of the Arts. At the same time, choreographer Hans van Manen accepts the honorary title of patron of the Dutch National Ballet Academy.
Dutch Doubles
In April and May 2014, Dutch National Ballet presents the first edition of Dutch Doubles, in which well-known choreographers collaborate with artists from other disciplines. For this edition, Hans van Manen works with harpist Remy van Kesteren (Dances with Harp), Jorma Elo with fashion designers Viktor&Rolf (their designs for Elo's Shape include square tutus), Ton Simons with photographer and video maker Rineke Dijkstra (Romance) and Juanjo Arqués with visual artist Krijn de Koning (Roulette).
New York Times places Dutch National Ballet in top 5
In October 2013, Roslyn Sulcas, ballet editor with The New York Times, places Dutch National Ballet in the top 5 international companies who regularly present new work. "It’s expensive to produce new ballets. There are few remarkable ballet choreographers to make them. The outcome is uncertain (..) And then there is San Francisco Ballet (..) Under the leadership of Helgi Tomasson, the company has become one of the world’s most important vehicles for new ballet choreography, rivaled only in the United States by New York City Ballet, and in Europe by the Stuttgart Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet."
The Tempest
For the Holland Festival 2014, choreographer Krzysztof Pastor creates another full-length production for Dutch National Ballet, in co-production with Polish National Ballet: The Tempest, for which he collaborates with the Iranian, New York-based photo, film and video artist Shirin Neshat. "Krzysztof Pastor and his team have created a clear, contemporary interpretation of The Tempest, in which the emotional and psychological development of the characters reaches full growth in the soloists’ dancing (..) Dutch National Ballet has acquired an exceptional and relevant ballet with this Tempest”, writes Theaterkrant.nl.
Giselle in Colombia
In November 2013, Dutch National Ballet gives three performances of Giselle, in the version by Rachel Beaujean and Ricardo Bustamante, at the Teatro Mayor in Bogotá. During the transport of the sets and costumes to the Colombian capital, many costumes are severely damaged. The company’s dressers who have gone on tour have the mammoth task of repairing them, mainly the long white tutus from Act II. The tour is also very challenging for the dancers, many of whom faint during rehearsals, due to the 2,600-m difference in altitude between Bogotá and Amsterdam.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet
At the beginning of 2014, the home of Dutch National Ballet, De Nederlandse Opera and the Amsterdam Music Theatre is given its new, current name: Dutch National Opera & Ballet. For the occasion, De Nederlandse Opera is rechristened Dutch National Opera, and a new corporate style is launched.
Fashion show by Viktor&Rolf
In January 2014, female dancers from Dutch National Ballet give a radiant appearance at the Viktor&Rolf fashion show in Paris. Artistic director Ted Brandsen does the choreography, for which the dancers walk continuously on pointe.
Dance Open Festival
At the Dance Open Festival in St Petersburg, in April 2014, Dutch National Ballet presents a Hans van Manen programme. On the occasion, principal dancer Anna Tsygankova is awarded the Grand Prix of the festival, and principal dancer Remi Wörtmeyer receives the audience prize.
14 / 15
Tours to China, Hong Kong, St Petersburg and London
In November 2014, Dutch National Ballet gives nine performances in the Chinese metropolises Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. The performances of Giselle in the last two cities are part of the cultural contribution of a trade mission from the city of Amsterdam. After the performance, the second-act willis pose for a photo with the mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, who is leading the trade mission. One of the performances is also attended by Minister Ploumen and her delegation.
La Dame aux Camélias
In April 2015, Dutch National Ballet presents the Dutch premiere of John Neumeier’s La Dame aux Camélias, a poignant dance drama based on the novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, which also inspired Verdi for his opera La Traviata. The main roles are danced at the premiere on 10 April by the Dutch principal dancers Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker.
David Dawson appointed Associate Artist
On 1 January 2015, the British choreographer David Dawson is appointed 'Associate Artist' with Dutch National Ballet, after holding the position of resident choreographer with the company from 2004 to 2006. Dawson is known mainly for the virtuoso, often athletic way in which he radically innovates and enriches classical ballet technique, in his own very distinctive style. His works are in the repertoires of leading companies like the Mariinsky Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Wiener Staatsballet and San Francisco Ballet.
Cool Britannia
Het ‘all British’-programma Cool Britannia, dat Het Nationale Ballet in het Holland Festival van 2015 uitbrengt, bestaat uit de Nederlandse première van Wayne McGregors meesterwerk Chroma (bekroond met de Critics’ Circle Award, South Bank Show Award, Laurence Oliver Award en Golden Mask Award) en de wereldpremières van David Dawsons Empire Noir en Christopher Wheeldons Concerto Concordia.
Back to Lowlands
Dutch National Ballet makes its second appearance at Lowlands, this time along with the Junior Company. The programme, called Forces of Movement, includes the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake, Eric Gauthier’s Ballet 101 and Hans van Manen’s masterpiece Corps.
