Reflection spaces between love troubles, climate change, and the madness of the individual
Berlin, March 27, 2024 --- On this Wednesday morning, the Staatsballett Berlin has released the program for the 2024/25 season. Artistic Director Christian Spuck and his team presented four premieres including one world premiere, five revivals, a guest performance by the Nederlands Dans Theater, and a broad framework and education program that will be integrated into the Staatsballett starting next season.
In his second season, Artistic Director Christian Spuck will present four premieres including one world premiere. The evening Minus 16 (October 25, 2024, Deutsche Oper Berlin) brings together works by Sharon Eyal and Ohad Naharin, two strong voices of the present. Choreographer Edward Clug is creating A Midsummer Night's Dream after William Shakespeare (February 21, 2025, Deutsche Oper Berlin), a full-length creation set to commissioned music by Milko Lazar. The ballet Winterreise, set to Franz Schubert's song cycle of the same name in the musical arrangement by Hans Zender (May 11, 2025, Staatsoper Unter den Linden), will be reworked by Christian Spuck with the ensemble. In the final premiere, Gods and Dogs (June 28, 2025, Staatsoper Unter den Linden), Jiří Kylián explores the madness of the individual, while Crystal Pite uses the dancing bodies to symbolize human transience and vitality.
The Nederlands Dans Theater, one of the most prestigious dance companies worldwide, will be a guest at the Staatsballett Berlin (July 2025, Deutsche Oper Berlin) presenting the trilogy Figures in Extinction, a four-year project by choreographer Crystal Pite and theater maker Simon McBurney on the theme of climate change. At the end of the season, the Ballet Week will offer eight days of full programming with three productions from the repertoire, two gala evenings, two education formats, and two panel discussions.
Returning to the repertoire is Swan Lake by Patrice Bart at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Also remaining there is Giselle by Patrice Bart, another major classical narrative ballet, as well as 2 Chapters Love with works by Sol León and Sharon Eyal. At the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bovary by Christian Spuck and the triple bill evening William Forsythe will also be performed.
In the ensemble, nine dancers are pleased with promotions. Weronika Frodyma, Martin ten Kortenaar, and Haruka Sassa will become Principal Dancers from the upcoming season, while Danielle Muir and Kalle Wigle will become Soloists. Marina Duarte, Gregor Glocke, Leroy Mokgatle, and Clotide Tran will be promoted from the corps de ballet to Demi-Soloists.
Structural changes are taking place for Tanz ist KLASSE!, the education program of the Staatsballett, which will become its own department of the Staatsballett after 17 years as an association. A wide range of workshops for families, schools, daycares, as well as dance classes and holiday courses for various age groups and populations will continue to be offered. New offerings include 3D classes for teenagers, STEPahead, a training series for educators, and (K)nie zu spät, an event offering for seniors.
The behind-the-scenes look is further facilitated by the program of premieres conversations and training sessions for spectators. Opportunities for exchange are offered through ballet conversations, where ensemble members and artists invite the audience for more personal discussions. Or at the forum, where social issues related to dance on stage are discussed.
The upcoming season will be visually characterized by the photographic work of South African artist Caroline Mackintosh. The Berlin-based artist embarked on a colorful exploration of the Deutsche Oper Berlin with nine dancers for this project.
Artistic director Christian Spuck is setting accents with the program:
"Ballet, as well as dance as a living art form, creates spaces that reflect our present in a very special way, offer a look into the past, but also capture our current experiences in a deeply turbulent and torn world. The Staatsballett Berlin is for me a place of creative creation, networking, and mutual exchange that explores and enables these spaces."
Regular ticket sales begin on June 10, 2024, with members of the Friends Circle and holders of the Danceticket being able to purchase tickets in advance starting on June 3, 2024.