Naar homepage

The history of Dutch National Ballet

Explore the rich history of Dutch National Ballet through this timeline, showcasing highlights from its repertoire and tracing the company’s development since its founding in 1961. Immerse yourself in captivating stories and enjoy a wealth of rarely-seen archival images.

tien

The 10s

  • 196 New Productions
  • 136 World Premieres

11 / 12

Tien
Anniversary Gala | Photo: Angela Sterling
13 december 2011

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.

Photo: Angela Sterling

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. The programme comprises a cross-section of the company’s repertoire and various film clips of the past 50 years. Another highlight in the anniversary season is the premiere programme Present/s (see repertoire). On 30 December 2011, one of the performances of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is also livestreamed in cinemas in no fewer than 70 European cities.

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 Sleeping Beauty - Jurgita Dronina
The Sleeping Beauty - Jurgita Dronina | Photo: Angela Sterling

‘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.

Rudi van Dantzig
Rudi van Dantzig | Photo: Bob van Dantzig
19 January 2012

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.

Rudi van Dantzig | Photo: Bob van Dantzig

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. Dutch National Ballet pays tribute to Van Dantzig shortly after his death with a special memorial service in the Moses and Aaron Church, in Amsterdam, and later with a tribute programme on 9 May 2012, comprising his ballets Nachteiland, Voorbij gegaan, Four Last Songs and the fourth act of his Swan Lake. Van Dantzig’s Memories of Sonia Gaskell, the impressive biography to which he devoted the final years of his life, is published posthumously in June 2013.

R1
The nature of difference | Photo: Angela Sterling

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. 

The nature of difference The nature of difference Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

The nature of difference | Photo: Angela Sterling

The nature of difference

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. 

Jump
Photo: Hans van den Bogaard

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.

Toer van Schayk
Toer van Schayk in his studio with his portrait of Nijinsky | Photo: Marie-Jeanne van Hövell tot Westerflier

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.

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. 

Variations for two couples
4 July 2012

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.

Variations for Two Couples - Igone de Jongh and Jozef Varga | Photo: Angela Sterling
The Dutch National Canta Ballet
The Dutch National Canta Ballet - Casey Herd and Karin Spaink | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.

The Dutch National Canta Ballet The Dutch National Canta Ballet Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

The Dutch National Canta Ballet - Casey Herd and Karin Spaink | Photo: Angela Sterling

The Dutch National Canta Ballet

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. The newspaper Trouw writes, “What an exciting and daring idea to bring together these two worlds, which at first sight are completely different. Suppleness and steel, health and illness, movement and standstill.” The NTR broadcasts a four-part television series about the creative process of this special production, directed by Maartje Nevejan.

12 / 13

1 August 2012

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.

Short time together
Short time together - Erica Horwood and Matthew Golding | Photo: Angela Sterling

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. 

Nachtparade (follow-up project) - ensemble | Photo: Anna van Kooij

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.

Nachtparade (follow-up project) - ensemble | Photo: Anna van Kooij
Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Pfoto: Angela Sterling
13 December 2012

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.

Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Photo: Angela Sterling
Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Photo: Angela Sterling Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Photo: Angela Sterling Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Photo: Angela Sterling

Cinderella - Matthew Golding and Anna Tsygankova  | Photo: Angela Sterling Cinderella - Matthew Golding and Anna Tsygankova  | Photo: Angela Sterling Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Cinderella - Matthew Golding and Anna Tsygankova  | Photo: Angela Sterling

Cinderella - Matthew Golding, Remi Wörtmeyer, Larissa Lezhnina and Megan Zimny Gray | Photo: Angela Sterling
Cinderella - Matthew Golding and Anna Tsygankova  | Photo: Angela Sterling

Christopher Wheeldon’s award-winning Cinderella

In his version, Cinderella is not an obedient drudge, but a young woman who bears her fate with head held high. For his production, Wheeldon collaborates with a team of top designers, including Julian Crouch, Basil Twist and Natasha Katz. At the premiere performance, the main roles are danced by Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding. “Dutch National Ballet’s new Cinderella is definitely sparkling (..) a kaleidoscopic diversity of scenes, and a dynamic, cinematographic effect created by working magic with projections and playing tricks with scenery”, writes NRC Handelsblad. And Trouw writes, “Cinderella, Dutch National Ballet’s new epic production, is full of theatrical surprises that are thought out down to the last detail. It would be a shame to give them away – much more fun to go and discover them yourself.” For his production, Wheeldon is awarded the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse, also known as ‘the Oscar of dance’.

Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon | Photo: Angela Sterling

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

Matthew Rowe
Matthew Rowe | Photo: Altin Kaftira
1 January 2013

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.

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. 

Sacre du Printemps
Sacre du Printemps - ensemble | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.”

Sacre du Printemps Sacre du Printemps Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Sacre du Printemps - ensemble | Photo: Angela Sterling

Overture Overture Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Overture - Jozef Varga and Vera Tsyganova | Photo: Angela Sterling

Sacre du Printemps
Overture

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.” Dawson’s Overture puts classical ballet in top gear, whereas Shen Wei’s Sacre du Printemps demands a subdued virtuosity and organic flow of its dancers”, according to de Volkskrant. And Theaterkrant.nl characterises the production as an “exceptionally good programme”, in which the two choreographers work with a “mathematical precision”.

A few months after the premiere, Dawson’s Overture is nominated for the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance production’. 

13 / 14

Junior Company
Junior Company | Photo: Erwin Olaf

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.

Junior Company

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.

Ernst Meisner is appointed artistic coordinator of the Junior Company. At the gala to open Dutch National Ballet’s new season (which has become an annual tradition since 2011), the new junior group make their debut in Lollapalooza, choreographed especially for the occasion by Meisner. The Junior Company start their first tour of the Netherlands in November 2013, with an extremely varied programme of excerpts from well-known classical ballets, contemporary works and some newly created pieces. 

Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy
Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy

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. 

Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy

Poster Dancers of Tomorrow | Photo: Antoinette Mooy

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. To underline this intensified relationship, Ted Brandsen had already created the ballet Verge for academy students a few months earlier. The ballet was premiered at the Assemblée Internationale 2013 in Toronto, and was performed again in June 2013 at Dancers of Tomorrow, the academy’s annual end-of-year performance.

The body of Dutch National Ballet
The body of Dutch National Ballet - ensemble | Photo: Alwin Poiana

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. 

The body of Dutch National Ballet The body of Dutch National Ballet Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

The body of Dutch National Ballet - ensemble | Photo: Alwin Poiana

The body of Dutch National Ballet

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. The new work is combined in a programme that includes Hans van Manen’s Corps, prompting the following statement from the newspaper Trouw: “It is dangerous to juxtapose work by Greco and Scholten, who do not shy away from kitsch as a stylistic device, with that of Van Manen, a choreographer whose maxim is ‘less is more’. But it is evident how impressive Dutch National Ballet’s corps de ballet is.” 

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."

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 | Photo: Luuk Kramer
Dutch National Opera & Ballet | Photo: Luuk Kramer

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 Paris
Fashion show by Viktor&Rolf in Paris | Photographer unknown

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.

Shapes
Shapes - Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling

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).

Shapes Shapes Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Shapes - Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling

Romance Romance Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Romance - Erica Horwood and Peter Leung | Photo: Angela Sterling

Shapes
Romance

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).

“So this is how exciting and alive neoclassical dance can be. In Dutch Doubles, Dutch National Ballet couples four choreographers with Dutch artists from different disciplines, from Rineke Dijkstra to Viktor&Rolf. The result is creditable”, writes De Telegraaf in a four-star review. Six months after its world premiere, Simons' Romance receives the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance production’. With hindsight, it turns out that Van Manen’s Dances with Harp is the last ballet to be created in the Netherlands by the choreographer, who is 81 at the time (six months later, he creates Alltag for Ballett am Rhein in Düsseldorf). 

Larissa Lezhnina and Remi Wörtmeyer
Frank Bridge Variations - Larissa Lezhnina and Remi Wörtmeyer | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.

The tempest

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.

The Tempest - ensemble | Photo: Angela Sterling

14 / 15

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.  

Larissa Lezhnina
Raymonda, Grand Pas Classique - Larissa Lezhnina | Photographer unknown

‘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.

Giselle
Giselle - Ensemble with Eberhard van der Laan, in China | Photo: Wassink Lundgren

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.

Giselle China Giselle China Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Giselle - Ensemble with Eberhard van der Laan, in China | Photo: Wassink Lundgren

Giselle China

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. In March 2015, Dutch National Ballet dances five performances at the Grand Theatre, in Hong Kong, where it presents the Asian premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella. Like last season, the company is once again invited to the Dance Open Festival in St Petersburg, and the season closes in July 2015 with six performances of Cinderella at the Coliseum in London. Wheeldon’s ballet is accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Matthew Rowe, who are heaped with praise by the British press. The great success leads to the performance being included in the list of ‘Best plays on now in London’. In a four-star review, the Guardian writes, "Christopher Wheeldon’s recasting of the rags-to-riches story as a fable about love and nature is magical and beautifully danced." 