Narnia
This season, the Junior Company not only presents its own touring programme, but also collaborates with ISH Dance Collective in May 2015 on the family production Narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. It is the first collaboration between Ernst Meisner and ISH choreographer Marco Gerris, whereby they create a refreshing mix of ballet and hiphop. “We are all bowled over by Narnia (..) Ballet and hiphop each hold their own.
Merit Award for Ted Brandsen
Stichting Dansersfonds '79 honours artistic director Ted Brandsen with its Merit Award. The jury writes, “Over the past 11 years, Ted Brandsen has put Dutch National Ballet firmly on the national and international map and made it abundantly clear that the qualities of a ‘flown-in’ ballet company can never replace the value of our own national company.”
‘Zwaan’ award for Larissa Lezhnina
Besides the ‘Zwaan’ awarded to Ton Simons for his ballet Romance (see repertoire of the 2013/2014 season), principal dancer Larissa Lezhnina (who is ending her dancing career) receives a ‘Gouden Zwaan’ award for services throughout her career. In June 2014, Lezhnina dances her last performance with Dutch National Ballet, at the age of 45.
15 / 16
Gala dedicated to Alexandra Radius
The annual gala with which Dutch National Ballet has been opening its theatre season since 2011 is dedicated this time to former principal dancer Alexandra Radius. 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the end of her long and impressive dancing career (20 years of which she spent with Dutch National Ballet). At the gala, Radius presents the award named after her, the Alexandra Radius Prize, for the 27th time, to principal dancer Maia Makhateli.
Mata Hari
On 6 February 2016, the world premiere takes place of Ted Brandsen’s second full-length production: Mata Hari, based on the extraordinary life of the Frisian dancer and spy Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (1876-1917). The British composer Tarik O'Regan writes new music especially for the production, and Brandsen’s team also includes dramaturge Janine Brogt and designers Clement & Sanôu (sets and lighting) and François-Noël Cherpin (costumes).
Junior Company performs at the finale of the Prix de Lausanne
On 6 February 2016, the Junior Company gives a special performance at the finale of the prestigious dance competition Prix de Lausanne. The dancers of the company share the stage with the Russian star ballerina Diana Vishneva. The Junior Company dances Hans van Manen’s Trois gnossiennes and Ernst Meisner’s new work No Time Before Time, and Vishneva performs Marco Goecke’s Tué.
New Balanchine
A new edition of the programme Best of Balanchine sees the addition to Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire of its 33rd work (and its last to date) by the grand master of 20th-century ballet: Tarantella Pas de Deux. “A virtuoso succession of displays of bravura (..) Remi Wörtmeyer’s impossibly high jumps in the air are impressive. And what a delight it is to watch Maia Makhateli accelerate in her so accurately placed pirouettes. Their teamwork, filled with zest and brilliance, borders on the magical”, writes Trouw.
Mr. and Ms. Expressivity
At the annual gala performance of the Russian Dance Open Festival, principal dancer Anna Tsygankova receives the Ms. Expressivity Award for her interpretation of a solo from Ted Brandsen’s Mata Hari. Principal dancer Remi Wörtmeyer is declared Mr. Expressivity, for his performance of the male solo from Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos.
Sasha Waltz’ Roméo et Juliette
For the Dutch premiere of Roméo et Juliette, by the German choreographer and director Sasha Waltz, Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera combine forces for the first time. Dancers and singers share the stage – all in a strongly physical role. For his interpretation of the role of Père Laurence, principal dancer Vito Mazzeo receives the Italian Capri Award.
Grand Prix à la Carrière for Hans van Manen
On 31 July 2016, in Cannes, Frances, choreographer Hans van Manen receives the Grand Prix à la Carrière, for his ‘exceptionally important career’. The jury writes, “His extensive and varied oeuvre has had a far-reaching influence in recent decades on the development of modern ballet in Europe.”
Transatlantic
Dutch National Ballet closes this season with the Holland Festival programme Transatlantic. Besides David Dawson’s Overture, it includes the European premiere of Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit and the world premieres of George Williamson’s Crane and Ernst Meisner’s duet Merge (with costumes designed by Jan Taminiau).
16 / 17
Gala dedicated to Igone de Jongh and Toer van Schayk
The annual gala to open the season is dedicated this year to Igone de Jongh, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary as a dancer with Dutch National Ballet, and to Toer van Schayk, who is celebrating his 80th birthday on 28 September 2017.
New work by Toer van Schayk
The programme Dutch Masters, in which Dutch National Ballet pays tribute to Toer van Schayk, includes his masterpiece Requiem, as well as his new creation: the duet Episodes van Fragmenten.
Royal honours
Both artists also receive royal honours this season. Toer van Schayk is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. He is presented with the honour by Minister Jet Bussemaker on 14 September 2016, at the premiere performance of Dutch Masters (see repertoire), a tribute programme dedicated to him. On 10 December 2016, Igone de Jongh is appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, presents her with the honour after the opening night of Coppelia.
