Blog

Messa da Requiem: in rehearsals

Take an exclusive peek into our studios where our dancers rehearse MESSA DA REQUIEM with our designated Artistic Director Christian Spuck.

Wir trauern um Lynn Seymour

Lynn Seymour gilt als eine der aufregendsten dramatischen Tänzerinnen ihrer Generation. Das Staatsballett Berlin blickt mit größter Dankbarkeit auf ihren Beitrag zur Ballettgeschichte Berlins.

Behind the scenes with Mats Ek

VIDEO - What concept lies behind Mats Ek's A SORT OF...? What about the seemingly incomplete title? Watch our interview about his piece A SORT OF... and find out.

Performance of Ekman/Eyal cancelled

Unfortunately, we have to cancel the performance of Ekman/Eyal at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden on Thursday, April 6. Instead, we added another performance of Onegin on May 13, 3pm.

Wir trauern um Michael Denard

Mit großer Traurigkeit haben wir heute die Nachricht vom Tod von Michaël Denard aufgenommen.

Ek/Ekman: In the studio

A Swedish double bill awaits at the first premiere of our 22/23 season. Take a look behind the scenes with us during rehearsals of Mats Ek's A SORT OF... and Alexander Ekman's CACTI.

22/23 season: January to July

In the second half of the season, the Staatsballett Berlin celebrates three premieres: EK/EKMAN, MESSA DA REQUIEM and STRAVINSKY. On top, we'll stage EKMAN/EYAL, ONEGIN, SWAN LAKE and DAWSON. Find out more in our preview...

LET'S MOVE: Interview

VIDEO - In November, the Staatsballett Berlin and the Deutsche Oper Berlin invited all dance enthusiasts to free tango, swing and salsa courses for the first time. In our video interview, all participating dance instructors tell us why they were eager to join this project.

Notes on Swan Lake by Yolanda Correa

On Wednesday, Yolanda Correa danced the role of Odette/Odile in Patrice Bart's SWAN LAKE one last time. At the end of December, the principal dancer bids farewell to Berlin to, once again, dance at the opera in Oslo. Saying goodbye, she shared her thoughts on the ballet classic.

BALLET FOR FUTURE? PODCAST - EPISODE SEVEN

From individual fans who would do anything for "their" dancer, to followers who want to look behind the scenes online, to the supporter who seek personal encounters and offer more than just idealistic support: What challenges and opportunities arise in dealing with the different groups in the environment of a cultural institution?

Notes on Sleeping Beauty by Iana Salenko

I started dancing Aurora very early. When I was 18 after school, I prepared the role for the first time and fell in love with it straight away. I thought this is mine, these are my feelings, this suits me, young and cheerful...

FROM BERLIN WITH LOVE – auf der Spree

On this cold Thursday in December, we look back at an early highlight of this season when we chartered a boat to dance for the people on the Spree river!

Notes on Dawson by Polina Semionova

After her second pregnancy, Polina Semionova returned to the stage dancing David Dawson's VOICES. Here she tells us what made rehearsals so special.

Principal Dancers wanted

The STAATSBALLETT BERLIN is looking for Principal Dancers with strong classical technique for its 23/24 season.

World Ballet Day 2022

VIDEO - Happy World Ballet Day! Join us over on YouTube at 4pm CET when we celebrate with a ballet class feat. ballet mistress and former Principal Dancer Nadja Saidakova and a rehearsal with ballet legend Marcia Haydée and Principal Dancer David Soares. Enjoy!

Ballet for Future? Podcast – Episode six

The sixth episode of our podcast series BALLET FOR FUTURE? is now online (in German only).

Our new ClassicCard

The ClassicCard is aimed at young classical music fans. Through membership you can secure exclusive discounts for a variety of Berlin cultural institutions.

100th performance »Onegin«

The upcoming week is all about ONEGIN. On top of staging John Cranko's ballet adaptation of the eponymous novel by Alexander S. Pushkin three times with three high-calibre casts, we celebrate the 100th performance of the ballet milestone on October 7.

Notes on Giselle by Ksenia Ovsyanick

In each ballerina's career, GISELLE is like Hamlet for actors. It tests you both artistically and technically and offers an amazing playground for interpretation...

Fellows 22/23

NEWS - The new fellows of our Mentorship Programme are here!

Promotions 22/23

NEWS - Congratulations to Alexandre Cagnat, Konstantin Lorenz and Cameron Hunter on their promotions.

New ensemble members

Just before the beginning of our 22/23 season, we are happy to introduce our new ensemble members.

