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Ballet by John Neumeier
Beethoven Project II
With “Beethoven Project II”, John Neumeier is honoring the composer Ludwig van Beethoven in the anniversary year of his 250th birthday and continuing his exploration of the music of the grand master of Viennese classical music. Various musical forms will be heard in John Neumeier's new creation, leading to different types of choreography. You can see fragments of biographical images and sometimes pure dancing. John Neumeier's music selection combines piano and chamber music works by Ludwig van Beethoven from the context of the Heiligenstadt Testament with an excerpt from "Christ on the Mount of Olives" and the complete Seventh Symphony.
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven
Choreography: John Neumeier
Set: Heinrich Tröger
Costumes: Albert Kriemler – A-K-R-I-S-
2 hours 10 Minutes | 1 intermission
Part 1: 60 minutes, Part 2: 45 minutes
PREMIERE:
Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, May 29, 2021
ORIGINAL CAST:
Aleix Martínez
Hélène Bouchet
$Anna Laudere
Ida Stempelmann
Madoka Sugai
Jacopo Bellussi
Atte Kilpinen
Edvin Revazov
Alexandr Trusch
ON TOUR:
2021 Vienna 2022 Baden-Baden
Supported by the Foundation for the Patronage of the Hamburg State Opera
The program is available in our online shop.
TO BE READ BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE
Never before, it has been so complicated. "Beethoven Project II" is my 165th creation, but to wait for the premiere for almost six months following the dress rehearsal – this has been a new experience. Nonetheless, the creation during the Covid-19 pandemic has been an uplifting experience. Since October, we were able to establish a new hygiene concept which liberated us, in the studio at least, from the strict regulations of social distancing.
Certainly, we had to compromise to retain the aim of honoring Ludwig van Beethoven on the occasion of his 250th birthday. We had to postpone his great Ninth Symphony. Instead, we focused on works related to the so called "Heiligenstädter Testament" in combination with the captivating Seventh Symphony.
Even today, I am still moved when remembering the dress rehearsal
on December 4, 2020, a Friday evening during the "second wave" of increasing Covid-19 cases. Everyone on the stage which was designed
by Heinrich Tröger, performed with particular devotion: my company wearing Albert Kriemler's perceptively designed costumes, together with the soloists and the Philharmonic State Orchestra directed by Kent Nagano.
Since then, there were at least seven scenarios for the world premiere of "Beethoven Project II" – each scheduled date eagerly awaited by the dancers and our loyal audiences. Now, expecting a hopefully untroubled summer, the premiere is expected soon. This return to live performances means a lot to me. I am sure: Never before, it has been so important.
John Neumeier (Mai 17, 2021)