Ted
Ted Brandsen | Photo: Erwin Olaf

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.”

David
David Dawson | Photo: Angela Sterling
1 January 2015

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. 

Dame
La Dame aux Camélias - Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.

La Dame aux Camélias La Dame aux Camélias Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

La Dame aux Camélias - Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker | Photo: Angela Sterling

La Dame aux Camélias

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. "Dutch National Ballet has surpassed itself (..) Everything works in this ballet, which was choreographed in 1978 by John Neumeier for Stuttgarter Ballett, has since travelled all over the world and now ‘finally’ been added to the repertoire of the Amsterdam company”, writes Noordhollands Dagblad. De Volkskrant is more reticent, yet full of praise for how the ballet is performed: “Of course, it is a frightful story (..) But fortunately Dutch National Ballet has stars like Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker in its ranks (..) With awe-inspiring empathy and brilliant technique, they regularly make you forget the story. This makes the ballet a nice acquisition for the company after all.”

Narnia
Narnia | Photo: Michel Schnater

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. 

Narnia

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. Even better – they are a great match. And they explain one another. The expressive power of hiphop is rubbed into balletomanes. And those who spurn classical ballet as elitism with ethereal fairies in tutus see here how powerful and relevant it actually is”, writes NRC Handelsblad.

Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.

Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling
Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling

Empire Noir - Vito Mazzeo, Suzanna Kaic and Sasha Mukhamedov | Foto: Angela Sterling Empire Noir - Vito Mazzeo, Suzanna Kaic and Sasha Mukhamedov | Foto: Angela Sterling Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Empire Noir - Vito Mazzeo, Suzanna Kaic and Sasha Mukhamedov | Photo: Angela Sterling

Concerto Concordia - Matthew Sinclair, Erica Horwood, Anatole Babenko en Maria Chugai | Photo: Angela Sterling Concerto Concordia - Matthew Sinclair, Erica Horwood, Anatole Babenko en Maria Chugai | Photo: Angela Sterling Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Concerto Concordia - Matthew Sinclair, Erica Horwood, Anatole Babenko and Maria Chugai | Photo: Angela Sterling

Chroma - Maia Makhateli and Vito Mazzeo | Photo: Angela Sterling
Empire Noir - Vito Mazzeo, Suzanna Kaic and Sasha Mukhamedov | Foto: Angela Sterling
Concerto Concordia - Matthew Sinclair, Erica Horwood, Anatole Babenko en Maria Chugai | Photo: Angela Sterling

Cool Britannia

The all-British programme Cool Britannia, which Dutch National Ballet presents for the Holland Festival in 2015, comprises the Dutch premiere of Wayne McGregor’s masterpiece Chroma (which received the Critics’ Circle Award, the South Bank Show Award, the Laurence Oliver Award and the Golden Mask Award) and the world premieres of David Dawson’s Empire Noir and Christopher Wheeldon’s Concerto Concordia. De Telegraaf writes, "Dutch National Ballet closes its season with a real stunner. In Cool Britannia, the company dances no fewer than two world premieres and one Dutch premiere by world leaders from Britain. And to top it all, the third ballet, Wayne McGregor’s highly acclaimed Chroma, ends in a fantastic crescendo of dance and music.”

15 / 16

Maia
Maia Makhateli and Alexandra Radius | Photo: Michel Schnater

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
Mata Hari - Anna Tsygankova | Photo: Marc Haegeman
6 February 2016

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).

Mata Hari Mata Hari Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Mata Hari - Anna Tsygankova | Photo: Marc Haegeman

Mata Hari
6 February 2016

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). At the premiere performance, the title role in the ballet is performed by principal dancer Anna Tsygankova, who later receives the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance achievement’ for her interpretation. In a five-star review, Bachtrack writes, "It is not just a biography but an emotional journey of great depth with character development. Brandsen knows how to capture the audience with an excellent balance of narrative elements, emotional expression and dance which definitely pays tribute to the fascinating person Mata Hari was."

Clara Superfine
No time before time - Clara Superfine (Junior Company) | Photo: Michel Schnater
6 February 2016

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

Tarantella Pas de Deux - Maia Makhateli en Remi Wörtmeyer | Foto: Angela Sterling

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.

