Eva Kistrup

Back to Bournonville

 

DANCE2GO

Royal Danish Ballet

October 25, 2031

 

Having few opportunities due to Covid, the Copenhagen ballet audience filled practically all seats in The  Old Stage to enjoy a healthy doses of August Bourneville’s magic.

The first part of the program was a film on the life and work of August Bournonville by Liv Thomsen and Erik Aschengreen, who explained August Bourneville’s life and - most importantly - his work as a legacy still in live.

 

Everybody dancing Bournonville

After the break, the RDB dancers took over the stage to perform a series of Bournonville´s own works, performed by established stars, newly appointed dancers from the RDB School and intake  of male dancers from abroad. Principal Dancers Holly Dorger and Marcin Kupinski took on August Bournonville ´s own take of “Pas de Vestale”. 

This was followed by the “Pas de Trois” from “The Conservatory” danced  by Principal Jonathan Chmelensky, soloists Camilla Ruelykke Holst and Lena-Maria Gruber, the later showing her special gifts for Bournonville.

The next on the line, Soloist Alexander Bozinoff partnered a new addition to RDB, Mayo Arii in the lovely Pas de Deux from “Kermes in Bruges”, so well-remembered, when danced by principals Mette-Ida Kirk and Ib Andersen in the film “Dancing Bournonville” by Jørgen Leth.

Finally, a group of young dancers Ditte Paltzer, Victoria Bell and Agnes Rosendahl mixed up very well with the more experienced Tara Schaufuss in the Pas de Sept from “A Folks Tale”. Balthazár Sénat, Georgi Kapitanski and Nico Jannsen, dancers who has joined RDB during the last years, also supported them. Considering that the male dancing in the Pas de Sept, normally is given to the top of Principals and Soloists, the trio last night managed a fine and strong performance.

One can always hope for more Bournonville on the rooster and so we should. Seeing the film on Bournonville, where Nikolaj Hübbe himself gave his thoughts on Bournonville, the film also showcased segments on Nikolaj Hübbe´s own productions of Bournonville.

Here we saw both the best and the worst of his eager to change the traditional style and performance to take Bournonville, where the old master never had considered to go. Nikolaj Hübbe as a male Madge was definitely not a high point, nor the way to go forward.

 

Come Fly Away - Again

 

 

 

Twyla Tharp with Frank Sinatra:

“Come Fly Away”

Royal Danish Ballet

September 3th 2021

 

 

In 2013, Artistic Director Nikolaj Hübbe made a smart decision by bringing Twyla Tharp´s musical ballet “Come Fly Away” based on Frank Sinatra´s repertoire to Royal Danish Company.

The Copenhagen run proved that the Royal Danish Ballet could attract a broader audience, whom had previous little interest for ballet. Since then, “Come Fly Away” has been performed several times at the Copenhagen Scene.

“Come Fly Away” had a run last year, however with limited seats due to the Cowid crises.

Now the production is back – and so is the audience.

 

 

 

Lets Make a Contribution

 

 

The Chamber Ballet/Trio Vitruvi

”Takkeloftet”

Royal Danish Opera House

August 15 2021

 

 

Like most European ballet companies the Royal Danish Ballet have shut down its performances due to the Covid situation. Luckily, Denmark has been lightly touched compared to other countries and we have recently been able to attend performances.

When the Opera House was build, the building also included a smaller stage, which were planned for smaller performances, talks etc. it has also become the home stage for smaller productions for the Royal Danish Ballet and other ensembles like The Chamber Ballet/Trio Vitruvi as well. It proved a very good match.

Opening the season, the team was able to present six new ballets with six choreographers and 11 dancers from the company and abroad.

First out was a rather traditional Pas de Deux by Adam Lüders, the former RDB dancer who gained a big career at New York City Ballet. It was up to Amy Watson and Benjamin Buza to get life into Pas de Deux. They proved a strong and pleasant partnership. Officially, Principal Amy Watson retired last season. However seeing her and Buza, confirmed that they might dance on a high level for coming times.

 

 

Room to Swing a Cat

 

 

”The World Ballet”

July 14, 2021

 

“The World Ballet” displays their 2021 season in Copenhagen. 

In 2008, Opera Singer Jens-Christian Wandt took the initiative to present a summer program with primarily RDB dancers.

For each year, the repertoire and the number of audience has grown from a small event to where it is now. This season will include 11 performances in 12^th cities all over Denmark.

