Dates

15 June & 25-28 June 2025

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

TBA

Tickets

From € 17

Dancers of Sasha Waltz & Guests

Let Amsterdam Dance

2025 marks the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam, and Dutch National Ballet is pulling out all the festive stops with Sasha Waltz’s In C. This impressive production, which treads the line between improvisation and choreography, will be performed not only by the dancers of Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company, but also by residents of the seven districts of Amsterdam – from teenagers to seniors, and from untrained dancers to folk dancers and hiphoppers.

Photo: Yanina Isla

Let Amsterdam Dance

In C is the result of a daring and innovative project initiated during the corona lockdowns by the renowned German choreographer Sasha Waltz (whose successful Roméo et Juliette was previously presented in our theatre). To Terry Riley’s revolutionary composition of the same name – also described as the ‘Big Bang’ of minimalist music – she created a collection of choreographic phrases with which the dancers of her company Sasha Waltz & Guests could experiment freely at home. Since its premiere in Berlin, the project has unleashed a worldwide movement – “like a positive virus” – with performances of In C in Ukraine, Georgia, India, Mexico, New York and various West-European countries, by continually changing groups of dancers. 

Each performance is different

Composer Terry Riley called his In C ‘the most democratic piece of music ever composed’. Published in 1964, the work comprises 53 short motifs in C major and the complete work fits on a single sheet of A4. Riley did not specify any instruments or duration for the composition, so it can be played by almost anyone, which has led to a wide variety of performances. This inspired Waltz to create an equally playful and variable choreographic system, based on 53 movement figures with plenty of scope for improvisation – following certain rules. Each individual performer is given creative freedom, but has to relate to the group. This is a pointed reference to our current society, because, as Waltz wonders: how can we retain our personal freedom without damaging others and our society?

Performance at our theatre and elsewhere

Residents of the seven districts of Amsterdam will each learn parts of Sasha Waltz’s In C, which they will first present on squares, and in schools, sports centres and smaller theatres, and finally all come together for the unique performance Let Amsterdam Dance, at Dutch National Opera & Ballet. In C will subsequently be performed another three times, but then by dancers from Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company.

Ticket sales

Don’t want to miss this performance? From 11 to 24 April, you can already order tickets for In C as part of a season package. You will then have access to all seats and dates of performances from the upcoming season before single ticket sales. You can already order a season package that includes In C and one other performance of your choice!

Credits

Choreography  Sasha Waltz 
Music  Terry Riley 

Musical accompaniment  Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Order tickets

Don’t want to miss this performance? From 11 to 24 April, you can already order tickets for In C as part of a season package. You will then have access to all seats and dates of performances from the upcoming season before single ticket sales. You can already order a season package that includes In C and one other performance of your choice! More information on the season packages.

Single ticket sales for In C start on 22 August at 12:00 (pm). Don’t want to miss this on-sale moment? Sign up for our ticket alert and receive a notification when the single ticket sales open.

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Sasha Waltz

“Everyone can dance in C’’

Choreographer Sasha Waltz on In C.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Dutch Ballet Orchestra is the leading orchestra for dance in the Netherlands. In every performance, the orchestra searches for inspiring synergy between music and dance, in order to give the audience a magical experience. From classical ballet to modern masterpieces, and from music education to talent development, Dutch Ballet Orchestra inspires the movement in dance.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

From 1 August 2024, the Flemish conductor Koen Kessels (1961) will be the new music director of Dutch National Ballet, and artistic director and principal conductor of Dutch Ballet Orchestra. He is taking over the baton from Matthew Rowe, who has fulfilled this special dual position since 2013 and who will be returning as principal guest conductor.

Since its inception in 1965, the orchestra has been the proud musical partner of Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. One important mission of Dutch Ballet Orchestra is investing in the youngest generation of dancers and musicians.

In 2023, for instance, the orchestra issued an open call for young composers, in collaboration with Dutch National Ballet, resulting in a new work that was presented in the Junior Company’s touring programme, Ten. The orchestra has also been working for some years already with the Dutch National Ballet Academy. For example, the orchestra members provide the music for the end-of-year performances Dancers of Tomorrow.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra has also collaborated regularly on innovative – and award-winning – family and school productions. Creatures, in partnership with ISH Dance Collective, won the international Young Audiences Music Award and the production Hansel and Gretel, received various Musical Awards. Last season, this tradition was continued in the production Beauty and the Beast. 

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