Royal Ballet of Flanders

Royal Ballet of Flanders
Name	Royal Ballet of Flanders
Founded	1969
Location	Antwerp, Belgium
Venue	opera house of Antwerp

Royal Ballet of Flanders The Royal Ballet of Flanders is a Belgian ballet company based in Antwerp, associated with the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and performing at venues such as the Antwerp Opera, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, and Centre for Fine Arts Brussels. The company has collaborated with choreographers including William Forsythe, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Alessandra Ferri, Hans van Manen, and Jirí Kylián, and has toured to institutions such as the Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Opera House, Bolshoi Theatre, New York City Ballet, and La Scala. Its repertoire draws from classical works by Marius Petipa, August Bournonville, and George Balanchine as well as contemporary commissions from Pina Bausch, Maurice Béjart, and Ohad Naharin.

History

The company was founded in 1969 amid cultural initiatives in Belgium during the tenure of political figures like Paul-Henri Spaak and municipal authorities in Antwerp, and it evolved through leadership transitions involving directors connected to institutions such as La Monnaie, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, and the Flemish Government. In the 1980s and 1990s the company expanded its profile working with choreographers affiliated with Staatsballett Berlin, Nederlands Dans Theater, Munich Biennale, and festivals including the Edinburgh Festival and Avignon Festival. Strategic partnerships with houses such as Vienna State Opera, Opéra national de Paris, and festivals like Jacob's Pillow and Spring Festival Beijing increased its international standing, while dancers trained at schools linked to Royal Ballet School, Vaganova Academy, and School of American Ballet joined its ranks. Institutional support came from cultural bodies such as the Flemish Community, European Union, and foundations associated with King Philippe of Belgium patronage and national arts policy.

Repertoire and Style

The company’s repertory juxtaposes classical ballets like versions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Giselle with contemporary pieces by choreographers from Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon, Spanish National Dance Company, and independent companies led by artists such as Crystal Pite, Shobana Jeyasingh, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Its stylistic range incorporates techniques rooted in the traditions of Vaganova Method, Cecchetti Method, and Balanchine technique while embracing physical vocabularies associated with Butoh, contemporary dance collective Akram Khan Company, and the movement research of Rudolf Laban. Productions emphasize musical collaborations with orchestras such as the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, The Hague Philharmonic, and guest conductors like Valery Gergiev, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Daniel Barenboim.

Company and Leadership

Principal dancers, soloists, and corps de ballet members have included artists trained at institutions such as Paris Opera Ballet School, Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), and alumni from companies including American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet, and Berlin State Ballet. Artistic directors and guest choreographers have ties to figures like Richard Eyre, Peter Schaufuss, Mats Ek, Angelin Preljocaj, and administrators liaising with cultural ministries led by persons connected to King Baudouin Foundation and European cultural agencies. The administrative structure interacts with unions and guilds such as International Guild of Musicians, international presenters including Sadler's Wells, and festival directors from Montreal Fine Arts and Sydney Festival.

Productions and Tours

Major productions have been staged in collaboration with opera houses such as Teatro alla Scala, Royal Danish Theatre, and venues at events like Vienna Festival and Prague Spring International Music Festival; touring circuits included visits to North America, Asia, and the Middle East with stops at Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, and Mariinsky Theatre. Co-productions have involved companies such as English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and choreographers linked to American Dance Festival and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, with repertory exchanges that brought works by Justin Peck, Alonzo King, and Jiří Kylián to international stages. Touring required logistical partnerships with cultural attachés in embassies of Belgium, international impresarios affiliated with Live Nation, and presenters at multicity festivals like Montreal International Jazz Festival hosting cross-disciplinary programs.

School and Education

The affiliated school prepares students through curricula influenced by Royal Ballet School, Vaganova Academy, School of American Ballet, and pedagogy from masters associated with Cuban National Ballet School and Paris Opera Ballet School. Educational outreach has connected with municipal initiatives in Antwerp, collaborations with universities such as University of Antwerp and conservatoires like Conservatoire de Paris, and youth programs linked to festivals including Choreographic Festival Hannover and Dance Umbrella. Partnerships support apprenticeships, trainee exchanges with Nederlands Dans Theater, and scholarship programs administered alongside foundations like Prince Claus Fund and local cultural councils.

Awards and Recognition

The company and its dancers have received accolades at events such as the Laurence Olivier Awards, International Ballet Awards, and national honors from the Belgian Crown; choreographic commissions and productions have been shortlisted for prizes administered by organizations including the Benois de la Danse, Der Faust, and the European Theatre Awards. Institutional recognition includes grants from the Flemish Community, endorsements from cultural bodies like UNESCO and awards connected to foundations such as The KBF and patronage acknowledgments by members of the Belgian Royal Family.

Category:Ballet companies Category:Culture in Antwerp