THUS THE DYNASTY OF THE GODS PERISHED LIKE A DYING BREATH 

The words “Thus the dynasty of the gods perished like a dying breath” from the final scene of Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung reminds us that even apparent absolute power systems are transient. What remains is love, but also the realization that it is up to humanity to shape the future of the world. 

Our first premiere is the world premiere of C A R P A T H I A - The Myth of the Undead by Edward Clug. At the heart of the story is the Undead, who once loved deeply and passionately but refuses to accept the finality of loss. In his longing and despair, he defies death, thereby condemming himself to an endless existence and leaving a trail of death and darkness in his wake. 

For the first time, Laurent Hilaire presents his own version of Giselle. We meet a young, innocent girl whose deep love is shattered by a bitter deception. Driven by pain, Giselle descends into madness, whereupon she tragically dies and is transformed into a Wili. Unable to find peace in death, the Wilis rise from their graves at night and compel every man who crosses their path to dance relentlessly until his last breath. 

Christopher Wheeldon's Cinderella returns to the National Theater for a revival. With imagination and subtle wit, the ballet breathes new life into this timeless fairy tale. We follow Cinderella and her prince, who searches the land for the mysterious owner of the golden shoe, whose heart he hopes to win.    

The Ballet Festival Week features a co-production by Bayerisches Staatsballett and the Pina Bausch Foundation. With Orpheus und Eurydike - by Christoph W. Gluck. Dance-opera by Pina Bausch one of the most significant works by the dance theater legend marks the second premiere of the season. The piece follows the mythical singer Orpheus as he attempts to overcome death through the power of love and music - and how a single moment of doubt ultimately causes him to lose everything. 

At the end of the season, the company will move to the Prinzregententheater. Under the title Glanzlichter the ballet gala program brings together selected shorter works from the classical, neoclassical, and modern repertoires, marking the festive opening of the Opera Festival.  

The posters (A1) are now available in the opera shop for €8.

Art Direction: Martina Borsche
Photography posters: Martina Borsche
Light: Leo Braun
Light Assistant:  Malte Lauer
Styling: Almut Vogel
Hair: Dirk Walther, Cosima Kopetz
Make-up: Arzu Kücuk, Emily Schembera, Felicitas Barth
Set Design: Nora Khereddine
Set Design Assistant: Sophie Schaper
Project Management: Laura Marie Bittniok
Photography Making-of: Miljana Bernal
Video Making-of: Manoela Goncalves