Tarantella Pas de Deux - Maia Makhateli and Remi Wörtmeyer | Photo: Angela Sterling
Romeo et Juliette
Roméo et Juliette - Vito Mazzeo (in the middle) | Photo: Monika Ritterhaus

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.

Romeo et Juliette Romeo et Juliette Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Roméo et Julliete - Vito Mazzeo (in the middle) | Photo: Monika Ritterhuis

Romeo et Juliette

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. Theaterkrant.nl writes, “Roméo et Juliette contains carefully drawn-out scenes, in which the themes are explored in more and more depth, both in dance and in music. It leaves a lasting impression. If the production is a precursor of how the Amsterdam marriage will turn out, it is a very promising one.”

Remi Anna Ted
Remi Wörtmeyer, Anna Tsygankova and Ted Brandsen | Photographer unknown

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.

Merge
Merge - Martin ten Kortenaar and Igone de Jongh | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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).

Merge Merge Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Merge - Martin ten Kortenaar and Igone de Jongh | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Year of the rabbit Year of the rabbit Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Year of the Rabbit - Young Guy Choi | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Merge
Year of the rabbit

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). "In 2012, Year of the Rabbit formed the breakthrough of Peck, who was just 25 at the time. And I understand why. This must be wonderful to dance. The dancers’ pleasure radiates from the stage”, writes Dans Magazine. And de Volkskrant writes about Merge, “A nicely typified, beautifully danced encounter between a mature, cautious woman  (Igone de Jongh) and a young lad (Martin ten Kortenaar), who come together despite their differences.”

Hans van Manen
Hans van Manen | Photo Republic; Bibi Neuray
31 July 2016

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.”

16 / 17

VR reality
Photo: Altin Kaftira

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.

Toer
Toer during a rehearsal of Episodes van Fragmenten - Toer van Schayk, Young Gyu Choi and Qian Liu | Photo: Altin Kaftira
28 September 2017

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. 

Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi
Episodes van Fragmenten - Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Episodes van Fragmenten - Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Qian Liu and Young Gyu Choi

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. Other works on the programme are Rudi van Dantzig’s Four Last Songs and Hans van Manen’s Adagio Hammerklavier. De Volkskrant writes, "Episodes van Fragmenten is a light-hearted and tender game, whereby phrases and scenes are continually interrupted. Fragmented memories of a love or loves, which come and go. How symbolic for a festive jubilee like this.”

Igone de Jongh and Eberhard van der Laan | Photo: Jeroen Staats

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

Igone de Jongh and Eberhard van der Laan | Photo: Jeroen Staats

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.

Concerto barocco
Concerto Barocco - Anu Viheriäranta (2010) | Photo: Angela Sterling

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.

Concerto Barocco Concerto Barocco Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Concerto Barocco - Anu Viheriäranta (2010) | Photo: Angela Sterling

Concerto Barocco

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. The jury says about Tsygankova, “Little by little, and extremely intelligently, she gradually reveals and portrays her character. With her legendary technique, powerful personality and wonderful presentation, the world-class ballerina Anna Tsygankova portrays her Mata Hari like a new classic.” And about De Jongh, the jury says, “She is a role model for many and a source of inspiration to ambitious Dutch dancers. She is the epitome of the international quality of our small country.” Stage manager and former principal dancer Anu Viheriäranta receives the Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79, for “all the qualities she has demonstrated and for the courage and perseverance she has shown in continuing to serve the art of dance in the Netherlands.” 

Peter Leung
Peter Leung | Photo: Altin Kaftira
1 January 2017

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.

Peter Leung
Juanjo

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. The support they get includes commissioning choreographic works, making studios and dancers available to them, and mentoring them in making artistic decisions. In May 2017, the company also launches another new initiative: the Choreographic Academy, where young choreographers are given the opportunity to work for three weeks with young dancers from the Junior Company and Dutch National Ballet.

nnb
Photographer unknown

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.

nnb

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. “The fact that this conference took place in Amsterdam is no surprise, as the city houses one of the best companies in the world. This is undeniably reconfirmed by Dutch National Ballet, in Made in Amsterdam”, writes Noordhollands Dagblad. Soloist Edo Wijnen is nominated for the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance achievement’ for his solo role in Dawson’s Citizen Nowhere, and is awarded the Alexandra Radius Prize for the same role, in 2019.

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.

Repetitiefoto met Alexei Ratmansky
Rehearsal photo with Alexei Ratmansky | Photo: Altin Kaftira

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.”

YPC

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.