Fellows 21/22

With the end of the season, we also say goodbye to our first ever Mentorship Programme fellows.

Ballet for future? Podcast - Episode Five

PODCAST - Are the working conditions of a ballet dancer healthy? Is it possible to end a career in dance without lasting injuries?

FROM BERLIN WITH LOVE – on the Spree

The Staatsballett Berlin charters a boat once more, performing excerpts from the repertory in an unusual setting on August 26 from 6 p.m.

360° Onegin

John Cranko's ONEGIN is a milestone in ballet history. Take a look behind the scenes with our digital introduction.

360° Sleeping Beauty

VIDEO - Take a look behind the scenes of Marcia Haydée's SLEEPING BEAUTY which we'll stage at the Deutsche Oper Berlin until the end of the season.

Ballet for future? Podcast - Episode Four

Despite the political agenda of a "culture for everyone", only a small part of the population in Germany visits publicly funded culture institutions on a regular basis. With diverse events, theatres, museums and libraries try to change this to reach a more diverse audience.

LAB_WORKS 2022: Behind the scenes

Take a look behind the scenes of our latest production LAB_WORKS 2022 featuring choreographies from the company.

Sleeping Beauty: Trailer

Our brand-new SLEEPING BEAUTY trailer is here, just in time for our B premiere!

Sleeping Beauty: Curtain call

After the premiere is before the premiere! After last night's A premiere of Marcia Haydée's SLEEPING BEAUTY, we're looking forward to our B premiere on Wednesday, May 18!

»Carabosse is a diva«

Marcia Haydée on the character of Carabosse in SLEEPING BEAUTY, celebrating its premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on May 13 and 18.

Sleeping Beauty: rehearsal teaser

Marcia Haydèe's SLEEPING BEAUTY will celebrate its premiere with two star-studded casts at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on May 13 and 18.

22/23 season: Tickets on sale now

Tickets to the upcoming 22/23 season are now available via our website as well as the box offices of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Staatsoper unter den Linden.

Alongside

Our dancers creativity knows no bounds when it comes to expressing the issues of our present in the language of movement.

BALLET FOR LIFE by Iana Salenko

Principal dancer organises charity gala to support the Ukraine with humanitarian aid

Welcome to the company! – Four new additions to the ensemble

David Motta Soares joins the Staatsballett Berlin as principal dancer with immediate effect. Demi-soloist Bruna Fernanda Cantanhede Gaglianone and corps de ballet dancer Erick Swolkin complete the ensemble. In addition, Maria Valter is now part of the Enhance Mentorship Programme.

Sleeping Beauty: behind the scenes

First impressions of SLEEPING BEAUTY rehearsals with the legendary Marcia Haydée as well as Polina Semionova, Elisa Carrillo Cabrera and Arshak Ghalumyan. The ballet classic premieres at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on May 13.

22/23 Season: Transitions

We're thrilled to announce our 22/23 season programme. Three premieres and seven repertory productions showcase the ensemble's wide range and present iconic compositions for orchestra and chorus.

Ballet for future? Podcast - Episode Three

High-performance sport or educating artistic expression? Between discipline and big goals, between partnership and pedagogy, traditional training for professional dancers is called into question.

Statement by the management of the Staatsballett Berlin on the attack on Ukraine

We are stunned, full of anger, sadness, fear and horror about the war in Ukraine. Several employees of the Staatsballett Berlin come from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, China, Latvia and many other countries around the world. Our self-image unites the different nations and speaks a common language in dance that connects everyone and transcends political borders.

In Solidarität sind wir im Herzen bei den Menschen in der Ukraine

Wir stehen solidarisch zu all jenen, die weiter fest an die Möglichkeiten eines vielfältigen und friedlichen Miteinanders, an die Kraft der Kunst und die befriedende Wirkung der Kultur glauben und die jetzt dafür streiten müssen. In der Ukraine, aber auch in der russischen Zivilgesellschaft. Es gibt viele gute Beispiele, wie gerade kultureller Austausch und künstlerische Zusammenarbeit über Grenzen hinweg die Grundlage für Frieden und Verständigung schaffen können. Wir werden alles uns Mögliche dafür tun.

The last Don Quixote

Tonight, we'll stage Víctor Ullate's DON QUIXOTE for the last time this season. Our Acting Artistic Director Christiane Theobald on this last performance.

