News

HIGHEST RECOGNITION EVER FOR DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET IN CRITICS’ CHOICE 2018

Leading dance magazine Dance Europe has published its Critics’ Choice, the annual list of highlights from the 2017-2018 international dance season. Dutch National Ballet scores highly, with a total of twenty-three honourable mentions – three more than in the previous edition for 2017.

ERNST MEISNER, INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL BALLET ACADEMY

The board of the Academy of Theatre and Dance at Amsterdam University of the Arts has appointed Ernst Meisner as the new artistic director (ad interim) of the National Ballet Academy. Meisner will combine his new position of artistic director of the National Ballet Academy with his current position of artistic coordinator of the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company. He will be assisted at the National Ballet Academy by the newly appointed managing director René Vlemmix.

The new foyer

On your next visit to the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, you will notice that the interior looks different.

New season, new faces

This year too, there are changes to the troupe tableau of the Dutch National Ballet.

ALLEN NEW PRINCIPAL WITH DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

The American dancer Constantine Allen will join Dutch National Ballet as a principal in August 2018.

James Stout has been promoted to first soloist

James Stout has been promoted to first soloist by Dutch National Ballet.

Principals Tristan + Isolde are announced!

The principals Tristan + Isolde are announced. Be aware that all information is subject to change at any moment.

Madonna set to direct biopic Michaela DePrince

Madonna will direct the MGM drama “Taking Flight”, based on the life of ballerina Michaela De Prince.
Michaela DePrince is currently second soloist at the Dutch National Ballet.

These principals will dance in Don Quichotte

These principals will dance the role of Kitri and Basilio:

Ted Brandsen president of the jury Prix de Lausanne 2018

Ted Brandsen, director of Dutch National Ballet, will be president of the jury of the Prix de Lausanne 2018.

The principals of The Sleeping Beauty are announced

The principals of The Sleeping Beauty are announced. Changes can occur.

Dutch National Ballet is praised by Critic's Choice

This year’s list of the Critic's Choice from the leading dance magazine Dance Europe, has been published. Once again, the Dutch National Ballet scores high with a total of twenty honourable mentions. One more than in 2016 when the company received nineteen entries.

VSCD OEUVRE PRIZE FOR HANS VAN MANEN

This weekend, master choreographer Hans van Manen (1932) will receive the VSCD Oeuvre Prize at the Dutch Dance Festival.

IGONE, MAIA, ANNA AND SASHA DANCE MATA HARI

The casting for the principal roles in Mata Hari has been announced. The casting below is still subject to change.

Ballet Gala Stichting Dansersfonds ‘79

The twentieth Gala by Stichting Dansersfonds ’79  will take place on Monday 13 November 2017.

Peter Leung creates a duet for DanceAble#2

On Friday 3 November 2017, Holland Dance Festival is opening its second three-day event DanceAble.

YOUNG GYU CHOI WINNER OF THE ALEXANDRA RADIUS PRIZE 2017

Young Gyu Choi, principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet, is the winner of the Alexandra Radius Prize 2017. 

Narnia becomes GRIMM

Completely unexpected, we were not granted the rights to perform the reprise of Narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. This means we cannot perform Narnia.

Rachel Beaujean appointed assistant artistic director

Rachel Beaujean has been appointed assistant artistic director as of 1 September.

Hello and goodbye at Dutch National Ballet

As every year, the summer months have seen changes in the ranks of Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company.
This season, the company comprises 75 dancers – 41 women and 34 men. The Junior Company has 12 dancers – 6 women and 6 men.

KRZYSZTOF PASTOR RESIGNS AS RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

Krzysztof Pastor resigns as resident choreographer at Dutch National Ballet. Pastor, who is director of the Polish National Ballet as well as the Lithuanian National Ballet, held the position of resident choreographer since 2003. Krzysztof Pastor was the fourth resident choreographer in the history of the company after Rudi van Dantzig, Hans van Manen and Toer van Schayk.

HIGH FRENCH HONOUR FOR HANS VAN MANEN

Hans van Manen receives the title of Commandeur des Arts et Lettres, which is the highest cultural state distinction in France in the field of art and literature in France.