Hans van Manen ensemble | Foto: Angela Sterling

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. 

Hans van Manen with ensemble | Photo: Angela Sterling

17 / 18

Rachel
Rachel Beaujean | Photographer unknown

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.

Alltag
Alltag - Martin Schläpfer | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Ode to the Master

In September 2017, for the occasion of the 85th 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. 

Alltag Alltag Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Alltag - Martin Schläpfer | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Alltag

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. Especially for the opening night on 15 September – which is attended by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima – Ode to the Master is expanded by Van Manen’s last choreographic work, Alltag, which he created in 2014 for choreographer and artistic director Martin Schläpfer and dancers of his company, Ballett am Rhein. "Ode to the Master is a treat of a performance (..) The four dance works are constructed with such precision – Van Manen’s trademark – that you cannot miss a single step”, writes De Groene Amsterdammer.

Hans van Manen | Photo: Erwin Olaf
Hans van Manen | Photo: Erwin Olaf

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.

Marijn en Anna
Marijn Rademaker and Anna Ol | Photographer unknown

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

Marijn Rademaker en Anna Ol Marijn Rademaker en Anna Ol Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Marijn Rademaker and Anna Ol | Photographer unknown

Marijn Rademaker en Anna Ol

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. In April 2018, the company returns again, to perform at the Dance Open Festival in St Petersburg, presenting works by Van Manen, Dawson, Ratmansky, Wheeldon and Pastor. At the festival, principal dancer Marijn Rademaker receives the Grand Prix and principal dancer Anna Ol is declared Miss Virtuosity. At the same time, there is a retrospective of ballet photographs by Erwin Olaf in the Erarta Museum, in St Petersburg.

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.

Fingers in the air
Fingers in the Air - ensemble | Photo: Michel Schnater

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. 

Fingers in the Air Fingers in the Air Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Fingers in the Air - ensemble | Photo: Michel Schnater

Fingers in the Air

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.

Later in the season, the premiere takes place of the new family performance GRIMM, the second collaboration between the Junior Company and ISH Dance Collective, freely inspired by the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Trouw writes, "GRIMM is without doubt the most imaginative dance performance of this theatre season.”

Last Resistance
Last Resistance - Wende Snijders and ensemble | PHoto: Hans Gerritsen

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.

Last Resistance Last Resistance Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Last Resistance - Wende Snijders and ensemble | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Last Resistance

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. De Volkskrant writes, “The Dutch Doubles present spectacle in fourfold. Like a raging, rocking dance storm.” And Trouw writes, “It is worth stepping out of your comfort zone, as shown by Dutch National Ballet in Dutch Doubles (..) The highlight is the double act between Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and the Netherlands’ most remarkable female singer Wende. To excerpts from her album Last Resistance, she challenges 32 dancers, who form a counterforce to Wende’s ineluctable voice, like rearing parade horses.”

Tristan en Isolde
Tristan + Isolde - Sasha Mukhamedov and James Stout | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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."

 

Tristan + Isolde Tristan + Isolde Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Tristan + Isolde - Sasha Mukhamedov and James Stout | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Tristan + Isolde

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."

Immediately after the opening night performance, artistic director Ted Brandsen promotes dancer James Stout (who danced the role of Tristan) to principal dancer.

18 / 19

Dance week
Dance week in Dutch National Opera & Ballet| Photo: Wim Robberechts

Dance week for youngsters who have Down’s syndrome

In 2019, in collaboration with United Dance, Dutch National Ballet organises its first dance week especially for youngsters and young adults who have Down’s syndrome. Comprising a completely customised six-day workshop, given by professional dancers, teachers and inclusive dance specialists, the dance week is held in the safe environment of the dance studios and accompanied by live music. This initiative has since become an annual event and the programme has now been expanded with a Choreography Workshop, in which the participants learn a choreographic work that they present at the end of the week, as well as creating their own dances.

Lowlands
Lowlands | Photo: Michel Schnater

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. 

Timothy
Ted Brandsen, Alexandra Radius and Timothy van Poucke | Photo: Michel Schnater

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.

Timothy Timothy Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Ted Brandsen, Alexandra Radius and Timothy van Poucke | Photo: Michel Schnater

Timothy

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. The extremely varied gala programme includes Van Dantzig’s Voorbij gegaan and excerpts from his version of Swan Lake. The annual gala is also the occasion for the Friends of Dutch National Ballet to present the Alexandra Radius Prize, which this year goes for the first time to a dancer who is not yet a soloist: Timothy van Poucke. The jury says, “His fantastic interpretation of the role of Basilio in Don Quixote, as well as all the other roles he has danced in the past season, proves how extraordinarily talented this young dancer is.” 