World Premiere: SYM-PHONIE MMXX

On March 13, 2022, the Staatsballett Berlin stages the world premiere of Sasha Waltz and Georg Friedrich Haas' SYM-PHONIE MMXX for dance, light and orchestra co-produced by Sasha Waltz & Guests.

Ballet for Future? Podcast - Episode Two

What is the current status of power relations at the theatre and in other cultural institutions? This and other issues will be discussed in our new episode.

Reflecting on 18 years of repertoire

NEWS - At the beginning of 2022, the Staatsballett Berlin turned 18! As a small birthday surprise, we made a new section available on our website.

360° Don Quixote

VIDEO - Take a look behind the scenes of Víctor Ullate's DON QUIXOTE.

The history of »gitanos« in Spain

DON QUIXOTE choreographer Víctor Ullate grew up with Spanish dance. »Gitanos« have always been an integral part of Spanish dance history. Learn more about the history of Roma in Spain.

Dance in Spain

What's the difference between »bailar« and »danzar«? And how do classical ballet and flamenco fit together? Learn more about the different dance styles in Víctor Ullate's DON QUIXOTE with our guide.

Why Don Quixote?

In an interview, choreographer Víctor Ullate told us why he set out to create his own version of the ballet classic, which will celebrate its revival at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on December 3.

We love The Nutcracker

THE NUTCRACKER banned? The ultimate Christmas ballet cancelled? In the last few days, various newspapers and social media posts said, the Staatsballett Berlin removed the classic from its repertory without warning. Click here to read why it's not part of our programme this year.

Wir trauern um Martina Feldt

NACHRUF - Am 4. November verstarb Martina Lux, geb. Feldt, die nach ihrem Abschluss an der Staatlichen Ballettschule Berlin 1973 ins Ballett der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin engagiert wurde. Das Staatsballett Berlin wir ihr immer in dankbarer Erinnerung verbunden bleiben.

In rehearsal: Don Quixote

Spanish ambiance galore at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in December! Rehearsal for Victor Ullate's DON QUIXOTE are well underway.

360° Dawson

VIDEO - A behind-the-scenes look at DAWSON, our double bill featuring two choreographies, CITIZEN NOWHERE and VOICES, by David Dawson.

Programme changes: SYM-PHONIE MMXXand SWAN LAKE

PRESS RELEASE - The Staatsballett Berlin announces changes in the second half of the 21/22 season: SYM-PHONIE MMXX will be staged three times as a collaborative production of Sasha Waltz & Guests and the Staatsballett Berlin. In addition, SWAN LAKE will return to its origins at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in December 2022.

Ballet for Future? – A Staatsballett Berlin podcast

Today, the Staatsballett Berlin released the first episode of its podcast BALLET FOR FUTURE? In five episodes, topics related to the institution of ballet, its values and structures will be controversially discussed.

Solo mit Sofa

NEWS - As part of today's Deutscher Tanzpreis award ceremony, Principal Dancer Ksenia Ovsyanick will perform Reinhild Hoffmann's iconic piece SOLO MIT SOFA. Our photo depicts Ksenia during one of the last rehearsals with Hoffmann at our studios. Toi toi toi for tonight's performance.

World Ballet Day 2021

VIDEO - Happy World Ballet Day! Celebrate with us and join the dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin as well as fellows of the Enhance Mentorship Programme and Nodira Burchanowa on piano for a ballet class on the stage of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden at 4pm CET today.

Dawson Trailer

VIDEO - Have a look at our trailer for DAWSON, our double bill at the Deutsche Oper Berlin feat. CITIZEN NOWHERE and VOICES by choroeographer David Dawson.

Ticket sales November to January

PRESSE - Tickets to all shows of Don Quixote, Dawson, Jewels and Onegin between November and January are on sale now.

Dawson Premiere

NEWS - After the successful premiere of our double bill DAWSON, the artistic team gathered for a quick snapshot.

Dawson: pre-premiere conversation

NEWS - Last Sunday, we held our first pre-premiere conversation. Acting Artistic Director Christiane Theobald invited choreographer David Dawson to talk about his pieces VOICES and CITIZEN NOWHERE which will premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on Sunday, September 26.

Fellows 21/22

NEWS - Welcome to all fellows of the first ever ENHANCE Mentorship Programme.

promotions: part two

NEWS - Apart from the already mentioned six, we have one more promotion to announce! Congratulations to Cecile Kaltenbach on her promotion to Demi-Soloist this season!

October Ticket sale

NEWS - Tickets to all October performances are available from August 27 (advance) and from September 3 (regular ticket sales).

