Royal Danish Ballet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Danish Ballet |
|
|---|---|
The Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, principal venue of the Royal Danish Ballet
|
|
| General information | |
| Name | Royal Danish Ballet |
| Local name | Den Kongelige Ballet |
| Year founded | 1748 |
| Principal venue | Royal Danish Theatre |
| Artistic staff | |
| Ballet Master | Amy Watson |
| Other | |
| Orchestra | Royal Danish Orchestra |
| Official school | Royal Danish Ballet school |
The Royal Danish Ballet (in Danish: Den Kongelige Ballet) is a famous classical ballet company. It is based at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark. This company is one of the oldest ballet groups in the world. It started in 1748 when the Royal Danish Theatre first opened.
The company became more organized in 1771. This was because French and Italian dance styles were very popular. The Royal Danish Ballet school also began in 1771. It was first led by Pierre Laurent. Later, Vincenzo Galeotti helped it grow, and August Bournonville created his special teaching methods for the school.
Contents
History of the Royal Danish Ballet
From the very beginning, the Royal Danish Ballet hired top dancers and choreographers from France and Italy. Just a few years after it started, in 1771, the Royal Theater Ballet School was created. This school helped train dancers from Denmark, like Anine Frølich.
Early Leaders and Famous Ballets
One of the first important leaders was Vincenzo Galeotti. Many people see him as the true founder of the company. He led the company from 1775 to 1816. Galeotti brought a new style called ballet d'action, which told stories through dance. He also helped prepare for the romantic ballet style. Galeotti created Amors og Balletmesterens Luner (which means The Whims of Cupid and the Ballet Master). This ballet is still performed today with its original steps, making it the oldest ballet in the world still danced this way.
August Bournonville's Influence
Another very important leader was the Danish dancer August Bournonville. He led the company for almost 50 years, from 1828 to 1879. During this time, he created about 50 ballets. Around a dozen of these ballets are still performed by the company today. Bournonville studied dance in France, so his works show a strong French style. His ballets also have important parts for male dancers, which he likely created for himself to dance. After he passed away, one of his followers, Hans Beck, used Bournonville's basic steps to create the Bournonville school. This school teaches new dancers the traditions of the old master.
Modern Era and New Choreographers
The Royal Danish Ballet had another great period starting in 1932. This was when Harald Lander took charge. He had trained in the United States and the Soviet Union. Lander updated old ballets and created new ones for the company. He also encouraged local choreographers to create their own works. These new works became famous around the world. One example is The Widow in the Mirror, the first modern Danish Ballet, created by Børge Ralov in 1934. Harald Lander also trained many famous international dancers, including Erik Bruhn.
Later, Henning Kronstam led the company from 1978 to 1982. He organized the 1979 Bournonville Festival, which celebrated Bournonville's famous works.
In the second half of the 1900s, the Royal Danish Ballet changed again. Many famous choreographers from around the world, like George Balanchine, were asked to work with the company. Even though modern ballets became more important, the company still kept its classical roots. This helped it become known as one of the best dance groups in the world, with talented dancers from Denmark and other countries.
In 2007, Nikolaj Hübbe, a main dancer from the New York City Ballet, became the artistic director. In October 2024, Nikolaj Hübbe stepped down from his role. Amy Watson, who was a principal dancer, became the new artistic director.
Artistic Directors of the Royal Danish Ballet
- 1748–1753 Des Larches
- 1755–1756 Neudin
- 1756–1763 Antonio Como
- 1763–1767 Antonio Sacco
- 1767–1768 Jean Baptiste Martin
- 1768–1770 Innocente Gambuzzi
- 1770–1771 Martini
- 1771–1772 Vincenzo Piatolli
- 1772–1773 Domenico Andriani
- 1773–1775 Vincenzo Piatolli
- 1775–1816 Vincenzo Galeotti
- 1816–1823 Antoine Bournonville
- 1823–1830 Pierre Larcher
- 1830–1877 August Bournonville
- 1877–1890 Ludvig Gade
- 1890–1894 Emil Hansen
- 1894–1915 Hans Beck
- 1915–1928 Gustav Uhlendorff
- 1928–1930 Kaj Smith
- 1930–1932 Victor Schiøler
- 1932–1951 Harald Lander
- 1951–1956 Niels Bjørn Larsen
- 1956–1958 Frank Schaufuss
- 1958–1960 Henning Rohde
- 1961–1966 Niels Bjørn Larsen
- 1966–1978 Flemming Flindt
- 1978–1985 Henning Kronstam
- 1985–1994 Frank Andersen
- 1994–1995 Peter Schaufuss
- 1995–1997 Johnny Eliasen
- 1997–1999 Maina Gielgud
- 1999–2002 Aage Thordal-Christensen
- 2002–2008 Frank Andersen
- 2008–2024 Nikolaj Hübbe
- 2024– Amy Watson
The Company's Dancers
The Royal Danish Ballet has about 90 dancers. They are divided into three main groups:
- Corps de Ballet: These are the dancers who perform together in large groups.
- Soloists: These dancers perform alone or in smaller groups.
- Principal dancers: These are the top dancers who perform the main roles.
Current Principal Dancers
- Astrid Elbo
- Caroline Baldwin
- Emma Riis-Kofoed
- Holly Dorger
- Silvia Selvini
- Stephanie Chen Gundorph
- Wilma Giglio
- Andreas Kaas
- Alexander Bozinoff
- Jonathan Chmelensky
- Jon Axel Fransson
- Ryan Tomash
Current Soloists
- Camilla Ruelykke Holst
- Eukene Sagues
- Ji Min Hong
- Lena-Maria Gruber
- Tara Schaufuss
- Guilherme De Menezes
- Liam Redhead
- Sebastian Pico Haynes
- Tobias Praetorius
Notable Former Dancers
- Frank Andersen (1971–1985)
- Ib Andersen (1972–1980)
- Dinna Bjørn (1964–1987)
- Valborg Borchsenius (1890s–1900s)
- Antoine Bournonville (1792–1796)
- Sorella Englund (1966–1988)
- Vivi Flindt (1965–1980)
- Vincenzo Galeotti (1775–1816)
- Adeline Genée (1895–1897)
- Lucile Grahn (1836–1840)
- Susanne Grinder (1998–2018)
- Mette Hønningen (1966–1988)
- Nikolaj Hübbe (1984–1992)
- Lis Jeppesen (1974–1998)
- Johan Kobborg (1989–1999)
- Henning Kronstam (1956–1979)
- Ask la Cour (1998–2002)
- Margot Lander (1933–1950)
- Toni Lander (1948–1950)
- Niels Bjørn Larsen (1933–1986)
- Alban Lendorf (2008–2015)
- Kizzy Matiakis (2003–2022)
- Augusta Nielsen (mid-19th century)
- Ulla Poulsen (1913–1928)
- Ida Praetorius (2010–2022)
- Ellen Price (1903–1913)
- Juliette Price (late 19th century)
- Kirsten Ralov (1946–1978)
- Heidi Ryom (1974–1997)
- Margrethe Schall (early 19th century)
- Silja Schandorff (1985–2009)
- Margrethe Schanne (1942–1966)
- Peter Schaufuss (1966–1979)
- Kirsten Simone (1952–1985)
- Mona Vangsaae (1938–1958)
See also
In Spanish: Ballet Real Danés para niños
- List of productions of Swan Lake derived from its 1895 revival