Ernst
Ernst Meisner and Marco Gerris | Photo: Altin Kaftira

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. 

Serenade after Plato's Symposium
Serenade after Plato's Symposium - Igone de Jongh, Edo Wijnen, Timothy van Poucke, Constantine Allen and Jozef Varga | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

The New Classics

In September 2018, following the gala to open the season (see above), 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). 

Serenade after Plato's Symposium Serenade after Plato's Symposium Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Serenade after Plato's Symposium - Igone de Jongh, Edo Wijnen, Timothy van Poucke, Constantine Allen and Jozef Varga | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Dances at gathering Dances at gathering Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Dances at a gathering - Qian Liu, Nancy Burer and Anna Ol | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Serenade after Plato's Symposium
Dances at gathering

The New Classics

In September 2018, following the gala to open the season (see above), 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). De Volkskrant writes, “Dutch National Ballet has dived headlong into the new season (..) Straight away, The New Classics is a must, with three diverse works, each fascinating, in which the dancers look like fish in water.” The New York Times calls Ratmansky’s work “probably the most important ballet of the 21st century”. 

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.” 

Ted en Michaela
Ted Brandsen and Michaela DePrince | Photo: Kim Krijnen

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.   

nnb
Photo: Piek Kock

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.  

Requiem
Requiem - Constantine Allen, Jared Wright, Sem Sjouke and Daniel Montero Real | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

Requiem - Constantine Allen, Jared Wright, Sem Sjouke and Daniel Montero Real | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Requiem - Constantine Allen, Jared Wright, Sem Sjouke and Daniel Montero Real | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Requiem - Constantine Allen, Jared Wright, Sem Sjouke and Daniel Montero Real | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Requiem - Constantine Allen, Jared Wright, Sem Sjouke and Daniel Montero Real | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

“In between the extremes of light and dark, there is a field of tension filled with life and energy. David Dawson’s choreography is constructed from complex, alternating and rapidly overlapping patterns (..) His vocabulary is virtuoso (..) Dutch National Ballet’s new Requiem is a strong programme with an enormous wealth of ideas in the dance and music. A programme to be seen at least once more”, writes Theaterkrant.nl. 

Ignite
Ignite - Anna Tsygankova and Young Gyu Choi | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

Ignite Ignite Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Ignite - Anna Tsygankova and Young Gyu Choi | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Kleines Requiem Kleines Requiem Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Kleines Requiem - Timothy van Poucke and Constantine Allen | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Pas/Parts 2018 Pas/Parts 2018 Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Pas/Parts 2018 - Riho Sakamoto and ensemble | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Ignite
Kleines Requiem
Pas/Parts 2018

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 National Ballet proves itself one of the best in the world”, reads Trouw’s heading about the programme as a whole. And de Volkskrant writes about Pas/Parts 2018, "How delightful to see the fantastic dancers of Dutch National Ballet dancing ‘their steps’ with such assurance and power.”

Keso Dekker
Keso Dekker and Ted Brandsen | Photo: Michel Schnater

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 above). 

19 / 20

Diamonds
Diamonds - Xander Parish and Maria Khoreva | Photo: Michel Schnater

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
Ballet Imperial - Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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. 

Ballet Imperial - Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Ballet Imperial - Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Ballet Imperial - Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Ballet Imperial - Maia Makhateli | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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. Het Parool writes,

"In Ballet Imperial, Balanchine reduces the splendour of the tsarist court to an abstraction (..) There was warm (well deserved) applause from the audience for principal dancers Maia Makhateli, Artur Shesterikov and Riho Sakamoto. Yet the true power of this ballet lies in the ensemble sections, in which the roundness of the tutus is reflected in whirling circular patterns.”

Prijs Brandsen
Raquel van Haver, Ted Brandsen and Aboozar Amini | Photo: Eva Plevier

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”.

Raquel van Haver, Ted Brandsen and Aboozar Amini | Photo: Eva Plevier Raquel van Haver, Ted Brandsen and Aboozar Amini | Photo: Eva Plevier Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Raquel van Haver, Ted Brandsen and Aboozar Amini | Photo: Eva Plevier

Raquel van Haver, Ted Brandsen and Aboozar Amini | Photo: Eva Plevier

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”.

