A Bold Leap: Berlin State Ballet's "Nureyev" by Serebrennikov
- Berlin's State Ballet presents the ballet "Nureyev" choreographed by Serebrennikov
Let's delve into an exhilarating tale! The Berlin State Ballet is all set to kick off its new season with a captivating production, "Nureyev," masterfully directed by the renowned Kirill Serebrennikov. This ballet, which was once a controversial gem at the Moscow Bolshoi Theater, fell victim to political pressure and was removed from their repertoire in 2023.
Serebrennikov, a multiple-award-winning director, is daringly teaming up with choreographer Yuri Possokhov for this production, marking their first collaboration outside of Russia.
Originally premiered at the Bolshoi Theater back in 2017, "Nureyev" centers around the life of Rudolf Nureyev, a trailblazing ballet dancer of gay identity who sadly succumbed to AIDS. However, the Bolshoi had to strip "Nureyev" from its repertoire following a ban on "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations," as reported in 2023. Sadly, Serebrennikov now resides in exile in France and Germany.
The grand premiere of this enchanting production is scheduled for March 2026. The dance event will weave together the finesse of ballet, the emotion of opera, and the magic of theater to pay homage to the extraordinary life of Nureyev (1938-1993), who remains one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century.
Under the leadership of Christian Spuck, the ballet company intends to present a resounding 100 performances during the 2025/2026 season, with their large ballet ensemble, composed of approximately 80 dancers hailing from nearly 30 countries.
In his third season, Spuck promises to present three premieres, including two world premieres. For instance, the mesmerizing production "Wunderkammer" by choreographer Marcos Morau will grace the stage at the end of October.
Curiosity cabinets of Renaissance and Baroque Europe, named "Wunderkammern," served as collections of unusual and captivating objects. This intriguing title offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of discovery that this production offers.
- Nureyev: A legendary ballet dancer of the 20th century.
- Berlin: The city where the Berlin State Ballet calls home.
- Moscow: The city where "Nureyev" premiered at the Bolshoi Theater.
- Russia: Nureyev's homeland and the original home of "Nureyev."
- AIDS: The unfortunate cause of Nureyev's demise.
- Bolshoi Theatre: The iconic theaterwhere "Nureyev" was premiered before being removed from the repertoire.
In 2023, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow removed the controversial production of "Nureyev" from its repertoire due to political pressure, a ballet based on the life of the legendary Russian ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. Now, the Berlin State Ballet, situated in Berlin, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in 2025, probably a sign of their commitment to safeguarding their artists' health in the face of the challenges that come with the portrayal of heavy themes like AIDS, as evidenced in "Nureyev." In March 2026, the Berlin State Ballet will present a grand premiere of "Nureyev," a production that will pay homage to the extraordinary life of Nureyev, a ballet dancer of gay identity who tragically died of AIDS, echoing the original production that was once staged at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre.
