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.
The 10s
- 196 New Productions
- 136 World Premieres
11 / 12
Fiftieth anniversary
Dutch National Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary. The anniversary season opens with a special gala on 13 September 2011, attended by Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima. The gala is shown live in ten Pathé cinemas and on Cultura TV.
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.
‘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.
Death of Rudi van Dantzig
On 19 January 2012, former artistic director Rudi van Dantzig dies at the age of 78, following a period of illness. As a ballet leader, he succeeded in forging Dutch National Ballet into an entity and placing it on the international map. As a choreographer, too, he put an important mark on the company’s identity with his interpretations of the full-length ballets Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, as well as with dozens of his contemporary and often socially critical ballets.
Present/s
One of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations is the double programme Present/s in February 2012, which premieres nine new works by leading choreographers: Juanjo Arqués, Ted Brandsen, David Dawson, Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, Hans van Manen, Krzysztof Pastor, Alexei Ratmansky, Ton Simons and Christopher Wheeldon. Keso Dekker designs the sets for all nine ballets and the costumes for some of them. "Startänzer, Ausnahme-Choreographen. Ballett auf der Höhe unser Zeit", writes Frankfurter Allgemeine, and the opinion of Moskovskie Novosti is, "An example to be followed. Maybe our theater managers (..) should be sent for training to Holland to learn how to do Jubilees."
Present/s is dedicated to Rudi van Dantzig.
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.
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.
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.
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.
12 / 13
Appointment of Els van der Plas and merger
On 1 August 2012, Els van der Plas takes up the position of general director of the Music Theatre (now Dutch National Opera & Ballet). The company says farewell to director Truze Lodder after 25 years, who is appointed Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau for her important services, as well as receiving the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal from the City of Amsterdam.
On 1 January 2013, De Nederlandse Opera, Dutch National Ballet and the Music Theatre take the final step towards becoming a leading national institution for opera and ballet, through a merger. The new organisation is led by general director Van der Plas, director of ballet Ted Brandsen and director of opera Pierre Audi.
Awards for Matthew Golding and Marijn Rademaker
Principal dancer Matthew Golding wins the ‘Zwaan’ award for ‘Most impressive dance achievement’ in 2012, for his role in Short Time Together by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. And Stichting Dansersfonds '79 awards the Special Prize to Marijn Rademaker, who made his debut with Dutch National Ballet in 2011 as a guest artist.
1001 Nights + performance for the Food Bank
In October 2012, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Nieuw-West district of Amsterdam, Dutch National Ballet collaborates on 1001 Nights. The programme is an encounter between dancers from the company and a variety of dance groups from Amsterdam Nieuw-West, including Turkish dance, Bollywood and hiphop. In December 2012, Dutch National Ballet gives a private performance of Cinderella for the clients and volunteers of the Amsterdam Food Bank.
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.
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
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.
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.”
13 / 14
Junior Company
In August 2013, the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company is founded, resulting from an intensive collaboration between Dutch National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet Academy. The Junior Company coaches young, talented Dutch and international dancers between the ages of 18 and 21, offering them the opportunity to gain extensive stage experience on their own theatre tours, as well as in Dutch National Ballet’s big, full-length productions.
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.
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.
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
At the beginning of 2014, the home of Dutch National Ballet, De Nederlandse Opera and the Amsterdam Music Theatre is given its new, current name: Dutch National Opera & Ballet. For the occasion, De Nederlandse Opera is rechristened Dutch National Opera, and a new corporate style is launched.
Fashion show by Viktor&Rolf
In January 2014, female dancers from Dutch National Ballet give a radiant appearance at the Viktor&Rolf fashion show in Paris. Artistic director Ted Brandsen does the choreography, for which the dancers walk continuously on pointe.
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).
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
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
15 / 16
Gala dedicated to Alexandra Radius
The annual gala with which Dutch National Ballet has been opening its theatre season since 2011 is dedicated this time to former principal dancer Alexandra Radius. 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the end of her long and impressive dancing career (20 years of which she spent with Dutch National Ballet). At the gala, Radius presents the award named after her, the Alexandra Radius Prize, for the 27th time, to principal dancer Maia Makhateli.