First edition of Made in Amsterdam and international dance conference
In February 2016, Dutch National Ballet presents a double programme, entitled Made in Amsterdam, comprising ballets recently created for the company and the world premieres of David Dawson’s Citizen Nowhere, Juanjo Arqués' Homo Ludens and Ernst Meisner’s In Transit. In the weekend of the opening nights of both programmes, the company organises Positioning Ballet, an international dance conference about the future of ballet, attended by dozens of ‘world leaders’ from the dance scene.
Awards for Igone de Jongh, Anna Tsygankova and Anu Viheriäranta
Besides a ‘Zwaan’ award for Anna Tsygankova for her interpretation of the title role in Ted Brandsen’s Mata Hari (see the repertoire of the 2015/2016 season), this season the VSCD also awards a ‘Gouden Zwaan’ to Igone de Jongh. Stage manager and former principal dancer Anu Viheriäranta receives the Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79.
Shostakovich Trilogy
For the Holland Festival 2017, Dutch National Ballet presents the European premiere of Shostakovich Trilogy, in which choreographer Alexei Ratmansky pays personal tribute to his compatriot Dimitri Shostakovich, one of the greatest Russian composers. NRC Handelsblad writes, “The trilogy is a feast for classical ballet fans (..) In Shostakovich Trilogy, Ratmansky displays his mastery of the classical dance idiom (..) The trilogy bristles with inventions, fish dives and remarkable lifts.”
Tour to Mexico
At the end of October 2016, Dutch National Ballet gives a total of five performances in the Mexican cities of Guanajuato, León and Guadalajara. They are the company’s first performances in Mexico in over 50 years (the first Mexican tour took place in the 1965/1966 season). This time, the programme comprises works by Van Dantzig, Van Manen, Balanchine and Ratmansky.
Virtual reality
For the Uitmarkt 2016, Dutch National Ballet partners with &samhoud and Samsung to present Night Fall, choreographed by Peter Leung, the first virtual reality ballet in the world. In an eight-minute film, viewers feel that they are part of the corps de ballet themselves. De Volkskrant calls the project a ‘key moment in dance history”. Night Fall is nominated in three categories (best VR content, best mobile VR and public choice award) for the Bright VR Awards and wins the Public Choice Award.
First Young Creative Associates and launch of the Choreographic Academy
On 1 January 2017, Dutch National Ballet appoints its first two Young Creative Associates: Juanjo Arqués and Peter Leung. Through this initiative, in which young, proven talents enter into a long-term association with the company, Dutch National Ballet aims to contribute to the development of young choreographic talent.
Van Manen Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
In the summer of 2017, the French Ministry of Culture confers the distinction of Commandeur des Arts et Lettres on Hans van Manen. Van Manen is presented with the honour in Montpellier, in the south of France, by Brigitte Lefèvre, former artistic director of Ballet de l'Opéra national de Paris, in the presence of Jet Bussemaker, Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, among other dignitaries. For the occasion, Dutch National Ballet dances two programmes of Van Manen works at the Montpellier Danse festival, which is taking place at the same time.
Gala Young Patrons Circle
In June 2017, the Dutch National Opera & Ballet Young Patrons Circle (founded in 2015) organises the first opera and ballet gala for its members, which becomes an annual event. The gala is attended by many Dutch celebrities. The idea behind the Young Patrons Circle is to bring young professionals from outside the theatre world into contact with opera and ballet, and use their contributions to support the many young professionals working at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Amsterdam I Am
This season, Dutch Ballet Orchestra collaborates for the first time on a participation project by Dutch National Ballet, carried out at three secondary schools in Amsterdam: Open Schoolgemeenschap Bijlmer, Caland Lyceum and Damstede Lyceum. Based on the personal stories of over 2000 pupils from these schools, Peter Leung and hiphop choreographer Honey Eavis create a performance about what it means to live and grow up in Amsterdam, set to a musical arrangement by composer Jacob ter Veldhuis. The project is rounded off with three performances in Dutch National Opera & Ballet, along with dancers from the Junior Company and musicians of Dutch National Opera, conducted by Matthew Rowe.
17 / 18
Rachel Beaujean appointed associate artistic director and Officer
In September 2017, head of the artistic staff Rachel Beaujean is appointed associate artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. Shortly afterwards, the annual gala to open the season is dedicated to Beaujean on her 40th anniversary with the company. On the occasion she is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The honour is presented to her by alderman of Amsterdam Eric van der Burg.
Ode to the Master
In September 2017, for the occasion of the 80th birthday of resident choreographer Hans van Manen, Dutch National Ballet presents the programme Ode to the Master, comprising some regularly performed Van Manen works, as well as the Dutch National Ballet premiere of his On the Move, which he created in 1992 for Nederlands Dans Theater.
Debut in Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg
For the first time ever, Dutch National Ballet performs at the famous Mariinsky Theatre, in St Petersburg, in November 2017. At the final gala of the Context Festival, under the artistic leadership of Diana Vishneva, the company dances Hans van Manen’s Sarcasmen and Alexei Ratmansky's Piano Concerto #1, one of the three sections of his Shostakovich Trilogy.
