"Epilogue" - John Neumeier bids farewell to the Hamburg Ballet
With a joyful premiere, Hamburg Ballet Intendant John Neumeier bid farewell to his company after 51 years. The audience celebrated the intimate, chamber music-oriented ballet "Epilog" at the Hamburg State Opera with standing ovations. Neumeier's last work is a rather abstract ballet of soft tones and subtle movements with piano and singing on stage. The Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian performed Richard Strauss' "Four Last Songs," at the piano were the French pianist David Fray and his duo partner Emmanuel Christien with works by Franz Schubert, and songs from Simon & Garfunkel could also be heard. The elegant costumes are from Albert Kriemler, Creative Director of Akris, who has been friends with John Neumeier and his company for many years.
After 51 years, John Neumeier's tenure as Intendant of the Hamburg Ballet comes to an end in the summer. His successor is the 39-year-old German-Argentinian Demis Volpi. Since 1973, the native American has led the company, at that time still the youngest Ballet Director in Germany. Today, he is the longest-serving Ballet Director in the world at the age of 85.
During the two-week Ballett-Tage, some important works from his era will still be seen again, including "The Lady of the Camellias" based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, "Endstation Sehnsucht," and "The Glass Menagerie," both based on Tennessee Williams. Neumeier will remain connected to the company in various ways, including as choreographer for his festival "The World of John Neumeier" (26.9.-13.10.24) in Baden-Baden.
Hamburg Ballet
- John Neumeier, as Intendant of Hamburg Ballet for 51 years, organized a world premiere of his last work, "Epilog," before his departure.
- Taking place at the Hamburg State Opera, the ballet featured soft tones and subtle movements, with piano and singing performances by famous artists.
- After Neumeier, Demis Volpi, a 39-year-old German-Argentinian, will take over as the new Intendant of Hamburg Ballet, following in the footsteps of the company's longest-serving Ballet Director.
- The upcoming Ballett-Tage will include some of Neumeier's classic works, showcased at the Hamburg Ballet, including "The Lady of the Camellias" and "Endstation Sehnsucht."
