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A Secret Look into the Rehearsals of Staatsballett Berlin

Dance is a very important cultural element in the creative landscape of Berlin. Even though I have a stronger intellectual response to contemporary dance and more abstract body performances than to classical ballet, I do appreciate the precision, body control and beauty of ballet dancers in a well-done choreography. For myself going to see a piece of Staatsballett Berlin is somehow a guilty pleasure of visual entertainment, I recommend to everybody in need of some artistic and emotional satisfaction.

Fear, vulnerability, passion – the dark extremes of human emotions are the source of inspiration for a new program from Staatsballett Berlin. In Duato | Kylian | Naharin three international choreography stars created a dancing work of incredible power. While “Castrati” by Nacho Duato revolves around the fear of an aspiring singer before castration, Jiří Kylián’s “Petite Mort” deals with the aggressive as well as the vulnerable sides of sexuality. “Secus” is an abstract work by Ohad Naharin, based on power, extremes and raw meat.

Photographer Yan Revazov had the chance to visit the rehearsals of this intense program and took some beautiful pictures. Take a look over these powerful impressions, check out the making of video and find out how to win tickets for the upcoming shows, after the jump.

Dancing over Berlin – Fashion Shoot with the Staatballett Berlin

by Claudio | Fashion, People, Photos, Theater

Ballet dancing is one of the finest expressions of European culture. It created the creative base for today’s contemporary dance all over the world, and it’s also an art form with the perfect balance between lightness and power. Watching a ballet dancer perform is one of the most visually compelling experiences, and I am so glad that we have one of the most talented ballet companies here in Berlin: Staatsballett Berlin.

Combining their unique beauty with the rough urbanity of Berlin’s architectural landscape, we had a unique vision: shooting a fashion story showcasing a dance rehearsal on the rooftops of Berlin. Bringing new attention to the city’s rich cultural heritage, fashion photographer Olga Khristolyubova portrayed two of the most skilled dancers from Staatsballet: Sarah Mestrovic and Kevin Pouzou. Sarah is a native Berliner who has been enrolled in the company for ten years. She combines her artistic experience with a creative spark, making her move with lightness and passion over the roof of our shoot. Kevin is a french dancer who has been living and dancing in Berlin for 8 years now. His majestic beauty is nothing compared to his bravery and strength. Neither were afraid to move and bend over the abyss of the streets surrounding them; creating incredible images for us.

Since we shot on the last weekend of November, the air was already cold as ice, though the sun was fortunately shining. On top of their rehearsal gear, they wore Goose Feel down jackets and knits from We are Knitters: the perfect combination of warmth to help the dancers extend over the top of Berlin’s skyline, while also staying super-light and incredibly flexible so as to allow them to bend, leap and soar unimpeded while performing their magic. Enjoy the whole shoot after the jump, and stay tuned for the animated pictures soon to come.

WINTERREISE

by Frank | Theater Show

Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey), a cycle of 24 songs for voice and piano set to poems by Wilhelm Müller, was created in the autumn of 1827, a year before Schubert’s death. The cycle is not only considered a pinnacle in Schubert’s songwriting but also the summit of the German art song in general. In 24 snapshots, Schubert kaleidoscopically unfolds the mood of a lost, wounded, and lonely character. Few works of art have so profoundly expressed the existential and torn nature of human existence.

The German composer Hans Zender adapted the cycle under the title: Schubert’s «Winterreise». A Composed Interpretation. Zender’s version for tenor and small orchestra, premiered in Frankfurt in 1993, is much more than a simple orchestration. Just as sensitively as radically, it reveals the disturbing potential of the cycle and approaches Wilhelm Müller’s poems once again in its own way. Zender delves into the darkest regions of human existence. With his interpretation, he brings forth emotions that pulsate beneath the surface in Schubert’s work and uncovers the eerie layers in the depth of the music.

Similar to Hans Zender, Christian Spuck’s staging is less about illustrating the external stations of the traveler and more about engaging in an extensive abstraction with the cycle. In a blend of large ensemble scenes and a variety of intimate solo images, Christian Spuck embarks on a journey into the innermost depths of human nature, exploring timeless themes such as love, longing, alienation, and abandonment.