Dutch Doubles
For the second time, Dutch National Ballet presents a Dutch Doubles programme, in which choreographers work intensively with artists from other disciplines. This time, there are world premieres by Ernst Meisner and harpist/composer Remy van Kesteren, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and singer Wende Snijders, supplemented by Déjà vu by Hans van Manen/Keso Dekker and Two and Only by Wubkje Kuindersma/Michael Benjamin.
More awards for Hans van Manen
This season, Hans van Manen receives more awards. In October 2017, at the Nederlandse Dansdagen in Maastricht, he is presented with the VSCD Oeuvre Prize, and at the beginning of 2018 he is honoured with the Honorary Medal for Arts and Science of the Order of the House of Orange. The associated decorations were presented to him on 19 February at Noordeinde Palace by King Willem-Alexander, in the presence of Princess Beatrix and Queen Máxima.
Junior Company’s fifth anniversary
The Junior Company celebrates its fifth anniversary with the special tour In the Future. Alongside a selection of existing works (including Hans van Manen’s ballet of the same name), the programme comprises the world premiere of Juanjo Arqués' Fingers in the Air. "The choreography is intense and sensual and has a nice flow (..) it’s an interesting concept in which Juanjo Arqués excels", writes Bachtrack.
Awards for Anna Tsygankova, Anna Ol and Jessica Xuan
This season, Stichting Dansersfonds '79 presents its Merit Award to principal dancer Anna Tsygankova. The jury writes, “The way she dances can be compared to the terms Haute Couture and Haute Cuisine, because of her delicate precision, controlled passion and firm roots in the classical ballet tradition.” The British magazine Dance Europe votes principal dancer Anna Ol 'Dancer of the Year'. And grand sujet Jessica Xuan wins the gold medal at the international ballet competition in Varna, Bulgaria, known as the ‘Olympics of ballet’. She joins the ranks of illustrious previous winners, who include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Aurelie Dupont, Eva Evdokimova, Sylvie Guillem, Natalia Makarova and Vladimir Vasiliev.
Tristan + Isolde
Dutch National Ballet presents its first full-length work by David Dawson: Tristan + Isolde, which he created in 2015 for SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, to a new composition by Szymon Brzóska. "Touching Tristan and Isolde enthrals Holland festival audience (..) the ballet has great potential for lasting power", reads the five-star review by Bachtrack. And Dance Europe writes: "Dawson proves once again that he is a master of his craft."
18 / 19
Back to Lowlands
In August 2018, Dutch National Ballet performs for the third time at the Lowlands pop festival. This time, the company presents a selection from New Moves, the annual programme in which dancers from the company can develop their choreographic talent.
The New Classics
In September 2018, following the gala to open the season (see company), Dutch National Ballet presents The New Classics. Besides Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, the programme comprises the Dutch National Ballet premieres of Dances at a Gathering by Jerome Robbins and Serenade after Plato's Symposium by Alexei Ratmansky, to the music of the same name by Leonard Bernstein. 2018 marks the centenary of the birth of Robbins and Bernstein (who created West Side Story together).
Gala dedicated to Rudi van Dantzig and award for Timothy van Poucke
In keeping with tradition, Dutch National Ballet opens its theatre season with a gala performance, in which all the dancers of Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company, and pupils and students of the Dutch National Ballet Academy take part. This time, the gala is dedicated to Rudi van Dantzig (1933-2012), to remember his 85th birthday.
David Dawson's Requiem
Following last season’s premiere of Tristan + Isolde, this season David Dawson creates a large-scale new work especially for and with the dancers of Dutch National Ballet: Requiem. For the occasion, the British composer Gavin Bryars writes new music, performed by Dutch Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Rowe, the Chorus of Dutch National Opera, and four vocal soloists. Requiem is combined with Dawson’s masterpiece for one dancer Citizen Nowhere.
Ernst Meisner appointed artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy
Ernst Meisner, artistic coordinator of the Junior Company, takes up an additional position; that of artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy, which is part of Amsterdam University of the Arts. He therefore gains an even more important role in the development and guidance of talented young dancers in the Netherlands.
Van Manen, Forsythe, Arqués
For the Holland Festival 2019, Dutch National Ballet dances a ‘three generations of choreographer programme’. Alongside the Dutch National Ballet premiere of Hans van Manen’s Kleines Requiem (created in 1996 for Nederlands Dans Theater), it comprises the Dutch premieres of William Forsythe’s Pas/Parts 2018 and Juanjo Arqués' Ignite.
Dutch Ballet Gala dedicated to Ted Brandsen
In 2018, Dansersfonds '79 dedicates its annual Dutch Ballet Gala to the artistic director of Dutch National Ballet, Ted Brandsen. The founders of the fund, Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar, say, “By always making the right decisions, Ted has ushered in a new heyday for Dutch National Ballet. It has become a leading international company, which presents the great classical repertoire, while also continuing to cherish and inspire contemporary dance. Brandsen also creates his own works, the highlight of which is the recent, hugely successful, full-length ballet about the life of Mata Hari.”
