Munich, 15 July 2025
PRESS RELEASE
 
SEASON REVIEW FILLED WITH HIGHLIGHTS AND OUTLOOK FOR 2025-26
 
Bayerisches Staatsballett is saying goodbye for the summer break with a record overall occupancy rate of 98 per cent in the 2024-25 season. At the start of next season, the company will travel to Barcelona for five guest performances of Giselle. Due to the renovation work at Nationaltheater, the ensemble will perform in Munich for the first time on 2 November 2025, when John Neumeier's The Nutcracker returns to the stage after a five-year break. Upon this revival, the new company members will introduce themselves to the Munich audience.

THE 2024-25 SEASON IN REVIEW

Today, Tuesday 15 July 2025, the Bayerisches Staatsballett bids farewell for the summer holidays with a sold-out performance of Giselle. The 2024-25 season was one of the most successful in the company's history. The ballet festival week in April 2025 with the unique performance series of Wings of Memory and the guest performance by the Lucia Lacarra Ballet achieved an occupancy rate of 100 per cent. At centre stage: the legendary choreography The Rite of Spring by Pina Bausch.
 
In autumn 2024, the ensemble rehearsed La Sylphide in Pierre Lacotte's version and addet it to its repertoire, while the full-length ballets Illusions – like Swan Lake (John Neumeier) and Giselle (Peter Wright) also returned to the repertoire. In total, 141,045 spectators attended the 72 performances of the Bayerisches Staatsballett last season.
 
During the 24-25 season, the company celebrated several promotions. Ballet director Laurent Hilaire promoted António Casalinho to Principal Dancer and Carollina Bastos, Zhanna Gubanova and Margarita Fernandes to Soloists. Severin Brunhuber, Matteo Dilaghi, Konstantin Ivkin and Zachary Rogers were promoted to Demi-Soloists.
 
In the latest critics' survey by tanznetz.de, Principal Jakob Feyferlik was voted the second most remarkable dancer of the 2024-25 season. Congratulations!

SEASON OPENING 2025-26: BARCELONA GUEST PERFORMANCE AND ‘NUTCRACKER’ COMEBACK

Due to the renovation work at Nationaltheater, Bayerische Staatsoper will not start its 2025-26 season until end of October 2025. From 19 to 27 October 2025, Bayerisches Staatsballett will perform in Barcelona at Gran Teatre del Liceu, presenting five performances of Peter Wright’s version of Giselle.
 
The curtain will rise on a ballet performance at the Nationaltheater for the first time on Sunday, 2 November 2025, when John Neumeier's The Nutcracker returns to the repertoire after a five-year break. Rehearsals have already begun. The two new principals Violetta Keller and Elisabeth Tonev will be taking over the leading roles.
 
As usual, Bayerisches Staatsballett will take part in the opening festival day, which will take place on Saturday, 8 November 2025, with open rehearsals, workshops and guided tours. A detailed schedule and information on tickets will be available on the website from autumn.
 
The Ballet season brochure 2025-26 will be published in mid-September 2025.

GOODBYE UND WELCOME

At the end of the season, the Bayerisches Staatsballett bids farewell to some much-loved ensemble members: Principals Madison Young and António Casalinho as well as Soloist Margarita Fernandes will be joining Vienna State Ballet. Within the company, which is currently re-calibrating, they will be on the same ranks as in Munich.
 
In an interview, audience favourites Fernandes and Casalinho talk about their fondest Munich memories, favourite roles and new goals.
 
Corps de ballet dancer Alfie Pearce will continue his career in Romania. Demi-Soloist Vladislav Kozlov and group dancer Vladislav Dolgikh will be ending their active dance careers. Corps de ballet dancer Sinéad Bunn will be looking after her family from now on. All best wishes to those leaving us!
 
For the 2025-26 season Bayerisches Staatsballett welcomes eight new dancers. Principal dancers Violetta Keller and Elisabeth Tonev have already started working in Munich. They are currently rehearsing the main roles in Giselle and The Nutcracker. Clark Eselgroth joins as Demi-Soloist, as well as Aurélien Hoguet, Oscar Kempsey-Fagg, Jasper Metcalfe, Lulu Rose, Viktor Shinichiro Prokofiev in the Corps de ballet.

HAVE A NICE SUMMER!

The Bayerisches Staatsballett would like to thank you for the excellent collaboration during the current season and wishes everyone a BEAUTIFUL SUMMER! From 19 September 2025 onwards, the press office will be at your service again.