Winterreise was premiered by the Zurich Ballet in October 2018 and awarded the prestigious «Prix Benois de la Danse» in 2019. Christian Spuck will be creating a new Berlin version of his choreography with the Staatsballett Berlin.

ARCHIVES SONORES V

by Frank | Concert, Party

Step into the fifth edition of ARCHIVES SONORES—an invitation to transcend the ordinary and immerse yourself in a deep sonic exploration. Hosted at Studio DB, the night unfolds as a dialogue between sound, art, and human connection. Through live performances and DJ sets from boundary-pushing artists, this isn’t just about music—it’s a multisensory experience that challenges perception and awakens the senses.

Curated by Avi Caspi and Izumi Yamamoto, Archives Sonores is more than an event—it’s a platform where the edges of sound art blur and dissolve. Electronic, acoustic, and visual mediums converge, offering a space to question, discover, and feel. Avi and Izumi will also take part in the evening’s sonic journey with a live set and a DJ set, continuing their commitment to curating not only with their ears but also through direct participation. Their contributions promise to tie the night’s diverse elements together with a deeply personal and exploratory energy.

Koenraad Ecker, Belgian sound artist and researcher based in Berlin, explores the relationships between acoustic environments and the social narratives they hold. Fascinated by the magic in the ordinary and the ordinariness of magic, his work combines unorthodox foley, extensive field recording, and electro-acoustic hybrids. As a producer, composer, and sound designer, Ecker has collaborated with artists such as Lord Spikeheart, James Ginzburg, and Ben Salisbury. Since 2021, his work has evolved into what he calls sonic archaeology—a practice merging oral history, archival research, and sound. His long-term project “Kumbukumbu,” created with Haldi Okudheyo, explores vernacular oral histories of the Belgian colonization of northeast Congo. Ecker’s work has been featured at CTM Berlin, MUTEK Mexico, ZKM Karlsruhe, Akademie der Künste, in TV series like Black Mirror, and on labels like Subtext and Opal Tapes. He has received nominations and awards including the Ars Electronica prize and the Radiophrenia Prize for Radio Works.

ENA is the alias of Tokyo-based producer Yu Asaeda, a key figure in Japan’s underground electronic and bass music scenes. Blending the spirit of UK rave and breakbeat with shadowy drum & bass and minimal ambient landscapes, ENA’s music channels both raw energy and sonic abstraction. With releases on Samurai Horo, 7even Recordings, and Latency, and collaborations with artists like Felix K and Rashad Becker, he brings a signature sound marked by deep bass and intricate textures. His international presence includes performances at Berlin Atonal’s Kraftwerk, where his intense and immersive sets have stood out as highlights. ENA’s uncompromising approach continues to push the boundaries of genre and form.

Ila Moire, the Berlin-based project of Filippo Schelde, merges acoustic instruments with electronic processing, shaped by influences ranging from ambient and noise to classical music. His approach blends traditional recording techniques with digital manipulation, forming immersive sonic environments that blur the line between musical structure and textural abstraction. His debut album “Repetend,” released on his own label Esedra, explores repetition as a compositional tool, while “Xilo-lito-fonia,” a commissioned piece for Gallery ARKAD, ventures into musique concrète. His track “Soundwaves for Soundsystems” was selected as a finalist in Raster’s OpenCall for electronic avant-garde music, highlighting his ongoing inquiry into the spaces between form and chaos.

Synthtati—also known as Tatiana Makrinova—is a multidisciplinary artist working across sound, installation, stage design, and moving image. Her work brings together natural elements with experimental techniques to build immersive atmospheres where audio and visual art intertwine. A co-founder of the Moons Collective, her sonic range includes ambient, musique concrète, and deconstructed club influences. Her projects have been presented at CTM Festival and she frequently develops audiovisual concepts for the Staatsballett Berlin, focusing on experiences that explore the tension and harmony between organic and technological elements. For Archives Sonores V, Synthtati opens the night with an ambient DJ set that layers dreamy textures, field recordings, and slow, enveloping rhythms to establish the evening’s tone.

