World premiere of John Neumeier: Liliom Ballet

World premiere of John Neumeier’s Liliom with music by Michel Legrand // December 4th

Liliom, the first premiere of THE HAMBURG BALLET’s season 2011/2012, will be a genuine world premiere: John Neumeier is creating a ballet set in the milieu of fairs in the United States of the 1930s, based on Ferenc Molnár’s popular theater play. It is the first time that the play is adapted for dance with an original score, written by Michel Legrand. John Neumeier will create the female lead role Julie for Alina Cojocaru.

Liliom
Ballet legend by John Neumeier based on the play by Ferenc Molnár Music: Michel Legrand.

Molnár’s play Liliom, written in 1909, is today known as a theater classic and was adapted for films repeatedly. With Carousel, the play was also transformed into a musical, popular until today. Michel Legrand, widely known for his film music and winner of several Academy Awards, created the score for the “ballet legend in 7 scenes and a prologue, commissioned by THE HAMBURG BALLET and the Hamburg State Opera. Michel Legrand’s reputation builds on a variety of world-famous music scores. Among others, he wrote the original soundtracks for Norman Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair, Yentl and the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again. Here, he is merging elements of classical and jazz music. The Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Big Band of the NDR (Northern German Television and Radio) will work jointly on the world premiere of the music.

Liliom
Ballet legend by John Neumeier based on the play by Ferenc Molnár
Music: Michel Legrand

(Commissioned by THE HAMBURG BALLET / the Hamburgische Staatsoper)
Choreography, Staging and Costumes: John Neumeier
Stage Design: Ferdinand Wögerbauer
Conductor: Simon Hewett
A cooperation with NDR Bigband

Premiere A: December 4, 6.00 p.m.
Premiere B: December 8, 7.30 p.m.
Performances: December 10, 19 and 20; January 5 and 6, 7.30 p.m.

Guest dancer:
Alina Cojocaru as Julie (Dec 4, 6, 20; Jan 5).

World premiere of John Neumeier: Liliom Ballet | Danza Ballet