Casts: Onegin

NEWS - On Sep 9, we kick off our 21/22 season with a classical ballet masterpiece: John Cranko's ONEGIN. Between the beginning of September and the end of November, you can choose between eight performances and a variety of casts.

Promotions and new dancers

NEWS - Congratulations to Yuria Isaka, Alizée Sicre, Alexander Bird and Alexandre Cagnat on their promotion to Demi-Soloist! And a warm welcome to Timothy Dutson, our newest dancer in the corps de ballet, as well as Wei Wang, who has returned to the company after a one-year hiatus.

Welcome to our 21/22 season

Our 2021/22 season programme is out, including four premieres by established and up-and-coming choreographers as well as new fringe events and a mentorship programme for Berlin dancers. Our Acting Artistic Director welcomes you and introduces you to our new season.

Christian Spuck übernimmt die Intendanz des Berliner Staatsballetts

PRESSE - Christian Spuck wird ab der Spielzeit 2023/2024 neuer Intendant des Staatsballetts Berlin. Um seine Intendanz mit entsprechender Vorbereitungszeit verantwortungsvoll angehen zu können, wird er in der Spielzeit 2022/2023 der kommissarischen Intendantin, Dr. Christiane Theobald, bereits künstlerisch beratend zur Seite stehen.

Dancing on the river Spree

VIDEO - In addition to indoor performances with limited seating capacity, the Staatsballett Berlin charters a boat, conquering the inner-city Spree.

Staatballett Berlin Future prospect for Berlin's young generation of dancers

PRESS RELEASE - The Staatsballett Berlin launches a ten-month Mentorship Programme for alumni of the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin at the beginning of next season, providing 16 dancers with future prospects during the pandemic.

»It is a wake-up call.« – Staatsballett Berlin and dancer reach settlement

PRESS RELEASE - A settlement was reached in today's arbitration concerning the case of Lopes Gomes. Furthermore, the Staatsballett Berlin insistently continues its diversity-oriented structural transformation.

David Dawson started working on his first creation for the Staatsballett Berlin

PRESS RELEASE - Renowned choreographer David Dawson is currently developing a creation with the dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin that will premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in November 2021.

3 legends

INTERVIEW - Originally, Patrice Bart, Marcia Haydée and Víctor Ullate were scheduled to come to our studios to work on SLEEPING BEAUTY, SWAN LAKE and DON QUXOTE. However, Covid-19 not only turned all planning upside down, but our entire lives as well. Seeking the advice of the three living legends, who devoted their entire lives to dance, we asked them a few questions nonetheless – not in person but via a digital conversation.

Du bist die Ruh

VIDEO - Last year, nine choreographers contributed "pieces from isolation" to our contemporary programme LAB_WORKS COVID_19. Andreas Heise's DU BIST DIE RUH featuring Yolanda Correa, Arne-Christian Pelz (cello) and Alina Pronina (piano) was one of them. And we're excited to share it with you today.

Wir trauern um Birgit Brux

NACHRUF - Uns hat ein besonderer Mensch verlassen, liebenswürdig und herzensgut. Wir werden ihre Fröhlichkeit vermissen. Birgit Brux hat für das Ballett gelebt. Wir werden sie nicht vergessen. Das Staatsballett Berlin und Tanz ist KLASSE! trauern um Birgit Brux.

Meet the Company

VIDEO - We are still absent from the theatre stage this month, but we're more than happy to invite you backstage. Welcome to the Staatsballett Berlin!

World Ballet Day 2020

VIDEO - Featuring the the Grand Pas de Deux from LE CORSAIRE with Iana Salenko and Daniil Simkin as well as PAS DE QUATRE by Anton Dolin with Yolanda Correa, Evelina Godunova, Sarah Hees-Hochster and Aya Okumura.

Diorama

VIDEO - Dance film with Daniil Simkin, Maria Kochetkova and the Kronos Quartet

Behind the scenes of LAB_WORKS COVID_19

VIDEO - Take a look behind the scenes with Artistic Director Christiane Theobald and find out how all our dancers' "choreographies from isolation" were created.

Locked in

VIDEO - On September 3, LAB_WORKS COVID_19 premieres at the Komische Oper Berlin. On the night, eight Staatsballett dancers* presented choreographies which were created during the lockdown period. Today, as a digital preface, we post LOCKED IN by one of the choreographers, Vivian Assal Koohnavard.

»Distance« streaming now

DOCUMENTARY - Last year, the dance pedagogues of Tanz ist KLASSE! went to four Berlin-based schools to talk about »Grenzen«, which translates to »limits« but also implies »borders«, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall.