Light Design by Justalightwriter
Visuals by Rahul Sharma

A night of deep listening, immersive environments, and shared resonance awaits.

DANCÆ x QUANTUM

by Frank | Performance

DANCÆ x Quantum exhibition explores the human experience in (post)modernity. Three performances will explore the tension between our primal instincts and the constraints of the alienating, competitive pressures of modern life.

On 22nd and 23rd of November 2024 the triple bill DANCÆ x Quantum: The human experience will be held at Quantum Gallery, a contemporary art gallery located in Charlottenburg, Berlin on Kurfürstendamm. The performance will showcase current and former dancers with the Staatsballett Berlin, Semperoper Ballet, Hannover Staatsballett, Prague National Ballet and the
Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg. The final piece is by Ballet Sur_real, an ensemble that combines ballet with electronic music.

The 3 Performance Pieces

1) Origin’s End traces the internal battle between the numbing pull of routine and our innate urge to free ourselves from it. Trapped in a cycle of monotony, the dancer embodies a life stuck on autopilot as slowly cracks in this façade begin to show. Can we exist without the patterns that define us, or is the freedom we seek constantly shaped by what holds us back?

The Artist:

After graduating in 2018 from the renowned Juilliard School in New York, Eoin Robinson joined the Staatsballett Berlin, where he performed works by Sharon Eyal, Pina Bausch, Mats Ek, and William Forsythe, among others. As of the 2024/25 season, Eoin Robinson is a permanent ensemble member of the Staatsballett Hannover.

2) ESSAY___TH003 explores existential questions about authenticity and the relationship between human experience and artificial creation. The piece challenges audiences to reconsider the boundaries of art, science, and ethics, immersing them in a reflection on the ethical implications and the future of artistic expression. Credits: Original Idea: Joan Bosch, Alvaro S Rodriguez, AFKAR, Original Music: @afkar_im, Script: @joanboschh, Narrated Voice: @sanaarosetinted

The Artist

Caterina Politi: is a freelance artist based in Berlin. She was born in Italy in 1994 and trained at Balletto di Toscana, later joining Spellbound Contemporary Ballet. Since then, she has performed internationally for renowned choreographers such as Marcos Morau, Sang Jijia, and Jean Guillaume Weis. Currently, she is working with Wang Ramirez on “A l’origine,” premiering early next year.

3) In a world dominated by the alienating, competitive pressure of modern life, Ballet Sur_real‘s Daer explores the tension between our primal instincts and the constraints placed upon us by contemporary society. Based on ideas discussed by Georges Bataille, the piece grapples with themes of excess and transgression. Bataille’s concept of the “accursed share” illuminates modern culture’s idealization of productivity and progress over all pursuits. In contrast, the dance floor becomes a site of sovereign release, where participants engage in non-productive expenditure through collective movement and quasi-ritualistic gatherings. “Daer” challenges audiences to confront what has been lost – our connection to emotion, nuance, and instinct – while simultaneously examining the paradoxes of present-day expectations and the fascination with club culture. Featuring a signature design piece by the Berlin-based fashion label Marlon Ferry.

The Artist:

Ballet Sur_real is a dance collective that combines ballet with electronic music. Our productions facilitate collaborations with new media and visual artists, DJs, fashion designers, and tech innovators.

Ballet Sur_real Dancers

We look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you.

AURA’S DANCE

by Frank | Performance

“Aura’s Dance: Identities in Motion” is an interdisciplinary project comprised of both a live dance performance and accompanying exhibition. The performance portion of the evening will be performed by dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin in collaboration with the couture designer label Kaviar Gauche..

A photo series by the photographer Tiana Lenz and video installation by visual artist Theresa Maria Forthaus will also be exhibited. The two artists documented the performance and rehearsal process, highlighting themes and tropes addressed in the piece.

