Overview

Founded in 1748, the Royal Danish Ballet is the world's third-oldest ballet company. Its remarkable dedication to the works of August Bournonville—no other company has kept as many of the great choreographer's ballets in its repertory—represents the core of the troupe's activities. But the company has also developed a robust modern style, collaborating with today's top choreographers. Both past and present will be on display as the dancers perform two programs in Zellerbach Hall. The first features Bournonville's timeless Romantic masterpiece La Sylphide and Flemming Flindt's demonically captivating The Lesson (based on Ionesco's absurdist classic). The second is an ambitious survey of modern Nordic choreography by some of today's most adventurous dance-makers.

Program A (Tue & Wed): Bournonville: La Sylphide, music by H. S. Løvenskiold · Flindt: The Lesson, music by George Delerue

Program B (Fri & Sat): Nordic Modern Choreography: Jorma Uotinen: Earth, music by Metallica and Apocalyptica · Thomas Lund and Nikolaj Hübbe: Bournonville Variations, set to music by Martin Åkerwall, from the Bournonville Classes · Johan Kobbog: Alumnus, music by H. Wieniawski-Kreisler, Hans Christian Lumbye · Jorma Elo: Lost on Slow, music by Antonio Vivaldi

Related Events

Invited Rehearsal with the Royal Danish Ballet
Tue, May 31, 11:45 am
Zellerbach Hall
(Donors of $125+)
Catch this rare glimpse into the creative process and see how the ballet master leads the world-class dancers through rehearsals.

Lobby Talk
Sat, June 4, 5-6pm
Zellerbach Hall Lobby Mezzanine
Lobby Talk with Kathryn Roszak and Royal Danish Ballet Artistic Director Nickolaj Hübbe.

Donor Intermission Reception
Fri, Jun 3
(Donors of $1200+)
Producer's Circle members are invited to join us for complimentary refreshments in our donor lounge, the Zellerbach Room, located on the north side of the Zellerbach Hall lobby. For especially popular events, find us on the Mezzanine at Zellerbach Hall. Donor Intermissions are the perfect place to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in the company of other Producer's Circle members.

Not a Producer's Circle donor? To find out how you can join and take advantage of membership benefits like this while helping Cal Performances with much needed contributions, please call 510.642.8653 or see our Support section.

Program Notes

Program notes are available online. [PDF]

Traffic/Parking Alert

Parking may be a problem on campus and some normal routes to Zellerbach may be barred for the Sat, June 4, performance due to the Berkeley World Music Festival, which is also happening that day. Please allow extra time that day to navigate street closures. Please see the Festival site for more information.

Articles & Reviews

San Francisco Chronicle — June 2 by Allan Ulrich: Royal Danish Ballet Review

San Francisco Classical Voice — June 2 by Rachel Howard: Royal Danish Ballet Review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times — June 2 by Ann Murphy: Royal Danish Ballet Review

Vanity Fair — June by Heather Watts: Royal Danish Ballet Advance

San Francisco Chronicle — May 29 by Allan Ulrich: Royal Danish Ballet Advance

Bay Area Reporter — May 26 by Paul Parish: Royal Danish Ballet