Drei Meisterwerke

Jiří Kylián is one of the legendary figures of the international dance scene. For over three decades, he shaped the artistic profile of the Nederlands Dans Theater, which under his direction developed into one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies. What unites Kylián’s choreographies is their poignant beauty and a lightness of movement that goes hand in hand with deep musicality, expressive emotionality, and profound introspection. In BELLA FIGURA (1995), Kylián embarks on a fascinating journey through time and thought, once again engaging with fundamental questions of human existence and seeking to transcend the rigid boundaries between dream and reality, illusion and truth. Set to a blend of early and contemporary music – Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Lucas Foss – this work, now part of the international repertoire, brings together breathtaking duets, trios, and quartets.

The Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen combines two very different musical pieces into a sensual, elegant, and humorous duet: In 1996, he created the opening of one of his most touching dances in the long list of his masterpieces to the eponymous melancholic blues song by J.J. Cales and Stravinsky’s exuberant CIRCUS POLKA. With a touch of irony, the recently deceased grand master of contemporary ballet reflects in THE OLD MAN AND ME on the aging of a couple, while also tenderly revisiting their shared memories.

Marco Goecke, artistic director of Ballet Basel since the 25/26 season, contributes his interpretation of LE SPECTRE DE LA ROSE. Since its premiere in 1911, Mikhail Fokine’s work has become a classic whose fascination continues to this day. It tells the poetic dream of a young girl who is drawn into a dance by the spirit of a rose. Goecke’s interpretation creates a mysterious world full of longing for love, set to the music of Carl Maria von Weber.

Bella Figura

Choreography Jiří Kylián
Music by Lukas Foss, V. Lento from: “Salomon Rossi Suite” (1975) / Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, I. “Stabat mater dolorosa” from: “Stabat mater” (1736) / Lukas Foss, III. Andante from: “Salomon Rossi Suite” (1975) / Alessandro Marcello, II. Adagio from: Concerto for Oboe and Strings in D minor (c. 1717) / Antonio Vivaldi, Andante from: Concerto for Two Mandolins and Strings in G major, RV 532 (c. 1740) / Giuseppe Torelli, Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 8 No. 6 (c. 1709) / Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, XII. “Quando corpus morietur” from: “Stabat mater”
Rehearsal direction Ken Ossola, Madoka Kariya, Cora Bos-Kroese
Stage & lighting concept Jiři Kylian
Costumes by Joke Visser
Lighting Design by Kees Tjebbes
Lighting and Stage Technology (Implementation) by Eric Blom

World Premiere October 12, 1995, “Nederlands Dans Theater 1” at the AT&T Theater, The Hague

The Old Man and Me

Choreography by Hans van Manen
Music J.J. Cale, “The Old Man and Me” / Igor Stravinsky, “Circus Polka for Orchestra” / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: Adagio”
Rehearsal Director Feline van Dijken
Set and Costumes Keso Dekker
Lighting Design Joop Caboort
Technical Realization Eric Blom

World Premiere February 29, 1996, “Nederlands Dans Theater 3,” The Hague

Le Spectre de la Rose

Choreography Marco Goecke
Music Carl Maria von Weber, “Invitation to the Dance, Rondo brillant in D-flat major, Op. 65, 260” (1819), “The Spirit Master, Overture, Op. 27, J. 122” (1811)
Rehearsal direction Giovanni Di Palma
Costumes Michaela Springer
Lighting Design Udo Haberland
Dramaturgy Nadja Kadel

World Premiere July 14, 2009, “Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo,” Terrasses du Casino de Monte-Carlo