Dutch National Ballet

Legacies – Benjamin Feliksdal

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Dates

3-4 October 2024

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Studio Boekman

Running time

2:00, no interval

Tickets

From € 12,50

Icon, inspirator, and pioneer

A tribute to an iconic artist and educator. The first Legacies evening is dedicated entirely to Benjamin Feliksdal (1940), former dancer with Dutch National Ballet and one of the pioneers of tap dance and modern jazz dance in the Netherlands. We shine a spotlight on Benjamin’s inspiring life story and highlight his immense dedication to the world of dance.

Programme

During this evening, Studio Boekman will be temporarily transformed into a cinema for the screening of the documentary Benjamin Feliksdal, the life story of a Dutch dance master from director and film maker Roland Gaedtgens based on an idea by choreographer and dancer Robin van Zutphen. Following the screening, there will be ample opportunity for questions from the audience for Benjamin himself as well as Robin, who was closely involved in the creation of the documentary and who also choreographed a piece, especially for Benjamin. Monique Duurvoort, choreographer and dancer for whom Benjamin is a living legend and one of her greatest role models, will be the moderator of these legacy-evenings.

Benjamin Feliksdal

In 1960, Benjamin Feliksdal was accepted as a dancer with the Nederlands Ballet. In 1961, this company merged with the Amsterdam Ballet to form Dutch National Ballet, where Benjamin danced until 1971. He became one of the most admired dancers of his time, renowned for his unparalleled virtuosity, elegance, and precision. At the peak of his ballet career, he shone as a principal dancer, sharing the stage with legends such as Rudolf Nureyev, Maria Bovet, and Olga de Haas.

Benjamin Feliksdal

After leaving Dutch National Ballet, Benjamin embarked on an impressive international career. Following a season with the Royal Ballet of Flanders, he travelled to New York, where he expanded his repertoire to include tap dance and modern jazz dance. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he fulfilled his greatest dream: the founding of his own dance school. His Benjamin’s Modern Jazz Dance Center would later become the foundation for the professional training program Stichting European School of Jazz Dance, the dance company Stichting Theatre Dance Workshop, and Stichting Musical 1986. Through these initiatives, Benjamin has contributed to the training of talented entertainers who have since become prominent names in the industry. Additionally, he is a highly sought-after guest teacher and choreographer internationally. Now, at the age of 84, Benjamin continues to dance.

Benjamin Feliksdal

Monique Duurvoort

Roland Gaedtgens

Robin van Zutphen

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Benjmin Feliksdal, The Life Story of a Dutch Dance Master - Trailer

Legacies

For anyone who delves into the history of opera and ballet, it’s impossible not to encounter a wealth of icons. Whether from a few years ago or several decades past, one encounters countless influential and inspiring singers, dancers, composers, directors, choreographers, writers, and artistic collectives whose impact is still felt today. In Legacies, a new programme series at Studio Boekman, these figures are once again given the stage they deserve. Together with contemporary artists and creators, we will highlight the life stories and artistic contributions of these opera and ballet icons, reflecting on their lasting influence on the art world today.