In the opera and dance world, September is the season for lists. That's when the international trade press presents its verdict on the past season. This year too, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen scores highly in various categories with dancers, soloists and productions.
Every year around this time, the trade magazines Opernwelt and Dance Europe ask international reviewers about their best experiences from the past season. It produces - somewhat comparable to culinary guides - lists that the opera and dance world looks forward to.
Because standing out among all opera and dance productions from Moscow to New York is no easy feat. The number of opera performances worldwide alone fluctuates yearly around 25,000 performances. For dancers too, a mention is a sign of recognition.
The premieres of the opera Les Bienveillantes and of the dance productions Bach Studies and Furioso stood out during the past season, according to international experts.
The controversial world premiere Les Bienveillantes by composer Héctor Parra and librettist Klaus Handl based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Littell received many positive reviews at its world premiere in the impressive direction of Calixto Bieito. Now it is being called the world premiere of the year. Peter Tantsits too, who created the lead role of SS officer Max Aue in an inimitable way, has stuck with many critics and is now once again and rightly praised as 'Best Performance'.
The Choir of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen is also praised several times and the whole house is considered by many an international journalist as the "best opera house". Last year Opera Ballet Vlaanderen also won the title of Best Company during the International Opera Awards.
Ballet and dance journalists, meanwhile, found the world premiere Bach Studies by American star choreographer Benjamin Millepied and the virtuosic Furioso by Meryl Tankard - in which the dancers glided across the stage on ropes - the "premieres of the year". A nice feather in the cap for the entire company.
But our dancers also receive individual recognition from the world press. The performances of Ana Carolina Quaresma in Martha Graham's Chronicle - who has since ended her dance career - and of Mikio Kato (soloist) as the sly Hilarion in Akram Khan's Giselle stood out.
Aki Saito and Wim Vanlessen are also once again praised for their farewell roles in Akram Khan's Giselle and Boléro and are included in the list of "Dancers of the Year", which is a well-deserved recognition for their many years of partnership within Ballet Vlaanderen.
Last season, principal Nancy Osbaldeston danced the role of Clara in The Nutcracker as a guest with the Bayerisches Staatsballett and is counted among the 'Best Performances by a Dancer' during the past season. In Munich she danced alongside world star Osiel Gouneo.
As a side note, we also congratulate Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian, who was named "Singer of the Year" by Opernwelt. Asmik performed with great verve for us in the roles of Judith in Duke Bluebeard's Castle (2013-2014) and last season as Rachel in La Juive.
These recognitions are an excellent start to our new season, which is marked by 50 years of Ballet Vlaanderen, 5 years of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the new artistic direction of opera by Jan Vandenhouwe and our new music director Alejo Pérez.
med. Wilfried Eetezonne, press officer Opera Ballet Vlaanderen