Dance Tumult at Hamburg Ballet: Five Principal Dancers Call it Quits
Hamburg Ballet is in turmoil as five principal dancers have stepped down in protest. - Five performers have resigned independently
Hey there! Grab a seat, let's chat about the drama going down at the Hamburg Ballet.
The new ballet director, Demis Volpi, has stepped into John Neumeier's dance shoes (or ballet slippers!) this summer and already, things ain't looking peachy. News has surfaced that five principal dancers are blowing town, including four male principals – Alexandr Trusch, Christopher Evans, Jacopo Bellussi, and Alessandro Frola – and the principal dancer Madoka Sugai. Some reports suggest that around 30 dancers have penned a letter to SPD's culture senator, Carsten Brosda, complaining about a lack of quality and appreciation.
The Hamburg cultural authority confirms receiving the letter but won't spill the beans on its contents. Spokesperson Enno Isermann reckons that changes after 51 years of John Neumeier ain't a walk in the park. "You gotta be open to working together, gotta respect Neumeier's unique legacy, and be ready for change," Isermann says.
Demis Volpi chimes in too, admitting that changes and fresh impulses can cause tension. He's taking the accusations seriously but wishes they'd come to him in a one-on-one instead of a letter to Brosda and the authority. The company (and Volpi) are in the midst of a delicate journey between tradition and the new, and a touchy exchange with the ensemble is the last thing they need.
John Neumeier passed the torch to the German-Argentinian Demis Volpi at 86, who's now tasked with adding new productions to the repertoire while continuing Neumeier's legacy. Ain't an easy gig, huh?
- Hamburg
- Ballet
- John Neumeier
- Crisis
- NDR
- Carsten Brosda
- SPD
Now, if you've ever seen a ballet company go through a transformation, you might've noticed a few factors at play:
- Artistic direction shifts: New blood can mean new vibes, productions, and techniques that might not jive with the company's established identity.
- Contractual and administrative changes: Expect altered contract terms, scheduling demands, and creative input under new management.
- Repertoire focus: With a new artistic director, Neumeier's signature story ballets might take a backseat to Volpi's contemporary style, leaving dancers who specialize in his work feeling lost.
Change ain't easy for any outfit, and ballet companies are no exception. But transitioning after 51 years is no small feat, especially when the previous director was a legend like John Neumeier. Here's hoping for constructive conversations and a bright future for the Hamburg Ballet. Catch you next time!
- The Commission, responding to the crisis at Hamburg Ballet, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the introduction of a new type of electronic data-processing system, aiming to streamline administrative changes in the ballet company.
- Soloist Madoka Sugai, who is leaving Hamburg Ballet along with four male principals, announced her future collaboration with a renowned soloist, Sugai, in the entertainment industry, promising to bring fresh impulses to their unique legacy.
- During the dance tumult at Hamburg Ballet, Carsten Brosda, the SPD culture senator, confirmed receiving a letter from around 30 dancers, complaining about contractual and administrative changes under the new artistic direction, calling for a preservation of John Neumeier's legacy.