Black Achievement Month
In October 2018, as part of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet presents an evening that focuses on soloist Michaela DePrince. Besides several short ballets, the programme includes a video portrait of her career and an interview.
Free To Move
In December 2018, Dutch National Ballet joins forces with Holland Dance Festival in the fight against muscular diseases. Under the title Free To Move, there are collections for the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds at all 17 performances of Cinderella. A total of over 21,000 Euros is raised.
Second edition of Positioning Ballet
In February 2019, Dutch National Ballet once again organises an international dance conference, entitled Positioning Ballet. The conference is opened this time by Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven, after which over 125 artistic directors, festival directors, choreographers and dancers from all over the world discuss topical themes in dance.
Knighthood for Keso Dekker
Keso Dekker, who has been Hans van Manen’s regular set and costume designer since the 1980’s, is appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion at the opening night of the programme Van Manen, Forsythe, Arqués (see repertoire).
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International stars at opening gala
At Dutch National Ballet’s traditional gala to open the season, this year all the principal dancers of the company share the stage with three international stars: Maria Khoreva and Xander Parish perform the pas de deux from George Balanchine’s Diamonds, and Jakob Feyferlik (who is joining the company in September 2020) dances Hans van Manen’s Trois gnossiennes with Igone de Jongh.
Ballet Imperial
In a third edition of Best of Balanchine, Dutch National Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Ballet Imperial (added to the repertoire in 1993) in a new version, with sumptuous, colourful costumes designed by François-Noël Cherpin.
Amsterdam Prize for Art for Ted Brandsen
In October 2019, the Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema presents artistic director Ted Brandsen with the Amsterdam Prize for Art, in the category ‘Proven Quality’. The jury praises Brandsen for his “sometimes invisible, yet extremely important activities and initiatives in the areas of inclusivity, diversity, rejuvenation and digitisation”.
Frida
On 6 February 2020, the world premiere of Frida takes place in Dutch National Opera & Ballet. The new, large-scale, full-length production by the Colombian-Flemish choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is inspired by the life and work of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The music is written especially for the production by the British composer Peter Salem, and the sets and colourful costumes are designed by Dieweke van Reij. The role of Frida is danced at the premiere performance by principal dancer Maia Makhateli.
Farewell to Igone de Jongh
On 31 October 2019, principal dancer Igone de Jongh leaves Dutch National Ballet after 24 years, dancing the role of Juliet in Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo and Juliet. At the performance, which is attended by Princess Beatrix and many Dutch dignitaries and celebrities, the mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema presents De Jongh with the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal for her great services as a dancer and her contribution to Dutch dance. Shortly after her farewell performance, De Jongh also receives the Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79.
Online premieres
All the other theatre premieres planned for the 2019/2020 season are cancelled due to the corona crisis. There are, however, several online premieres. For example, in the first months of the lockdown, Milena Sidorova creates the dance video Hold On, to the number of the same name by the Dutch band DI-RECT, and Young Creative Associate Peter Leung and filmmaker Altin Kaftira make Gently Quiet, consisting of 11 short dance films shot at various outdoor locations in Amsterdam that are practically deserted during the lockdown.
Highest accolade in Critics' Choice
This season, Dutch National Ballet receives the highest number of mentions to date – 26! – in the Critics' Choice of the British magazine Dance Europe. For the fourth time in a row, the company is declared 'Company of the Year', Ted Brandsen receives two mentions as 'Best Director of the Year', principal dancer Sasha Mukhamedov is nominated for 'Best Dancer of the Year', David Dawson’s Requiem, Juanjo Arqués' Ignite and Milena Sidorova's Sand receive mentions for 'Best Premiere', and many dancers receive mentions for their 'Outstanding Performance'.
Diversity
This season, as part of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Opera & Ballet organises an evening with curator Theresa Ruth Howard. As an expert on diversity in the dance world, she discusses the role of the black ballet dancer in the history of Dutch National Ballet. In October 2019, there is a photo exhibition of portraits of these dancers in the foyers of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Van Manen in Shanghai
In November 2019, Dutch National Ballet dances two performances of a Hans van Manen programme at the Shanghai International Arts Festival. Performances of Adagio Hammerklavier, Kleines Requiem, Sarcasmen and 5 Tangos are given in the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
300,000th audience member for The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
At one of the performances of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, on 14 December 2019, the 300,000th member of the audience was welcomed to this hit production, created by choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk and choreographer Wayne Eagling.
Junior Company to Indonesia
Between 28 January and 1 February 2020 – just before the outbreak of the global corona pandemic – the Junior Company gives three extremely successful performances in Indonesia. At the invitation of the Erasmus Huis, the Dutch cultural centre in Jakarta, the talented young dancers of the Junior Company dance a programme of works by Ernst Meisner, George Balanchine, Charlotte Edmonds and Eric Gauthier. All the performances are sold out, and people stand on the streets to watch them on big video screens.