Mata Hari
On 6 February 2016, the world premiere takes place of Ted Brandsen’s second full-length production: Mata Hari, based on the extraordinary life of the Frisian dancer and spy Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (1876-1917). The British composer Tarik O'Regan writes new music especially for the production, and Brandsen’s team also includes dramaturge Janine Brogt and designers Clement & Sanôu (sets and lighting) and François-Noël Cherpin (costumes).
Junior Company performs at the finale of the Prix de Lausanne
On 6 February 2016, the Junior Company gives a special performance at the finale of the prestigious dance competition Prix de Lausanne. The dancers of the company share the stage with the Russian star ballerina Diana Vishneva. The Junior Company dances Hans van Manen’s Trois gnossiennes and Ernst Meisner’s new work No Time Before Time, and Vishneva performs Marco Goecke’s Tué.
New Balanchine
A new edition of the programme Best of Balanchine sees the addition to Dutch National Ballet’s repertoire of its 33rd work (and its last to date) by the grand master of 20th-century ballet: Tarantella Pas de Deux. “A virtuoso succession of displays of bravura (..) Remi Wörtmeyer’s impossibly high jumps in the air are impressive. And what a delight it is to watch Maia Makhateli accelerate in her so accurately placed pirouettes. Their teamwork, filled with zest and brilliance, borders on the magical”, writes Trouw.
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.
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.
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).
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
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.
Gala dedicated to Igone de Jongh and Toer van Schayk
The annual gala to open the season is dedicated this year to Igone de Jongh, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary as a dancer with Dutch National Ballet, and to Toer van Schayk, who is celebrating his 80th birthday on 28 September 2017.
New work by Toer van Schayk
The programme Dutch Masters, in which Dutch National Ballet pays tribute to Toer van Schayk, includes his masterpiece Requiem, as well as his new creation: the duet Episodes van Fragmenten.
Royal honours
Both artists also receive royal honours this season. Toer van Schayk is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. He is presented with the honour by Minister Jet Bussemaker on 14 September 2016, at the premiere performance of Dutch Masters (see repertoire), a tribute programme dedicated to him. On 10 December 2016, Igone de Jongh is appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, presents her with the honour after the opening night of Coppelia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
17 / 18
Rachel Beaujean appointed associate artistic director and Officer
In September 2017, head of the artistic staff Rachel Beaujean is appointed associate artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. Shortly afterwards, the annual gala to open the season is dedicated to Beaujean on her 40th anniversary with the company. On the occasion she is appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The honour is presented to her by alderman of Amsterdam Eric van der Burg.
Ode to the Master
In September 2017, for the occasion of the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tristan + Isolde
Dutch National Ballet presents its first full-length work by David Dawson: Tristan + Isolde, which he created in 2015 for SemperOper Ballett in Dresden, to a new composition by Szymon Brzóska. "Touching Tristan and Isolde enthrals Holland festival audience (..) the ballet has great potential for lasting power", reads the five-star review by Bachtrack. And Dance Europe writes: "Dawson proves once again that he is a master of his craft."
18 / 19
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Dutch Ballet Gala dedicated to Ted Brandsen
In 2018, Dansersfonds '79 dedicates its annual Dutch Ballet Gala to the artistic director of Dutch National Ballet, Ted Brandsen. The founders of the fund, Alexandra Radius and Han Ebbelaar, say, “By always making the right decisions, Ted has ushered in a new heyday for Dutch National Ballet. It has become a leading international company, which presents the great classical repertoire, while also continuing to cherish and inspire contemporary dance. Brandsen also creates his own works, the highlight of which is the recent, hugely successful, full-length ballet about the life of Mata Hari.”
Black Achievement Month
In October 2018, as part of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet presents an evening that focuses on soloist Michaela DePrince. Besides several short ballets, the programme includes a video portrait of her career and an interview.
Free To Move
In December 2018, Dutch National Ballet joins forces with Holland Dance Festival in the fight against muscular diseases. Under the title Free To Move, there are collections for the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds at all 17 performances of Cinderella. A total of over 21,000 Euros is raised.
Second edition of Positioning Ballet
In February 2019, Dutch National Ballet once again organises an international dance conference, entitled Positioning Ballet. The conference is opened this time by Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven, after which over 125 artistic directors, festival directors, choreographers and dancers from all over the world discuss topical themes in dance.
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.
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.
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
International stars at opening gala
At Dutch National Ballet’s traditional gala to open the season, this year all the principal dancers of the company share the stage with three international stars: Maria Khoreva and Xander Parish perform the pas de deux from George Balanchine’s Diamonds, and Jakob Feyferlik (who is joining the company in September 2020) dances Hans van Manen’s Trois gnossiennes with Igone de Jongh.
Ballet Imperial
In a third edition of Best of Balanchine, Dutch National Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Ballet Imperial (added to the repertoire in 1993) in a new version, with sumptuous, colourful costumes designed by François-Noël Cherpin.
Amsterdam Prize for Art for Ted Brandsen
In October 2019, the Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema presents artistic director Ted Brandsen with the Amsterdam Prize for Art, in the category ‘Proven Quality’. The jury praises Brandsen for his “sometimes invisible, yet extremely important activities and initiatives in the areas of inclusivity, diversity, rejuvenation and digitisation”.
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'.
Diversity
This season, as part of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Opera & Ballet organises an evening with curator Theresa Ruth Howard. As an expert on diversity in the dance world, she discusses the role of the black ballet dancer in the history of Dutch National Ballet. In October 2019, there is a photo exhibition of portraits of these dancers in the foyers of Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Van Manen in Shanghai
In November 2019, Dutch National Ballet dances two performances of a Hans van Manen programme at the Shanghai International Arts Festival. Performances of Adagio Hammerklavier, Kleines Requiem, Sarcasmen and 5 Tangos are given in the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
300,000th audience member for The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
At one of the performances of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, on 14 December 2019, the 300,000th member of the audience was welcomed to this hit production, created by choreographer and designer Toer van Schayk and choreographer Wayne Eagling.
Junior Company to Indonesia
Between 28 January and 1 February 2020 – just before the outbreak of the global corona pandemic – the Junior Company gives three extremely successful performances in Indonesia. At the invitation of the Erasmus Huis, the Dutch cultural centre in Jakarta, the talented young dancers of the Junior Company dance a programme of works by Ernst Meisner, George Balanchine, Charlotte Edmonds and Eric Gauthier. All the performances are sold out, and people stand on the streets to watch them on big video screens.
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.
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.
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.
20 / 21
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.
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.
Black Achievement Month
At the fifth edition of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet presents an online stream of Dancing Diversity, comprising various choreographic works, interviews and film clips revolving around the theme of ‘role model’. The evening is directed by two young makers, Carmen Lamptey and Gabriela Acosta Camacho, who are working towards a diverse and more inclusive society – through, in and with the arts. The evening is presented by Humberto Tan.
Back to Ballet
In October and November 2020, Dutch National Ballet is supposed to dance the double programme Back to Ballet - Classic and Back to Ballet - Contemporary for the maximum number of 250 people permitted per performance. Unfortunately, the altered corona measures mean there is just one live performance of the first programme, on 13 October.
Mr and Mrs Perfect
In collaboration with the Poldertheater, which specialises in cultural education, Dutch National Ballet is presenting a new education project from November 2020: a performance for schools in combination with workshops in the classroom, aimed especially at pupils in pre-vocational secondary education. Taking Igor Stravinsky’s Les Noces as its starting point, Mr and Mrs Perfect is a contemporary, entertaining performance production about love, among other things. Each performance is followed by an in-depth talk, and the pupils also take part in various workshop lessons, focusing on acting, dance and representation. The choreography for Mr & Mrs Perfect is by former HNB dancer Bruno Roche de la Pareira. The performance will be given an average of 60 times a year until the end of 2023.
New Young Creative Associates
In December 2020, Dutch National Ballet appoints three new Young Creative Associates, to succeed Juanjo Arqués and Peter Leung: the Ukrainian-Dutch choreographer Milena Sidorova and the Dutch choreographers Wubkje Kuindersma and Sedrig Verwoert.
Livestreams
After Back to Ballet, Dutch National Ballet is still restricted to livestreams for the time being, due to the corona measures.
Stijn Schoonderwoerd appointed general director of Dutch National Opera & Ballet
In February 2021, Stijn Schoonderwoerd succeeds Els van der Plas as general director. He is making his return to Dutch National Opera & Ballet, as he previously held the positions of managing director of Dutch National Ballet and director of Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the regular orchestra partner of Dutch National Opera.
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.
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.
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.