EDO WIJNEN NOMINATED FOR A ‘ZWAAN’ AWARD

Soloist with Dutch National Ballet, Edo Wijnen, was nominated for his role in the company’s production of Citizen Nowhere, choreographed by David Dawson.

The first ballet by the Junior Company and YOU!

Next year, the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET AND &SAMHOUD

Cinequest Film & VR Festival Award for Virtual Reality production Night Fall

INTERNATIONAL BALLET CONFERENCE IN AMSTERDAM

Dutch National Ballet is organising its first international ballet conference, Positioning Ballet. Prominent people from the ballet world will come together in Amsterdam to debate and reflect on some of today’s relevant themes: heritage, diversity and identity.

Promotions of Sasha Mukhamedov and Michaela DePrince!

Qian Liu’s promotion to principal with Dutch National Ballet in December was followed by the promotion of Sasha Mukhamedov to principal and that of Michaela DePrince to soloist.

Qian Liu promoted to principal

Qian Liu joined Dutch National Ballet in 2012 as a member of the corps de ballet and was promoted to principal on 16 December 2016 after the performance of Coppelia.

DANIEL MONTERO REAL AMBASSADOR TERRE DES HOMMES

At Dutch National Ballet, in Amsterdam, on Friday 16 December 2017, Terre des Hommes presented their new ambassador: Daniel Montero Real.

Dutch National Ballet has appointed Young Creative Associates

On 1 January 2017, the young choreographers Juanjo Arqués and Peter Leung will be appointed Young Creative Associates of Dutch National Ballet.

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET AND &SAMHOUD WIN BRIGHT VR AWARD FOR NIGHT FALL

On 4 November, Dutch National Ballet and &samhoud were among the prize-winners at the first edition of the Bright VR Awards.

MERIT AWARD 2016 GOES TO ANU VIHERIÄRANTA

This year’s Merit Award from Stichting Dansersfonds '79 goes to Anu Viheriäranta, stage manager and former principal with Dutch National Ballet.

TWO MAJOR DUTCH DANCE AWARDS FOR DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

Igone de Jongh wins the ‘Gouden Zwaan’, a major dance oeuvre award

Anna Tsygankova wins the ‘Zwaan’ for most impressive dance achievement 2016

Dutch National Ballet at the Dutch Dance Festival 2016

Once again, Dutch National Ballet is a guest at the Dutch Dance Festival, which takes place every year in Maastricht.

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET LIVE DURING WORLD BALLET DAY

On Tuesday 4 October, the whole world can watch live stage rehearsals by Dutch National Ballet during World Ballet Day LIVE.

Carré's 'Evening of Ballet Music' presented by Igone

On the evening of Friday 4 November, Igone de Jongh is presenting the first edition of the Evening of Ballet Music in Koninklijk Theater Carré.

BUSSEMAKER’S PRINSJESDAG OUTFIT DESIGNED BY DUTCH NATIONAL OPERA & BALLET

On Prinsjesdag (20 September), Minister Jet Bussemaker will be wearing a creation designed by Robby Duiveman, director of the Costume, Wigs and Make-up department at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.

Junior Company dances in Spain

Between 20 and 30 October, the young dancers will give five performances in Spain.

TOER VAN SCHAYK OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF ORANGE-NASSAU

Toer van Schayk has been granted the honour of Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Minister Jet Bussemaker presented the honour to Van Schayk on the stage of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, in Amsterdam, when the curtain fell on the first night of Dutch Masters, on Wednesday 14 September 2016.

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET DANCES in front of THE NIGHT WATCH

To promote the new ballet programme Dutch Masters, Dutch National Ballet is dancing in front of the Night Watch in the Rijksmuseum.

PRINCIPAL DANCER ARTUR SHESTERIKOV WINS RADIUS PRIZE

Artur Shesterikov was presented with the prize – 2500 Euros and an artwork – by former prima ballerina Alexandra Radius at the Gala on 7 September.

