Eva Kistrup

Now and Then

 

Silja Schandorff & Nikolaj Hübbe:

“Swan Lake”

Royal Danish Ballet

September 21, 2016

The Opera Stage

18 Months ago Caroline Baldwin and Andreas Kaas had their debut as Odette/Odile and Siegfried in “Swan Lake” as the youngest of the six casts. Last night’s performance showed how much they have developed as dancers in that period. The performance was also characterized by several new casts in the supporting roles.

First out, Silja Schandorff & Nikolaj Hübbe topped the casts as much as was possible. The supporting roles was casted with principals and soloists, and several of the Odette/Odile’s took on Swan duty as well. That made the first seasons “Swan Lake” strong and sharp.

The Ultimate Role

 

 

Silja Schandorff & Nikolaj Hübbe:

”Swan Lake”

September 15 and 16,

2016

Royal Danish Ballet

The Opera Stage

The role of Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake” is not only a big role, it is the one, that more than any other role, even “La Sylphide” defines ballet as an art form. It is a hugely attractive role for a dancer. However, it is also a role that put enormous demands on the performer. Not only are the technical demands top scale. The role also demands a specific body type and an outstanding dramatic talent.

When Silja Schandorff and Nikolaj Hübbe created their version in 2015, they took the bold decision to go with no less than six casts. No company, probably not even Marinsky, will be able to present six Odette/Odile’s born to the part, and even though the Copenhagen version presented strong talents, the first run was unable to present an Odette/Odile who delivered on all parameters.

That is no longer the case.

Breaking News: Sebastian Haynes appointed to Soloist

 

September 15, 2016

Sebastian Haynes was promoted to Soloist at Royal Danish Ballet today. The promotion can hardly come as a surprise, as Haynes in few seasons have built an impressive and wide ranging resume of leading roles from Junker Ove in “A Folk’s Tale"  over Siegfried and Mercutio to Madge, the Witch in “La Sylphide”. He has also shined in a number of modern works, including "Short Time Together", “Cacti” and “Chroma”, culminating last season in Kim Brandstrup’s “Shaken Mirror” created for the RDB.

Sebastian Haynes is born in 1994, and joined the RDB School in Copenhagen from the satellite school in Holstebro, Jutland. In 2011, he became an apprentice and had his first solo role in”Chroma”, before he joined the company as a dancer. His career has moved swiftly due to his outstanding talent and dramatic range.

With a trio consisting of Jon Axel Fransson, Andreas Kaas (both appointed Soloists earlier this year) and Sebastian Haynes, the RDB now have a team on young male stars, who has proven that they can tackle almost any challenge.

Haynes has already danced Siegfried in “Swan Lake” and tonight will show his take on Rothbart, a role that in Silja Schandorff and Nikolaj Hübbe’s production is a full-fledged leading role.

 

Photo: "Sebastian Haynes by Natasha Rydwald (Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet