• Peter und der Wolf | © Matthias Stutte

  • Der Sturm / Ein Sommernachtstraum | © Matthias Stutte

  • Beethoven! | © Matthias Stutte

Ballett des Theaters Krefeld und Mönchengladbach

Portrait

Every season, the ballet ensemble of the Theater Krefeld und Mönchengladbach presents four full-length ballet productions with choreographies by Robert North on the big stages of both houses, two of them new works. Two ballet evenings each season are accompanied by the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker. The ensemble has 18 permanent positions (9 female, 9 male) and currently features dancers from 10 different countries.
When necessary, the ensemble is expanded to include guests. The artistic direction of the ensemble is clearly evident in the above statement by Robert North, who has been working with the group since 2007 and tirelessly promotes and develops the potential of young dancers as part of this role. In collaboration with pianist and composer André Parfenov, the company develops both original work and ballet evenings in which piano music is an integral element.
The dancers also perform in opera, operettas and musicals.

 

History and biography

On the ensemble’s history

In 1950, the cities of Krefeld and Mönchengladbach decided to begin joint operation of a theatre that featured divisions for music theatre, ballet, drama, theatre pieces for children and young adults, as well as music concerts in order to offer a diverse cultural programme for regional audiences.
Since this consolidation of both theatres, the ballet ensemble has worked under directors such as Werner Stammer, Marianne Wick, Wolfgang Winter, Gise Furtwängler, Frank Croszey, Irene Schneider and Madeleine Bart in recent decades. Heidrun Schwaarz was appointed ballet director in 1996. Following her sudden death, Robert North assumed leadership of the ensemble. In defiance of all budget cuts, it has been possible to maintain the ballet as an independent division until today.

Robert North

Robert North studied dance in London at the Royal Ballet School and at the Contemporary Dance Theatre, going on to dance with the Martha Graham Company in New York, for example. In 1981, he was appointed artistic director of the Ballet Rambert and in 1990 became ballet director of the Teatro Regio in Turin (Italy). He has also acted as artistic director of the Gothenburg Ballet, Corpo di Ballo Dell‘Arena di Verona and the Scottish Ballet. North has produced over 100 choreographies, e.g. THE ANNUNCIATION, ROMEO und JULIA, ELVIRA MADIGAN, LIVING IN AMERICA, THE RUSSIAN STORY, FADO / BOLERO, CARMEN und VERLORENE KINDER. He has worked with more than 95 companies worldwide and been awarded numerous prizes such as the Golden Prague Award for “FOR MY DAUGHTER”.

“I want to present ballet pieces that appeal directly to the audience through real dance in connection with a story. My style of dancing is based on classical and modern technique with jazz elements and emphasizes musicality, natural presence, energy and artistry.”

Robert North

Productions

  • 2022/2023

    2022/2023

    Productions from the 2022/2023 season

    Beethoven!
    World premiere: 2020
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, J.S. Bach, John Cage, W.A. Mozart and André Parfenov
    20 dancers, 1 pianist, 1 actor
    120 minutes (one intermission)

    Der Sturm / Ein Sommernachtstraum
    World premiere: 2006
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Jean Sibelius, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Conductor: Sebastian Engel
    20 dancers
    105 minutes (one intermission)

    Peter und der Wolf
    World premiere: 2022
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Sergei Prokofiev
    Members of the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Conductor: Sebastian Engel / Giovanni Conti
    20 dancers, 1 actor
    50 minutes

    Mata Hari
    World premiere: 2023
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Christopher Benstead
    Lower Rhine Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: Sebastian Engel
    20 dancers
    100 minutes (one intermission)

    Seide – Band – Bandoneon
    World premiere: 2023
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: André Parfenov
    Stephan Langenberg (bandoneon), Iuliana Münch (violin), André Parfenov (piano)
    20 dancers
    60 minutes

     

    Stage dimensions
    Mönchengladbach:
    maximum portal opening 11.95 m x 6.70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 18.90 m on the centre line
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards auditorium)
    Maximum depth without orchestra pit 14.80 m
    4 lifting platforms 12.00 m x 2.50 m to be moved to + 2.50 m and - 2.50 m
    maximum drawbar height 16.20 m