TIMELINE

Doors Open

Join us for a curated food experience from VOLK Mitte with a champagne bar by Wine Damager before the performance begins, available from 18:00 to 23:00. Food will not be served during the time of the performances. Cash and card accepted.

Dance Performance – Aura’s Dance

For many women, their upbringing emphasized the significance of appearing thin and attractive as a means to achieve success – for dancers this rings even more true. “Aura’s Dance: Identities in Motion” questions how societal expectations placed on women have shaped female identity and contributed to prevailing notions around femininity. The work concludes with an introspection of unexplored and suppressed aspects of the self.

Live Accompaniment on the Piano by Kaan Bulak

Kaan Bulak is a composer, pianist, sound artist moving between instruments and geographies. With his strings ensemble or with visual artist Ali M. Demirel, Kaan unites contemporary classical music with electronic music on stages such as Philharmonie Berlin, Opernhaus Zürich, Sónar Istanbul. Throughout his catalog that consists of works for piano, orchestra, chamber music, sound installations and electronic art music, his focus primarily lies on being expressive in the moment. At his solo concert at Offsite by Wehrmühle, Kaan will be performing at the augmented piano – an electronically enhanced piano setup – merging his written pieces with improvisations on the spot, creating an immersive sonic experience – dancing with the intuitive mind until all borders disappear.

Afterparty at Veronika Bar

After the performance, come dance with us in the beautifully renovated courtyard of Wehrmuele OFFSITE. For the official Afterparty, we will move to the Veronika Bar in Fotografiska at At 23:00 with tunes by Amounka.

Performances and exhibition curated by Tjioe Hecken and Felipe Schwager

MESSA DA REQUIEM

by Paula | Concert, Performance

MESSA DA REQUIEM is one of Giuseppe Verdi‘s central works. It premiered in Milan in 1874 and remains one of the most moving works of his oeuvre. Verdi himself might have set Latin text and Catholic liturgy to music, however, he famously had something universally human in mind when he created this composition after several personal tragedies. Much like Verdi, Christian Spuck is not concerned with a religious interpretation of the text. He is rather interested in portraying people who, in their vulnerability and helplessness, are searching for consolation.

»In its essence, Verdi’s REQUIEM, a large-scale oratorio, is about humankind and its relationship towards death as well as the big question: who are we? Where do we come from? Where do we go? By reflecting on mortality, we are confronted with ourselves. Humankind looks inward in the face of death. I believe in that sense, Verdi, who was a church critic, composed his REQUIEM.«

Christian Spuck brings his successful Zurich production to Berlin, which tells of emotions such as fear, anger, pain and grief through monumental imagery, dealing with the boundaries between life and death. The Staatsballett Berlin dancers are joined by the Rundfunkchor Berlin (Musical Director Gijs Leenaars) as well as renowned vocal soloists to stage this significant work.

Tickets: 26-136 €

EK | EKMAN

by Paula | Performance

CHOREOGRAPHIES BY MATS EK AND ALEXANDER EKMAN

A SORT OF…

Choreography by Mats Ek
Music by Henryk M. Górecki

Mats Ek is one of the leading personalities of 20th century choreography. With his radical reinterpretation of the ballet classic GISELLE for the Cullberg Ballet he caused widespread international resonance in 1982 because no one previously had dared to change the original choreographic text and the form of the libretto. In this version, critics and audience recognized the beginning of a new era of theatrical dance.

»My choreographies are underlaid with a subtext: when you dance them, you have to connect certain images and feelings with the movement. Without them the movements just appear strange and peculiar. The focus always has to be clear: for a solo, it’s directed to the interior of the person, for several dancers it’s related to the partners«, as Mats Ek himself describes the attitude being necessary to perform his choreographies. With the dancers of the Staatsballett Berlin, he is now working on his piece A SORT OF…, which premiered in 1997 at the Nederlands Dans Theatre. With this programme, he finds his way into the Berlin ballet repertoire for the first time.

