Staatsoper Hamburg is set to captivate audiences with a compelling blend of classical and contemporary dance offerings in their upcoming season. The diverse program features a mysterious premiere, John Neumeier’s evocative adaptation of 'Death in Venice', a creative workshop, and a showcase of emerging talent from young choreographers. Each event promises to explore deep artistic narratives, pushing the boundaries of ballet and dance while celebrating creativity and innovation.

Staatsoper Hamburg's Diverse Dance Season: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

This season, Staatsoper Hamburg is offering a feast of ballet with exciting events such as the first premiere of the season (details forthcoming), the innovative 'Young Choreographers' showcase, and a unique Ballet Workshop led by John Neumeier. These events highlight ballet’s evolving landscape, showcasing the talents of emerging artists and offering insights into choreographic storytelling. From the grandeur of Hamburg to the scenic beauty of Baden-Baden, these events promise to deepen your appreciation for the art of dance.

Exploring Ballet's Vitality: Young Choreographers and Ballet Workshops

Workshop of Creativity XVI

Ernst Deutsch Theater

The city itself is mythical: Venice, with its undulating shores, where the aging writer Gustav von Aschenbach abandons his previous life’s concept. In John Neumeier’s adaptation of the famous Thomas Mann novella, Aschenbach becomes a master choreographer who finds himself in the midst of a deep creative crisis.

Death in Venice 

Ballettzentrum Hamburg – John Neumeier

The programm for the first premiere of the season will be announced shortly.

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Staatsoper Hamburg

"THE LITTLE MERMAID" REPLACES "SURROGATE CITIES"
John Neumeier's "The Little Mermaid" replaces the production "Surrogate Cities" in the current and upcoming seasons, thus also opening the 50th Hamburg Ballet Days.

The Little Mermaid

Hamburg State Opera

Since 1973, the "Ballet Workshops" have been a regular part of Hamburg Ballet's program. The event was initiated by John Neumeier, who also personally hosted each session.

Following a public stage rehearsal, choreographers, ballet masters, or other members of the production team offer valuable insights into the creative and rehearsal process. They share how a particular work comes to life and highlight what audiences should pay special attention to. Often, viewers get a first glimpse of a new production even before its official premiere.

Ballet Workshop

Tennessee Williams called his drama a “Memory Play”. With The Glass Menagerie, he laid the foundation for his success and fame as one of the most important authors of the 20th century. John Neumeier applied this written masterpiece to the ballet stage, in a full length ballet with music by the American composers Charles Ives, Philip Glass and Ned Rorem.
In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams deals with issues that he struggled with throughout his life: family and the decline of the middle class. In his interpretation, John Neumeier stresses the biographical elements of the play, which subtly mold his piece. In many ways, he feels connected with Tennessee Williams; different levels of the plot flow into each other and happen simultaneously. Emotions and inner conflicts become visible and tangible. In John Neumeiers ballet, the dancers give feelings a physical shape. The Glass Menagerie is full of suggestions of the past, longings of the present and possibilities of the future.

John Neumeier's The Glass Menagerie

Harris Theater

Awe-inspiring in its complexity, universal in its appeal, Bach's St. Matthew Passion is considered by many to be the single greatest masterpiece of western sacred music, a profoundly moving depiction of the final days of the life of Jesus. John Neumeier, the celebrated choreographer who made his LAO debut with Orpheus and Eurydice in 2018, returns to Los Angeles with one of his signature creations, a ballet that has been cheered by audiences throughout the world.  Marrying the powerful music and narrative with dance in complete harmony, Neumeier fills the stage with unforgettable movement and images. The extraordinary dancers of the Hamburg Ballet join forces with James Conlon, a team of brilliant vocal soloists, and LA Opera's formidable orchestra and chorus for a spellbinding, deeply meaningful performance you'll never forget.

St. Matthew Passion

Los Angeles Music Center

The "Young Choreographers" of the Hamburg Ballet will return to the stage with their own creations.

Young Choreographers

What does choreographic storytelling mean? How does an idea become a ballet? In the Ballet Workshop, John Neumeier is joined by dancers from the guest performance in order to show how artistic visions are translated into movement. The workshop combines conversation, reflection, and dance demonstrations – a format that makes the creative process visible on stage.

Hamburg Ballet

23 - 24 Apr, 2026

Young Choreographers

Dec 7, 2025 - Jul 4, 2026

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Oct 1, 2026

Ballet Workshop

Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2026

Workshop of Creativity XVI

14 - 24 Jan, 2026

Death in Venice

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Hamburg Ballet