Vito Mazzeo wins Premio Valore for his role in Roméo et Juliette

Vito Mazzeo, 1e solist bij Het Nationale Ballet, ontving de Premio Valore, de prijs voor een bijzondere dansprestatie, voor zijn vertolking van Le Père Laurence in de productie Roméo et Juliette van de Duitse choreografe Sasha Waltz.

Hello and goodbye at Dutch National Ballet

As every year, the summer months herald quite a few changes within the ranks of the dancers of Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company.

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET PRESENTS THE FIRST VIRTUAL REALITY BALLET IN THE WORLD

Dutch National Ballet presents Night Fall, the first Virtual Reality ballet in the world.

Casey Herd is leaving Dutch National Ballet

Casey Herd, principal with Dutch National Ballet, is leaving the company at the end of this season. After an exceptional eight-year career with Dutch National Ballet, Casey’s goodbye to the audience will be the last performance of Transatlantic on Sunday 26 June 2016.

Crowdfunding campaign for Juniors Melissa and Giovanni

The crowdfunding campaign for the young dancers Melissa Chapski and Giovanni Princic kicked off on Thursday 12 May, at the performance by the Junior Company in Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam. The Junior Company is a two-year training course for talented ballet dancers on their way to the top. Dancers receive training from big names like Hans van Manen, Igone de Jongh and Marijn Rademaker.

JAN TAMINIAU IS DESIGNING FOR DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

The world-famous fashion designer Jan Taminiau, who concentrates on customised fashions for a select group of clients, including Máxima and Lady Gaga, is designing the costumes for a new duet by Ernst Meisner.

Ms. and Mr. Expressivity Award for Anna and Remi at Dance Open

On 25 April, principals Anna Tsygankova and Remi Wörtmeyer both received awards at the twenty-fifth edition of the Dance Open Festival in St Petersburg. Anna won the Ms. Expressivity Award and Remi Wörtmeyer the Mr. Expressivity Award.

MICHAELA DEPRINCE IN BEYONCÉ VIDEO

Michaela DePrince is one of the stars in the new video Lemonade by Beyoncé. She is dancing and appearing in several scenes with Beyoncé and on her own.

DANIEL CAMARGO NEW PRINCIPAL WITH DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

The Brazilian dancer Daniel Camargo will be joining Dutch National Ballet as a principal in August 2016.

MATA HARI LIVE ON MEZZO TV

On Tuesday 23 February 2016, at 20.15, the international cultural channel Mezzo is broadcasting a live recording of Mata Hari, the new extremely successful production by Dutch National Bal

Michaela DePrince ambassador for War Child

Michaela DePrince, coryphée with Dutch National Ballet, will join singer Marco Borsato, presenter Jetske van der Elsen, singer Laura van Kaam and singer Guus Meeuwis as an ambassador for War Child.

Dutch National Ballet in 1st Online Gala of the Stars

The first edition of the Online Gala of the Stars – Worldwide Ballet Principals will be held worldwide on Sunday 31 January 2016. Dutch National Ballet principals Maia Makhateli and Artur Shesterikov will give a live performance of a pas de deux from In Light and Shadow by Krzysztof Pastor, resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet.

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET AND CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA together AT SCHIPHOL

On 20 January, Dutch National Ballet and members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra opened the European Aviation Summit with a joint performance at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

In-depth summer course for ballet dancers

From 11 through 29 July 2016, the sixth edition of the Amsterdam International Summer School, an in-depth summer course for ballet dancers between 15 and 21 years of age, will take place in the studios of the Dutch National Ballet.

YOUNG GYU CHOI PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL

The South Korean dancer Young Gyu Choi has been promoted to the rank of principal with Dutch National Ballet.

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING WELCOMES 275,000TH VISITOR

On Monday 14 December 2015, Dutch National Ballet welcomed its 275,000th visitor to the classic The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Dansersfonds awards for Nancy Burer and Floor Eimers

Presentation of Dansersfonds awards on 16 November at the Ballet Gala in Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

High score for Dutch National Ballet in Critics' Choice

The leading dance magazine Dance Europe has published its nominations for the Critics’ Choice.