Corona pandemic
Like all the cultural institutions, in 2020 Dutch National Ballet is hit hard by the consequences of the corona pandemic. From one day to the next, all the Dutch theatres have to close on 12 March. Soon afterwards, Dutch National Ballet sets up an extensive online programme, in order to keep in touch with its audience and also to expand it, as the online content is regularly viewed and greatly appreciated by international ‘audiences’ as well.
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Maia Makhateli declared Dancer of The Year
In October 2020, the British magazine Dance Europe nominates principal dancers Qian Liu and Maia Makhateli, along with ten other leading dancers worldwide, for its Dancer of the Year Award 2020. The award eventually goes to Maia Makhateli, who is praised for her “heart-rending” interpretation of the title role in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Frida and her “imperious and classy” interpretation of George Balanchine’s ballets.
Dancing Apart Together and Live
After half a year with no live performances, Dutch National Ballet opens it doors again on 17 September 2020. For two weeks, the company presents two short performances per evening, which (due to the corona measures) can each be attended by a maximum audience of 350 people: Dancing Apart Together and Hans van Manen’s iconic video ballet Live.
Black Achievement Month
At the fifth edition of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet presents an online stream of Dancing Diversity, comprising various choreographic works, interviews and film clips revolving around the theme of ‘role model’. The evening is directed by two young makers, Carmen Lamptey and Gabriela Acosta Camacho, who are working towards a diverse and more inclusive society – through, in and with the arts. The evening is presented by Humberto Tan.
Back to Ballet
In October and November 2020, Dutch National Ballet is supposed to dance the double programme Back to Ballet - Classic and Back to Ballet - Contemporary for the maximum number of 250 people permitted per performance. Unfortunately, the altered corona measures mean there is just one live performance of the first programme, on 13 October.
Mr and Mrs Perfect
In collaboration with the Poldertheater, which specialises in cultural education, Dutch National Ballet is presenting a new education project from November 2020: a performance for schools in combination with workshops in the classroom, aimed especially at pupils in pre-vocational secondary education. Taking Igor Stravinsky’s Les Noces as its starting point, Mr and Mrs Perfect is a contemporary, entertaining performance production about love, among other things. Each performance is followed by an in-depth talk, and the pupils also take part in various workshop lessons, focusing on acting, dance and representation. The choreography for Mr & Mrs Perfect is by former HNB dancer Bruno Roche de la Pareira. The performance will be given an average of 60 times a year until the end of 2023.
New Young Creative Associates
In December 2020, Dutch National Ballet appoints three new Young Creative Associates, to succeed Juanjo Arqués and Peter Leung: the Ukrainian-Dutch choreographer Milena Sidorova and the Dutch choreographers Wubkje Kuindersma and Sedrig Verwoert.
Livestreams
After Back to Ballet, Dutch National Ballet is still restricted to livestreams for the time being, due to the corona measures.
Stijn Schoonderwoerd appointed general director of Dutch National Opera & Ballet
In February 2021, Stijn Schoonderwoerd succeeds Els van der Plas as general director. He is making his return to Dutch National Opera & Ballet, as he previously held the positions of managing director of Dutch National Ballet and director of Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the regular orchestra partner of Dutch National Opera.
Beethoven + Four Seasons
In June 2021, Dutch National Ballet can give live performances again at last. As part of the Holland Festival, two programmes are presented. The first, Beethoven, comprises Hans van Manen’s Grosse Fuge, alongside the world premiere of Prometheus by Wubkje Kuindersma, Ernst Meisner and Remi Wörtmeyer. The second, Four Seasons, comprises the Dutch premiere of David Dawson’s The Four Seasons and the European premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Two of Us.
Dancing for Máxima
For the occasion of the 50th birthday of Queen Máxima, on 17 May 2021, Hans van Manen and Ted Brandsen create an occasional duet for principal dancers Anna Tsygankova and Constantine Allen. The work is included in a television programme involving various Dutch artists, to celebrate the power of music (Máxima is the honorary chair of Méer Muziek in de Klas).
The 20s
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Dutch National Ballet’s 60th anniversary
This season marks the 60th anniversary of Dutch National Ballet. For the occasion, the company presents an extremely varied programme that consists – in line with group’s history – of a combination of famous classics, highlights of 20th-century and recent dance, and world premieres.
Raymonda
The world premiere of a new production of Marius Petipa's masterpiece Raymonda, staged by Rachel Beaujean in collaboration with Ted Brandsen and Grigori Tchitcherine, takes place on 3 April 2022 (following postponement due to corona measures).
Toer van Schayk receives first Dance Pin
In October 2021, Toer van Schayk, choreographer, visual artist and guest of honour at the Dutch Dance Days 2021, was awarded the first Dance Pin at the Dutch Dance Day Gala in Maastricht “as a token of recognition for the knowledge, wisdom and idiosyncrasy he has contributed to the dance field for many years. A piece of beautiful dance jewellery for someone who has added beauty to dance, as a symbol of continuity and to highlight our cultural memory.”