Brandsen immediately decides to use half of the prize money for a scholarship fund that gives children from disadvantaged families the opportunity to train at the Dutch National Ballet Academy. This Dance Talent Fund is set up a year later: https://www.danstalenten.nl/ 

Igone
Igone de Jongh and Femke Halsema | Photo: Michel Schnater
31 October 2019

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.  

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'.

Theresa Ruth Howard
Theresa Ruth Howard | Photographer unknown

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.

bezoeker
Floor Eimers and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Altin Kaftira
14 December 2019

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. 

nnb
Photographer unknown

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.

Frida
Frida | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
6 February 2020

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. 

Frida
Frida

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.

Het Parool writes, "Lopez Ochoa transcends the anecdotal right from the word go (..) The self-portraits of Frida, danced by men, come to life in masterly group sections (..) In the title role, Maia Makhateli excels not just technically, but also dramatically. Her Frida is an absolute ode to the joy of life and to feminine resilience.” And Dance International writes, "The complex story is deftly handled, there is plenty of inventive choreography and a slew of excellent performances. The costumes are no small part of the success and Ochoa weaves these strands together in a ballet that has both entertainment value and depth."

Sebia Plantefève-Castryck
Gently Quiet - Sebia Plantefève-Castryck | Photo: Peter Leung

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. 

Gently Quiet - Sebia Plantefève-Castryck | Photo: Peter Leung Gently Quiet - Sebia Plantefève-Castryck | Photo: Peter Leung Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Gently Quiet - Sebia Plantefève-Castryck | Photo: Peter Leung

Gently Quiet - Sebia Plantefève-Castryck | Photo: Peter Leung

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. From the beginning of June 2020, after trying to keep in shape at home for months, the dancers can come back to the studios again to rehearse, albeit in small groups and distanced from one another. On 15 June, the online premiere takes place of The Prometheus Project, comprising solos by Wubkje Kuindersma, Ernst Meisner and Remi Wörtmeyer. Dance Tabs writes, "Meisner’s Eagle was a powerful solo for Sem Sjouke", "A brief work of remarkable imagery, powerfully performed" (about Wörtmeyer’s solo) and "This was the least adorned piece, with no design accoutrements, relying on the simple classicism of Kuindersma’s choreography, which fully utilised the space, alongside Kaftira’s roving camerawork."

Safe Distance Ballet with G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli and Manu Kumar | Foto: Lesley Weitjes
12 March 2020

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.

Safe Distance Ballet met G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli en Manu Kumar | Foto: Lesley Weitjes
Safe Distance Ballet with G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli and Manu Kumar | Foto: Lesley Weitjes Safe Distance Ballet with G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli and Manu Kumar | Foto: Lesley Weitjes Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Safe Distance Ballet with G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli and Manu Kumar | Photo: Lesley Weitjes

Safe Distance Ballet with G-Star Raw - Kira Hilli and Manu Kumar | Foto: Lesley Weitjes
12 March 2020

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.

  • The online streams offered by Dutch National Ballet in 2020 are viewed by 402,940 people; in 2021, the number is 173,729. 
  • The online ballet classes given by Ernst Meisner, Caroline Sayo Iura and Larissa Lezhnina during the corona pandemic are taken by dancers and dance students all over the world. The classes have now been viewed by more than four million people. 
  • In 2020, Dutch National Opera & Ballet reaches 25.6 million people on social media, and in 2021 it reaches over 15 million.

20 / 21

L'autre coté
L'autre coté | Photo: Michel Schnater
17 September 2020

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

Kaddish Kaddish Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Kaddish - Jakob Feyferlik and Qian Liu | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Largo Largo Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Largo - Claire Tjoe-Fat | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

L'autre coté | Photo: Michel Schnater
Kaddish
Largo

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.

Dancing Apart Together comprises no fewer than eight world premieres, by Ted Brandsen, Ernst Meisner, Juanjo Arqués, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Sedrig Verwoert and Milena Sidorova, supplemented by existing works by Hans van Manen and David Dawson, with the addition of Michel Fokine’s legendary solo The Dying Swan as the opening piece. Trouw writes, “Following months of enforced lockdown, this is a powerful message: Dutch National Ballet is going for it. And how ! With no fewer than twelve different ballets in one evening, including a remarkable number of group works”. And de Volkskrant writes, “Van Manen’s masterly Solo and his world-famous video ballet Live turned out to be the highlights of the start of this adapted new ballet season.”

Maia
Maia Makhateli

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.

Timothy van Poucke
Solo - Timothy van Poucke | Photo: Jean van Lingen

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.

