10.02.2010

The first premiere of the Finnish National Ballet this spring season will be the Romantic ballet La Sylphide on 26 February 2010. Choreographed by August Bournonville to music by Herman Severin Løvenskiold, the ballet was first performed in Copenhagen in 1836. This is the first time La Sylphide by Bournonville is performed at the FNB.

La Sylphide will be staged by Frank Andersen, former Director of the Royal Danish Ballet, and rehearsed by guest repetiteur Eva Kloborg. The sets and costumes follow the traditional Royal Danish Ballet version, and the lighting is by François Saint-Cyr. The role of the sylph will be taken by Maki Nakagawa and Petia Ilieva and the role of James by Jaakko Eerola, Wilfried Jacobs and Nicholas Ziegler.

Bournonville has previously featured in the repertoire of the FNB with Napoli, productions of which were premiered in 1965 (abbreviated version), 1986 and 2005.

Made in Finland: World premiere of two Finnish contemporary dance works

The second premiere of the Finnish National Ballet this spring season will be the contemporary double bill Made in Finland on 11 March 2010, featuring world premieres of works by two Finnish choreographers in Almi Hall: Whiteout by Simo Kellokumpu and Value by Jarkko Mandelin. Kellokumpu studied as a dancer and a choreographer at the Theatre Academy in Helsinki and has choreographed mainly for his own company. Mandelin was trained as a dancer at the Ballet School of the Finnish National Opera and as a choreographer at the Theatre Academy. He combines ballet, contemporary dance, breakdance and acrobatics in his work.

Kenneth Greve to continue as Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet until 2014

The Board of the Foundation of the Finnish National Opera has decided to exercise the two-year option for extension in the contract of Kenneth Greve, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet. Greve’s tenure is thereby extended until 31 July 2014.

Greve was appointed to his post in November 2007 and took it up on 1 August 2008. The Artistic Director of the FNB reports directly to Päivi Kärkkäinen, General Director of the FNO.

August Bournonville: La Sylphide
Premiere Feb 26, 2010
Other performances Feb 27, March 1, 3, 12, 16, 18 and 20

Kellokumpu – Mandelin: Made in Finland
Premiere March 11, 2010
Other performances  March 13, 15 and 17

source: Finnish National Opera