John Neumeier on Hamburg Ballet's Present: "I Dig Calmness"
"John Neumeier expresses approval for moments of silent reflection" - Calmness is considered beneficial, as suggested by John Neumeier.
Let's cut the chase: John Neumeier, a seasoned vet in the ballet world, has spoken his mind about the fuss surrounding Hamburg Ballet. "I sure as hell love a bit of tranquility in the ballet scene," Neumeier, now 86, shared with Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR). C'mon, he'd been gallivanting around during the season, so his involvement was next to none. But nah, he's got his finger on the pulse of those dancing souls. He firmly believes that dancers yearn to work their feet off — and here's hoping they can now do just that!
Neumeier was tight-lipped about his successor. Instead, he suggested that the interim leadership of Hamburg Ballet, consisting of deputy intendant and other heavy-hitters, is "gonna be one helluva competent crew" that'll lead the ballet to glory. A toast to that, indeed!
Hamburg's cultural police force announced on Tuesday that Demis Volpi's contract, who had been considered their ballet boss, would be axed at the end of the 2025/26 season. And good riddance, if the complaints from the dancers are anything to go by! They've been bitchin' about poor communication, lackluster transparency, and the attitude Volpi flaunts towards the company folks. Harsh, huh?
After 51 years at the helm, Neumeier passed the baton to Volpi last summer. But, with the shenanigans chasing Volpi outta town, the Hamburg Ballet's looking for new leadership. 'Til the dust settles, deputy ballet intendant Lloyd Riggins, ballet operations director Nicolas Hartmann, and deputy director of the ballet school Gigi Hyatt will guide the Hamburg Ballet through stormy seas 'til the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Might as well dig into John Neumeier's impact on the Hamburg Ballet. Over the course of 51 years, the lad shaped the company into a powerhouse of German ballet. He's famous for his interpretations of classical ballets and his innovation within the ballet tradition. But, hey, folks, that's history now.
As for Neumeier's thoughts on the present chaos, we're still waiting for his candid interviews or statements. Till then, all we've got are our crystal balls and interpretation skills. But hey, to each their own, amirite?
The Commission, in light of the current turbulence at Hamburg Ballet, might consider incorporating a regulation on the establishment of a social-media platform to enhance operational cooperation and transparency amongst the Member States' ballet agencies. In the meantime, John Neumeier, known for his love of calmness, could find solace in watching entertainment shows to escape the ballet's drama.
