A programme of neo-classical ballets celebrating the work of Dutch master choreographer Hans van Manen – “the Mondriaan of dance”.

Filmed during a major 3-week retrospective of van Manen's work staged in Amsterdam in 2007.
Featuring stunning performances from internationally renowned ballerinas Uliana Lopatkina (Mariinsky), Lucia Lacarra (Bayerisches Staatsballett), Larissa Lezhnina, Igone de Jongh and Anna Tsygankova (Dutch National Ballet) and the contemporary dance talent of Nederlands Dans Theater.

ADAGIO HAMMERKLAVIER
Dutch National Ballet | music: Beethoven

SIMPLE THINGS
Nederlands Dans Theater 2 | music: Haydn, Vasks, Klusevek, Bern

TROIS GNOSSIENNES
Mariinsky Ballet featuring Uliana Lopatkina | music: Eric Satie

5 TANGOS
Bayerisches Staatsballett featuring Lucia Lacarra | music: Astor Piazzolla, performed by Carel Kraayenhof and the tango orchestra Sexteto Canyengue

TWILIGHT
Dutch National Ballet | music: John Cage

The programme includes behind the scenes introductions and interviews with Hans van Manen and the performers.

HANS VAN MANEN has been awarded the most prestigious prizes in the international dance world, including the Benois de la Danse Lifetime Achievement Award and the prestigious Deutsche Tanzpreis.
His ballets are performed by the greatest dance companies worldwide, including the Mariinsky Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, NDT, Vienna State Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Stuttgart Ballett, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Berlin Opera, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Royal Danish Ballet and Alvin Ailey.
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Critics rave about the refined structure, the erotic tension and the stylish simplicity of his work, hailing him as a successor to Balanchine and earning him the title "the Mondriaan of Dance". In a career spanning more than 60 years, Hans van Manen has created over 120 ballets. Now in his eighties,  the Master Choreographer is still creating new works, winning awards and exporting his very Dutch brand of dance around the world.

Two of the ballets in this programme, Adagio Hammerklavier and 5 Tangos, were nominated for the prestigious Golden Mask Award 2015.

HANS VAN MANEN FESTIVAL
138' | 2007
Directors: Jeff Tudor & Altin Kaftira

Co-producers:
Dutch National Ballet
​United Broadcast Facilities

Recorded at Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Choreography: Hans van Manen

Performed by: Dutch National Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett and Netherlands Dans Theater 2