    Krefeld:
    maximum portal opening 15.95 m x 6.70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 17.00 m on the centre line
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards auditorium)
    maximum depth without orchestra pit 12.60 m
    4 lifting platforms 16.00 m x 2.00 m to be moved to +1.80 m and - 1.80 m
    maximum drawbar height 19.00 m

  • 2021/2022

    2021/2022

    Productions of the season 2021/2022

    Alles neu
    Premiere: 2021
    Choreographies: Robert North (Technical Difficulties), Marco A. Carlucci (Freedom), Takashi Kono (Respect Bro), Yoko Takahashi (Haru Spring)
    Music: Ludovico Einaudi, Massimo Durante, Arvo Pärt, André Parfenov, 2Cellos, Antonio Vivaldi
    Intermezzo by and with André Parfenov on the grand piano
    9 dancers
    70 minutes

    Während wir warten
    Premiere: 2021
    Choreographies: Robert North (In Search), Alessandro Borghesani (Metro 6), Teresa Levrini (Summertime), Francesco Rovea and Radoslaw Rusiecki (Quo Vadis); film project by Amelia Seth
    Music: Ennio Morricone, André Parfenov, Antonio Vivaldi, Led Zeppelin and others.
    On the grand piano: André Parfenov
    14 dancers
    80 minutes

    Winterreise
    Premiere: 2021
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Franz Schubert
    Singing: Rafael Bruck
    On the grand piano: André Parfenov
    6 dancers
    75 minutes

    Beethoven!
    Premiere: 2020
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, J.S. Bach, John Cage, W.A. Mozart and André Parfenov
    20 dancers, 1 pianist, 1 actor
    120 minutes (one intermission)

    Der Sturm / Ein Sommernachtstraum
    Premiere: 2006
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Jean Sibelius, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Conductor: Sebastian Engel
    20 dancers
    105 minutes (one intermission)

    Rückblick – Ausblick
    Premiere: 2022
    Choreographies: Robert North
    Music: J.S. Bach, John Lee Hooker, André Parfenov, Igor Stravinsky, Peter Tchaikovsky, 2Cellos a.o.
    20 dancers
    90 minutes (one intermission)


    Stage dimensions

    Mönchengladbach:
    maximum portal opening 11,95 m x 6,70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 18.90 m on the center line
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards the auditorium)
    maximum depth without orchestra pit 14.80 m
    4 lifting platforms 12.00 m x 2.50 m to be moved to + 2.50 m and - 2.50 m
    maximum tie rod height 16.20 m

    Krefeld:
    maximum portal opening 15.95 m x 6.70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 17.00 m on the centerline
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards auditorium)
    maximum depth without orchestra pit 12.60 m
    4 lifting platforms 16.00 m x 2.00 m to be moved to +1.80 m and - 1.80 m
    maximum height of tie rods 19.00 m

  • 2020/2021

    2020/2021

    Productions of the season 2020/2021

    Dis-Tanz
    Premiere: 2020
    Choreographies: Robert North (Distance, Fade out), Alessandro Borghesani (Dawn), Takashi Kondo (Milonga)
    Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, André Parfenov, Astor Piazzolla, Franz Schubert, 2Cellos
    Members of the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker (string quartet)
    On the grand piano: André Parfenov
    9 dancers
    80 minutes

    Alles neu
    Premiere: 2021
    Choreographies: Robert North (Technical Difficulties), Marco A. Carlucci (Freedom), Takashi Kono (Respect Bro), Yoko Takahashi (Haru Spring)
    Music: Ludovico Einaudi, Massimo Durante, Arvo Pärt, André Parfenov, 2Cellos, Antonio Vivaldi
    Intermezzo by and with André Parfenov at the grand piano
    9 dancers
    70 minutes

    Während wir warten
    Premiere: 2021
    Choreographies: Robert North (In Search), Alessandro Borghesani (Metro 6), Teresa Levrini (Summertime), Francesco Rovea and Radoslaw Rusiecki (Quo Vadis); film project by Amelia Seth
    Music: Ennio Morricone, André Parfenov, Antonio Vivaldi, Led Zeppelin and others.
    On the grand piano: André Parfenov
    14 dancers
    80 minutes


