Sun, Jan. 18, 2026, 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm | Main Stage
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A Dance of Death by John Neumeier based on the novella by Thomas Mann
Death In Venice
The city itself is mythical: Venice, with its undulating shores, where the aging writer Gustav von Aschenbach abandons his previous life’s concept. In John Neumeier’s adaptation of the famous Thomas Mann novella, Aschenbach becomes a master choreographer who finds himself in the midst of a deep creative crisis. Frustrated and exhausted, he abandons his work, but a meeting with a mysterious stranger awakens his desire to travel. Thus, he arrives in Venice. On the Lido, a young man, Tadzio, captivates him, changing Aschenbach's approach to life and work. He transforms from a purely intellectual, controlled person into one who allows himself to experience emotions. From this, he draws new inspiration. Meanwhile, the cholera claims more and more victims in the Italian lagoon city. Nevertheless, Aschenbach decides to stay, to abandon his art,destroy his work – and find his death in Venice.
To highlight the duality in Aschenbach’s character, John Neumeier juxtaposes Johann Sebastian Bach’s strictly structured “Musical Offering” with the ecstatic compositions of Richard Wagner, which express AschenbachsDionysian side. Through this, he creates a profound portrait of an artist's soul.. Created by Neumeier for the Hamburg Ballet in 2003 and with stylish sets by designer Peter Schmidt, this full-length work takes the audience on an unforgettable journey to Venice.
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach, Richard Wagner
Choreography and Staging: John Neumeier
Set: Peter Schmidt
Costumes: John Neumeier, Peter Schmidt
Lighting Concept: John Neumeier
Piano and recorded music
2 hours 30 minutes | 1 intermission
Part 1: 60 minutes, Part 2: 55 minutes
PREMIERE:
Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, December 7, 2003
ORIGINAL CAST:
Gustav von Aschenbach: Lloyd Riggins
his assistant – his mother, Tadzio's mother: Laura Cazzaniga
Tadzio: Edvin Revazov
Frederick the Great: Ivan Urban
La Barbarina: Hélène Bouchet
Aschenbach's Concepts: Silvia Azzoni, Alexandre Riabko
The Wanderer, the Gondolier, a Dance Couple, Dionysos, the Hairdresser, the Guitar Player: Jirí Bubenícek, Otto Bubenícek
A young Aschenbach: Anton Alexandrov
Jaschu, Tadzio's friend: Arsen Megrabian
ON TOUR:
2003 Baden-Baden 2004 Baden-Baden 2007 New York, Orange County, CA 2008 Barcelona, Paris 2009 Venice, Vienna 2014 Copenhagen 2015 Madrid 2021 Baden-Baden 2025 Salzburg
PART I
I Fame and Creation
His name and fame firmly established, the great choreographer Gustav von Aschenbach begins work on a new ballet based on the Prussian King Frederick the Great. Aschenbach is the acclaimed master of formal symmetry and structure – his ballets are modern classics. But now, the artist's fear of not finishing, of failure, clouds his vision. Panic impedes creation. The "Frederick Project" should be his masterpiece, but his concept becomes more and more obscure and confused. Unconscious memories of his poetic, impulsive dead mother distract him from his work. The court ballerina »La Barbarina« and Frederick the Great, characters of his creative imagination, appear, seeming to demand choreographic form and immortality. A crisis…
II On the Brink of Exhaustion
Frustrated and exhausted Aschenbach abandons his work. An encounter with a mysterious stranger arouses his thirst for travel.
III A Sensation of swimming – The Journey to Venice
The desire to get away overcomes him. He travels to Venice. A strangely familiar gondolier brings Aschenbach across the Lagoon to the Lido.
IV The Silent Encounter – Hôtel des Bains
In the lobby, the elegant Venetian society promenades. Their glances of recognition and obvious awareness of his celebrity intensify Aschenbach's discomfort. Two effeminate young men dance outrageously with each other, then flirt with Aschenbach. Irritated he begins to leave. Tadzio, a strikingly beautiful young man, enters barefoot. The youth engages Aschenbach's attention, fires his imagination. He stays…
PART II
V In Elysium – On the Lido
The Beach. Aschenbach observes the playful activities of Tadzio and his companions. The sun seems to turn his attention from intellectual to sensory perception. Tadzio's smile overwhelms Aschenbach. Inspired by Tadzio's presence, he choreographs a pas de deux of true emotional love.
VI A Dionysian Dream
Aschenbach falls asleep on the beach. An orgiastic dream overtakes him: bodies, tumult and frenzied erotic dance. He gives himself over to the Other God. Unnerved and shattered Aschenbach awakes.
VII Metamorphosis
With a hairdressing gown draped over him, Aschenbach leans back in the chair: "We are only so old as we feel in our hearts and minds. A man in your position has a right to his natural hair colour" says the barber.
VIII Dance of Death – Cholera in Venice
A Street Musician gives a vulgar performance in the hotel garden. The player is brutal and bold, dangerous and relentless. Hotel guests fall ill – and die.
IX The pure sound of the Piano: Decision and Farewell
Nevertheless, Gustav von Aschenbach decides to stay. He lets go of his art, his artistry, destroys his creations. His "Frederick the Great" will remain unfinished...
X Liebestod
Aschenbach turns from art to life – and death in Venice.
