FAST FORWARD

George Balanchine's Serenade from 1935 is considered an epoch-making work: it was the first piece created by the Russian-born choreographer in his adopted home, the USA, and heralded a new era in dance history. Balanchine, considered the father of neoclassical ballet, created this iconic and romantic ballet for 20 women and six men to the lush music of Peter I. Tchaikovsky.

Sixty years later, French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj created his moving Pas de Deux Annonciation. In it, he traces the moment of the annunciation – which is also the moment of conception – and calls conventional expectations into question. The intimate piece triggers a flood of questions on the part of the viewer about what we think we know about this legendary moment. The pas de deux for two women is musically contrasting, alternating between Antonio Vivaldi's Magnificat and the electronic sounds of Stéphane Roy. Preljocaj, one of Europe's leading contemporary choreographers, will work with the Hamburg Ballet for the first time.

Another Hamburg premiere is contributed by Catalan Marcos Morau with Totentanz (The Death of Death). Recently named ‘Choreographer of the Year’ for the second time by the renowned dance magazine TANZ, Morau is one of the most sought-after dance makers of our time. His pieces create captivating universes with powerful, theatrical images, characterised by poetic, humorous, touching and sometimes grotesque moments.

The evening concludes with a world premiere by Chinese choreographer Xie Xin. The contemporary choreographer is known for her fluid, highly original dance language, whose motifs and rhythms create a trance-like atmosphere which irresistibly draws the audience in. Together with the dancers of the Hamburg Ballet, she will create a brand-new piece and thereby continue the incessant march of dance history.