    Stage dimensions

    Mönchengladbach:
    maximum portal opening 11.95 m x 6.70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 18.90 m on the center line
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards auditorium)
    maximum depth without orchestra pit 14.80 m
    4 lifting platforms 12.00 m x 2.50 m to be moved to + 2.50 m and - 2.50 m
    maximum tie rod height 16.20 m

    Krefeld:
    maximum portal opening 15.95 m x 6.70 m
    maximum depth with orchestra pit 17.00 m on the centerline
    (parapet of orchestra pit curved towards auditorium)
    maximum depth without orchestra pit 12.60 m
    4 lifting platforms 16.00 m x 2.00 m to be moved to +1.80 m and - 1.80 m
    maximum height of tie rods 19.00 m

  • 2019/2020

    2019/2020

    Productions of the season 2019/2020

    Farben der Welt (Premiere)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: I. Stravinsky (1882-1971), Howard Blake (*1938), André Parfenov (*1972) and Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
    Premiered "Miniaturen" 1984 England, "Verkündigung" 1979 Jerusalem,
    "Malewitsch" 2019 Mönchengladbach, "Tempus Fugit" 2005 Lyon
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker
    Piano: André Parfenov
    Conductor: Yorgos Ziavras
    20 dancers
    Duration: approx. 120 minutes (one intermission)

    Living in America
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Aaron Copland (1900-1990), George Gershwin (1898-1937), John Lee Hooker, Yello, The Drifters, Peter Gabriel, Jean Michel Jarre, Christopher Benstead and James Brown
    First performance 1991 Gothenburg
    20 dancers
    Duration: approx. 150 minutes (two breaks)

    Beethoven (working title)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), John Cage (1912-1992) a.o.
    World premiere 25.01.2020 Krefeld
    20 dancers
    Duration: approx. 90 minutes (one intermission)

     

    Productions cancelled due to corona

    Der Sturm / Ein Sommernachtstraum
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
    World premiere 2006 Turin
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker
    Conductor: Yorgos Ziavras
    20 dancers
    Duration: approx. 120 minutes (one intermission)

    Balletgala
    Choreography: Robert North
    19.06. Krefeld, 20.06. Mönchengladbach
    20 dancers
    Duration: approx. 120 minutes (one intermission)

  • previous seasons

    previous seasons

    Productions from the 2018/2019 season

    Nachtvariationen (UA) / Für meine Tochter / Boléro
    Choreography: Robert North, music: André Parfenov (*1972), Leoš Janácek (1854 – 1928) and Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937)
    Premier: „Nachtvariationen“ (2018), piano: André Parfenov
    20 dancers
    duration: ca. 120 min. (incl. interval)

    Souvenirs aus West und Ost (2018)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: George Gershwin (1898-1937), Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) and Dmitri Schostakowitsch (1906-1975)
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, piano: André Parfenov, conductor: Andreas Fellner
    20 dancers, ca. 140 min. incl. interval

    Choreography-Werkstatt 2018/19
    Premiers 2018
    Choreography: Victoria Hay, Amelia Seth, Yoko Takahashi, Takashi Kondo, Francesco Rovea, Radoslaw Rusiecki,  Teresa Levrini, Alessandro Borghesani, Marco A. Carlucci
    Music: Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736), Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), Ane Brun, Ida Jenshus, Simon & Garfunkel, Stavros, The Ronettes, Ezio Bosso and Canzoniere Greconico Salentino
    20 dancers, duration: ca. 120 min. (incl. interval)

    Living in America
    Choreography: Robert North, music: Aaron Copland (1900-1990), George Gershwin (1898-1937), John Lee Hooker,
    Yello, Peter Gabriel, Jean Michel Jarre, Christopher Benstead and James Brown
    20 dancers, duration: ca. 120 min. (incl. interval)