Last ballet by Toer van Schayk
In September 2021, for the occasion of the 85th birthday of choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk, Dutch National Ballet presents the programme TOER, comprising Van Schayk’s masterpiece 7th Symphony (which according to several critics is performed better than ever) and the world premiere of what Van Schayk announces to be his last choreographic work: Lucifer Studies.
Special Prize for Ernst Meisner
In November 2021, Stichting Dansersfonds '79 honours Ernst Meisner with its Special Prize. The jury praises him for the enormous contribution he makes – as artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy and artistic coordinator of the Junior Company – to talent development in classical ballet in the Netherlands, and for the great expertise and indefatigable energy and enthusiasm with which he does so.
Anansi
In November, Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet come together to present the colourful family performance How ANANSI freed the Stories of the World, based on the story of the mythical spider Anansi, which originated in Ghana and then became known in the rest of West Africa, in Suriname and in the Caribbean. The artistic team for the production is equally colourful: Kenza Koutchoukali (director), Neo Muyanga (music), Shailesh Bahoran (choreography) and Maarten van Hinte (libretto). “The adventures of Anansi, based on age-old West-African stories, are compiled by Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet into a whirling, imaginative music theatre performance”, writes NRC Handelsblad.
Celebrating Diversity
For Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera combine forces for the first time in the programme Celebrating Diversity, under the curatorship of pianist Djuwa Mroivili and choreographer Sedrig Verwoert. On 17 October 2021, different generations of opera, music and ballet artists share the stage, ranging from budding talent to established artists of colour. This year’s Black Achievement Month ambassador, Sebia Plantefève-Castryck, dances a new work by Verwoert, whose dance film I Feel It Too is also shown in a separate performance.
Young choreographic talent
This season, in a new edition of Made in Amsterdam, Dutch National Ballet presents new works by Young Creative Associates Wubkje Kuindersma (Anatomy of Light) and Sedrig Verwoert (Do All Dogs Go To Heaven?). Milena Sidorova (the third Young Creative Associate of Dutch National Ballet), Peter Leung, Marta Reig Torres and Zoë Greten create new works for the Junior Company’s touring programme Shooting Stars.
Nominations for Anna Tsygankova and Timothy van Poucke
Principal dancer Anna Tsygankova and soloist Timothy van Poucke are both nominated for the 'Dancer of the Year Award' in the annual Critics' Choice of the British magazine Dance Europe.
Olga Smirnova, Victor Caixeta and Ukrainian dancers opt for Dutch National Ballet
In March 2022, Olga Smirnova, a Russian prima ballerina with the world-famous Bolshoi Ballet, in Moscow, makes the switch to Dutch National Ballet, after speaking out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Victor Caixeta, a young rising star with the Mariinsky Ballet, in St Petersburg, also decides to leave Russia and join Dutch National Ballet. And several young Ukrainian dancers join the Junior Company.
Hans van Manen 90
In May and June 2022, Dutch National Ballet puts Hans van Manen’s 90th birthday in the limelight. In May, there is a tour of the Netherlands with the programme Hans van Manen 90, comprising his ballets Metaforen, Concertante and Grosse Fuge. In June, there is an extensive Hans van Manen Festival for the second time, in which a total of 19 works by the master choreographer are performed over a three-week period by Dutch National Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company, Nederlands Dans Theater 1 and 2, Introdans, the Wiener Staatsballett, Ballett Am Rhein and Stuttgarter Ballet.
After the premiere of the first of the four festival programmes, NRC writes, “Hans van Manen is undoubtedly the most celebrated choreographer of the Netherlands. After his ninetieth birthday, all that actually remains is to name a star or asteroid after him.” The newspaper commends principal dancer Olga Smirnova for her performance of Van Manen’s Frank Bridge Variations, saying “The ultra-classically formed Smirnova launches herself as a wonderful new Van Manen ballerina, charging every pose with subdued tension and worldly emotion.”
De Volkskrant praises, in particular, Van Manen’s perfect synthesis of dance and music. “Van Manen’s sophistication sometimes looks so deceptively simple, but it all depends on the timing of everyone’s bravado in giving and taking. ‘Dance is about dance, and nothing other than dance’, is how he coined his motto at an inauguration in Nijmegen, in 2000. ‘Hans is about Hans, and nothing other than Hans’: such is the precision with which the almost ninety-year-old directs this sublime interplay.”
Education project In the Future
In May 2022, for the occasion of Dutch National Ballet’s 60th anniversary, professionals and amateurs celebrate the future of dance with a specially developed education project: In the Future. In a festive performance at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, nine amateur dance groups – specialised in world dance, lindy hop, fusion, modern, Irish and Indian dance – present works they have choreographed themselves.
