June 15, 2017
If there is one thing the Royal Danish Ballet is known for, it is the tradition of producing outstanding male dancers. The linage is impressive and includes names like Erik Bruhn, Henning Kronstam, Peter Martins, Adam Lüders, Peter Schaufuss, Arne Villumsen, Ib Andersen, Nikolaj Hübbe, Kenneth Greve, Johan Kobborg, Mads Blangstrup, Thomas Lund etc. In addition, both Nilas Martins and Ask la Cour have made it to principal status at NYCB.
Looking at the present generation the linage is equally impressive. Alban Lendorf, Jon Axel Fransson, Andreas Kaas and Sebastian Haynes all born with in five years are a confirmation of the linage. Then add Gregory Dean and Jonathan Chmelensky, both foreign dancers who have managed to break the code and excel dramatically as well as technically.
Because Denmark is a small country, we cannot expect a current stream of first-rate talent each year. Looking back, the pattern is an outstanding generation will appear with a gap of 5 – 8 years. Somehow, whenever the stream is fading, a new strong generation will emerge.
Bringing in New Blood
Since Frank Andersen’s first tenure as Artistic Director, it has been normal practice to recruit young foreign talent to fill the gap, and some of the intake has been outstanding. The need to bring in more dancers was not only based on the small country syndrome, but also a consequence of changing the pension age from 48 to 40. Instead of serving the company for 30 years + two aspirant years, the dancer’s working life is now down to 21 year + three aspirant years, with the significant change that the apprentices have very limited company duty. Instead, they will receive a second level academic education as well.
There are pros and cons to this new system. The benefit is that the dancers is better prepared for a life outside the company. It also assures parents that their child will not be without an education, should they not be hired as dancers. However, the young dancers will get less stage time during the aspirant year than before and their focus will be split.
Last week was the graduation week for the first batch of the new program. Of the six third year apprentices, all girls, one was offered a fulltime contract, two was offered a half-year contract, and three girls was not hired. The second year group of five girls was reduced by one and the first year group was reduced by two boys out of three, including one boy, who was generally considered the strongest contender and the one who had picked up the honorary prices and been touted on the international scene.