History of Dutch National Ballet (part 2)
![History of Dutch National Ballet](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/20190315_hnb_swanlake_1996_photo_marc_haegeman.jpg?itok=iQiBJKSB)
![Van Dantzig's Swan Lake](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/1988%20Het%20Zwanenmeer.jpg?itok=O---KBGZ)
1988
Van Dantzig's Swan Lake
The premiere of Rudi van Dantzig’s production of Swan Lake is held on 31 March. His version of this ‘ballet of ballets’ proves a milestone in Dutch dance history. Toer van Schayk designs the magnificent sets and costumes, besides choreographing the character dances in Act 3.
![Wayne Eagling](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/1991%20Wayne%20Eagling.jpg?itok=0YjP-3sO)
1991
Wayne Eagling succeeds Rudi van Dantzig
Wayne Eagling (1950), an ex-principal with The Royal Ballet, in England, is appointed successor to Rudi van Dantzig. Eagling’s emphasis on technical perfection raises the standard of Dutch National Ballet to even greater heights.
![The Nutcracker and the Mouse King](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/1996.jpg?itok=u9fwT6uS)
1996
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the brainchild of Wayne Eagling and Toer van Schayk, is premiered on 13 December. The production is still drawing full houses today.
![Ted Brandsen](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2003%20Ted%20Brandsen_0.jpg?itok=DGYzhMbf)
2003
Ted Brandsen
In 2003, Ted Brandsen (1954) succeeds Wayne Eagling as artistic director, following a period as assistant artistic director from 2002. Brandsen, a dancer with Dutch National Ballet from 1981 to 1991, rejuvenates the classical repertoire, introduces new prominent choreographers and organises more foreign tours and a wider distribution of performances in the Netherlands.
![Krzysztof Pastor](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2003%20Krzysztof%20Pastor.jpg?itok=3U9SKSb8)
2003
Krzysztof Pastor
Krzysztof Pastor (1956) is appointed resident choreographer, a position he holds until 2017. In 2009, the former dancer with Dutch National Ballet is also appointed artistic director of the National Ballet of Poland, in his home country. In 2011, he also takes up the position of artistic director of the National Ballet of Lithuania.
![Hans van Manen returns](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2005%20Hans%20van%20Manen.jpg?itok=VhNHYNFo)
2005
Hans van Manen returns
In 2005, Hans van Manen returns to Dutch National Ballet as a resident choreographer, after leaving the company in 1987 and working with Nederlands Dans Theater from 1988 to 2003.
![Hans van Manen festival](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2007%20HvM%20festival%21.jpg?itok=fh6a2yIn)
2007
Hans van Manen Festival
To celebrate the 75th birthday of choreographer Hans van Manen (1932), Dutch National Ballet organises the ‘Hans van Manen Festival’. Over the space of three weeks, no fewer than twenty of the master choreographer’s works are performed by leading ensembles and artists from the Netherlands and abroad.
![Order of the Netherlands Lion](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2007%20HvM%20festival.jpg?itok=SNPTzM7d)
2007
Order of the Netherlands Lion
At the premiere of the Hans van Manen Festival, Van Manen was made a Commander in the Order of the Netherlands Lion. He was pinned and hung with the decorations by Job Cohen, the Mayor of Amsterdam. Fifteen years earlier, in 1992, Van Manen had already been made an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
![Fiftieth Anniversary](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2011.jpg?itok=S4uFTuxh)
2011
Fiftieth Anniversary
Dutch National Ballet celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. One of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations is the programme Present/s in February 2012, which premieres nine new works by leading choreographers.
![Rudi van Dantzig dies](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2012%20Rudi%20van%20Dantzig.jpg?itok=Lz8bb4Mh)
2012
Rudi van Dantzig dies
Former artistic director Rudi van Dantzig dies on 19 January 2012. His biography 'Memories of Sonia Gaskell' is published posthumously.
![Els van der Plas](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2013%20Els%20van%20der%20Plas_0.jpg?itok=swW7MgR_)
2012
Els van der Plas
Els van der Plas is appointed general director of the Amsterdam Music Theatre. Truze Lodder leaves after 25 years as director. In recognition of her great services, Lodder is made Commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau and also receives the Frans Bannick Cocq Medal from the City of Amsterdam.
![Hans van Manen's 80th birthday](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2005%20Hans%20van%20Manen_1.jpg?itok=5D4-YD7Q)
2012
Hans van Manen's 80th birthday
On the occasion of Hans van Manen’s 80th birthday, Dutch National Ballet presents a gala for the ‘Mondrian of dance’.
![The merger](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/fusie2013.jpg?itok=YbRAYB2F)
2013
The merger
Through a merger, Dutch National Opera, Dutch National Ballet and the Amsterdam Music Theatre take the final step in establishing the leading national institute for opera and ballet. Els van der Plas becomes general director, Ted Brandsen director of Dutch National Ballet and Pierre Audi director of Dutch National Opera..