The contribution from the Royal Danish Ballet principals and dancers are now sharing the stage with Royal Ballet, probably due to Steven Mcrae involvement in the “World Ballet” as Artistic Director. The Copenhagen audience could now enjoy Royal Ballet stars like Lauren Cuthbertson, Marcelino Sambé and Federico Bonelli in addition to leading RDB stars Ida Praetorius, Tobias Praetorius and Astrid Elbo.

Another big treat for the dancers and the audience, was the location “Sølyst” outside Copenhagen, Gifted with a great park and lot of beautiful views, “Sølyst“ is the perfect venue for outside entertainment.

Meeting Mahler

 

John Neumeier:

Mahler´s third Symphony

Royal Danish Ballet

The Opera Stage

May 19th and May 21

2021

 

 

In 1974, John Neumeier presented his version of “Romeo & Juliet” with the Royal Danish Ballet, which became a major hit in Copenhagen and can properly be called one of the audience favorites. It will have yet another run next season.

The success” build a close relation with John Neumeier and his Hamburg Ballett. RDB has since performed several of John Neumeier´s creations including “A Midsummer Night´s Dream”, “Ulysses”, “Lady of the Camellias”, “Des Knaben Wunderhorn”, “Mahler´s 5^th Symphony” etc.

John Neumeier has also choreographed “The Little Mermaid” and “1963: Yesterday” for the Royal Danish Ballet.

Back on Stage – Hopefully!

A Sad Day at the Ballet

April 18^th 2021

 

 

It is usually a pleasure to write about ballet. However, what I will be writing now is not.

You may already know that the brilliant English choreographer Liam Scarlett is no more, following investigations of sexual misconducts involving ballet students and dancers, including dancers from Royal Danish Ballet.

In 2019, Liam Scarlett created his own version of “Queen of Spades” for RDB, which became an outstanding success. You can read my reviews of the three casts here on danceviewtimes.com blog.

Now two years later, the successful partnership from “Queen of Spades” were to be followed by Liam Scarlett´s “Frankenstein”. It looked like yet another successful partnership between Scarlett and the dramatically strong Royal Danish Ballet.

However, Royal Danish Ballet decided to cancel the production, when it became clear that there had been unacceptable conduct during the production of “Queen of Spades”. The Management of the “Royal Danish Ballet” chose to not only cancel the production of “Frankenstein” - but also go public with the claims of misconduct. 

RDB cancels favorite ballet due to Covid 19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royal Danish Ballet, January 15, 2021

 

Today the Danish audience received the message that John Neumeiers "Romeo & Juliet" a favorite with the Danish audience since 1974 are cancelled due to the implications of Covid 19.

Other performances may also be cancelled due to the strict rules in Denmark regarding Covid.

The Royal Danish Ballet hopes that the audience favorite will be back on  the Copenhagen stage as soon as possible. 

It is a blow, although an expected one. Royal Danish Ballet has cancelled several other ballets. However, Nikolaj Hübbe and his team have screened a significant number of company ballets, including an older version of “Romeo & Juliet” with Principals Ida Praetorius and Andreas Kaas. For the now cancelled run the duo was splits, so Ida Praetorius and Andreas Kaas this time would partner Ryan Tomash and Wilma Giglio.

I am especially sad for the two upcoming dancers, so close to their dynamite roles. I hope that they will get their turn in the not so far future.

You may be able to enjoy several RDB hits at the company’s web side. www.kglteater.dk

 

Photo: Ida Praetorius and Gregory Dean as Romeo & Juliet by Costin Radu. Copyright (c) Royal Danish Ballet

 

 

Long Time - Still Seen

 

 

The Royal Danish Ballet in Covid19 Time

January 7, 2021

When Covid 19 came to Denmark, the Royal Danish Ballet closed down for a significant period. However, the company managed to rebound and carry a number of productions. However, the company had to perform under limited conditions. The audience was reduced to one third of normal practice. There was strict rules for the audience and limitations on how and where they could move. Nevertheless, the RDB audience was delighted to see whatever was available.

 

 

Royal Danish Ballet close down until January -or maybe longer

 

 December 8th, 2020 

Following the decisions by the Danish Government, RDB will stop performances until the Covid-19 reaches acceptable lewels.

Danish children are sent home from school. Cinema´s, theatres, and restaurants will close down until the numbers are diminishing. Yesterday it was announced that our young Royal Prince Christian is one of the pupils smitten in School.

While the RDB has performed brilliantly through the season, unfortunately it cannot continue due to the rising numbers Covid-19 sufferers.  So far Denmark has been able to limit the numbers of covid-19 patients. However, the winter season creates more casualties and it will take some time before the vaccine is available to the communities.