    Farben der Welt (UA)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: I. Strawinsky (1882-1971), Howard Blake (*1938), André Parfenov (*1972) und Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
    Premier part 3 2019
    Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Klavier: André Parfenov, Dirigent: Andreas Fellner
    20 dancers, duration: ca. 120 min. (incl. interval)


    Productions from the 2017/18 season

    Pinocchio (2016)
    Ballet for childre and adults based on Carlo Collodi
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: André Parfenov
    20 dancers, 7 members of Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, piano: André Parfenov, violin: Juliana Münch, ca. 60 min (no interval)

    Sinfonie des Lebens
    Consisting of the following choreographies:
    JUGEND (2003)
    DER SCHLAF DER VERNUNFT (1986)
    FARBENSPIEL ("Colour Moves") (1983)
    Choreography: Robert North, music: Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Schostakowitsch and Christopher Benstead
    20 dancers, 1 Sopran, 1 Bass, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, ca. 130 min (incl. 2 intervals)

    Teufelskreis
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music collage with works from David Byrne, Christopher Benstead, Einstürzende Neubauten, Michael Jackson, Jean Sibelius, Richard Wagner among others
    20 dancers, ca. 95 min (incl. interval)

    N.N. (UA) / Für meine Tochter / Boléro

    Choreography: Robert North, music from André Parfenov, Leoš Janácek and Maurice Ravel
    20 dancers, ca. 120 min (incl. two intervals)

    Souvenirs aus West und Ost
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music from George Gershwin and Dmitri Schostakowitsch
    20 dancers, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, piano: André Parfenov, conductor: Andreas Fellner, ca. 120 min (incl. interval)


    Productions from the 2016/2017 season

    Rhapsodie und Rumba (2016)
    Choreography: Robert North, music: Franz Liszt, John Lee Hooker,
    Paco de Lucia, Simon Rogers and others
    21 dancers, approx. 105 min (incl. interval)

    Eine Frau ohne Namen (2016)

    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Howard Blake
    20 dancers, 1 Soprano, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Choir, approx. 105 min (incl. interval)

    Pinocchio (2016)
    Ballett for children and adults after Carlo Collodi
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: André Parfenov
    21 dancers, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, piano: André Parfenov, violin: Juliana Münch, approx. 60 min

    Sinfonie des Lebens
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Schostakowitsch and Christopher Benstead
    21 dancers, 1 Soprano, 1 Bass, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, approx. 110 min (incl. intervaln)

    Teufelskreis
    Choreography: Robert North
    music-collage from pieces of David Byrne, Christopher Benstead, Michael Jackson, Jean Sibelius, Richard Wagner and others
    20 dancers, approx. 60 min (incl. interval)


    Productions from the 2014/2015 season

    Petruschka / Offenbach (2015)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: I. Strawinsky and Jacques Offenbach

    Tangonacht plus … (2015)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Astor Piazzolla, André Parfenov and others

    Carmina Burana (2014)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Carl Orff
    16 dancers, 70 min

    Lachen und Weinen (2014)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: F. Chopin and F. Schubert
    16 dancers, 130 min

    Productions from the 2013/2014 season

    Carmen (1997)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Libretto: Robert North (adapted from Mérimée)
    Composition: Christopher Benstead
    22 dancers, 100 min

    Prinz Rama (1992)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Christopher Benstead
    16 dancers, 1 narrator, 4 musicians (Percussion), 60 min

    Bilder aus der Neuen Welt  / Verlorene Kinder

    Bilder aus der Neuen Welt (1988)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: Aaron Copland / Niederrheinische Sinfoniker
    20 dancers, 35 min

    Verlorene Kinder (2013)
    Choreography: Robert North
    Music: André Parfenov / Niederrheinische Sinfoniker
    20 dancers, 1 singer, 60 min

Materials


Der Sturm / Ein Sommernachtstraum
Trailer


Peter und der Wolf
Trailer


Beethoven!
Trailer

Contact

Theater Krefeld und Mönchengladbach
Theaterplatz 3 | 47798 Krefeld
Tel 02151 805 0

Kindly supported by
Gesellschaft für Ballett und Tanz,
Theaterfreunde Krefeld
and Theaterfreunde Mönchengladbach.


http://www.theater-kr-mg.de