![Matthew Rowe appointed musical director](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/Matthew%20copy%20-%20Copy_0.jpg?itok=qhkSAPzn)
2013
Matthew Rowe appointed musical director
In January 2013, the British conductor Matthew Rowe is appointed musical director of Dutch National Ballet and principal conductor of the Dutch Ballet Orchestra. He is the first person to hold both positions.
!['Benois' voor Cinderella](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2013%20Cinderella.jpg?itok=5A8xiQs1)
2013
'Oscar of dance'
Christopher Wheeldon receives a ‘Benois de la Danse’ for his full-length production of Cinderella. Hans van Manen receives the ‘Benois de la Danse’ for Variations for Two Couples. This prestigious award is often referred to as the ‘Oscar of dance’.
![Junior Company](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2013%20Junior%20Company.jpg?itok=iCY2ZJ_l)
2013
Junior Company
Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company is founded in August 2013, resulting from an intensive collaboration between the company and the Dutch National Ballet Academy. The Junior Company coaches talented young dancers between the ages of 18 and 21 and gives them the opportunity to gain extensive stage experience. Ernst Meisner is appointed artistic coordinator of the Junior Company.
![Dutch National Opera & Ballet](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014%20NOB.jpg?itok=vkhSejxv)
2014
Dutch National Opera & Ballet
In 2014, the home of Dutch National Ballet, De Nederlandse Opera and the Amsterdam Music Theatre is given a new name: Dutch National Opera & Ballet. On the occasion, De Nederlandse Opera is rechristened Dutch National Opera.
![David Dawson](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/daviddawson_0.jpg?itok=N93JIh0y)
2015
David Dawson appointed Artistic Associate
The British choreographer David Dawson is appointed ‘artistic associate’ of Dutch National Ballet, after being resident choreographer with the company from 2004 to 2006. Dawson gives a completely new interpretation of classical ballet technique.
![Rachel BeauJean benoemd tot artistiek directeur](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/Rachel%20Beaujean%20_%20Sebastien%20Galtier.jpg?itok=lvNefsrK)
2017
Rachel BeauJean appointed associate artistic director
Head of the artistic staff Rachel Beaujean becomes associate artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. The annual gala to open the season is dedicated to her, on her 40th anniversary with the company. On the occasion, she is also appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau. The honour is presented by Amsterdam alderman Eric van der Burg.
![Young Creative Associates](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/JuanjoPeterjpg.jpg?itok=UZxK9Rl8)
2017
Young Creative Associates
For the first time, Dutch National Ballet appoints two Young Creative Associates: Juanjo Arqués and Peter Leung. This initiative aims to contribute to the development of choreographic talent, by offering young choreographers with a proven track record a long-term association with the company.
![Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/foto%20willem-alexander%20-%20van%20manen-b.jpg?itok=Gyfoe41n)
2017
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
In 2017, Hans van Manen is made a Commandeur in de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, in the French city of Montpellier. The occasion is attended by the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Jet Bussemaker. One year later, Van Manen is awarded the Medal of Honour for Art and Science of the Order of the House of Orange.
![Black Achievement Month](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2560x1440%20daniel%20robert%20silva_0_0.jpg?itok=ptE1_sZ8)
2018
Black Achievement Month
As part of Black Achievement Month, Dutch National Ballet livestreams Dancing Diversity, presented by Humbero Tan.
![Amsterdam Prize for Art](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/TedwintAFKweb_0.jpg?itok=RmbTE0EV)
2019
Amsterdam Prize for Art
The Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema presents artistic director Ted Brandsen with the Amsterdam Prize for Art, in the category ‘Proven Quality’. 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.
![Corona pandemic](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/alg_theater_avond_2.jpg?itok=D9l2hg5k)
2020
Corona pandemic
Like all cultural institutions, Dutch National Ballet is hard hit in 2020 by the consequences of the corona pandemic. On 12 March, from one day to the next, all the theatres in the Netherlands close their doors. Dutch National Ballet proceeds to set up an extensive online programme, in order to maintain contact with audiences and also expand them, as the livestreams, in particular, are watched and greatly appreciated by many international ‘visitors’.
![New Creative Associates](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/YAA%20NB%20P3.png?itok=RRtfQEQx)
2020
New Creative Associates
Dutch National Ballet appoints three new Young Creative Associates: Milena Sidorova, Sedrig Verwoert and Wubkje Kuindersma, who will regularly be creating new works for the company from now on.
![Stijn Schoonderwoerd algemeen directeur](https://www.operaballet.nl/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/StijnSchoonderwoerd%20portret%20foto%20Guido%20Benschop%20626x932.jpg?itok=nA4pimo0)
2021
Stijn Schoonderwoerd general director
In January, Stijn Schoonderwoerd (1967) succeeds Els van der Plas as general director. This marks his return to Dutch National Opera & Ballet, as he was formerly managing director of Dutch National Ballet and director of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, which regularly accompanies Dutch National Opera.