The Hamburg Ballet returns to Japan in March 2023 for the first time since 2018, after an unfortunately postponed tour due to COVID-19 originally scheduled for 2020. It will be the Company's ninth Japan tour, and the performances will be given as part of the Company's special 2023 season--Mr. John Neumeier's final season as Artistic Director and Chief Choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet*. Mr. Neumeier assumed the post of Director in 1973. Considering the long-time friendship between Mr. Neumeier, the Hamburg Ballet, and the Japanese audiences, the upcoming tour will be all-the-more special and significant.

*The Hamburg Ballet announced in October 2022 that Mr. John Neumeier had agreed to prolong his contract as Artistic Director for a year to ensure a smooth transition to Mr. Demis Volpi and to step down in the summer of 2024.

The Company will bring two exuberant pieces. One is The World of John Neumeier, the much-anticipated gala that created a huge sensation on the last two Japanese tours. On the 2023 Japan tour, the Hamburg Ballet will perform an updated version.

The other one is Sylvia, a masterpiece originally created for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1997 and performed by Étoiles including Monique Loudières, Manuel Legris and Elisabeth Platel. In the same year, the ballet entered the Hamburg Ballet's repertoire. During the upcoming Japanese tour, it will be presented by the best possible cast including Madoka Sugai and Alexandr Trusch.

Join us for a precious opportunity to witness the art of John Neumeier, arguably one of the last great masters of contemporary ballet, presented by his dear dancers. 

Ballet gala 

Choreography, Direction and Narration John Neumeier

Thursday 2 March 2023, 19:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Friday 3 March 2023, 19:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Saturday 4 March 2023, 14:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Sunday 5 March 2023, 14:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Performed by all the principals, soloists and the entire corps de ballet of the Hamburg Ballet.

Running Time About 2 hours and 50 minutes including an intermission.

Recorded music will be used.

Ballet by John Neumeier

Music Léo Delibes

Choreography and Staging John Neumeier

Set and Costumes Yannis Kokkos

Friday 10 March 2023, 19:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Saturday 11 March 2023, 13:30 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

Saturday 11 March 2023, 18:00@Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

　　　　Sylvia Madoka Sugai, Aminta Alexandr Trusch 

Sunday 12 March 2023, 14:00 @Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo)

　　　　Sylvia Madoka Sugai, Aminta Alexandr Trusch 

Conductor Markus Lehtinen

Orchestra Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra

Running Time About 2 hours and 15 minutes including an intermission.

S:￥24,000　A:￥21,000　B:￥19,000　C:￥15,000　D:￥11,000　E:￥8,000

*Programs and casting as of 8 September 2022 are subject to change.