PRESS RELEASE 14 September 2023:
SEASON START WITH BOLÉRO VIBES AND A WHITE RABBIT

The Bayerisches Staatsballett is back from the summer break and opens the 2023-2024 season with this year’s UniCredit September Festival on the weekend of 23 and 24 September 2023 with two performances of Blickwechsel and a diverse social programme.
Following a four-year interlude, on Thursday, 12 October 2023, we welcome the return of Christopher Wheeldon’s family opus,  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, with a new cast.
Principal Prisca Zeisel has decided to terminate her engagement with the Bayerisches Staatsballett of her own volition.

BALLET DURING UNICREDIT SEPTEMBER FESTIVAL 2023

The Bayerisches Staatsballett celebrates the season start with the UniCredit September Festival and on Saturday 23 September 2023 returns to the stage of the Nationaltheater with a production staged especially for the occasion – Blickwechsel.
 
With the Grand Pas Classique from Paquita, Ballet Director Laurent Hilaire has chosen an ensemble piece that has evolved into the embodiment of classical ballet, and contrasts it with two modern works: Along with Marion Motin’s Boléro version, Le Grand Sot, danced in July 2023 with Sphären.01 and based on hip-hop moves, Jacques Garnier’s Aunis (1980) for three men can also be enjoyed at the Staatsballett for the first time. António Casalinho, Shale Wagman and newcomer Zachary Rogers will be dancing in this piece.
 
The tickets for the two Blickwechsel performances cost a standard discounted festival price of EUR 25 and EUR 8, and are available by phone, desk and online sales. Participation in the various programme items is free of charge, however due to the limited space capacity, a ticket is required and a maximum number of participants applies for some workshops and activities. You will find further information on participation with the individual events under each programme item.
 
The UniCredit September Festival is held annually at various venues in Munich’s city center as the season opens. The Bayerische Staatsoper and the Bayerisches Staatsballett welcome visitors to the season opening this year on the weekend the 23 and 24 September 2023.

RETURN OF THE WHITE RABBIT AND OTHER FAIRYTALE CHARACTERS

October 2023 brings us a choreographer double pack in the shape of Christopher Wheeldon: To begin we have the return to the stage of the fairytale ballet Cinderella on Sunday 1 October 2023. On Thursday 12 October 2023, following a four-year interlude Alice once again whisks audiences off to Wonderland.

Laurretta Summerscales and Madison Young are currently rehearsing the title role. Debuting at their side are new Principal Jakob Feyferlik, as well as Jinhao Zhang and Julian MacKay. António Casalinho and Shale Wagman now present the Mad Hatter’s solo tap dance for the first time. Christopher Wheeldon will personally lead the final rehearsals with the new cast.

On Tuesday 10 October 2023, a ballet extra on the stage of the Nationaltheater offers insights into the rehearsal process for the revival of this production encompassing some 150 roles.

On Sunday 15 October 2023, the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ballet can also be enjoyed for the first time as a free of charge livestream on STAATSOPER.TV.
 
CINDERELLA
Sunday 1 October 2023, 5 pm
Saturday 7 October 2023, 7:30 pm
Nationaltheater
 
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Thursday 12 October 2023, 7:30 pm
Saturday 14 October 2023, 7:30 pm
Sunday 15 October 2023, 2 pm, 7:30 pm (livestream)
Nationaltheater

NEWS FROM THE ENSEMBLE

Principal Prisca Zeisel decided at the beginning of September to leave the Bayerisches Staatsballett at her own request. This was preceded by a guest performance at a dance gala in Sevastopol (Crimea) during the summer break. The Bayerisches Staatsballett only heard of this guest engagement shortly before the theatre holidays. The theatre management then informed the dancer that if it continued, the appearance would take place without the consent of the Bayerische Staatsoper. Ms Zeisel nevertheless decided to dance in Sevastopol. Following numerous exchanges with the Directorate of the Bayerisches Staatsballett and the Bayerische Staatsoper, Prisca Zeisel requested that her contract be terminated at the start of the season. The institution's management has agreed accordingly.