Munich, 30. April 2026

THE RETURN OF A NEUMEIER CLASSIC

In the middle of May, after a six-year break, John Neumeier’s literary classic The Lady of the Camellias returns to the Bayerisches Staatsballett's programme. The cast has largely been renewed, with Laurretta Summerscales, Elisabeth Tonev and Ksenia Shevtsova, as well as Jakob Feyferlik, Osiel Gouneo and Julian MacKay, making their debuts in the leading roles.

A REUNION FULL OF EMOTION: “THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS” RETURNS

May at the Bayerisches Staatsballett in May it's all about John Neumeier. Alongside another series of  Illusions - like Swan Lake, one of the choreographer’s most famous literary ballets returns to the stage of the Nationaltheater on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

The Lady of the Camellias, with sets and costumes by Jürgen Rose, promises, after a six-year break, a whirlwind of emotions, virtuoso pas de deux and plenty of romantic piano music by Frédéric Chopin. The Bayerisches Staatsorchester and the pianists Dmitry Mayboroda (in the orchestra pit) and Alexander Reitenbach (as a guest, on stage) will perform for the first time under the baton of Victorien Vanoosten, Chief Conductor of the Opéra de Toulon.

Last performed in early 2020, this narrative ballet, based on Alexandre Dumas’s novel of the same name, features a largely new cast. Laurretta Summerscales, Elisabeth Tonev and Ksenia Shevtsova make their debuts as Marguerite. Jakob Feyferlik, Julian MacKay and Osiel Gouneo who danced the role of Gaston Rieux in 2020, will be seen in the role of Armand for the first time.

The technically demanding role of Marguerite's alter ego Manon Lescaut is taken on by Violetta Keller and Carollina Bastos. There is also a return to the stage for Ivan Liška. The former director of the Bayerisches Staatsballetts plays Armand’s father, Monsieur Duval.

The new production of the story about the consumptive courtesan Marguerite Gautier and her young lover Armand is in capable hands: Alongside choreographer John Neumeier, who is personally overseeing the final rehearsals,  Judith Turos and guest ballet masters Marijn Rademaker, Raffaella Renzi, Oleksandr Ryabko and Laura Contardi are working with the ensemble.

Premiered in Stuttgart in 1978, the work has been part of the Bayerisches Staatsballett’s repertoire since 1997.

DATES FOR "THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS"

Tue, 12 May 2026, 7.30 pm (Revival, with Laurretta Summerscales and Jakob Feyferlik)
Nationaltheater
 
Wed, 13 May 2026, 7.30 pm (with Ksenia Shevtsova and Julian MacKay)
Nationaltheater
 
Fri, 15 May 2026, 7.30 pm (with Laurretta Summerscales and Jakob Feyferlik)
Nationaltheater
 
Sat, 23 May 2026, 7.30 pm (with Elisabeth Tonev and Osiel Gouneo)
Nationaltheater
 
Mon, 25 May 2026, 6.00 pm (with Elisabeth Tonev and Osiel Gouneo)
Nationaltheater

BALLET EXTRA ON THE REVIVAL OF "THE LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS"

On Wednesday, 6 May 2026, the Bayerisches Staatsballett invites you to a lecture evening at the Ballettprobenhaus on John Neumeier’s classic The Lady of the Camellias. Dramatist Christoph Gaiser will shed light on the literary sources and explain the musical concept featuring various piano works by Frédéric Chopin. In addition, conductor Victorien Vanoosten will be available to answer questions about his work with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester.

"Ballett extra"

Wed, 6 May 2026, 7.00 pm
Ballettprobenhaus