Classical Symphony
Classical Symphony - Jared Wright and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Hans Gerritsen
13 October 2020

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.

Classical Symphony - Jared Wright and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Classical Symphony - Jared Wright and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Hans Gerritsen Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Classical Symphony - Jared Wright and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Classical Symphony - Jared Wright and Martin ten Kortenaar | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

After that, the permitted audience number is reduced to just 30, which prompts Dutch National Ballet to switch to livestreams of both programmes, alongside giving a few live performances for a select small audience (including healthcare workers). An important eye-catcher in Back to Ballet - Classic is the world premiere of Ted Brandsen’s male ballet Classical Symphony. "In Classical Symphony, Brandsen pays tribute to the dancers of Dutch National Ballet. Three sections from Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 drive the dancers in patterns that are swingingly modern and classical in equal measure. Brandsen shows off the male dancers’ mastery of technical feats like fast turns and high leaps, and their perfectly synchronised arsenal of movements”, writes Theaterkrant.nl. In Back to Ballet – Contemporary, Juanjo Arqués' Manoeuvre is premiered. De Volkskrant writes, “Particularly the canon form, in which the seven dancers subtly change their movement vocabulary or successively break out of the lines, makes Manoeuvre a strong ballet.”

Cast Mr and Mrs Perfect
Cast Mr and Mrs Perfect | Photo: Kim Krijnen

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.

Milena Sidorova
Milena Sidorova | Photo: Sebastien Galtier

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. 

Milena
Wubkje
Sedrig

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. In the coming three years, they will regularly create new work for the company. They are also given access to the dancers and the rehearsal studios of Dutch National Ballet and receive guidance in making artistic decisions.

METAMORPHOSIS
METAMORPHOSIS | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Livestreams

After Back to Ballet, Dutch National Ballet is still restricted to livestreams for the time being, due to the corona measures. 

METAMORPHOSIS | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Livestreams

After Back to Ballet, Dutch National Ballet is still restricted to livestreams for the time being, due to the corona measures. The programmes shown online in the period December 2020 to May 2021 include a specially compiled Christmas Gala (6864 views), the programme Hans van Manen Variations (6715 views), a Spring Special (2697 views), the world premiere of David Dawson’s METAMORPHOSIS (47,335 views), Wubkje Kuindersma's Architecture of Hope (2365 views) and a trilogy of new works by Young Creative Associates Wubkje Kuindersma, Milena Sidorova and Sedrig Verwoert (in total 41,442 views). 

Stijn
Stijn Schoonderwoerd | Photo: Milagro Elstak

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. 

Rachel Beaujean
Rachel Beaujean | Photo: Erwin Olaf
30 March 2021

The Hans van Manen Foundation is established

On 30 March 2021, the Hans van Manen Foundation is established. The primary aim of the foundation is ‘conserving, managing and archiving the Dutch cultural heritage of the choreographic work of Hans van Manen’. On the same date, the board of the foundation (comprising Ted Brandsen, Henk van Dijk, Rien Meppelink and Oscar Hammerstein) appoints Rachel Beaujean director of the Van Manen Foundation, at the express request of Van Manen himself. She is therefore given official responsibility for all the stagings of Van Manen’s ballets, both in the Netherlands and worldwide.

Koningin Maxima
Anna Tsygankova and Constantine Allen in Embrace | Photo: screenshot TV-recording

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 choreography Embrace 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 music for the new duet - Astor Piazzolla's Adiós Nonino and Ariel Ramírez' Alfonsina y el mar - is performed live by bandoneon player Carel Kraayenhof, together with musicians Juan Pablo Dobal and Douwe Eisses and singer Izaline Calister.

The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons - Constantine Allen and Floor Eimers | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

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.

The Four Seasons The Four Seasons Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

The Four Seasons - Constantine Allen and Floor Eimers | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Prometheus Prometheus Open afbeelding in een nieuw tabblad

Prometheus - Timothy van Poucke and ensemble | Photo: Hans Gerritsen

The Four Seasons
Prometheus

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.

Dawson’s The Four Seasons gets rave reviews: "The Four Seasons is one of those blissful moments when dance, music and design chassé into alignment to create a moment of sublime beauty." And the same goes for Wheeldon’s The Two of Us: "I’ve never seen a more sincere, open-hearted, grounded work from Wheeldon (..) The dancers look like themselves, moving not so much with but through the music, feeling its vibe, and letting themselves be carried away by it (..) utterly genuine, heart-catching. I found myself holding back tears."

Season
11 / 12