The participating children not only choreographed their own dances but also engaged in the medium of film. The outcome is the 60-minute dance film DistANCE documenting the children's dances and in doing so becoming a form of dance itself.

From Berlin with Love – Berlin streams digital gala

VIDEO - We have reached the end of a more than unusual 19/20 season. However, we have a surprise up our sleeve for all dance enthusiasts out there. On Friday, July 3, 7pm CET, we'll stream FROM BERLIN WITH LOVE via YouTube!

I can't get no...

VIDEO - Our dancers can't wait to get back on the stages of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Staatsoper Berlin!

Sunny in the Park

VIDEO - At the end of August, our dancers might be back on stage, however, with a limited amount of people only. So, we decided to take Emanuel Gat's SUNNY with music by Awir Leon to the park, keeping the necessary distance, of course.

Back in the Studio

VIDEO - The dancers are back in the studio!

LA BAYADERE | Nikiya Solo Variation

VIDEO - Just prior to all of Berlin's cultural institutions shutting down due to the Corona pandemic, we went to the studio with Principal Dancer Ksenia Ovsyanick to record one last solo from Alexei Ratmansky's LA BAYADERE to compensate for all the cancelled performances this season.

Swan Lake Rehearsal with Patrice Bart - Part 2

VIDEO - On March 16, we filmed one of the last SWAN LAKE rehearsals with choreographer Patrice Bart, dancers Aurora Dickie and Alejandro Virelles, ballet mistress Christine Camillo and Peter Hartwig on piano. All performances might have been cancelled, however, we still want to treat you to an extended clip. Enjoy!

FROM BERLIN WITH LOVE | Creating in Times of Corona

VIDEO - Even in isolation, our wonderful dancers are connected and ready to create!

Swan Lake Rehearsal with Patrice Bart - Part 1

VIDEO - Last week, we filmed one of the last SWAN LAKE rehearsals with choreographer Patrice Bart, dancers Yolanda Correa and Alejandro Virelles, ballet mistress Christine Camillo and Peter Hartwig on piano. All performances might have been cancelled, however, we still want to treat you to an extended clip. Enjoy!

One Day in One Minute

VIDEO - We are speeding into 2020 with a behind-the-scenes time lapse recorded by our dancer Vladislav Marinov.

La Bayadere – Rehearsal with Polina Semionova and Alejandro Virelles

VIDEO - On World Ballet Day, Polina Semionova and Alejandro Virelles allowed us to witness the first rehearsal with Christine Camillo since their stage performances last season.

World Ballet Day 2019

VIDEO - On Wednesday, October 23, we celebrated #WorldBalletDay presenting an hour-long programme featuring classical and contemporary morning classes, »Plateau Effect« rehearsals and »La Bayadère« rehearsals with Polina Semionova and Alejandro Virelles. Enjoy!

Wir trauern um Bernd Dreyer

NACHRUF - Bernd Dreyer ist am 16. September 2019 verstorben. Das Staatsballett Berlin wird dem Meistertänzer Bernd Dreyer als herausragende Künstlerpersönlichkeit seiner Geschichte ein besonderes Andenken bewahren. Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die teilweise über Jahrzehnte hinweg mit ihm arbeiteten, werden mit ihm auch einen sensiblen, herzlichen und humorvollen Menschen vermissen.

Staatsballett Berlin honoured as »Company of the Year«

PRESS RELEASE - A total of 25 dance journalists from all German-speaking countries voted for the Staatsballett Berlin Company of the Year. The annual survey by the magazine tanz thus confirms what viewers' voices and critics have already shown: the first season of the Staatsballett Berlin under new artistic direction was a success. In its statement, the jury emphasized not only the reorientation of the repertoire but also the impressive ensemble performance.

»It's like coming home«

INTERVIEW - The end of the season is approaching fast, but we still have five performances of John Cranko's »Romeo and Juliet« coming up at Deutsche Oper Berlin. We talked to Reid Anderson, former director of the Stuttgarter Ballett and Cranko student, about the masterpiece.

»Once I know it doesn't work, I want to do it«

INTERVIEW - Dutch composer Thom Willems predominantly composes music for ballet. Since 1985, he has been collaborating with choreographer William Forsythe, both working on over 65 pieces together. In 1991, they premiered The Second Detail which is now staged as part of our triple bill, Balanchine | Forsythe | Siegal at Staatsoper Unter den Linden in May and June. After soundcheck, we asked the composer to give us an interview.