Ted Brandsen appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
On 30 June 2022, prior to the gala celebrating Dutch National Ballet’s 60th anniversary (see above), director and choreographer Ted Brandsen is appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. He is presented with the honour by Touria Meliani, deputy mayor of Amsterdam, for his major contribution to the international success of Dutch National Ballet. The Order of the Netherlands Lion is one of the oldest and highest civil orders of chivalry in the Netherlands.
Coppelia the film + the app
In July 2022, the animation and ballet film Coppelia is screened in Dutch cinemas, with new choreography by Ted Brandsen, inspired by his ballet of the same name. Filming started already in 2019, directed by Jeff Tudor, Steven de Beul and Ben Tesseur.
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‘Zwaan’ award for Young Gyu Choi
On 30 September 2022, at the Nederlandse Dansdagen Gala in Maastricht, Young Gyu Choi is awarded the ‘Zwaan’ for ‘Most Impressive Dance Achievement’. He receives the award for his impressive interpretation of Toer van Schayk’s 7th Symphony, in particular.
Shadows, in times of war
Whereas Dutch National Ballet originally planned to open the 2022/2023 season with the programme Celebrate (to celebrate the fact that the company could present a full season again after two ‘corona years’), the war in Ukraine prompts the decision to open with an adapted programme entitled Shadows. In order to present a relevant and meaningful programme, Kurt Jooss’ anti-war ballet The Green Table (1932) is revived. Alongside this masterpiece of 20th-century dance history, Shadows comprises the Dutch premiere of Wayne McGregor’s Yugen and the world premiere of Regnum by the Ukrainian choreographer Milena Sidorova.
Success in New York for Hans van Manen
At the beginning of October, four dancers from Dutch National Ballet take part in the American Fall for Dance Festival. For the first time in decades, the company presents a work by Hans van Manen in New York. In two completely sold-out performances at New York City Center, Maia Makhateli, Olga Smirnova, Constantine Allen and Jakob Feyferlik enthral the audience with an impeccable rendition of Variations for Two Couples.
Dawson
In December 2022, in between two series of performances of The Sleeping Beauty, Dutch National Ballet turns the spotlight on Associate Artist David Dawson, with a full evening of Dawson’s works. The programme features the world premiere of Legacy Variations – created for three male dancers in celebration of Dawson’s long relationship with Dutch National Ballet – and the revival of Dawson’s extremely successful The Four Seasons, to Max Richter’s adaptation of Vivaldi’s classic composition of the same name.
Olga Smirnova voted ‘Dancer of the Year’
At the beginning of October 2022, the British dance magazine Dance Europe nominates principal dancers Olga Smirnova and Young Gyu Choi in the category ‘Dancer of the Year’, along with ten other leading international dancers. A month later, Olga Smirnova is voted the winner of the category.
Messa da Requiem
Following Sasha Waltz’ Roméo et Juliette (2015/2016 season) and Barbora Horáková’s Missa in tempore belli (2021/2022 season), Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet combine forces again in the Gesamtkunstwerk Messa da Requiem. In this production – originally created for Opernhaus Zürich – the German choreographer and director Christian Spuck gives an impressive, deeply human interpretation of Verdi’s famous Mass, performed by new fewer than 37 dancers, more than a hundred chorus members and four vocal soloists.
Levensdans - Alexandra Radius & Han Ebbelaar
Levensdans is published by Uitgeverij Brandt on 10 November 2022. In this lavishly illustrated book, Astrid van Leeuwen records the memoirs of the most famous dance couple ever in the Netherlands: former principals Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar.
Dorian
Following the huge success of Narnia and GRIMM, choreographers Ernst Meisner and Marco Gerris create a third joint production for the dancers of Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company and ISH Dance Collective. In May 2023, the premiere takes place of Dorian, inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, the famous book by Oscar Wilde from 1891, but placed in a totally new, contemporary setting. This time, too, Meisner and Gerris blend a variety of dance styles, ranging from ballet to hiphop.
Merit Award for Jozef Varga
A few months after ending his dancing career, former principal dancer Jozef Varga receives the Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 (founded by Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar). “The Slovakian artist Jozef Varga was more than just a dancer with excellent physical capabilities – he had a very strong stage personality; modest, yet with great presence,” said the Dansersfonds jury.
Forsythe
At the Holland Festival 2023, Dutch National Ballet dances its first ever triple bill of works by the American master choreographer William Forsythe: The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, Pas/Parts 2018 and the Dutch premiere of the internationally acclaimed Blake Works 1. After seventeen years of choreographic experiment, the latter work, created in 2016 for Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris, marked Forsythe’s return to classical ballet technique, which also formed the basis for his great successes of the eighties and nineties.
Studio Boekman
The renovation of the Boekmanzaal begins in March 2023, to transform the former meeting and presentation hall of the City of Amsterdam into Studio Boekman, a new small auditorium for the sole use of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Through this new auditorium, which opens in September 2023, Dutch National Opera & Ballet aims to provide space for new talent, experiment and education.
