Dutch National Ballet

History

The Ballet Der Lage Landen was a pioneering Dutch ballet company founded by artistic director Mascha Ter Weeme in 1947. The Ballet of the Nederlandse Opera was founded in 1949 by French dancer and choreographer Françoise Adret. The two companies merged in 1959 to form the Amsterdam(s) Ballet. Amsterdam Ballet in turn merged with the Netherlands Ballet (Nederlands Ballet) to form the Dutch National Ballet in 1961.

The company's first director was Sonia Gaskell (1961–1969). Gaskell was the founder of Ballet Recital, the forerunner of her more famous Nederlands Ballet (1954-1961). and Wayne Eagling (1991–2003).

On 13 September 2011, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala performance in the presence of Queen Beatrix.

Description

The company has been based at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet (formerly known as Het Muziektheater) in Amsterdam since 1986. the company is directed by Ted Brandsen.

The company is a regular guest at major festivals across Europe, such as the Edinburgh Festival. It is committed to new choreography and performs work from current and past resident choreographers: Rudi van Dantzig, Toer van Schayk, Hans van Manen, Maguy Marin, and Édouard Lock.

Dancers

The Dutch National Ballet employs approximately 90 dancers. Below is a list of principals, soloists, and grand sujets.

Principals

Soloists

• Naira Agvanean
• Maria Chugai
• Floor Eimers
• Salome Leverashvili
• Jingjing Mao
• Elisabeth Tonev
• Nina Tonoli
• Joseph Massarelli
• Jan Spunda
• Edo Wijnen
• Sho Yamada

Grand sujets

• Luiza Bertho
• Kira Hilli
• Erica Horwood
• Chloë Réveillon
• Connie Vowles
• Daniel Montero Real
• Daniel Robert Silva
• Connor Walmsley

Previous company members

• , 1960-1970.
• Benjamin Feliksdal
• Raven Wilkinson
• Milena Sidorova, 2005–2022. Grand sujet (2013), coryphée (2011), corps de ballet (2007), élève (2006), aspirant (2005)

References

References

1. (2010). "The Oxford Dictionary of Dance". Oxford Reference.
2. (31 August 1961). "History of Dutch National Ballet".
3. Other directors have included [[Rudi van Dantzig]] (1968–1991)Glenn Meredith Loney, "Evolution of an Ensemble: Rudi van Dantzig on the National Ballet of Holland," ''Dance Magazine'' (New York), March 1974, pp. 34-39.
4. "Farewell to a Choreographer: Profile of Choreographer Rudi van Dantzig as He Steps Down as Director of the Dutch National Ballet," ''Dance and Dancers'' (London), June/July 1991, p. 56.
5. Cruikshank, "Rudi van Dantzig," obituary, ''The Guardian'' (London), 23 January 2012.
6. Debra Craine and Judith Mackrell, "[https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095738588 Eagling, Wayne]", in ''The Oxford Dictionary of Dance'' (Oxford University Press, 2000).
7. (2011-08-24). "Queen Beatrix visits Gala - news - The Dutch National Ballet". Het-ballet.nl.
8. "Staff and crew".
9. "Sylvester Campbell, 59, a Pioneer Among Black Classical Dancers". The New York Times.
10. "Billy Wilson, 59, Director and Choreographer". The New York Times.
11. "The history of Dutch National Ballet {{!}} Nationale Opera & Ballet".
12. "Milena Sidorova {{!}} Nationale Opera & Ballet".