In what is bound to be one of the most significant events in the history of ballet in South Africa, Cape Town City Ballet will present a triple bill of ballets by world-renowned choreographer John Neumeier from 26 to 30 September at Artscape in Cape Town. US-born Neumeier, arguably the greatest living ballet choreographer of the 21st century, is the Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of the esteemed Hamburg Ballet company in Germany and has already choreographed some 120 ballets during his illustrious career.
This exciting announcement was made on Friday 3 January 2014 at a special function hosted in Cape Town by the German ambassador to South Africa, Dr Horst Freitag. The event was held in honour of Neumeier and to mark the cultural collaboration between Hamburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet which is celebrating its 80thanniversary this year.
The ground-breaking cooperation between the two ballet companies has for the past four years been spearheaded by Keith Mackintosh, well-known former ballet dancer and Artistic Executive of Cape Town City Ballet. “I have long wished to bring the ballets of John Neumeier to Cape Town and following 4 years of negotiations, I am delighted we can announce this historic collaboration between Hamburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet.”
“The CTCB has throughout its history cultivated international cultural relations with other countries, ballet companies, dancers, choreographers and producers, but this is the first time we’ll be performing works of John Neumeier. Presenting his ballets will not only provide opportunities for our dancers’ development, but also offer audiences the chance to witness the sublime creativity of this master choreographer”, commented Mackintosh.
Neumeier shared with guests that the three ballets selected to be staged will be his Spring and Fall, danced to music by Dvorak, Vaslav,to music by JS Bach, and the extraordinary Rite of Spring (Le sacre du Printempts), to music by Igor Stravinsky.
Following this delightful news, Cape Town City Ballet kicks off its exciting 80th celebration programme this coming Sunday, 19 January, at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre with the electrifying ballet The Firebird, with music by Stravinsky, and Les Sylphides, danced to the beautiful music of Frederic Chopin. Please note, performances only take place on Sundays (20h15) until 16 February.
Tickets at R110/R120/R130 are available through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
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