Korean National Ballet

Korean National Ballet is a renowned ballet company based in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 1962 by Seoul Arts High School and the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The company has a rich history, with performances at prestigious venues such as the Seoul Arts Center, National Theater of Korea, and Korea National Opera. With a repertoire that includes works by famous choreographers like George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, and John Cranko, the company has collaborated with international ballet companies, including the American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, and Royal Ballet. The company's dancers have also had the opportunity to work with acclaimed choreographers like William Forsythe, Twyla Tharp, and Akram Khan.

● History

The Korean National Ballet was established in 1962, with its first performance of Giselle at the National Theater of Korea. The company's early years were marked by collaborations with international ballet companies, including the Paris Opera Ballet and the New York City Ballet. In the 1970s, the company began to develop its own unique style, with performances of traditional Korean ballets like The Tale of Shim Cheong and The Legend of Chunhyang. The company has also performed at international festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Singapore Arts Festival. Notable performances include Swan Lake at the Sydney Opera House and The Nutcracker at the Tokyo Opera House. The company has worked with famous conductors like Valery Gergiev and Gustavo Dudamel, and has performed with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.

● Repertoire

The Korean National Ballet's repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets, such as Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, and Don Quixote. The company has also performed works by Korean choreographers like Kim Jae-duk and Lee Jae-young, as well as international choreographers like Jiří Kylián and Ohad Naharin. The company's repertoire also includes ballets like La Sylphide and Le Corsaire, which have been performed at venues like the Palais Garnier and the Teatro alla Scala. The company has collaborated with other dance companies, including the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Batsheva Dance Company. The company's performances have been accompanied by music from famous composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky.

● Dancers

The Korean National Ballet has a diverse company of dancers, including principal dancers like Kim Ji-young and Lee Hyang-jo. The company's dancers have trained at prestigious ballet schools like the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and the School of American Ballet. Many of the company's dancers have won awards at international ballet competitions, including the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria and the Prix de Lausanne. The company's dancers have also had the opportunity to work with famous ballet coaches like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova. The company has a strong connection with other ballet companies, including the Australian Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada.

● Performances

The Korean National Ballet performs regularly at venues like the Seoul Arts Center and the National Theater of Korea. The company has also toured internationally, with performances in countries like Japan, China, and the United States. The company's performances have been accompanied by orchestras like the Korean Symphony Orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The company has collaborated with other arts organizations, including the Korea National Opera and the Seoul Metropolitan Theater. The company's performances have been attended by notable figures like Ban Ki-moon and Lee Myung-bak.

● Artistic_Direction

The Korean National Ballet has been led by several artistic directors, including Kang Sue-jin and Stephen Jefferies. The company's current artistic director is Kang Hyo-jeong, who has worked with the company since 2015. Under her direction, the company has premiered new works like The Red Shoes and Giselle. The company has also collaborated with international choreographers like Alexei Ratmansky and Justin Peck. The company's artistic direction has been influenced by famous ballet companies like the Mariinsky Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet.

● Company_Touring

The Korean National Ballet has toured extensively throughout its history, with performances in over 20 countries. The company has performed at international festivals like the Aspen Music Festival and the Salzburg Festival. The company has also collaborated with other dance companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Pilobolus Dance Theater. The company's touring schedule has included performances at venues like the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The company has worked with famous dance critics like Clive Barnes and Anna Kisselgoff, and has been reviewed by publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. The company's tours have been supported by organizations like the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Asia Society.

Category:Ballet companies