CACTI

Choreography by Alexander Ekman
Music by Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert

In CACTI, Alexander Ekman turns his keen eye upon the scene that birthed him: contemporary dance itself. A gleeful and knowing parody of the art form’s greater excesses, CACTI is an affectionate, pointed, and often hilarious deconstruction of the affectations of dance. 27 dancers stand, seemingly trapped, on oversized Scrabble tiles. While a string quartet plays and spoken recordings give tongue-in-cheek narration of the action, the dancers try to escape their invisible prisons; eventually —and this is the important bit— they each acquire a cactus. But what does it all mean?

Ekman has written: »This work is about how we observe art and how we often feel the need to analyze and ‘understand’ art. I believe that there is no right way and that everyone can interpret and experience art the way they want. Perhaps it’s just a feeling that you can’t explain or perhaps it’s very obvious what the message is.« His work CACTI (2010) has been performed by 20 dance companies worldwide.

Tickets: 24–100€

Lab Works / Half Life

by Michalina | Performance

LAB_WORKS
Choreographies from the company

OH CAPTAIN
Dance piece by Johnny McMillan
Music by Cosmin Nicolae

DIE NACHT
Choreographie by Arshak Ghalumyan
Music by Ezio Bosso, Dawn of Midi, Ludovico Einaudi

HALF LIFE
Dance piece by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar
Music by Ori Lichtik

During the pandemic, the natural urge to deal with crises through dance and to artistically reflect on one’s own existence demanded an outlet and still does to this day: under the banner of LAB_WORKS, a variety of pieces, created by the Staatsballett Berlin ensemble, celebrated their premiere. The choreographers involved were provided with the necessary tools to work on new material or rework existing pieces; a continuing experiment. Last season, LAB_WORKS presented the fellows of the Mentorship Programme for whom the choreographies were created. This autumn, both Johnny McMillan’s OH CAPTAIN and Arshak Ghalumyan’s DIE NACHT return with dancers of the company and this season’s fellows participating.

The second half of the double bill comprises Sharon Eyal’s HALF LIFE, which has been part of the Staatsballett Berlin’s repertory since 2018. Dancers and audience alike are fascinated by the force emanating from this piece.

Sharon Eyal’s way of asking choreographically piercing questions and setting in motion uncomfortable situations forces her performers and audience to abandon usual patterns of thoughts and personal habits. Clearly influenced by the legendary Batsheva Dance Company, her creations challenge the performers, who are provoked physically and mentally to achieve individual expression. Eyal and Behar developed Half Life 2017 for the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm. The piece’s attraction derives in part from the music that was created under the direction of Ori Lichtik hand-in-hand with the choreographic process.

LABYRINTH – The Cabinet of Curiosities: #3. Inferno

by Michalina | Exhibition

THE 1781 COLLECTIVE PRESENTS:

///LABYRINTH:
A Cabinet of Curiosities. An Exhibition of Performances. A Geisterbahn of musical and artistic experiences. The third edition after three sold out performances – new and improved, and still completely Covid-19 requirement compliant. Let us guide you through the depths of the Inferno and release you to our shared Purgatory.

/// WHAT:
10 micro-performances from leading Berlin artists, showcasing the entire range of classical music and performance, all whilst discovering the vaults of Alte Muenze – an unexpected journey underneath one of Berlin’s true historic monuments.

/// WHO:
Previous and Upcoming Artists Include:
Chris Lloyd (1781 Collective)
Angela Zamorano (Preussiches Kammerorchester)
Spencer Schaefer (1781 Collective)
Xina Hawkins (Hear Now Berlin)
Penelope Gkika (Arcangel Trio)
Adam Goodwin
Maroulita de Kol (Reverse Mode)
Soraya Schultess (Staatsballett Berlin)
Madlen Breckbill (Konzerthaus Academy Berlin)
Hugo Tiedje (Berliner Ensemble)
Alessandra Perdichizzi (Siciliano Contemporary Ballet)
Anna Schors
Suzanne Lis
Shasta Ellenbogen (Classical Sundays)
Vasilis Alevizos
Dan Sirban
… and more TBA.

Get your tickets here

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