the lifeblood of a dance company
New work is the lifeblood of any dance company. From its very inception, the Dutch National Ballet has always made a vital contribution to the emergence and development of young choreographic talent and thus to the creation of a [Dutch] contemporary choreographic style. Former resident choreographers Rudi van Dantzig [b. 1933], Toer van Schayk [b. 1936] and Hans van Manen [b. 1932] - who was reappointed resident choreographer in January 2005 - all had their first major international successes with the company. Highlights of their oeuvres - in which each choreographer combines classical technique and modern dance styles in his own distinctive way - still form part of the repertoire. Van Manen also creates new works for the company on a regular basis. As one of the foremost representatives of modern ballet, his contribution to the Dutch National Ballet’s international reputation is of vital importance.
the three v's
Following the ‘three V’s’, the Dutch National Ballet has also nurtured a new generation of choreographers, including artistic director and resident choreographer Ted Brandsen and resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor [b. 1956] - both of them former dancers with the company. Like their famous predecessors, their work is distinguished by a sense of adventure, a predilection for sobriety rather than outward show - no spectacle for the sake of it, although their works are frequently spectacular - and a striving for new means of expression based on classical ballet technique. Works by Brandsen and Pastor are now performed by companies all over the world, ranging from Washington Ballet, West Australian Ballet and the Royal Swedish Ballet to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. In the coming years, they will both be creating more works for the Dutch National Ballet.
The Dutch National Ballet is also committed to bringing innovative and fresh ideas to dance, thereby introducing its audiences and dancers to the work of young talented choreographers, both from Holland and abroad. Since Ted Brandsen’s appointment, choreographers Alexei Ratmansky, Martin Schläpfer, Nicolo Fonte, David Dawson and Dominique Dumais have created new works for the company.
In the 2011/2012 season, there have beenpremieres by Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky, among others. Also at the heart of the Dutch National Ballet’s work is the discovery and development of young choreographic talent. Regular choreographic workshops give young choreographers both from inside and outside the company the opportunity and freedom to experiment and create new works, thereby providing a breeding ground for emerging new talent.
new collaborations
Apart from the dancers, technicians and other staff, any ballet production also involves a host of other artists. And it is precisely this interaction with other disciplines that acts as a catalyst, spawning exciting innovations that push back the boundaries of dance. The next few years will bring intensive collaborations with dramaturges, scenario-writers, composers,singers, actors, visual artists, [video]directors and designers, from the Netherlands and abroad.