Changes to the company profile

Who is returning, who is new, who is leaving and the promotions at the end of the season

Farewell to Anu Viheriäranta and Jurgita Dronina

In 2005, Anu Viheriäranta left Finland for Amsterdam to join the company as a soloist. In 2010, the year she won the Alexandra Radius Prize, she was promoted to principal. In September, Anu will start her new career as stage manager with our company. Jurgita Dronina, who has been dancing as a principal with Dutch National Ballet since 2010, will be joining the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto as a principal at the start of next season.

New Moves 2015

Krista Ettlinger and Joanna Mednick, dancers of the Dutch National Ballet, are very busy organizing New Moves.

Christopher Wheeldon, ‘best choreographer’ Benois de la Danse 2015!

On 26 May, it was announced that Christopher Wheeldon was the winner of the Benois de la Danse 2015 in the ‘Choreographers’ category.

Krzysztof Pastor received the Polish Officer’s Cross

Resident choreographer of Dutch National Ballet and director of the Polish National Ballet, Krzysztof Pastor, received the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta from pr

Isaac Hernández to ENB

Isaac Hernández, who has been a principal with Dutch National Ballet since 2013, is going on tour with the London-based English National Ballet until the end of this season.

Marijn Rademaker at Opium Radio

After dancing with Stuttgarter Ballett in Germany for 15 years, Marijn Rademaker joined Dutch National Ballet as a principal on 1 January 2015. Listen to the interview with Opium (AvroTros) on NPO radio1.

Presentation season 2015 - 2016!

It gives us great pleasure to present the 2015 - 2016 season of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet. Order your subscription now.

JUNIOR COMPANY PERFORM AT AMSTERDAM CENTRAL STATION

The Dutch National Ballets Junior Company are giving a special performance in the central hall of Central Station in Amsterdam.

Van Manen joins the Society of Arts

Hans van Manen, resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet, is joining the Society of Arts.

National Opera & Ballet in FashionWeek Amsterdam

Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera are presenting two events during 10 Days Downtown, in collaboration with Fashionweek Amsterdam.

Fashion & Ballet

Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera are presenting two events during 10 Days Downtown, in collaboration with Fashionweek Amsterdam.

Record audience number Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Dutch National Opera & Ballet can look back on a very successful year. The number of visitors rose from 190,000 in 2013 to over 208,000 in 2014; an increase of more than 9%.

Hans van Manen in the running for Golden Mask

Van Manen is in the running for a Russian 'Golden Mask' award in the category ‘Ballet/Best Production’, for his ONE-ACT BALLETS.

David Dawson appointed Associate Artist

The internationally renowned choreographer David Dawson will be appointed Associate Artist of Dutch National Ballet on 1 January 2015.

David Dawson appointed Associate Artist

The internationally renowned choreographer David Dawson will be appointed Associate Artist of Dutch National Ballet on 1 January 2015. The appointment is for the period 2015 -2020.

Dutch National Ballet at KANTOR

The second edition of KANTOR will take place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November. Both Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera are taking part in this 'Music, Performance, Art & Technology Weekend'. Dutch National Ballet will be performing on Sunday 16 November.

MICHAELA DEPRINCE GUEST ON TEDxAMSTERDAM 2014

Michaela DePrince, a dancer with the Dutch National Ballet, will be one of the speakers during TEDxAmsterdam 2014.

Dutch National Ballet seeks bachelor ‘princes’

In connection with the romantic story of the most popular fairytale in the world, Dutch National Ballet is organising the campaign Prince seeks Cinderella. Dutch National Ballet is helping bachelors in their search for their dream princess through a special speed date.

Marijn Rademaker new principal with Dutch National Ballet

On 1 January 2015, Marijn Rademaker will join Dutch National Ballet as a principal. Rademaker, who is currently a principal with Stuttgarter Ballett in Germany, is regarded as the best Dutch male dancer in the world at the moment.

Dutch National Ballet Dancer Bastiaan Stoop Made Choreography for Platina Blues

Bastiaan Stoop, dancer at Dutch National Ballet, made a choreography for the film Platina Blues, an adaptation of the final album of incurably ill singer Thé Lau (The Scene). Platina Blues will premiere on Thursday 25 September 2014 at the Dutch Film Festival in Utrecht.

Dronina and Hernández win Alexandra Radius Prize 2014

Jurgita Dronina and Isaac Hernández, principals with Dutch National Ballet, are the winners of the Alexandra Radius Prize 2014. It is the first time in the history of the prize that two dancers have received the award simultaneously.

Dansersfonds '79 commends Ted Brandsen

Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 has given their Merit Award to Ted Brandsen, artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. An awards was also given to Dutch National Ballet dancer Wendeline Wijkstra. The decorations will be presented by Han Ebbelaar and Alexandra Radius in mid-September.

Positano Premio for Wheeldon

Christopher Wheeldon was awarded the Positano Premio la Danza Léonide Massine. This honour was presented for the 42th time by an international board of dance critics during a gala in the Italian Positano on Tuesday 9 September 2014.

Free to Move 2014

Dutch National Ballet will be one of the guests at the second edition of Free to Move, the gala of the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds, be held on 4 September 2014 at the Lucent Danstheater in The Hague.

Sieb Posthuma Passed Away

Illustrator, writer and designer Sieb Posthuma has passed away on Sunday 3 August 2014 in Amsterdam, his place of residency. He was 54 years old. Posthuma designed the set and costumes for Coppelia, a production by Dutch National Ballet.

Swan Nomination for Romance

One of the nominees for the Swan in the category “most impressive dance production 2013-2014” is Romance by Dutch National Ballet.

Dutch National Ballet in ‘Homebody’

Homebody is a special mix of drama, music and spectacular dance by a remarkable group of theatre makers: Dutch National Ballet, Noord Nederlands Toneel, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, musicians’ laboratory Kytopia and ODD Continent.

Dutch National Ballet in first Dancing Game

Dutch National Ballet and game-developer Game Oven present Bounden, the first dancing game for smartphones.

Rink Sliphorst: Second Soloist

Dutch dancer Rink Sliphorst will be a second soloist at Dutch National Ballet as of September. Sliphorst is the second Dutch male dancer to have acquired the rank of soloist with the company, preceded only by Boris de Leeuw in 1995.

Dutch National Ballet in ‘Homebody’

Homebody is a special mix of drama, music and spectacular dance by a remarkable group of theatre makers: Dutch National Ballet, Noord Nederlands Toneel, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, musicians’ laboratory Kytopia and ODD Continent.

Junior Company on location

On Thursday 19 June 2014, the Junior Company will be at the Apple Store at Leidseplein in Amsterdam.

Junior Company on location

After just having completed a very successful tour at home and abroad (Spain and England), the Junior Company is preparing for their next performance, which will be in the open air theatre at the

Junior Company: Touring Abroad

The Junior Company – the young and upcoming division of Dutch National Ballet – is currently on tour in Spain (Vitoria and Oviedo) and England (London).

Dutch National Ballet in first Dancing Game

Dutch National Ballet and game-developer Game Oven present Bounden, the first dancing game for smartphones.

Dutch National Ballet at Lowlands Festival 2014

FORCES OF MOVEMENT

Dutch National Ballet at Lowlands Festival 2014

Dutch National Ballet returns to Lowlands this summer after the successful performance the company did in 2011.

Russian award for Tsygankova and Wörtmeyer

Anna Tsygankova, principal with Dutch National Ballet, has won the Grand Prix of the Dance Open Festival 2014 in St Petersburg (Russia).

Russian award for Tsygankova and Wörtmeyer

Anna Tsygankova, principal with Dutch National Ballet, has won the Grand Prix of the Dance Open Festival 2014 in St Petersburg (Russia). Remi Wörtmeyer, also a principal, won the Audience Award.

Magic, humour and virtuosic dance

Dutch National Ballet presents its new season for the first time together with Dutch National Opera on a single website, in a new format and with a new house style.